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Discussion: The Last Word (2017)
I'd probably watch any Shirley MacLaine movie and while I was online tearing up folks' safe spaces today, I found "The Last Word" .
If I had to guess the movie's plot - it would be moppet, (Ann’Jewel Lee ) a young black girl saves old white woman who saves young white woman (Amanda Seyfried).
Yes, think #blackgirlmagic meets #greypower meets #girlpower where Shirley MacLaine plays Harriet Lauler, a retired Ad Woman working to "shape her legacy" before the last word is written on her life.
Harriet decides there are"4 Essential elements to a really great obituary"
- The deceased should be loved by their family.
- The deceased should be admired by their coworkers.
- The deceased must have touched someone's life unexpectedly and if said person was a minority or a cripple; so much the better.
- And the 4th? That's the wild card. A statement of such breadth and wonder that it's the opening line in the obituary.
If "life is the sum of your choices" and best revenge is living fabulously ...WYD today?
Before I drift off to sleep at night, I often wonder if I accomplished something that would get me closer to living my dreams.
I did last night. I decided to embrace my angry black woman archetype. Yes, I'm a mean woman who loves unconditionally with her whole heart. I embraced that side of me yesterday. It was liberating. Now, I can live.How about you?
Are you living your dreams? Or are you an extra in someone else's dream?
It's your choice, of course but please have the last word.
Thank you for reading.
Please report typos and grammatical errors below or shoot me an email mel at melhopkins dot com.Originally posted at melhopkinsdotcom
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July 2017 Poem Story poll wait
The June Poem story was selected , read it at the following, july is in process
Check out my ebooks- the free one is noted, please read/enjoy/give me your response:
Sunset Children Stories: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/sunset-children-stories
Looking West and West: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/looking-west-and-west
Janidogo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-janidogo
The Gospel of Joseph: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/gospel-of-joseph
The Nyotenda FREE : https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-nyotenda Includes a comic. The following link is an excerpt LINK - 14
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Reminiscent of Rodney King?
I had to give this post a moment of silence. I really thought this case would be a slam dunk. The gun was on Castile's hip, a 4yr old child was in the back seat, the mother in the drivers seat. What was the terror in that? This man is Stupid and Free to gloat to everyone he encounters just like Zimmerman about how he killed a black man and got away with it. Just a few Days a go I ironically compared this to King because that was the 1st time we got to see first hand what was going on behind those who are suppose to protect and serve. I was too young and naive then to understand the magnitude of what that meant. As an adult, sadly I know all too well. The tactics the nonsense games law enforcement plays in order to incarcerate our loved ones for B.S. charges.
I can imagine what the family feels like, my heart goes out to them and all those who are involved in the movement. Hopefully it's not violent. It's absolutely necessary that we get our voices heard. Even if it's one Blog at a time. One march at a time. Cop or no cop, if you do wrong you should be held accountable. I feel that if these police were held responsible it would a total destruction of what law enforcement means, is. So the justice system lets them off, another innocent man dies. A couple cities Riot, act a Fool then another Black man dies. Another person of color brutalized. Life continues to go on. Keeping the discussion open keeps it real, purposeful. Just like the media shoves celeb gossip, BS politics down our throats to the point it changes our own behavior. Lets discuss topics that matter. Maybe if we bring it up enough it might make a difference. Castile will always be the inspiration to my Blog. Holding positive memories is what keeps hope and Faith alive. Isn't that why we get up everyday? maybe something good will happen.... until next time
Shocked and Beyond hurt
Ms Ty
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Introducing My New Book: The Weeping Time
My new book, The Weeping Time: Memory and the Largest Slave Auction in American History, is now available for advance purchase on Amazon. After 10 long years, it will see the light of day this fall. A big thank you to all who made this possible. From time to time, I will share excerpts on this blog with particular attention as to why memory of this period matters.
