richardmurray

Vanessa Walters’ ‘The Nigerwife’ Explores The Dangers Of Wealth, Lust And Tradition in Lagos
Amy Aniobi is developing the book into a series for HBO.
Kellee Terrell

By
Kellee Terrell
May 11, 2023, 12:04 PM EDT

Vanessa Walters, author of the new novel "The Nigerwife."ILLUSTRATION: HUFFPOST; PHOTO: JERRIE ROTIMI, ATRIA BOOKS

Right on time for summer, Vanessa Walters’ thriller debut novel “The Nigerwife” < https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Nigerwife/Vanessa-Walters/9781668011089 > is the perfect beach-ready read. Set in modern-day Lagos, Nigeria, we are introduced to a rarely-known world of the nigerwives — uber-wealthy ex-pat stay-at-home wives who left their home countries and former lives for Nigerian-born husbands. Now, they spend their days in glorious mansions, dripping in lavish jewels and designer clothes and seemingly not a care in the world.

But for Nicole Oruwari, that facade of her perfect life with her handsome husband Tonye and two sons has finally come crumbling down. Then, one night, she goes missing from a boat in the affluent Ikoyi harbor. Terrified, her estranged aunt, Claudine, who raised her back in London, is determined to get to the bottom of her niece’s disappearance and bring her home — alive. But as soon as Claudine arrives, she realizes nothing is what it seems, especially regarding Nicole’s in-laws. Oscillating between the past and the present and Nicole and Auntie Claudine’s perspective, “The Nigerwife” catapults you into a world that most of us have never seen before — and will have you glued to every page.

For Walters, who currently lives in Brooklyn, her book also served as a way to explore her own identity, not just as a Black Brit with Caribbean roots, but as a former nigerwife. Through her critical yet empathetic lens, that authenticity is brilliantly weaved throughout the book as she captures the beauty and chaos of Lagos, all while fearlessly tacking a slew of themes, including generational trauma, colorism, misogyny, the Diaspora and colonialism. It’s no wonder Amy Aniobi bought the book’s rights and is developing it into a series for HBO.

HuffPost chatted with Walters about what inspired her to write this book, tackling the complexities of the Diaspora and her excitement to see “The Nigerwife” on the small screen.

What inspired you to write this book?

Like Nicole, I’m a London girl, and that’s where all my family is, but then I was plunged into a very different life in Lagos. Ultimately, over the years, I had some profound existential questions about life that I’d never had before about community, identity and marriage. I couldn’t read about these things anywhere else. I know firsthand this sense that you’re totally dependent on your husband. Therefore, this sparked questions about what marriage is, what it’s supposed to be, and growing as a person. So being a writer, this is the natural medium for talking through these things and telling the stories of the women I met over the years.

I also wrote this book for the same reason I wrote my first YA book, “Rude Girls,” when I was 16 — I wanted to read about girls like me. Back then, I wrote it so my friends had something to read, but this time, I was more intentional. I wanted to articulate this experience for the wider world.

Having been a nigerwife, what are some of the personal experiences that you and Nicole share?

Absolutely. I was part of the nigerwife community for over seven years, and I believe there’s a universal nigerwife experience, especially around cultural isolation and lack of community. Being from London, growing up with a certain generation, we all listened to the same music and wore the same clothes. In Lagos, nobody could understand me in that way or sing the same lyrics to a song with the same joy my friends in London would. I felt that I had been forgotten. I was no longer part of the particular community I came from. That’s Nicole’s story, and it’s very poignant and important to tell. It’s not easy to articulate because it’s such a specific experience because most people don’t travel that far from their homes. But even in that, readers can still relate to this story.

I also come from a big, complicated family like the Roberts family — definitely not as dramatic, but still one that’s been complicated by years of separation and trauma. My mother was a barrel child (a child whose parents migrated to another country to work, leaving them behind), and my great-great-grandmother was a sugar cane worker, seemingly in slavery-like conditions. How does one live and love when they have a whole life with this level of labor? So looking at my own family paved the way for these characters to come to life and for me to explore similar issues.

I love how in your book, the city of Lagos is more than just the setting; it’s like its own character.

Lagos is such a thrilling city — a very dramatic city. There’s also so much tension there, partly because of these huge extremes of wealth and circumstance. It reminds me of New York, but here, we shout about it from every rooftop. We’re always having conversations about struggle and trauma, which is one of the most beautiful things about living in New York. But in Lagos, these topics become taboo because of the patriarchy and the more traditional aspects of society, along with this projection of wellness and social success. Poverty becomes taboo. Hardship becomes taboo. All that helps create this tension between the outward perception and what’s really happening.

This book also shows the dark side of marriage — one riddled with control, mistrust, infidelity and a lack of connection. What real-life advice do you want readers to take away from Nicole and Tonye’s relationship?

Marriage is complicated, and I intentionally made Nicole a very complicated and, at times, selfish character. She has an affair with someone who clearly isn’t the love of her life, but she also wants freedom because she doesn’t always have that in her marriage.

I didn’t want to make Tonye a textbook villain, but he makes a lot of mistakes. Yes, he’s good-looking with tons of money, but he isn’t perfect. I wanted to ask questions about what marriage is and how it can go wrong and even under the “best” of circumstances. In a place like Lagos, where there are a lot of labels on people, traditions, and boxes to fit in, how does this impact their marriage?

We go into marriage as individuals and think we have this blueprint, but it only sometimes matches up. Marriage can be amazing and freeing, but it can also feel like being in a straightjacket. (Laughs) Whatever it is, people need to be honest with themselves. Did you make a mistake? Did you give up on yourself and your desires? Are you being respected? Please, don’t be locked into a mistake for the rest of your life because you believe marriage is everything.

You also don’t shy away from the Diaspora wars between Americans, Brits, Caribbeans, Africans, etc. Which we know can be a little too real sometimes on Twitter. Remember the whole tea kettle fiasco? (Laughs) Why was including that important?

