So the Avatar finale finally aired in Canada and I loved it.

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So I found out about this particular issue of Vogue from the WOC Beauty Carnival. Now, I don't normally read Vogue, but I made an exception in this case and bought the issue which was really expensive so this is probably the last Vogue I will ever buy unless something extra, extra special comes out.

As I looked at the images, I was happy. I guess validated, really that I was seeing my own people looking so beautiful and classy, but then I started to wonder if we really needed the same kinds of beauty standards applied to us (aren't they already?). All of the women were still skinny and most had processed hair so we're still being presented with a certain ideal are we not? I asked myself if it was really a step forward. And on a personal level, why did my people need to be recognized by the fashion establishment (which is mostly white) in order for me to feel proud and happy? I wish I could read the articles beside the photos, but I don't know Italian. But I'm guessing that I'm happy because most of the images I see of black womanhood (or the ones that are the most popular) are negative images or non-existent. It's one of the reasons why I don't pay much attention to fashion magazines so perhaps my opinion is skewed. I used to read Seventeen when I was younger and I don't remember seeing anyone that looked like me. I used to be a member of ONTD, which occasionally posted images related to high fashion and I left the community because of the racism and sexism. I mentioning all of this because beauty standards and pop culture are related and these things can determine how we perceive other people. And I keep thinking, when I look at the pictures that it's nice to see women like me, but are they like me really? I think I loved it because it challenged a racial norm at least and maybe we're a little bit closer to recognizing different types of beauty?

I wonder if the Vogue issue was all that progressive. Wasn't it essentially the same ideal as before except with darker skin?

Here's a link to some of the images and the response to this black issue

Edit: Toccara, one of the models, is full-figured, but I honestly couldn't tell from those photos. LOL. She looks sexy and beautiful. (not to imply that full-figured women CAN'T be sexy and beautiful. I was mentioning it because most of the women were thinner and Toccara's pictures really floored me)

I hope you all will check out this link. It's a collection of essays discussing beauty standards and their impact on Women of Colour. It is definitely an issue that's close to my heart so I hope you all will read it. It's worth it. Trust me. I found myself thinking about my own issues.

Be sure to read

Is it true what they say about colored pussy

Hair Redux and On Colorism by hari_mirchi were also among my favorites.

http://www.cartoonlabs.com/comics/index.php?date=2008-08-10&show=sinfest

I love Sinfest. Jesus should wear trench coats more often.

Yeah...you know the last book in Stephanie Meyer's Twilight Saga?

Not reading it.

Here's why:

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Seriously, is Meyer on crack?

read the rest of the washington post review here:


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/07/AR2008080702528.html

GOD, finally.

LaVena Johnson was a 19 year old private in the Army, serving in Iraq, when she was raped, murdered, and her body was burned--by someone from her own military base. Despite overwhelming physical evidence, the Army called her death a suicide and has closed the case. (1)

For three years, LaVena's parents have been fighting for answers. At almost every turn, they've been met with closed doors or lies. They've appealed to Congress, the one body that can hold the military accountable. But, as in other cases where female soldiers have been raped and murdered and the Army has called it suicide, Congress has failed to act.


Will you join Mr. and Mrs. Johnson in calling on Congressman Henry Waxman, Chairman of the House Government Oversight Committee, to mount a real investigation into LaVena Johnson's death and the Army's cover-up? (2) Will you ask your friends and family to do the same?

http://www.colorofchange.org/lavena/?id=2059-480458

From the beginning, LaVena's death made no sense as a suicide. She was happy and had been talking with friends and family regularly (3)--nothing indicated she could be suicidal. And when the Johnsons received her body, they noticed signs that she had been beaten. (4) That was when they started asking questions.

