Posts

Showing posts from 2014

Christmas #genderbendingFriday:

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'Tis a great year for Emma Watson, aka Hermione Granger. She finally left Harry Porter behind and transcended into Hollywood properly. This year, she starred in Noah. She was named Time's feminist of the year (still controversial) and Digital Spy Reader Awards' Hero of the Year etc. She also won a British Style Award. She became a U.N. Women Goodwill Ambassador and gave that great speech for the #HeforShe Campaign . And, she graduated from Brown University with a degree in English literature.

Merry Christmas

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It's Christmas day. Merry Christmas!  May the good times and treasures of the present become the golden memories of tomorrow.  Wishing you lots of love, joy and happiness. Today, sparkle with moments of love, laughter and goodwill.

Have you watched #TheHonourableWoman? You should!

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Can we talk about Nessa Stein? I predict this post to be all about Nessa Stein. Can someone scream badass? First Nessa is a baroness, not just any baroness, a first generation Brit baroness. Not just any first generation Brit, but an Anglo-Israeli first generation Brit. Yes, the barony is the lowest rank of the European nobility, but it was originally instituted as a mark of a pledge to militarily defend the king. Now, I only know three ways to become a Baroness. One, you marry a Baron. Two, you're born into it. Three, you're granted the title by a Queen or King. Obviously, Nessa falls into the third category. But, the thing is that the third category is the hardest. It is extremely rare. So, color me impressed that Nessa is a frakking baroness, even though her father, Eli, was an Isreali who procured arms for Zionists. Nessa turned her father's former arms company into a company seeking to broker peace in the Middle East. She does this by providing high-speed data c

Our attitudes towards rape accusations

It is heart breaking to realize even in 2014, people still have no idea what rape is. Roxane Gay believes it's because we "can’t fathom rape as a thing that an otherwise normal-seeming person would ever do." Rape IS NOT ABOUT SEX! It is not even forceful sex. Rape is about power, dominance, dehumanization, etc. Even though the definition of rape was amended a decade ago, we still immediately assume rape must be forceful and must incur bodily harm. Even sadder that most survivors actually believe this and have to go through a process of accepting that they were raped, then have to go through the emotional process of putting their lives together after such discovery, to pointing a finger at their rapist. To assume that people have to do this concurrently, and should they not, it be an indication of a lie, I have no words for. I have news for you. You don't get to decide someone's emotional process. It's not yours to decide!

Give #The100 four other tries and you won't be sorry

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Watching the first three episodes of The 100 was a lot hard for me. The teenage angst was just unchewable, especially Clarke's animosity towards Wells and then towards her mother. It just had me all about to African parent smack some senses into her. Jesox, can she just grow up! The unneeded disappearance of Wells didn't help either. Really, that was a pointless development, especially what was done to that poor little girl after. It's not on the characters but the writers. Let's not even talk about the Clarke, Finn and Raven triangle. Ship Clarke with anybody, but Finn. I even hoped for a spark when she started working with Bellamy. But, the writers seem intent on shoving Clarke and Finn supposed one true pairing down my throat. Really, at first glance, The 100 feels like a campy Battlestar Galactica effort, only with teenagers. But, if you stick with it, you would forgive all these grievances and go look in haste for the second season as soon as the last episode

Syfy's #Ascension Review: A Goody

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"Sexist, racist and homophobic, yet I say you should watch it." These are words that come to mind when I think of Ascension. Ascension is Syfy's original science fiction mystery drama that takes place in an alternate present time aboard a generation ship. In 1963, men, women and children were sent into space on a century-long voyage aboard the U.S.S. Ascension  to colonize Proxima Centauri, assuring the survival of the human race. Insider TV nails it best: " The twists and turns of Ascension’s three-night mini-series flight landed the earthbound space ark’s most Right Stuffy space hero and the story itself in a mysterious place strewn with wreckage and reminders of other stories. And more mystery! " Overt problems  Racism: there are only two token lead black people: one black guy who rises from the lower deck to become an officer and the black librarian who adopted him after his parent's get blown to pieces. Verdict, librarian gets shipped into a com

#genderbendingFriday: IWC Schaffhausen Commercial

Many months later, the new IWC Schaffhausen commercial gets released. Be still my heart, be still! The black and white picture, "Amore Fermati" by Fred Bongusto giving me those romantic flutters, Cate Blanchett, Emily Blunt and Zhou Xun in tuxes, everything! So much   feels!!! Murewa, breathe, in and out, easy, just breathe. Was not a fan of IWC but I just got converted. Its Portuguese line, specifically the Sidérale Scafusia, sets my heart ablaze, followed by the pilot collection -- Chronograph Top Gun. Elegance is understated. But, more importantly, I heart the commercial. Although, you can call it a short.  Pictures of the shoot can be found in one of my earlier  #genderbendingFriday  posts. Swoon, swoon, swoon. You're welcome. 