It was almost easier to have these conversations in a fictional way in the book than in real life. This way, we can enjoy the exploration and find our own answers. But, I am always interested in observing people and am curious to know why we are the way that we are and how where we come from plays a role in that. It’s fascinating. I remember moving to Nigeria and having people tell me they didn’t realize they were Black until they lived abroad as teens. Before then, they never had to think of themselves that way. But it was more just that because, as a descendant of enslaved people, watching these same people dismiss racism because they didn’t understand it the same way was not an easy conversation to have. How do you know the struggles of colonialism and all the terrible things the British did in Africa and diminish it because you didn’t have the same ancestry as the Caribbean or African-American people?

But I also found that having this understanding of race versus the Caribbean or African-American experience can impact your understanding of feminism and other issues. They’re all connected.

Finally, the book is being developed into a drama series for HBO, thanks to “Insecure” and “Rap Sh*t” writer-director Amy Aniobi. How excited are you for this story to come to the small screen?

It’s a dream. Actually, it’s a dream because this wasn’t even a dream I had before. And Amy is a total inspiration, boss chic. Look at “Insecure.” So many older Black women “grew up” on that show whether they’ve seen it or not; we’ve all been influenced by that show and how we see ourselves as Black women. Most importantly, that show really encouraged me to even tell this story.

Amy is going to bring her writing and directing talent and nuance to this. Plus, she’s Nigerian, and I know she will approach it with that perspective. This is why having Black women in the room is so important. I can’t wait to see what happens next.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/vanessa-walters-the-nigerwife_n_64596f9ce4b09eef83016c4d

richardmurray
- May 13, 2023
- 1
- Report

richardmurray

My reply

I will answer the question , how will Sudan get better?

Elsewhere in this forum I asked about leadership in the black community in the usa, what type of leadership is majority in the black community in the usa and I realize the importance of starting there. Why? How any human groups leaders want to lead is what has to be improved. The people who aren't leading are all talk. The people who are , no matter their quality or style, are key. Cause all people's need leadership. Simply because you need someone or some group to take an idea and push it through all the individual desires in the larger group.

What is the majority black leadership in the Black community of sudan?

Generals. Ok. Generals are kings without crowns. Kings are generals with crowns. ok

Generals do not go by rule of law, they go by rule of arms. Fine.

The next question is, where are they failing in their leadership as generals + how can they improve?

Well, I see two big problems for the generals of sudan.

1) they all seem to want it all but none have the means to get it all. Nothing is wrong with wanting to win all the spaces in the chessboard but you how long do you play stalemate?

2) none of them have the ability to gain external assistance to win the battle of generals, nor do they have an ally in a nearby general in kemet or aksum, commonly egypt or ethiopia who will aid them.

How can they improve ?

1) The simplest but most vital thing is to develop a terms of long lasting peace. I didn't say elected government. The leadership of sudan or anywhere else, doesn't need to change styles but quality. If Rich runs the south east, then its time to make that official. If Troy runs the north east and Chevdove runs the central west it is time to make that official. All were doing is wasting time battling each other when we can't gain ground. None have the means to break the stalemate. So apply the lines on the map. Each general rules in their zone. And then...

2) be better generals.

The funny thing about human history is most ideas have been tried, and have examples throughout all humanity of success or failure.

The generals in sudan, you each have an army, but where is your logistical chain, where is your supply chain, what are the defenses to your domain? How is your internal management? What is the quality of your soldiers? what about your training for potential new soldiers ?many questions. I bet if I knew those answers for all the generals in sudan, my grade for the replies will be , poor at best. so each need to make a better army which will improve, infrastructure/schools/health. An army is to kill. But, an army kills better when it is fed better, housed better, clothed better, heals better, learns better.

richardmurray

Question and answers before viewing
What did you think of this film when you saw it for the first time? How do you think this movie impacts the culture today?
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10159558094682857&set=gm.628627405328361&idorvanity=162792258578547
I remember when I saw this movie for the first time well for many reasons. I will convey that I saw this after New Jack City which came out in a similar time frame, and I disliked New Jack City and seeing this lifted my spirits. Now I admit, I am a music fan and so the music was nice for me. I liked the storytelling and acting. I saw this film in modern words as a musical fantasy. In the end it was a summing up of 1950s-1960s-1970s black musical bands in the usa historically,wrapped up in a mythical band that had all the problems, joys, and found itself in modernity alive and among friends or family.

To modernity, I don't think Five Heartbeats impacts largely. It isn't a disliked movie in the black community. But, I paraphrase Macy Gray who spoke on Michael Jackson plus The Artist Formerly Known As Prince relating to the common Black folk, a growing segment of the financially common black folk from the 1980s onward saw and see themselves through interpretations of Black people in media that are baggy clothes wearing, warm around fires in cars in urban environments, gold chain wearing, acting in a violent street setting with illegal financial activity, whether any of it is true or not.To restate, said black folk can see themselves in the low level rapper more quickly than michael jackson. In parallel, New JAck City impacts today much larger than The Five Heartbeats in the financially common black community in the usa, in my opinion at least.

Thoughts as I listened
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQIAlmB180E
1:50 You have to find that after school special robert townsend filmed at your elementary school
3:36 oh mamma mia! yes, it wasn't so detailed laden, your daughter's point remind me of your thoughts to aretha franklin's biopic. I wonder if townsend didn't want to telenovela and maybe wanted to go more myth than drama.
6:27 Kacie Lemmons, thanks for shouting her out.
8:25 Flash, I wonder who the dells or Townsend was thinking of its with him
9:50 good shout out, I want someone to ask Shug Night, did he see the five heartbeats. If he says yes...:)
12:27 did Townsend think on Daughters of the Dust and the memory perception. What we are seeing is a memory, not the whole truth or a detailed account, but thoughts, a temporally.
the end is out of the dream.
15:37 yes, the purest joke in the film, good one.
16:47 Nike you and your daughter, like the daytime drama elements in biopics.
I wonder when the film about Nike's life will occur, how many reveals will we get:)
19:33 good point, Five Heartbeats influenced later musical biopics.
20:52 yes it is the Harlem Nights of Black Music films, more than coming to america, yes , well done by your daughter Nike

richardmurray

I.S.D. cup for the I.R.C.L. Tour of Earth.