After two years of being denied answers and hearing explanations that made no sense, the Johnsons received a CD-ROM from someone on the inside. It contained pictures of the crime scene where LaVena died and an autopsy showing that she had suffered bruises, abrasions, a dislocated shoulder, broken teeth, and some type of sexual assault. Her body was partially burned; she had been doused in a flammable liquid, and someone had set her body on fire. A corrosive chemical had been poured in her genital area, perhaps to cover up evidence of rape. (5)

Still the Army sticks by their story. They refuse to explain the overwhelming physical evidence that LaVena was raped and murdered and continue to claim that she killed herself.

For many Black youth, and working class young people of every race, the military is seen as an option for securing a better future. LaVena came from a deeply supportive family, and while the military wasn't her only option, she was attracted by its promise to help her pay for a college education and the opportunity to travel around the world. She also thought that by joining she could continue her lifelong commitment to serving other people in need. She made a decision to serve in the military, with all its risks, and expected respect and dignity in return.

LaVena's death is part of a disturbing pattern of cases where female soldiers have been raped and killed, and where the military has hidden the truth and labeled the deaths suicides. (6,7) In virtually all cases, Congress has been slow to investigate or hold the military accountable in any way. Unfortunately, most families simply don't have the resources, time, and psychological strength to push back.

We can help the Johnsons, and other families, by holding Congress accountable in the LaVena Johnson case and by demanding it investigate the pattern of cover-ups by the military.

Please take a moment to join those calling on Congressman Waxman to investigate the cover-up of LaVena Johnson's death:

http://www.colorofchange.org/lavena/?id=2059-480458

Thanks and Peace,

-- James, Gabriel, Clarissa, Andre, Kai, and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org team
July 28th, 2008

References:

1. "The cover-up of a soldier's death?" LavenaJohnson.com, March 6, 2007
http://www.lavenajohnson.com/2007/03/cover-up-of-soldiers-death.html

2. "Is There an Army Cover Up of Rape and Murder of Women Soldiers?" CommonDreams.org, April 28, 2008
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/04/28/8564/

3. Ibid.

4. Ibid.

5. "Suicide or Murder? Three Years After the Death of Pfc. LaVena Johnson in Iraq, Her Parents Continue Their Call for a Congressional Investigation," Democracy Now!, June 23, 2008.
http://www.democracynow.org/2008/7/23/suicide_or_murder_three_years_after

6. See reference 2.

7. "2 Years After Soldier's Death, Family's Battle Is With Army," New York Times, March 21, 2006.
http://tinyurl.com/mzcvh

Other References:

"Justice for Pfc. LaVena Johnson," DailyKos, June 30, 2008
http://tinyurl.com/5bh73v

"Rapists in the Ranks, Los Angeles Times, March 31, 2008
http://tinyurl.com/2z2c8l

I cut my hair and I'm totally in love with it. The barber did a great job. One thing is for sure though, I'm 100 per cent natural from here on out. It's 'fros, twists and if it gets long enough, perhaps even dreads. No more chemicals or hot combs. I'm done with that.

So. Happy.

Has anybody seen this movie yet? Because it's a fantastic love story and a great satire on consumption, consumerism and the digital age.

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http://community.livejournal.com/debunkingwhite/721884.html




I'm so getting this flick on DVD.

Just got a whole other batch of books in the past two or three weeks:

Love -Stendhal
Sense and Sensibility -Jane Austen
Wuthering Heights -Emily Bronte
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall -Anne Bronte
A Passage to India -EM Forester
Howards End EM Forester
Persuasion -Jane Austen
Eclipse -Stephanie Meyer
Anna Karenina -Leo Tolstoy
Resurrection -Leo Tolstoy
Ann Veronica -HG Wells
The New Machiavelli -HG Wells

LOL One of these things is not like the other...

Those that I've finished reading I'll strike out.