The book is about the largest slave auction in US history which took place in Savannah, Georgia in 1859. In the book, I analyze the operation of the auction and trace the lives of slaves before, during, and after their sale. The personal papers of the Butlers, accounts from journalists that witnessed the auction, genealogical records, and oral histories help bring the auction to life. Demonstrating the resilience of African American families, the book also includes interviews from the living descendants of slaves sold on the auction block, showing how the memories of slavery have shaped their lives today.
Here’s an excerpt from the beginning of the book:
On March 2 and 3, 1859, Pierce Butler of the Butler Plantation estates in the Georgia Sea Islands sold 436 men, women and children, including thirty babies to buyers and speculators from New York to Louisiana. It was the largest recorded slave auction in US History. The sale had been advertised for weeks in newspapers and magazines all across the country. The Savannah Tenbroeck Racetrack was the venue, three miles shy of the city. Eager potential buyers filled every hotel in Savannah. The two-day auction netted for the highly indebted Butler $303, 850, a phenomenal sum. On the eve of the Civil War, this unprecedented sale was noteworthy not only for its size but because of the fact that Butler plantation slaves had generally not been sold on the open market. These men and women had settled lives on Butler’s estates. Their lives as slaves were difficult and burdensome to be sure, but together they had formed a community with its own norms, values and customs – some of which were informed by their African heritage. Now they were displaced from their “home,” and separated from their families. It is for this reason the slaves called this auction, “The Weeping time.”
In 1859, these men, women and children were sold, and a new chapter of their families’ stories began. Immediately upon Emancipation in 1863, some of these newly freed slaves set out on foot flocking to plantations all over the south searching earnestly for their loved ones. The only mementos they likely had were memories of their last meeting – on the auction block. They pursued every avenue in search of those whom they had lost. In some very special cases, they found each other. Others remained in the communities of their masters, bought property, worked the land and built new lives for themselves.
This is their story.
Anne C. Bailey
Pre-purchase on AMAZON here: The Weeping Time: Memory and the Largest Slave Auction in American History (Cambridge University Press, 2017)
email: freedomlives4@yahoo.com
personal website: https://www.annecbailey.net
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Weekend Thoughts
Episode 19
Listen to "Weekend Thoughts from richard murray" on Spreaker.
The top of the National Womens Soccer LEague table, faced the bottom of the NWSL table. Aly Wagner or Jenn Hildreth or Dalen Cuff said everything that needed to be said concerining the match. Neither team was impressive in midfield, both missing passes or showing extreme disconnect for late season form. The defensive woes from Washington Spirit that were present from the beginning of the season are still present. But I think one absence is Fransceca Ordega. When Mallory Pugh came into Washington Spirit the pundit talk was all toward her from Statian, or usa based, media. In terms of sponsorship or the us womens national team, I comprehended that point but in terms of soccer and tactic Ordega was the player that needed to be focused on. I thought Ordega side Pugh would be the attacking duo that Washington Spirit build around. Instead, Ordega was sent to Sydney FC and Pugh is alone. She doesn't have that fast attacking player aside her to link up and press. A high press absent athletic players can not work. People recall Barcelona and forget Eto'o side Iniesta with Ronaldhino. Henry/Eto'o/Iniesta/Busquets next to Xavi or MEssi. Neymar/Suarez/Busquets/Iniesta next to Messi. YOu need players willing to do the leg work to high press and if they don't exist on your team, all a high press does is expose you backline, expose spaces for a team to attack. And, considering Washington backline is the most woeful in the league, the rest is their bottom of the table position. North Carolina Courage, former Western New York Flash, are a physical team, a counterattacking team, but show no better midfield operation than Washington. The athleticism from North Carolina mask lacking skill. The point tally is too high in my view for North Carolina to slip up enough to lose the Shield, the traditional trophy. But the cup trophy will go to Orlando. I can't see North Carolina, who showed a porousness against Washington, not leak goals against an attack like Orlando. Whether you think I am wrong or right, tell me your thoughts, using the hashtag WSPlus
Enjoy this weekly thoughts, all for free on Kobo LINK
Enjoy my poetry and comics concerning the London Blue
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/kings-of-london-epic-poem-cfc-2012-2013
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/kings-of-london-epic-poem-cfc-2013-2014
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/kings-of-london-epic-poem-cfc-2014-2015
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Definitely not American. Our society has a long way for this "unthinkality." Just imagine, "500 Americans have so far been killed in Chicago this year..." It's almost laughable. It’s unimaginable, grouping us all together in this fashion. But shouldn’t we be? American is simply, White American. Let’s face it, it is. But I do have hope, I never imagined having a Black President....