I.S.D. cup for the I.R.C.L. Tour of Earth. by richardmurray3d on Sketchfab

Il Sol Depth cup for the champion of the Interplanetary Recycle Craft League Tour of Earth.

This is the I.S.D. cup or Il Sol Depth cup for champions of the twenty third Interplanetary Recycle Craft League Tour of Earth.

Each element represents something. The base represents the Interstellar Medium, the space outside the Sun's gravitational power.
The golden-esque cup looking like dust/gas is the Heliosphere, yes the sphere of the sun, created by the sun which the solar system we live in exist in. I chose the color for the effect.
The greyish spirals above is an interpretation of the Heliospheric current, which is shaped like an archemides spiral but after hours and hours and some lost attempts:) I just went for spiral rings. One day I may upload the sketches.
In the center is the sun and the planets from mercury to Jupiter are present at top.
And yes, it can be used as a sipping cup.
At the bottom is a small indentation representing the milkyway. The eye where our sun resides.

Sketchfab URL: https://skfb.ly/oGJuE

Still image : https://www.deviantart.com/hddeviant/art/I-S-D-cup-for-the-I-R-C-L-Tour-of-Earth-960470478

The trophy was made for @arcencieldigitalart 3D art contest
https://www.deviantart.com/arcencieldigitalart/journal/Contest-3D-Art-in-all-it-s-forms-956559237

The story the trophy is for is the following
https://www.deviantart.com/hddeviant/art/The-Final-Distance-Of-The-Twenty-Third-I-R-C-L-To-947551245

The story was made for the promoting positivity challenge from @rtnightmare
https://www.deviantart.com/rtnightmare/journal/Promoting-Positivity-December-Challenge-937526879

It was because of @moonbeam13 I learned of the contest so consider following her folks
https://www.deviantart.com/moonbeam13/status-update/ArcencielDigitalArt-is-hosting-a-new-956762859

image aided in use
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heliosphere#/media/File:PIA22835-VoyagerProgram&Heliosphere-Chart-20181210.png

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milky_Way#/media/File:UGC_12158.jpg

I used Figuro to create
https://figuro.io/Designer
and Sketchfab to display
https://sketchfab.com/richardmurray3d

richardmurray

forum post
- May 1, 2023
- Report

richardmurray

Commission
The Aevemor from TheBootesArtVoid
Black and white
https://www.deviantart.com/hddeviant/art/Commission-TheBootesArtsVoid-04-26-2023-b-w-960001249

Colored version
https://www.deviantart.com/hddeviant/art/Commission-TheBootesArtsVoid-04-26-2023-color-960000846

If you like the work, commissions are open

microcalligraphy
https://www.deviantart.com/hddeviant/commission/Microcalligraphy-signatures-1487995

richardmurray

forum post
- April 27, 2023
- Report

richardmurray

Phillipe Saddletear, my imaginary spirit animal
coloring page
https://www.deviantart.com/hddeviant/art/Imaginary-friend-black-and-white-2023-959899481

in color
https://www.deviantart.com/hddeviant/art/Imaginary-friend-color-2023-959899729

richardmurray

Half of NYC households face cost of living crisis

Half of working-age households in New York City do not make enough money to cover basic needs, according to a new report.

That marks a significant jump from the group's 2021 study, when it found that 36% of households were struggling.

It said the surge was driven by the sharp rise in prices in recent years - especially for housing and childcare.

It comes as families around the world are facing rising living costs.

In 2023, a family of four would need to make more than $100,000 (£80,000) to match costs anywhere in New York City.

That is significantly higher than the roughly $70,000 median household income in the city reported by the US census.

The report was commissioned by the Fund for the City of New York, which is backed by the Ford Foundation, and the charity, United Way of New York City. A similar study has been conducted periodically since 2000.

The analysis examines the "true cost of living", a measure that reflects local costs and housing size.

It is more comprehensive metric than the official poverty measure in the US, which was developed in the 1960s. By that measure, just 16% of households in New York City are living in poverty."There are many more people in New York City who struggle to meet their basic needs than the government's official poverty statistics capture," the authors of the report write.

"We find that New York City families struggling to make ends meet are neither a small nor a marginal group, but rather represent a substantial proportion of households in the state."

The report found that single mothers, people of colour and foreign-born were disproportionately likely to be struggling, but the problem also affected those with jobs and higher education.

Among households with at least one person working, 40% could not cover basic costs, it found, while more than half of those who did not make enough to cover the cost of living had at least some college education.

The report comes as many countries are struggling to rein in rapidly rising prices, which were once thought to reflect temporary shocks stemming from the pandemic and war in Ukraine but have proven stubbornly persistent.

Inflation, the rate at which prices rise, is expected to be 7% globally this year, according to the IMF's most recent outlook.

In the UK, inflation is at 10.1%, close to a 40 year high.

ARTICLE
https://www.bbc.com/news/business-65394860

FULL REPORT
https://1drv.ms/b/s!ArspJ5yABJDqg8EsiSlQIdYn0kDlcA?e=LnBJgs

richardmurray

forum post
- April 26, 2023
- Report

richardmurray

Polaroid Week

LINK

I didn't even know Polaroid was still around. I was considering buying one and went to the polaroid site. but they want 100 dollars for the cheapest. Funny how Polaroid went bankrupt but was reborn with their technology absent their wage or debts or et cetera. The lesson is in how bankruptcy is used to evacuate financial liability in firms that can then reboot with their technology in a new labor structure.

115 Euros for a starter set:)

https://www.polaroid.com/products/polaroid-go-starter-set

Below are some favorites from the series linked above

Photographer: Juliana LongiottiFollow
Title: Winter Roses

LINK

richardmurray

The problem with the film industry in the USA and Kemet

OPENING THOUGHTS

Historical fact versus Film industry goals.