But anyway it seriously doesn't help that I also want to check out Zola and Balzac. Not until I get through this batch though. I'm reading WH right now and I'll read Eclipse next I think. I really have to make an effort to start reading more non-fiction; more history, politics, philosophy and religion, but anytime I walk into the bookstore I immediately gravitate towards the fiction section. I got another library card after not having one of years and I borrowed two books; histories of Iraq and Afghanistan. They're still sitting there because they always get put aside for fiction...and it's not that I'm escapist or that I think those subjects are dull, it's just that I like novels because of their focus on human nature, for their interaction, for the flaws and strengths of the characters. I think I read novels because I want to understand other people and myself...and also because of loneliness and solitude, but I have to look beyond that.

Man seriously...I might just end up buying those histories. They really aren't that expensive.

Is a romance the same as a love-story? Are the terms interchangeable?

I've always thought of romances as more formulaic and idealistic with a happy ending. The attraction is almost always sexual. Love stories I think of as being more realistic. They go beyond the boy-meets-girl, allowing characters to fall for each other in different ways rather than through sexual attraction. I've also thought that love-stories were more inclusive in regards to various kinds of love, not just romantic. For example, a story about a friendship could be a love-story. So could a story about familial love. What do you all think?

BTW, I've finished New Moon so expect a rant about it soon.

But I'm all aboard the Twilight train.

Seriously, right now the only thing good about New Moon is Jacob Black. I just bought Eclipse today, breaking my resolution to wait until the paperback came out or at least until I saw the hardcover in a used bookstore. It's all Jacob's fault. Really. I like the Cullens, but they aren't interesting enough to keep me reading. The werewolves, on the other hand, I love and I'm not just talking about Jake either. I'm talking about the whole pack. They're a family. They aren't perfect. They get pissed off at each other, but they're warm and loving...and just...real. They feel far more authentic than the Cullens. It's Jacob and his pack that really saved this book--and the entire series--for me.

The development of Jacob/Bella is more believable. I notice that when Bella describes Jacob, she refers to his character. Bella uses Romeo and Juliet as a metaphor for the relationship she has with Edward and Jacob. Clearly, Edward is her Romeo with Paris standing in for Jacob:

What if Paris had been Juliet's friend? Her very best friend? What if he was the only one she could confide in about the whole devastating thing with Romeo? The one person who really understood her and made her feel halfway human again? What if he was patient and kind? What if he took care of her? What if Juliet knew she couldn't survive without him? What if he really loved her and wanted her to be happy?

I notice whenever she describes Edward, it's always very physical. It never seems to move beyond the senses. It's always his eyes or his voice or the coldness of his skin, the line of his jaw, his scent, and so on. It's funny that she calls what she has with Edward true love. It seems more like infatuation, obsession, lust, dependence and vampire fetishism. None of those qualities may be mutually exclusive to love. She could very well be in love with both of them, but it's her description of Edward that makes me believe she doesn't yet have the maturity to distinguish whom (or what) her true love really is. Despite the fact that he's in love with her, not only is Jacob willing to accept Bella's friendship, he understands her. Edward couldn't even anticipate just how much his departure would devastate her. It sounds like she has something more authentic, and no less passionate, with Jake.

I can't see Bella becoming a vampire because I actually believe that works against Edward/Bella. Because Bella is human, she is dependent on Edward who never really challenges this. He pushes her away because he doesn't want her to get eaten, but her never asks her what her goals and dreams are apart from him. He never pushes her to become emotionally independent. He's paternalistic. If she became a vampire, eventually, she might not rely on him so much and once she becomes more of an equal the relationship might not be as appealing. Also, she's taken with his supernatural beauty. If she becomes a vampire herself, it will no longer have the same effect. Edward hungers for her because she smells tasty and he likes her body, but if she becomes a vampire, she may lose some of her appeal as well.

Technically, their romance is so overblown and unbelievable. Seriously. Bella's so obsessed with Edward that her conscience speaks in his voice Yes. That's right. And later on, she comes close to committing suicide because Edward left her. How is it healthy or romantic to lose yourself to a guy?