An Ode To @Asa_official

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My love for Asa isn't an open-secret. In fact, my mum calls her "my musician." As if, I own her or what not. But, she usually means Asa, my favorite artist . I bought my father the Beautiful Imperfection CD as a birthday/new year gift. Yes, I was that determined (in Chigul's voice, dee-ta-min-e-d) to get my whole family into the fandom. I pride myself in knowing all lyrics to her songs, even though they're quite easy to learn. Feel all mushy inside, even I visible protest seeing it, whenever people say we look alike. The Asa fever is so bad that I am contemplating buying a vinyl player so I can buy all Asa albums in vinyl and play the shit out of them. Anyways, I found a couple pictures from  olorisupergal's blog of Asa from the spectacular concert she had at the Union Chapel a few days ago. Twitter didn't let me rest as it proceeded to inform me of what I am missing. Dammit, people, I know.  Anyways, the pictures caused me so much swooning, I started d

Nigeria at 54 - Pete pete - 9ice ft Asa

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Another Independence Day and I'm with mixed feelings, especially after watching some Alhaji Sir Tafawa Balewa videos. Nigeria, what happened to you between 1961 and now? So many things went wrong! How did many things go so wrong so fast, for so long? Why? I would let 9ice and Asa do justice to my emotions at this time. Of which, before 9ice gets himself elected, he needs to go and shoot a video for Pete Pete. Back to Nigeria, someday, someday soon. Verse 1: (9ice) Ojo re bi ana ta gb'ominira, [It seems as though we gained our independence yesterday] 1960 N'igba yen tis easy gege bo se wi [It was the year 1960 and things were easy] Ta rugbo, t'omidan lon dunu pa ti d'ominira [Both young and old rejoiced when we became free] Ominira indeed abi, ewo Naira wa [Independence indeed..see the way Naira has depreciated] Ilu polukurumusu [ the country is upside down] T'ewe t'agba lon j'eyan won nisu [Both young and old are suffering] Abe

Next Time Someone Says Women Aren't Victims Of Harassment, Show Them This

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Next Time Someone Says Women Aren't Victims Of Harassment, Show Them This Comic From Hugs . For the full comic, head over to Robot Hugs .

#GenderbendingFriday:Janelle Monae

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Janelle Monae wears a suit and it becomes perfection. She was made to rock great pieces! Love her style. Love her music! Inspirational stuffs.

In Today's News

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1. Scotland Voted No yesternight/early this morning. I waited all night to hear it called. After all was said and done, I mean ballots counted, First Minister Alex Salmond finally appeared. All night, Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon held the front. Heard today Salmond may be resigning after yesterday's result. Well, considering he was absent all day, ok. Scotland #indyref results in full - with updated map http://t.co/uObwIIANNE pic.twitter.com/YNFexdSK4J — BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) September 19, 2014 After much anticipation, Glasgow's number came in: Yes, but with a 194,779 (53.5 percent). Which was not a good number considering it was the heart of the Yes campaign. Glasgow: Yes: 194,779. No: 169,347. "Only" 75% turnout. Not what "Yes" was looking for. — Will McAvoy (@WillMcAvoyACN) September 19, 2014 And in case you're wondering why you should have been invested in the election, this writer breaks it down with her Wetin C

“Orange Is the New Black” meets “Grey’s Anatomy”

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Alex Vause's spirit transcends, Walahi! Saw the picture and all I could think of was "Sara fantastic Ramirez." I love it, and I am this close to shipping it. In fact, I already have shipped the boat! Waiting for next year is torture, Orange Is The New Black writers! But hey, six days to Sara Ramirez and Jessica Capshaw, aka Calzona goodness. Would miss Sandra Oh, but the Shondaland ride is ON!