A film, with chadwick boseman before the black panther called, Gods of egypt , had only one Black god of egypt. Thoth. But, all the gods of Kemet, which the hellens< the romans called the hellens greeks, the greeks called kemet egypt> took over through the macedonian rule of hellens, are Black, all of them. So all the gods of egypt should had been Black.

In parallel, Cleopatra is white. I didn't say she wasn't Egyptian. She spoke the native tongue. In the same way the Mamluks , who are from eastern europe, are not native to Kemet but lived most of their lives in Kemet, they called egypt, while being muslim. So, the problem is the film industry in the USA has a goal with many projects. The goal is simple. Unbind all characters from racial definition, a key to araciality. The problem is, history isn't a false thing, history is fact. Cleopatra was not black, just like the Mamluks. But this doesn't mean most people in Kemet or Egypt are white.

But i wanted to do research and find out, who is the lawyer that filed the complaint because as always, the internet story linked to me has no citation.

I found the following and I will end with lcosing thoughts

ARTICLES

TITLE
Egyptians complain over Netflix depiction of Cleopatra as black

CONTENT
by David Gritten
BBC News
A Netflix docudrama series that depicts Queen Cleopatra VII as a black African has sparked controversy in Egypt.

A lawyer has filed a complaint that accuses African Queens: Queen Cleopatra of violating media laws and aiming to "erase the Egyptian identity".

A top archaeologist insisted Cleopatra was "light-skinned, not black".

But the producer said "her heritage is highly debated" and the actress playing her told critics: "If you don't like the casting, don't watch the show."

Adele James made the comment in a Twitter post featuring screengrabs of abusive comments that included racist slurs.

Cleopatra was born in the Egyptian city of Alexandria in 69 BC and became the last queen of a Greek-speaking dynasty founded by Alexander the Great's Macedonian general Ptolemy.

She succeeded her father Ptolemy XII in 51 BC and ruled until her death in 30 BC. Afterwards, Egypt fell under Roman domination.

The identity of Cleopatra's mother is not known, and historians say it is possible that she, or any other female ancestor, was an indigenous Egyptian or from elsewhere in Africa.

Netflix's companion website Tudum reported in February that the choice to cast Adele James, a British actress who is of mixed race, as Cleopatra in its new documentary series was "a nod to the centuries-long conversation about the ruler's race".

Jada Pinkett Smith, the American actress who was executive producer and narrator, was meanwhile quoted as saying: "We don't often get to see or hear stories about black queens, and that was really important for me, as well as for my daughter, and just for my community to be able to know those stories because there are tons of them!"

But when the trailer was released last week many Egyptians condemned the depiction of Cleopatra.

Zahi Hawass, a prominent Egyptologist and former antiquities minister, told the al-Masry al-Youm newspaper: "This is completely fake. Cleopatra was Greek, meaning that she was light-skinned, not black."

Mr Hawass said the only rulers of Egypt known to have been black were the Kushite kings of the 25th Dynasty (747-656 BC).

"Netflix is trying to provoke confusion by spreading false and deceptive facts that the origin of the Egyptian civilisation is black," he added and called on Egyptians to take a stand against the streaming giant.

On Sunday, lawyer Mahmoud al-Semary filed a complaint with the public prosecutor demanding that he take "the necessary legal measures" and block access to Netflix's services in Egypt.

He alleged that the series included visual material and content that violated Egypt's media laws and accused Netflix of trying to "promote the Afrocentric thinking... which includes slogans and writings aimed at distorting and erasing the Egyptian identity".

Three years ago, plans for a movie about Cleopatra starring the Israeli actress Gal Gadot triggered a heated debate on social media, with some people insisting that the role should instead go to an Arab or African actress.

Gadot subsequently defended the casting decision, saying: "We were looking for a Macedonian actress that could fit Cleopatra. She wasn't there, and I was very passionate about Cleopatra."

URL

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-65322821

<Rough translation of the arabic to english from google translate>
TITLE
"Falsification of facts and Cleopatra was not black." Zahi Hawass comments on Netflix's latest movie

CONTENT
Zahi Hawass, former Minister of Antiquities and archaeologist, commented on the film "Cleopatra", which was revealed by Netflix yesterday, and drew criticism from public opinion in Egypt for portraying the "black" Ptolemaic queen, considering it a falsification of history.
Hawass commented in an exclusive statement to «Al-Masry Al-Youm» on the film, saying: «That is a falsification completely, Cleopatra was Greek, in the sense that she was blonde and not black», and considered that the film «falsification of facts and an attempt to attract illustrious historical names such as Queen Cleopatra, with the aim of promoting that the Egyptian civilization is black».
Hawass pointed out that there is a trend in the world in recent years led by American blacks and blacks in South America, to claim that the Egyptian civilization is originally black, stressing that «this talk has no basis at all».

The archaeologist pointed out that the black civilization has no connection with the Egyptian civilization, pointing out that the black civilization did not rule Egypt except in the twenty-fifth dynasty during the era of the Kingdom of Kush, that is, at the end of civilization. (The number of families of the Egyptian civilization is 30 families).

Hawass proved that the Egyptian civilization is different from other African civilizations, pointing out that the Egyptian temples have drawings of Egyptian kings, and the Egyptian king is depicted beating his enemies, explaining that the temples depict his enemies either «African, Nubian, Libyan or Asian, and all of them have a different shape».

Hawass continued that «Netflix is trying to create confusion to spread false and false information that the origin of the Egyptian civilization is black», and called on Hawass to take a stand against the Netflix platform.

Netflix launched a promotional advertisement for a documentary about Queen Cleopatra, directed by Jada Ninket Smith, wife of the famous American star Will Smith, and will be shown on the platform on May 10, and actress Adele James was chosen to play the role of the Ptolemaic queen.
Queen Cleopatra, the last ruler of the Ptolemaic dynasty, was born in 69 BC and died in 30 BC in Alexandria.