While reading New Moon I finished First Love a novella by Ivan Turgenev. The protagonist, Vladimir, falls for Zinaida. His love for her for is tumultuous and painful. He is only 16. She is 21, but through his love he loses his innocence, but not sexually. This experience of adolescent love helps him to mature. I suppose it's silly to compare the Twilight Saga with a great Russian author, but I'd like to see Bella go through something similar. Zinaida, at 21 could see that Vladimir was a child and treated him accordingly (though not kindly). Why can't Edward at 90 be a little more intelligent and insightful?

I lied about something. I wasn't just somewhat happy when Edward left. I was thrilled. Meyer wasted that opportunity. Bella doesn't really grow during this period. As much as I love Jacob, Bella's very emotionally dependent on him as well. I'd like to see her get stronger and if that means that she doesn't get with either guy in the end, I'd be happy because for once, I'd like to see her develop some aspirations and interests on her own. When faced with the prospect of never seeing Edward again her choices were either suicide or being with Jacob. She never thinks beyond the men in her life.

That being said, I can't wait to finish New Moon and move on to Eclipse. I'll finish that just in time for Breaking Dawn. I don't actually hate this series, but it's great rant fodder. I'm really noticing the difference between relationships that are written well and those that are written poorly.

The Disadvantages of
an Elite Education

This essay reminds me of Edward Said's Representations of the Intellectual.

I can't relate to what he's saying because I've never encountered anyone from an elite school or been to one myself, but what moved me the most was his take on the "life of the mind". Being an intellectual, according to the author is more than just being smart:

Being an intellectual means, first of all, being passionate about ideas—and not just for the duration of a semester, for the sake of pleasing the teacher, or for getting a good grade. A friend who teaches at the University of Connecticut once complained to me that his students don’t think for themselves. Well, I said, Yale students think for themselves, but only because they know we want them to. I’ve had many wonderful students at Yale and Columbia, bright, thoughtful, creative kids whom it’s been a pleasure to talk with and learn from. But most of them have seemed content to color within the lines that their education had marked out for them. Only a small minority have seen their education as part of a larger intellectual journey, have approached the work of the mind with a pilgrim soul. These few have tended to feel like freaks, not least because they get so little support from the university itself. Places like Yale, as one of them put it to me, are not conducive to searchers.

.............

Yet there is a dimension of the intellectual life that lies above the passion for ideas, though so thoroughly has our culture been sanitized of it that it is hardly surprising if it was beyond the reach of even my most alert students. Since the idea of the intellectual emerged in the 18th century, it has had, at its core, a commitment to social transformation. Being an intellectual means thinking your way toward a vision of the good society and then trying to realize that vision by speaking truth to power. It means going into spiritual exile. It means foreswearing your allegiance, in lonely freedom, to God, to country, and to Yale. It takes more than just intellect; it takes imagination and courage. “I am not afraid to make a mistake,” Stephen Dedalus says, “even a great mistake, a lifelong mistake, and perhaps as long as eternity, too.”



Being an intellectual begins with thinking your way outside of your assumptions and the system that enforces them. But students who get into elite schools are precisely the ones who have best learned to work within the system, so it’s almost impossible for them to see outside it, to see that it’s even there. Long before they got to college, they turned themselves into world-class hoop-jumpers and teacher-pleasers, getting A’s in every class no matter how boring they found the teacher or how pointless the subject, racking up eight or 10 extracurricular activities no matter what else they wanted to do with their time. Paradoxically, the situation may be better at second-tier schools and, in particular, again, at liberal arts colleges than at the most prestigious universities. Some students end up at second-tier schools because they’re exactly like students at Harvard or Yale, only less gifted or driven. But others end up there because they have a more independent spirit. They didn’t get straight A’s because they couldn’t be bothered to give everything in every class. They concentrated on the ones that meant the most to them or on a single strong extracurricular passion or on projects that had nothing to do with school or even with looking good on a college application. Maybe they just sat in their room, reading a lot and writing in their journal. These are the kinds of kids who are likely, once they get to college, to be more interested in the human spirit than in school spirit, and to think about leaving college bearing questions, not resumés.