TV Writing Opportunity

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Do you desire to write for a TV series? If yes, you should apply to fill one of the four staff writers The Bohemian media company has called out for. For more information about the opportunity, head over to The Single Story . Good luck!

#GenderbendingFriday

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Not all green suits make you look like a leprechaun, just saying. If you're one for bold suits, may the odds be in your favor. 

This world, is it mine to worry about?

This world, is it mine to worry about? Bombs inandout of Iraq. Gaza, the strip and Israel. The fact that I still can't spell Isreal right. Nigeria, 2014, the religious strife, the political pandemonium, 2015 hysteria, the girls yanked from their mothers' dry breasts, still encamped in houses they call not theirs. Ferguson, we still can't remove racial equation from the situation and realize how wrong shooting an unarmed, surrendered kid is. What now? Another one dead, by stones, sticks, hands, whatever mechanism, descending in vigorous motion. Self made jury and judge, mass hysteria. The murders laid at the doors of religion, Christianity. The girl hung in the market square for honor-we've raped all over again, her intestines out in the street. Honor, never about hiding, but opening the 'sins' for the world to see. Girls, don't walk the street at night, dark, lurking evil. Don't friendzone the one you're not interested in. Don't wear minis, not e

She, Unnamed

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She lounged, no reclined, pranced like a lazy cat, the chair pushed into a semi bed, the dark aviators shielding her eyes from rays which Expand   Reply     Favorite     More oluwa-is-involved  ‏ @ olubela     Sep 6 weren't let in by the tiny window to her left. A blue silky pashmina draped around her neck. She lay without a care, or seemed to be. Expand   Reply     Favorite     More oluwa-is-involved  ‏ @ olubela     Sep 6 Her right hand twirled her white smartphone around, pushing the next encounter a little away with each cycle. She was the only one, in the conclave Expand   Reply     Favorite     More oluwa-is-involved  ‏ @ olubela     Sep 6 minus the pilot, his door open. Her phone beeps. She brings it to her eyes. 33 freaking missed calls. Bo freaking who. The mail sign pops.

#GenderbendingFriday: Jenna Lyons

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via  prettylittlethingnyc.blogspot.com A good blazer works wonders, whether on slacks or jeans. Here's Jenna Lyons,  J. Crew's president and creative director. Since her appointment as creative head in 2008, the company has since tripled its annual revenue and garnered a place in fashion as a desirable brand.

Fall Soon-To-Be Favorites

It's that time of the year when your TV literally hugs you, outstretching cups of coffee! Favorites shows come on from the dregg that is Summer TV, not including OITNB. New shows compete to win your heart. From then on, it's a slippery slope to drinking egg-nogs in front of a flaring fire. Contenders for my Fall TV love-fest, even though I have cancelled cable. But who cares, include: Madam Secretary: Heck yeah, hell yeah, are you kidding me, yes! My fingers keep clenching and un-clenching in anticipation. Story line reads: "unexpectedly thrust into the position of Secretary of State, ex-CIA operative and college professor Elizabeth McCord must drive international diplomacy and wrangle office politics, all while balancing a complex family life. She's tough, fair and smart driving international diplomacy and wrangling office politics. But when she goes home for dinner with her husband and teenage children, politics takes on a whole new meaning."

#GenderbendingFriday

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Hit me five minutes ago that today is Friday and I have to put up a post. It has been a crazy week, back to school week. I went through yesterday not cognitively realizing that it was Thursday. It was not until my day was over that it clicked. Somehow, I suspect next week would be different. For today's #GenderbendingFriday, I wanted to find a piece from Monday's Emmy Awards. Didn't work out as planned. But, not to worry, Natalie Dormer's Mockingjay poster overcompensates. While her character in the book might not be likable, somehow Natalie Dormer makes Cressida bad-ass! Oh, Liam Hemsworth and Mahershala Ali have their posters out too. But, they look bland compared to Natalie Dormer's. 

#GenderbendingFriday

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Dolce & Gabbana Fall 2011 Love the sequenced tux and the structured Harem pants! I'm not a sequence wearer, but I definitely would wear this.