URL

https://www.almasryalyoum.com/news/details/2864818

<Rough translation of the arabic to english from google translate>
TITLE
After the crisis of the movie Cleopater the brunette. Public prosecutor's complaint against Netflix demanding that the platform be banned

CONTENT
Lawyer Mahmoud Al-Samri submitted a report to the Public Prosecutor to close the Netflix platform, after the announcement of the documentary film Cleopater Al-Samra, and to take all legal measures against those in charge of this work, and against the management of the platform for its participation in this crime, and to investigate them and block its broadcast in Egypt and address all concerned authorities, especially the National Media Authority, to achieve this.
The complaint filed against Netflix stated: It was recently noted that the Netflix platform broadcasts some visual materials and content that violate the controls of media content, which we are accustomed to in Arab and Eastern societies in all countries of the Arab and Islamic region, as most of what is presented by this platform contradicts Islamic and societal values and principles, especially Egyptian.
As stated in the communication after the crisis of Cleopater's black film: The platform's management reached them to display advertising and attractive ads seen by millions in the world, and spread on their official pages documented via Facebook, recently, an invitation to watch a documentary film about Queen Cleopatra, who was of Greek origin that she is black and all the pharaohs at the time have black skin, unlike Egyptian history and civilization, to promote the thought of Afrocentric spread widely on social media, which have slogans and writings aimed at distorting and obliterating the Egyptian identity In a crude and worrying way for us as Egyptians we have a historical civilization that nations talk about over time and the issue of these owners of this thought is largely supported by large external parties to falsify the facts of the Egyptians.

The communication against Netflix continued on the Black Cleopatra Declaration: From the standpoint of preserving the Egyptian national and cultural identity among Egyptians all over the world and taking pride in it, and consolidating the spirit of belonging to the homeland, and accordingly, we ask and request you to take the necessary legal measures against this platform, and to stop displaying every work whose purpose is to obliterate and distort the Egyptian identity, by playing in the minds with attractive advertisements and films aimed at falsifying and distorting history in Egypt, and also accusing those in charge of forgery of this work jointly And assistance from the management of the platform.

At the end of his communication, Al-Samri called for taking all legal measures against those responsible for this work and against the platform's management for its participation in this crime.

URL

https://www.cairo24.com/1783644

CLOSING THOUGHTS

My first thought in closing is a question. Did Zahi Hawass or Mohamed-El-Sayed-El-Semary file a lawsuit against gods of Egypt. Because don't tell me that the gods of Egypt were nordic ? How is that not a falsification?

And even though, and I quote

... the world of Gods of Egypt never really existed. It is inspired by Egyptian mythology, but it makes no attempt at historical accuracy because that would be pointless — none of the events in the movie ever really happened. It is about as reality-based as Star Wars — which is not real at all ... Maybe one day if I get to make further chapters I will reveal the context of the when and where of the story. But one thing is for sure — it is not set in Ancient Egypt at all.

—Director Alex Proyas, December 2015

if Gods of Egypt can be forgiven for that then the African Queens series by Jada Pinkett Smith can be forgiven. These films are meant to make Black women of African descent feel good about themselves. These films are not meant to be documentaries.

Now Adele James who portrays Cleopatra said, if you don't like the casting don't watch the show. And to be fair, the lawsuit, though gaining global attention isn't for a global ban, it is for a ban in Kemet itself. Which is not unusual in film. Many governments ban films involving the history. China banned Seven Years In Tibet. This is not uncommon.

But Hawass and James and Jada Pinkett for me, offer an interesting question about the series and casting and identity.

The first thing I thought was, why didn't they chose Nefertiti ?

They could had chosen Hatshepsut but she is to dominant. Hatshepsut goes into other arguments about women's role in general and Jada Pinkett probably wanted to step away from that. But Nefertiti is legendary and she has a bust that is preserved. I want you to take a look at the show poster and then Nefertiti bust.

Adele James as Cleopatra

The bust of Neferitti

Doesn't ADele James look like Nefertiti?

Why not Nefertiti? Why did Jada Pinkett SMith have to use Cleopatra, whom I have said countless times in AALBC is a white woman. I didn't say she wasn't egyptian and I didn't say she didn't have black blood.

Take a look at the following image of an actor named Ty Burrell. A white man.

Said actor, Ty Burrell has an ancestor, as Black as the night. And, in his own words <you search the "finding your roots" episode, he admitted that people in his community growing up stated that in whispers about his clan>

So Cleopatra being white doesn't mean she doesn't have Black ancestors. It doesn't mean she can't claim Kemet. Charlize Theron says she is south african. She isn't XHosa or Zulu.

The point is Cleopatra is a white woman. But being in the phenotypical ranges commonly labeled white or black doesn't define one's background or how one defines themselves. Look at the following of Fredi Washington, who played the first Peola in the first film version of Imitation of Life

She look more like Betty Davis than Lena Horne and Lena Horne is extremely Yella. And Fredi Washington never called herself anything but Black. Hawass would call Fredi Washington light skinned.

So I see three points, in any order.

Phenotype in modern USA based media, film in particular but even outside ala Hamilton the play with all the white or blanco historical figures being played by negros/mullatoes/mestizoes, likes to suggest an araciality to historical figures. Anyone can play anybody is the message, in my mind at least. So, The Dagda of the Tuatha de danaan can be played by a male or female person, kid or elder, with blue black skin and a large black afro. While... Ogun of the Yoruba Orishas can be played by a male or female person, kid or elder, with long blonde hair and snow white skin. Now the question is why? well, the USA has a problem. It's population is the most multiracial or multicultural or multiheritaged in modern humanity and is only growing more multi every day. But, alot of negativity or hatred or dislike is between the parts of the people. The USA populace doesn't have enough love in its populace to become a family, a set of loving ones. But maybe it can be engineered to be a clan <ala the country of immigrants claim which is false to the native american or partial to enslaved black people as they were unwilling>, perhaps even better a creed<ala the shared belief in individual rights, government of elected officilals through voting, a set of laws that need to be abided and respected absent the use of arms>. Various individuals or groups of people in the USA across all racial spectrums are trying to make the USA into a clan or creed and in the arts, this has led to hamilton or this film of Cleopatra. I see two goals, the first is to deracialize historical figures to support the idea that one can be a racial stranger in a community, the usa, and be part of it instantaneously if they abide by the rules of the clan or creed. The second is to support the idea that one can idolize, be proud of, adopt someone who isn't of their race as part of their essence. Do I artistically like this? no. I prefer historical truth. But that is only a matter of taste, it doesn't warrant a large multilog for me. Any artist knows, no work makes everybody happy, and it shouldn't.