African-American. To me it's like the new "negro." Non-threatening, soft, 'light in the ass.' This term diminishes the strength of Black people and I believe the media uses it specifically for that purpose. There are many Blacks in America without African ties (that’s not taking into account we’re ALL from Africa, but that’s a whole 'mother' story) so the African part just refers to ‘having Black skin.’ And also, African-American has no cultural value. Unlike Italian-American, Asian-American, Native American, Blacks have no heritage or motherland to connect to to display pride and unification throughout the world. Blacks, in general, are the newest breed of humans on the planet.
Now, BLACK.
The term Black has historically been condemned. The rhetoric of blackballed, blacklisted, blackmail, black lie, black prince, black heart, etc. as negativity, evokes a scornful look, or frown, upon anyone that uses any term that involves the word ‘Black.’ So think about it, in the english language, adjectives precede nouns so any use of the word Black before the noun, has already produced a negative effect. Black man, Black woman, Black child, etc. The same thing. Not all cultures and languages utilize this method. But here in America, it’s taught. And that teaching has instilled a lasting negativity that has been embedded in our cultural DNA.
James Brown, "Say it loud, I'm Black and I'm Proud!"
Black for me. Why?
Out of the huts of history's shame
I rise
Up from a past that's rooted in pain
I rise
I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise.Maya Angelou, "Still I Rise."
What say you?
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AuthorTHill
Kayla and Bryan are trying to find a happy medium in their relationship, but the drama continues to unfold. They are planning for the wedding of their dreams, however, both parties have past issues that may cause them to plan for a funeral instead.
https://www.amazon.com/Partially-Broken-Never-Destroyed-III-ebook/dp/B01B8S04K8/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
Go to above link to check out Amazon
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#AINTNOBODYTHANKINBOUTYOU
I heard somewhere one in five people knows a celebrity before they hit it big. So today, while driving, I got to thinking about what would happen if I actually became a celebrity. My hands tingled and I filled with a curious kind of joy thinking about certain peoples reaction. Specifically, my old co-workers who in my humble opinion, were already haters, and my former bitch-ass boss. My grin was a mile wide as I imagined myself on the previews of primetime television walking out to the talk shows that would be airing later in the week and even better, them in the theater gathering their belongings when my name rolls up in the credits for having written a movie. #Bowdownbitches But, I was enjoying this fantasy alone. As Erykah Badu says, “the studio audience in my head" was not with me on this one. It was just me, in my car gawking stupidly at a stupid self-made fantasy. You see, the little voice in my head said, when someone does something to you, as foul as it may be, they do it and MOVE ON. You, the proposed victim are in fact elevating them to celebrity status when you constantly feed them with your energy. AIN’T NOBODY WORRIED BOUT YOU!!! Wasn’t that made clear by their actions?
Damn it self! Sigh. I get it. Write that movie, that play, that book, that blog, because that’s what you want to do, not for the reaction! Do what you want because you want to, not because of what you think people will do in response. You were moved so that you could realize your star power, your magic, harness it, perfect it, grow in it, for you. It takes elbow grease to get something to shine, stop looking to see your reflection in other peoples tables and put that elbow grease to you own.
#AINTNOBODYTHANKINBOUTYOU!
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Welcome to Jada's World
I am an avid reader, writer, poet, looking to share my world with those who share the same passion. God Bless and Much Success to all!!
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Why Did Michael Brown Commit Suicide By Cop?
Based on the actions Darren Wilson said Michael Brown took, Michael Brown committed suicide by cop. If Wilson's story is truthful, why did Michael Brown commit suicide by cop? Was Michael Brown suicidal? Did Michael Brown have a history of mental illness? Was Michael Brown suffering from depression?