The gods Who

Shall I tell the tales of the gods, who came in the midst of the night? Sought to own, luring with unspoken words that glimmer and glister with knowledge unbound. Shall I tell you of their appearance, not shinny as I expect? One had a threadbare red robe, with holes gnashed into by unseen mice. Surely, there must have been. Another with cankerous teeth,  gap-wide and protruding enough that he might be the mouse itself.  They sat unbidden in front of me, seeking audience. Ignoble, I asked why they tatter their wear. "Your God" one managed to squeak. He said no more. I read the rest. My God had displaced them, winning over humans who would have sewn new clothes or offered them food to eat. Surely, they starve. Yet, they don't look it. I flowed:  "woe be me if I think you worthy. You've been screwing with me since. You hold no interest of mine." With tails tuckered in, they spoofed off as I sat, thinking about the visit. I should have told them they need to

Amazon Fights Publishers, Removes Their Books – Ethical Issue?

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via  bits.blogs.nytimes.com Summary Amazon is involved in a tug of war with publishers and authors. It has been holding certain books hostage by delaying shipping, and limiting customers’ ability to access and order them. The books are those from publishers such as UK’s Hachette, the fourth-largest publisher, Germany’s Bonnier Media Group and Macmillan. Amazon also removed its book discount from titles published by the above, returning the books to list price. In the process, increasing US price to twice what it is asking from UK customers. Amazon started its business to help customers get access to cheaper books and a large database at their fingertips. It reduced the list price of books which made Amazon become the giant corporation it is now. This also edged out brick-and-mortar bookstores whose books were more expensive of rent tariffs . Amazon’s substantial market share has been giving authors and publishers concerns, as they fear that Amazon could abuse its considerab

Ethical Issue Surrounding FCC's Net Neutrality Controversial Proposal

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Summary In January of this year, District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals, in favor of Verizon, str uck down one of the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) auxiliary  rules that requires internet service providers to treat internet traffic equally. Now, in June, the FCC has opened its net neutrality law for review. This new amendment will allow internet service providers (ISPs) to make some internet connection stronger and faster than others. Also, it will make it legal for internet service providers to strike deals with companies that stream data while undercutting other companies who do not pay extra for smooth streaming. At present, ISPs collect money from both data-streaming providers and consumers. Neflix and other streaming companies pay for bandwidth and high quality feeds. And, the average internet user pays for fast connection. Yet, consumers still get network issues. When you add the new FCC proposal to the present mix, it is easy to see why this proposa

Jill Abramson and The New York Times - Ethical issue

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Via thewrap.com Summary Jill  Abramson hired a lawyer to discuss with the management of New York Times (NYT) the discrepancies between her salary and that of her predecessor, Bill Keller. Weeks later, with no scandal or journalistic disaster, and a recent win of four Pulitzers at once – a huge deal for the paper, Arthur Sulzberger Jr., NYT’s publisher, fired Abramson abruptly. Under Abramson’s executive editorial leadership, the paper won eight Pulitzers, strengthened its journalistic clout, increased its readership and doubled its stock price. One of the reasons she was fired was because Dean Banquet, her managing editor and successor, felt she was an insensitive executive. Banquet and Abramson had competed for the executive editor position, but Abramson was given the job. Recently, Abramson sought to hire Janine Gibson as digital editor, after Sulzberger and the board already signed up on it. She set up a meeting for Gibson and Banquet to meet together and discuss the Times’

#‎genderbendingFriday‬

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You could definitely peachnify your look up. 

Creatives, Do we torture ourselves?

Or does the world pour sssss-sizzling coals over open seepin' sores, dragging fiery flickers across our chests, nature's tribal marks drafting territories? The dread-ry, life within art. Brad, Holden, Sabrina, Wade,  Rory, cursed. Amaka, Chima, Nedu, Shade, Lema, darkness  enclosed within smiles and rolling eyes.  "Too happy," scrawled, punctuated, across novelty pieces. Petals opened, not shattered enough. Broken, synonymous to experienced. Four years later, four accidents -- two totals, one fender bender, one pedestrian hit -- later, breaking, falling mind walls and living puberty at 23. I revel in the brokenness of my chosen art, unraveling onion scale leaf.  Are new pieces good? Don't ask me. First John yes-es. I also must progress, he says. Shall I torture myself further? Isn't my alcoholism, cynical outlook and restless spirit enough?  Last night, I stayed three hours awoke past my close-eyed time. The pain shooting from my chest like shafters of dea

#genderbendingFriday

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Three months later, this International Watch Company's commercial shoot, starring Cate Blanchett, Emily Blunt and Zhou Xun still makes me giddy.