Phenotype outside the USA, race, is simpler but when applied to the USA media's portrayals of race, become very complicated. I have been to africa. I can tell you, many women <not most> of North Africa, today, are white women. Now, they are african. They are muslim. And they are not nordic in appearance. Many Northern African women do share the mediterranean look with Southern European women, ala why in Europe, many northern europeans would call southern europeans dark. But they are white women. But they don't see themselves as Europeans. and this is the problem with race outside the usa in comparison to in the USA. In the USA race in general is usually reduced, made simpler, rightly or wrongly. But in BRasil you have Pardo, you have the brown skinned. In African there is no one drop rule, being black doesn't equate to african in africa. In India, people who look like my mother's father, will argue they are not black because in asia, black equates to african. In asia, the word dark is used for people who in the usa will be deemed black. So outside the USA phenotype, appearance, has other rules and when you apply the goals , the phenotypical goals, in USA media to places outside the USA it is dysfunctional. But, part of the dysfunction doesn't merely stem from the combination of two unequals or the attempting to find a multiracial center in the USA end, but also the old rigidities of race in many places outside the USA. I live in New York City and anyone who knows latin americans knows that in their homes, the dark or black or negra members of the familia are not treated like in the disney film encanto. Rosie Perez said it best herself, that in the latin community a colorism exist deeply. So when latin americans talk about latin unity, I scoff at that because I know fully well that in their homes, in their community that unity dissolves into a rulership by whites or light skins or alveno's or blancos over everybody else, negra, zambo, indios, et cetera. And it is the same in an India or in Egypt or other North African governments. The communities under said governments have rigid inequal racial categories that are accepted as part of their essential identity. Thus El Semary talks about national Identity even though most people in Egypt if they were in Mississippi in the 1960s would be called nigger on a daily basis. while most of the wealthy in Egypt if in the same Mississippi would be deemed the White elite. Which in Egypt is how the whites treat the blacks, as an elite.

The importance of media. Hawass is correct. Video media in modernity are the books of yore. The video is how many or most learn, rightly or wrongly. Sequentially, any historical lies in video will be treated as truth or history by many. The question is, it is dangerous. I argue it isn't. But I will explain why. Growing up as a kid my parents provided me with nonfiction or fiction by black people that allowed my perceptions of black people to exist without need of white people. I didn't need public school. I didn't need colleges or universities. I didn't need the television or some video media. Sadly , many people in modernity need an external because their parents are ignorant, they don't know. In the black community in the USA, many black people like to say that the black community doesn't know enough about itself, but the truth is, that is all communities in humanity. The reason why is simple, most communities in humanity are recovering from being completely dominated by another community in humanity and that recovery tends to be a crude or complicated thing. Rarely as smooth as in the fiction books, Sequentially, media serves a huge role, like the images on the early european christian church walls to the illiterate in europe. It doesn't convey the truth, but it conveys a message easier.

Preproduction in the arts, is an underrated thing. What I know on the outer rim boundaries of the entertainment industry in the usa is how often arts are produced absent a lot of quality preproduction. I am not suggesting a system exist to evade negative criticism. But, I wonder about Jada Pinkett's series. Why go from Nzinga to Cleopatra. In my mind, Jada Pinkett wanted to show being African is not equal to being african. While that is the truth I would had advised her to use another. I can see why Nefertiti was not used based on the phenotypical range. Nefertiti is black, looks black, regardless to people like Hawass saying otherwise. But, I think the one of the Kandake's, like Shanakdakhete or Amanirenas<one of my personal favorites>, or other queens of Nubia or Kush and its descendants to Sudan or Aksum, like Gudit<who I learned of doing research for this post>, and its descendants to modern ethiopia. Hawass is correct. Cleopatra is not black. But he is incorrect in one key way. The problem with Kemet and Egypt is that the Upper Nile, the south of the land because in the nilotic world the north is where the Nile flows from which is south if you base north on the pole nearest Europe which is what most in modern humanity do, has always been in a cohabitation with the peoples south of it, whether Nubia or Kush or Aksum. In the same token, the Lower Nile, which is the one that border the modern day mediterranean, has always been in connection to Hellens/the larger Europe or Asia. So, when Hawass talks about the non Blackness of Egypt I argue the Kandake's are to the upper nile what cleopatra is to the lower nile. Female rulers representing the external communities to either half of kemet. And that kind of interpretation is needed in preproduction. It doesn't mean it will happen. But in preproduction it is rarer than people think.

The power of negative media. The first season involved Nzinga of congo and the second involved Cleopatra. Now considering the slap from her husband to chris rock happened nearly a month after the first season with Nzinga started, it proves the power of negative media. The show from Jada Pinkett wasn't mentioned alongside the slap. The slap was mentioned as the central issue of Jada Pinkett, Will Smith, plus Chris Rock. Her series was barely mentioned if at all. The movie, Emancipation, starring Will SMith was prejudged through people's view to the actor, and Chris Rock's standup was expected and eventually did rotate around this issue, one negative moment dominated all three of their recent time.

I conclude with a simple point. All EL Semary wants is the show banned in egypt itself. Not an issue. And neither is the depiction of Cleopatra. I already spoke of Hamilton. None of the key points advertised in the media are important.