I'm not trying to knock people who had the talent and brilliance to get into these schools, but his essay resonated with me because so much of my self-worth was based on grades and it was always a dream of mine to go to an elite school because that meant I could truly consider myself intelligent.

So you all remember this post right? Well, as promised, I am currently reading New Moon, the second installment of the Twilight series.

So far Bella has been depressed about Edward for months. She's functioning well on the outside; getting straight A's, cooking, meeting curfew, etc, but her other relationships are neglected. Some of her friends resent her. Jacob Black seems to be the only one capable of cheering her up.

I was somewhat pleased when Edward finally took off, although I hated the way he broke up with Bella. It was insensitive. Bella wanted to see Alice again, but it's Edward who decides the terms of their parting and convinces Alice that it will be better for Bella if they have a "clean break" as he puts it. You would think that a 90-year-old vampire would have a little more wisdom and sensitivity; where strong emotions are involved, there is no. such. thing. I think Bella's reaction proves just how wrong he is. And since Alice and Bella are friends, he had no business deciding whether those two should see each other. Their relationship exists independently of him and they should have been free to deal with separation on their terms. Not his.

I understood why he told her he didn't want her. It was probably a lie to get her to back off and get over him eventually. And he doesn't want to hurt kill her. Bella on the other hand should value herself a little more instead of being so willing to give up her soul for him. The conversation pretty much amounted to, "We're leaving, we're not good for you, your not good for me and you'll never see me again, but don't worry you'll get over it." I thought the real issue was not how good either of them were for each other, but that one half of the relationship is willing to surrender so much. Instead of saying something like, "I know what's best for you" Edward should have told her to have more respect for herself. SOMEBODY should.

Don't do anything reckless or stupid," he ordered, no longer detached. "Do you understand what I'm saying?"

I nodded helplessly.

His eyes cooled, the distance returned. "I'm thinking of Charlie, of course. He needs you. Take care of yourself--for him."

Not for her own sake or anything. It's clear that he problem is not just the disregard of everyone else outside of Edward. Why can't Edward see that?

On to happier things....

Jacob Black. Bella has wonderful interaction with Jacob. Personally, I think he's better for her.

The dreamy idealist is very cautious and therefore often appears shy and reserved to others. He shares his rich emotional life and his passionate convictions with very few people. But one would be very much mistaken to judge him to be cool and reserved. He has a pronounced inner system of values and clear, honourable principles for which he is willing to sacrifice a great deal. Johanna von Orleans or Sir Galahad would have been good examples of this personality type. He is always at great pains to improve the world. He can be very considerate towards others and does a lot to support them and stand up for them. He is interested in his fellow beings, attentive and generous towards them. Once his enthusiasm for an issue or person is aroused, he can become a tireless fighter.

For the dreamy idealist, practical things are not really so important. He only busies himself with mundane everyday demands when absolutely necessary. He tends to live according to the motto “the genius controls the chaos” - which is normally the case so that he often has a very successful academic career. He is less interested in details; he prefers to look at something as a whole. This means that he still has a good overview even when things start to become hectic. However, as a result, it can occasionally happen that he overlooks something important. As he is very peace-loving, he tends not to openly show his dissatisfaction or annoyance but to bottle it up. Assertiveness is not one of his strong points; he hates conflicts and competition. He prefers to motivate others with his amicable and enthusiastic nature. Whoever has him as superior will never have to complain about not being given enough praise.

As at work, the dreamy idealist is a helpful and loyal friend and partner, a person of integrity. Obligations are absolutely sacred to him. The feelings of other are important to him and he loves making other people happy. He is satisfied with just a small circle of friends; his need for social contact is not very marked as he also needs a lot of time to himself. Superfluous small talk is not his thing. If one wishes to be friends with him or have a relationship with him, one would have to share his world of thought and be willing to participate in profound discussions. If you manage that you will be rewarded with an exceptionally intensive, rich partnership. Due to his high demands on himself and others, this personality type tends however to sometimes overload the relationship with romantic and idealistic ideas to such an extent that the partner feels overtaxed or inferior. The dreamy idealist does not fall in love head over heels but when he does fall in love he wants his to be a great, eternal love.