The Nigerian Immigrant Road and The Darling That Is @UzoAduba

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On Monday, the 4th of August, The Daily Beast published an article that Uzo Aduba wrote about her journey to playing Suzanne on Orange is the New Black . You can read my review on Orange is the New Black by clicking the link. Uzo's  My Road to ‘Orange Is the New Black’ makes you smile as it tackles frustration pursuing a non-traditional career, reaching the breaking point and getting ready to drop it all. A tale I am quite familiar with, and I assume many others are familiar with too. While Uzo's status as an American citizen, since she was born here, might be different from many others, her story still resonates. The lines that gets me jumping up and down most is: My uncle once told me, “Your parents didn’t leave Nigeria for you to just be standing still, Uzo.” These words resonated with me long after I had first heard them, and I took them to heart.

Book Report: Cross Current by Christine Kling

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Seychelle Sullivan on her way to tow and then pump water off Miss Agnes , a Bahamian Cruiser, gets waylaid by a big sport fisherman and alters her course so that it could pass in front of her tub. As she is trying to get on course, she sights something which peaks her curiosity. Upon investigation, she finds a little boat with a little girl and a bloated body of a woman floating face down next to the child. She immediately connects with the little girl and desires to protect and help her. She tows the boat back, calls her friend Jeannie Black, who is also a lawyer, to assess the situation before notifying the authorities about the whole incident. She stalls reporting when she finds them because she knew that the authorities would not be sympathetic to the plight of the little girl. Solange, the little girl, is taken to the hospital since she is not in a healthy condition. However, Solange is attacked in the hospital and appears lifeless like a zombie. This opens up a wave of voodoo

Sherlock Holmes: A Tad Bit Unrealistic

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One the blessed day after the glorious 4th of July, I watched three episodes of BBC One's Sherlock Holmes. And, boy was I disappointed! Buzzfeed had been Benedict Cumberbatch loving, and my dear friend Koyn had over-mentioned it. Yet, I always kept passing it each time it showed up on my Neflix feed. I should have kept scrolling. You see, I barely opened my eyes through the first three episodes. And, no I was not sleepy. But, I got bored so much, I did skip a lot of scenes before I switched my TV and DVD off and went to sleep. So, what was so terrible about Sherlock Holmes? First, some disclaimers. I do love English TV. Yesterday, I watched The Politician's Husband. First episode, it had promise. Because, hello, Emily Watson. But, my hopes were pretty much damped. It was just impossible to suspend my disbelief. I tried, oh boy, I tried. However, I found out that Americans are not the only one who mess up adaptations. I need to re-watch The Politician's Wife.  So,

Embassy by Tolu Oloruntoba

I. Guards, relax, I’m not about to bomb the guardians of America the Beautiful I’m only fleeing my sinking ship. We come like to the Lord- Frightened, greedy, sick, halt, eager, in disguise bishop collars… We come- poor, tired and huddling Wanting to run away wanting our tumours removed. we want to see light

#‎genderbendingFriday‬

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Started this a while back on Facebook. But, like most favorite pastimes of mine, I let it go into a long hole of lapse-ness, in my bid to make my life as clustered as possible. For, there's a special level of grace provided in such situations. And honestly, I am addicted to the high that comes with it, the feeling of being a goddamn bawse , being able to do anything and everything. But, the thing though is, something(s) always suffer(s). Also, I have been thinking a lot about how much I let my blogging duties go. I do write scribbles of words, add a new paragraph or scene to the few stories I am writing in a cute little brown-skinned book a lovely gentleman named Damon Lord gave me. But without a question, I need to improve my blogging commitment. To restart it, I will be blogging pictures of women in suits as part of my #genderbendingFriday series. What can I say? A good suit and a decent watch mess with the wiring of my brain. To begin the inauguration, here's the first #