The location of Mohamed El Sayed El Semary

https://yellowpages.com.eg/en/profile/Mohamed-El-Sayed-El-Semary/315467

IN AMENDMENT

I finally found evidence to answer my question about gods of egypt in the post above, I didn't find a page and quit on it as I have other things to do but after @Troy asked the same question. I tried again, and read the following

https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl3847128833/weekend/

Mar 2-6   -   $39,360   -   1   -   $39,360   $39,360   1
Mar 9-13   -   $14,958   -62%   1   -   $14,958   $60,950   2
Mar 16-20   -   $13,675   -8.6%   1   -   $13,675   $77,216   3

So, Gods of Egypt wasn't banned, wasn't called to be banned in Egypt. People saw it in egypt. So, this invalidates the desire of the few in Egypt to pan the cleopatra film by Jada Pinkett Smith. And what does it prove. It proves that, the issue here isn't that the Cleopatra film in question isn't phenotypically or other racially correct, it is that, it is produced by Jada Pinkett SMith, a Black woman of the USA in the NEtflix zone, which is going to be mostly seen online in streaming. This is the true issue. Black produced and mostly on streaming not in theaters. Hawass and EL Semary realize that most of the young in egypt, like most poor people in the usa , get film through streaming, not theaters, they are afraid of said Cleopatra's visions being displayed amongst the youth, which will get some youth to question the Europhilic-whitephilic aspects of egyptian culture that have been peddled or enforced by those in power in egypt.

REFERRING COMMENT

https://aalbc.com/tc/topic/10236-the-problem-with-the-film-industry-in-the-usa-and-kemet/?do=findComment&comment=60302

richardmurray

forum post
- April 24, 2023
- Report

richardmurray

2023 Channel Goals/ New Year's Book Tag

The work I planned to create in 2023 that I decided to do in december 2022 is: two translated works- I write in english and others translate- they will be my first ever translated works, a poetry book with my calligraphy, and making at least one game for the black gaming group. And doing this while I submit to as many writing or drawing contest as possible. I have started in the world of 3d modeling:) Time wise the only thing that I worry about is the game and having too little time for craft again, this year, but we shall see:) The key is the works to be translated+ poetry. If I can finish my part by the end of june, then all I will have is the game and in half a year that can give me time at least.

What about you?

richardmurray

Kobo Plus US/UK Expansion: an AMA featuring the KWL Team

VIDEO STREAM

The following are selected series or works. If you join Kobo Plus you can read them for free. Read them all and tell me what you think.

Short Story Collections series
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/series/richard-murray-short-story-collection
- Poetry or More - a book of my poetry , from the Short Story Collections series
- https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/poetry-or-more-1
Tip Jar Audios series
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/series/richard-murray-tip-jar-audios
- Ship of Fools- a poem from the Tip JAr Audio series
- https://www.kobo.com/us/en/audiobook/ship-of-fools-legend-to-be
- The Golden Mirror- a tale from the Tip Jar Audios series
- https://www.kobo.com/us/en/audiobook/the-golden-mirror-2
JiHi series- Screenplay series
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/series/jihi
- The Nyotenda- free to read screenplay with storyboards, from the JiHi series
- https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-nyotenda
The Gospel of Joseph - to reclaim the original intent of the gospels from christianity
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/gospel-of-joseph

The Kobo Writing Life team is excited to announce our next Live Q&A on April 20th, from 12:00 PM-1:00 PM EST. KWL Director Tara, author engagement manager Laura, and promotions specialist Rachel will be answering YOUR questions about this exciting Kobo Plus expansion, as well as any questions about Kobo Plus you may have had leading up to this announcement. Bring all your Kobo Plus questions forward to this informative discussion and Q&A session.

Hi authors!

Huge news! Kobo Plus is now available in more countries than ever before with this latest expansion. Now, Kobo Plus can be accessed by readers living in the USA and the UK.

During this live event, KWL director Tara, author engagement manager Laura and promotions specialist Rachel will be answering your questions about this latest Kobo Plus expansion, how opting in to Kobo Plus (including bulk opt in options), how Kobo Plus can increase your revenue, what Kobo is doing to advertise this service, how it all works, and much more.

Please bring your Kobo Plus-related questions to this event!

Join us on YouTube or Facebook on April 20th at 12PM EST.

ARTICLE LINK

https://kobowritinglife.com/2023/04/06/kwl-live-qa-kobo-plus-us-uk-expansion-an-ama-with-the-kwl-team/

Rakuten Kobo expands digital reading offering in the US and UK with Kobo Plus, the all-you-can-read and listen subscription

TORONTO – April 5, 2023 – Leading digital reading retailer and publisher Rakuten Kobo announces the US and UK launches of Kobo Plus, the all-you-can-enjoy subscription offering booklovers unlimited access to over 1.3 million eBooks and over 100,000 audiobooks for a low monthly fee.

“At Kobo, we’re always working to make the reading experience better and more accessible. Our goal is to be delighting readers – with our best-in-class eReaders, top-rated Kobo app, unmatched digital catalogue or curated book recommendations – but there’s nothing as gratifying as saying ‘read as much as you want for a set monthly fee,’ which is exactly what our Kobo Plus subscription offers,” said Bart Robers, Director, Audiobooks and Global Subscriptions, Rakuten Kobo.

“Kobo Plus has become one of our most popular offerings in the Netherlands, Canada, Portugal, Australia, Italy and France, and it’s our pleasure and privilege to be expanding the subscription service in the US and UK, so that readers can enjoy reading and listening without boundaries.”

US and UK booklovers can access Kobo Plus via the Kobo Books App for iOS or Android and directly on Kobo eReaders to begin discovering new authors and genres. The Kobo Plus eBook and audiobook collection features a breadth of stories, including:

Contemporary fiction by beloved authors including Ian McEwan, Elena Ferrante and Alice Hoffman
Renowned literary works from Philip Roth, Jim Harrison, V.S. Naipaul, Aldous Huxley and William S. Burroughs
Contemporary sci-fi and fantasy by Anne McCaffrey, Cory Doctorow, and Jeff VanderMeer
Classic mysteries from M.C. Beaton, Patricia Highsmith, and Elizabeth Peters
Romance by Barbara Freethy and Beverly Lewis

The Kobo Plus catalogue is ever-growing, with more titles being added to the collection each month. The service has three budget-friendly subscription plan offers:

Kobo Plus Read: Unlimited eBooks for $7.99 USD or €9,99 GBP per month
Kobo Plus Listen: Unlimited audiobooks for $7.99 USD or €9,99 GBP per month
Kobo Plus Read and Listen: Unlimited eBooks and audiobooks for $9.99 USD or €12,99 GBP per month

The Kobo Plus subscription is an ideal way to approach a bucket list of literary classics, an entire author's catalogue, or to dive into a new field of interest. With unlimited reading for one low monthly fee, the subscription lets readers sample a few pages from a genre or author they have never read, and move on to another book guilt-free if it's not to their taste. It’s an ideal option for avid booklovers who can tear through several books a month, and for those who prefer to read a few chapters before committing. There’s never been a better time to discover new authors and series on a Kobo eReader or with the free Kobo reading app.