I ask these questions because they would explain Brown's actions on that tragic day. I just can't imagine a young black man attacking a cop, attempting to disarm him, telling the cop that he's too vagina (my word) to shoot him, and then charging toward the cop after already being shot by the cop. These actions are not actions of a sane person. Was Brown insane? These actions sound like the actions of a person who is suicidal. Was Brown suicidal? These actions sound like the actions of a person that just committed a serious crime. What serious crime did Brown commit?
These actions sound like the actions of a person on hard narcotics. What narcotics did Brown have in his system?
Brown's actions, according to Wilson, were completely irrational and violent. Some people would like to point to the store robbery as proof that Brown was acting irrationally and violently that day. But when we observe the tape, we see Brown restraining himself from pummeling the clerk: the clerk attempted to stop Brown from leaving the store, on the clerk's second attempt, Brown walked toward the clerk in an intimidating manner and then exited the store. Indeed, Brown was acting irrationally, but clearly he wasn't acting extremely violent. According to WIlson, Brown's actions were contrary to what we see on the store's surveillance tape. According to Wilson, why did Brown's actions go from irrational to completely irrational, violent, and suicidal? Did Brown have a history of violence? These are questions that could have been asked in a trial.
What are your thoughts?
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The Master''s Legacy
The Master's Legacy. A slave Novel and civil war novel. Are people still interested in reading of the antebellum days in Georgia? How does one educated slaves against Georgian laws? I started the research. I had to ask the following questions as I began. Did the Georgian planters free their slaves? What if one of their sons/kin intermarried into the slave race unknowingly? What if fate or destiny led one to help the slaves despite their social convictions to society? Can you write a slave novel using some realistic characters and facts and then use fictional characters as well? how do you make such a story flow? My first attempt at writing a historical fiction will be a challenge.
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And So It Goes
Peace, what is it? Peace, where is it?
Found sitting on the corner block of yesterday's memories. Ocean water rapid moves of thoughts that say much of nothing. The sun can only shine when the sky is blue, really? So it goes to say that underneath the stones of faces marked with dispare, marked with the etchings of time lost. Peace, found it in the middle of the rain soaked filters of urban bliss. Inside that passion is the peace twisted with north winds blowing south. Stretching upward, reaching open and as wide as the horizons. There is peace, there is oh yes peace, inside you.
And So It Goes
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Greetings
Personal Information
Activities:
Professional Writer
Interests:
Speculative Fiction, Nonprofit Management and Fundraising, Healthcare Policy advocacy and analysis, Film Studies and Literary Review, English Literature, Particle Physics, Medicine & Psychiatry, Detective Fiction-Hardboiled
Favorite Music:
Jazz, Rythm N Blues, Classical
Favorite TV Shows:
24, Mad Men, Entourage, Californication, Dr. Who, Saving Grace, Burn Notice, Masterpiece Theatre, Cnn Reliable Sources, 60 Minutes, The Universe, Frontline, Pardon The Interruption, At the Movies, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, Pov, StarTrek, MASH, Married With Children, The Four Seasons
Favorite Movies:
Saving Private Ryan, Dr. Strangelove, Failsafe, One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, Lawrence Of Arabia, Butterfield 8, Long Hot Summer, Citizen Kane, Double Indemnity, Silence Of The Lambs, Evil Dead, The Exorcist, The Godfather Trilogy, The Quiet Earth, Solaris, Seven, The Last Emperor, Out of Africa, Out of Sight, Chinatown, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Clock Work Orange, Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead, Blood Simple, No Country For Old Men, There Will Be Blood, Aliens Trilogy, Starship Troopers, Star Trek, Tales From A Parallell Universe, I Worship His Shadow, Deconstructing Harry, Mighty Aphrodite
Favorite Books:
2010 Odyssey Two, 3001, The Stand, The Drawing of the Three, The Gunslinger, Foundation Series Isaac Asimov, The Lensman, Dean Koontz,