#Suits' Jessica Pearson, HBIC of Pearson Specter

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Disclosure: you might want to check some of Jessica Pearson's GIFs  before starting your read.  Currently, Suits ’ Jessica Pearson is the high-powered attorney and managing partner of Pearson Specter, a major law firm headquartered in New York. Suits airs on the USA Network on Thursday nights at 10 p.m. ET. Jessica Pearson is portrayed by Gina Torres. At first, she was a results-only leader. Now, she has become a competent leader. The firm through the four seasons has gone through numerous takeovers, threats, and consequent name changes. First the firm was Gordon Schmidt Van Dyke. It became Pearson Hardman, then Pearson Darby, then Pearson Darby Specter, and now Pearson Specter. Jessica first became the managing partner when the firm was named Pearson Hardman. She found out that Daniel Hardman, her co-founder and managing partner, was stealing the firm’s money to fund an affair while his wife was dying of cancer. Armed with the knowledge, Jessica, with Harvey Specter’s he

Jessica Pearson's GIFs

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I admit that I may be in the process of turning my fangirling into an art, my art, whatever that means. If you're interested in seeing how much I can fangirl with my words, read my leadership class paper I wrote on Jessica Pearson's leadership . Really easy, just click the link. Now, let's fangirl with pictures, GIFs and videos. Because, why not? via wifflegif.com via booasaur.tumblr.com

Why Do We Keep Asking For Apologies?

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The idea that people have to apologize for who they are to me is one of the stupid things we do as humans. Majorly, because, minority groups often believe they shouldn't apologize for who they are but expect the majority group to apologize. This scenario fascinates me, as it's one I see in every freedom movement. But the three major movements that show it the most are race, gender and sexuality. Let's tackle each issue.

Publication News: Wartorn Me

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I don't know about you, but poetry is the hardest thing to write. You're meant to prune it till it's succinct. As a die-hardened fiction writer, I used to swear I couldn't write poetry.  But, 2012 was a great year. I took a poetry class and wrote some decent poems. Even better, I got two of my poems published. Klorofyl is the latest journal to publish my work. And I am honored. Head over to Klorofyl to read Wartorn Me . 

A List Of African Literary Magazines

For a comprehensive list of literary magazines that cater to the African writer, check out  African Literary Magazines , a directory and information hub about African writing scene. Whether you need help figuring which genre each magazine, site and publisher caters to, or researching which place to shop your newest work to,  African Literary Magazines  has got your back. African Poetry Magazine Packed with information and interesting features, the magazine began with the simple desire to provide a necessary service to the followers of African Poetry - readers and scholars, anthologists, conference and festival managers or other enquirers.   Submit:   poetry. African Voices Fosters cultural understanding and awareness through literature, art and film. Founded in 1992 by a small group of writers and visual artists, the organization strives for artistic and literary excellence while showcasing the unique and diverse stories within the African Diaspora. It publishes quarterly.

Orange is the New Black Disney Princesses

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For a Design Crowd contest, Maria Bayley mashed-up Disney princesses with Orange is the New Black characters and came up with: Holla! She won first place. 

My #YesAllWomen Tweets

#YesAllWomen

When the Majority is Oppressed!

I found this emotional 10 minutes short about a world where men are subject to sexism. It's titled Majorité Opprimée, translation, Oppressed Majority. Synopsis reads "On what seems to be just another ordinary day, a man is exposed to sexism and sexual violence in a society ruled by women."

You Don't Have To Be Pretty

"You don't have to be pretty. You don't owe prettiness to anyone. Not to your boyfriend/spouse/partner, not to your co-workers, especially not to random men on the street. You don't owe it to your mother. You don't owe it to your children. You don't owe it to civilization in general. Prettiness is not a rent you pay for occupying a space marked “female.”" -- Diana Vreeland

TO SADIQ ABACHA — ON BEHALF OF WOLE SOYINKA | BY @ayosogunro

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Dear Sadiq Abacha, I do not know you personally, but I admire your filial bravery – however misguided –  in defending the honour of your father , the late General Sani Abacha. This in itself is not a problem; it is an obligation—in this cultural construct of ours—for children to rise to the defence of their parents, no matter what infamy or perfidy the said parent might have dabbled in. The problem I have with your letter, however, arises from two issues: (i) your disparaging of Wole Soyinka, who—despite your referral to an anecdotal opinion that calls him as “a common writer” – is a great father figure, and a source of inspiration, to a fair number of us young Nigerians; and (ii) your attempt to revise Nigerian history and substitute our national experience with your personal opinions. Therefore, it is necessary that we who are either Wole Soyinka’s “socio-political” children, or who are ordinary Nigerians who experienced life under your father’s reign speak out urgently against your