Adjectives which describe your type
introverted, theoretical, emotional, spontaneous, idealistic, dreamy, effusive, pleasant, reserved, friendly, passionate, loyal, perfectionist, helpful, creative, composed, curious, obstinate, with integrity, willing to make sacrifices, romantic, cautious, shy, peace-loving, vulnerable, sensitive, communicative, imaginative

These subjects could interest you
literature, philosophy, psychology, music, art (museums), writing, drawing/painting, astrology, spiritual things, meditation, handicrafts, writing, voluntary work

List ten fictional characters you would have sex with (in no particular order) and tag 5 people to do the same.

1. Sayid Jarrah (LOST)
2. Umino Iruka (Naruto)
3. Gio (Ugly Betty)
4. "Mutt" Williams (Indiana Jones)
5. Hakim Atawari (Emma)
6. Munsu (SAO)
7. Tenma (Monster)
8. Gai (Naruto)
9. Detective Bok (Monster)
10. Titus Pullo (Rome)
11. Lucius Vorenus (Rome)

I finished my second anti-porn book the other day and enjoyed it. Tati linked me to a lecture by anti-porn feminist activist Gail Dines. After reading Getting Off: Pornography and the End of Masculinity by Robert Jensen, I am even more impacted by Dines' lecture. As I write this it is almost 5 in the morning. I awakened with this topic on my mind and I felt troubled. My relationship to porn has been one of indifference generally. I always thought that if folks chose to consume it that was their business. The closest I've come myself is reading yaoi, yuri and het, but the material described in the lecture and the books was hardcore and it involves real people.

Both Jensen and Dines argue that (heterosexual) porn not only reinforces sexism by relying on stereotypes of males and females, but that it sexualizes male-dominance which involves the subordination/denigration of women. Not only is it extremely sexist, it's racist. Consumers are provided with an oppressive sexuality. It tells us less about women and more about the male imagination. What's shocking is that males are even more aroused when the woman appears to be suffering.* What bothered me most, aside from the cultural impact porn might have, is the condition of the workers or more specifically, the women:

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There are so many things I'm loving about this story so far, but the main thing is the characters.

I think Nina is incredibly badass. Her strength isn't an act. She doesn't posture, but she can take care of business and she's so sweet and caring. I love the men in this series especially because I wouldn't call any of them bishounen...except for Johan maybe, but they are interesting and very human. Detective Bok is the most adorable thing ever. Seriously. I love him. And Grimmer and of course Tenma. Then there's Karl(who needs to be more appreciative of Lotte BTW).

Lunge pisses me off because he's so damn convinced that he's right. Whenever he asserts that Johan is inside Tenma's head I want to laugh my ass off(and punch him) because he thinks he's got it all figured out. I want to slap that smug, creepy-ass grin off his face.

And Eva....

Can we talk about Eva?

You know, I really didn't like her at first. I was glad when she got rejected by Tenma, but I warmed up to her once when I saw how miserable she was without him. She was wonderfully bitter...and alcoholic to boot. I love that she gave up the one person she needed most because she was too shallow to realize how much she loved him. She's beautifully flawed.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/jun/01/iraq?gusrc=rss&feed=networkfront

This is the story of 17-year-old Rand Abdel-Qader who was murdered by her father for loving a British soldier. Naturally, her mother denounced and divorced her husband. Her sons supported the father in this "honour" killing. And now Rand's mum was murdered as well. It's sad that the lives of women mean so little to some people.

Oh, Hakoda of the Southern Water Tribe. Why are you so hot?

Hakoda might be my favorite character. I ship him with a number of the females.

AzuKoda, TyKoda, SuKoda, UrsaKoda, MaiKoda...oh, yes.

The crack is back. LOL