The search for success

I was told since my childhood to search for success right at the moment when understanding curve balls and intertwines strands by strands with competition. My eyes squint and my stomach reels at the thought that someone okaying my decisions is all that should matter. It doesn't seem like it matters if the totality of my belief says that life should be worth more than a few crumbs or that a baby’ life is worth more than a woman working 9 to 5, beating success at its game. Maybe I need to retrace my life in order to grasp the total chaos that striving for literal understanding has brought into my life. Okay maybe, the answer lies in some competition– Last night at the public relations student meeting, I froze at a competition the question, whether interning should be scrapped from being life. All I could think of was fuck! I was blank. Okay! I also thought about successfully showing I understood the words that spewed out. I lost the election because I was blank. Totally. Success h

#Arrow's Nyssa al Ghul: Beloved League of Assassin

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Hell hath no fury than an assassin scorned ... So, I returned to watching Arrow this week. I had stopped at this season's first episode and worked my way up. Love seeing Black Canary and realizing she's Sara Lance. Love that she's Oliver's equal. They both have the same story line, the shipwreck sent them into arms of people who taught them to fight and both have seen enough deaths. Hence they're both strong and damaged. But greater discovery was this week's episode where the show reveals Nyssa al Ghul. I love love her. The first scene we see her in, I never have cheered on a villain as much as I did after seeing her pick up the pen. I knew what was coming and I pushed myself into the moment, without a care.

A Portrait of the Artist as a young Man

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“The Modern novel mainly began with new efforts to explore the depths of the human mind” (Matz 53). Authors began to deviate from the classical norm in quest of achieving the present “reality.” One of the features of classical novels dealt with, most especially in A Portrait of the Artist as a young Man , is the presentation of plot as a keystone for fiction. Plot has for ages, been used as a tool for separating fiction from reality. Fiction, since it is not reality, tends to leave out all the unexciting phase and traits of the fictional character’s life. Also all narration and action slowly builds up to the climax and then the resolution/end. However, James Joyce downplays the evidence of plot in his narration, to almost an extent of non-existence to showcase explicitly the process of life: from being a child, to losing one’s innocence, to doing things to change the status quo, and to succeeding or not.

Tina Fey’s Prayer For Her Daughter

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I plan on buying Bossypants. Planned on it before but forgot. Love, love it. I recently stumbled upon this prayer from Bossypants and it wreaked havoc on my emotional. I knew I had to share.  First, Lord: No tattoos. May neither Chinese symbol for truth nor Winnie-the-Pooh holding the FSU logo stain her tender haunches. May she be beautiful but not damaged, for it’s the damage that draws the creepy soccer coach’s eye, not the beauty. When the crystal meth is offered, may she remember the parents who cut her grapes in half and stick with beer.

Kathryn Bigelow and The Hurt Locker

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I would not call Kathryn Bigelow a maverick; I would, however, tag her as a genius. The opening scene of the movie, The Hurt Locker , ends with Staff Sergeant Thompson being killed in a bomb explosion, which is a combination of suspense and danger. The ending shot is that of Sergeant First Class William James looking towards the horizon and marching into premises unknown—a case of suspense, as the viewer is left to wonder what might be James’ luck in the next 365 days. In short, the movie starts and ends with elements of suspense, danger and a little bit of thrill, all signatures of an action movie. Bigelow does not do away with the conventions of action film making; she merely modifies them. Although she delves into the mind of her protagonist, shows the emotions and feelings of the veterans, and cuts back on the gore of war, she does not deviate from the train of thought that action-movie makers are supposed to ensure both the fixation of the audience to the screen, and the juxt

Why I Speak

"Not M y Business" by Niyi Osundare                             " And they came for me" by Pastor Martin Niemoller They picked Akanni up one morning                               When the Nazis came for the communists, Beat him soft like clay                                                    I remained silent; And stuffed him down the belly                                       I was not a communist. Of a waiting jeep. What business of mine is it                                             When they locked up the social democrats, So long they don’t take the yam                                       I remained silent; From my savouring mouth?                                             I was not a social democrat. They came one night                                                     When they locked up the trade unionists, Booted the whole house awake                                       I did not speak out; And dragged Danladi out,