ARTICLE LINK

https://www.kobo.com/news/rakuten-kobo-expands-digital-reading-offering-in-the-us-and-uk-with-kobo-plus-the-all-you-can-read-and-listen-subscription

Kobo Plus FAQ

How do authors get paid for Kobo Plus?

Why do Kobo Plus reads get paid per minute instead of by pages read?

We have updated our eBooks subscription service to be more fair and balanced for authors across the board. Now, authors will be paid for every minute read, including re-reads, and even if a reader reads less than 10% of the book.

How does the free trial for Kobo Plus work?

Gaining new audiences for our self-published authors is a key goal for us, and offering free trials of our Kobo Plus subscription is a great way to showcase our offering, including your books, to new and existing booklovers. We liken this to offering a first in series free, or other types of promotions for your titles, and these terms are the same for both traditional publishers and self-published authors. Our goal is to continue building excitement for the service in order to gain reading momentum for your books, while concurrently gaining new audiences.

We truly believe that this exposure will benefit you, however it is always your choice, and if you are uncomfortable with the free trial period, we have made it easy for you to opt out of whichever territory you choose.

Will Kobo Plus affect my a la carte sales?

For authors with books opted into Kobo Plus, their a la carte sales have remained steady (and for some, have increased); what’s more Kobo Plus reads have generated additional income on top of those strong a la carte sales. We see Kobo Plus reads complementing a la carte sales, not replacing them.

The second trend we have noticed is that Kobo Plus tends to give backlist titles a boost. When we look at sales of books published before 2016, we see a significant increase in income generated by Kobo Plus reads for books opted into the catalogue.

We will be closely watching sales patterns, and are confident that we will see a similar increase in overall sales.

What if I want to opt out of Kobo Plus?

We want you to feel good about what you create and how you are compensated. These are your books and your business, and it’s important that you have autonomy over how you sell your intellectual property. If subscription models aren’t for you, it is easy to opt out of Kobo Plus, or out of specific territories in which Kobo Plus operates. Opting out will in no way impede readers from buying your books a la carte. The idea behind our eBook subscription is to reach new audiences, not to take away from your existing readership--in the end, it is whatever you choose and think is best for your content.

We decided to offer this option based on customer feedback asking for an all-you-can-read eBook service; this is in line with much of today’s digital content consumption, which gravitates toward subscription models. Our experience in other markets shows we are able to attract new readers to digital reading who had never bought eBooks before, which is the case for Kobo Plus subscribers in the Netherlands. We’re aiming to grow the total earnings for authors and publishers, and our data shows that Kobo Plus can help achieve this goal.

ARTICLE LINK

https://kobowritinglife.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360058975632-Kobo-Plus-FAQ

richardmurray

Title: Telekinetic
Artist: GDbee < https://gdbee.store/ >
Prior post
https://aalbc.com/tc/profile/6477-richardmurray/?status=2313&type=status
GDBee Post
https://aalbc.com/tc/search/?&q=gdbee&type=core_statuses_status&quick=1&author=richardmurray&search_and_or=or&sortby=newest

richardmurray

Title: Sweet
Artist: GDbee < https://gdbee.store/ >
Prior post
https://aalbc.com/tc/profile/6477-richardmurray/?status=2312&type=status
GDBee Post
https://aalbc.com/tc/search/?&q=gdbee&type=core_statuses_status&quick=1&author=richardmurray&search_and_or=or&sortby=newest

richardmurray

Title: Bashful
Artist: GDbee < https://gdbee.store/ >
Prior post
https://aalbc.com/tc/profile/6477-richardmurray/?status=2311&type=status
GDBee Post
https://aalbc.com/tc/search/?&q=gdbee&type=core_statuses_status&quick=1&author=richardmurray&search_and_or=or&sortby=newest

richardmurray

Title: Angel Drinking Redbull
Artist: GDbee < https://gdbee.store/ >
Prior post
https://aalbc.com/tc/profile/6477-richardmurray/?status=2310&type=status
GDBee Post
https://aalbc.com/tc/search/?&q=gdbee&type=core_statuses_status&quick=1&author=richardmurray&search_and_or=or&sortby=newest

richardmurray

Title: A Splendid Day
Artist: GDbee < https://gdbee.store/ >
Prior post
https://aalbc.com/tc/profile/6477-richardmurray/?status=2272&type=status
GDBee Post
https://aalbc.com/tc/search/?&q=gdbee&type=core_statuses_status&quick=1&author=richardmurray&search_and_or=or&sortby=newest

richardmurray

Title: Toph from Avatar
Artist: shawn alleyne < Pyroglyphics Studio > OR < https://www.deviantart.com/pyroglyphics1 >
Prior post
https://aalbc.com/tc/profile/6477-richardmurray/?status=2229&type=status
Shawn Alleyne post
https://aalbc.com/tc/search/?q=shawn&quick=1&type=core_statuses_status&updated_after=any&sortby=newest

richardmurray

Title: Wraps, a coloring book for Black women
Artist: Shakira Rivers Kiratheartist
https://www.am*zon.com/Wrap-Coloring-Book-Black-Women/dp/B0BN1JKVGZ?ref_=ast_author_dp

prior post
https://aalbc.com/tc/profile/6477-richardmurray/?status=2307&type=status

Kira the artist post
https://aalbc.com/tc/search/?q=Kiratheartist&quick=1&type=core_statuses_status&updated_after=any&sortby=newest

richardmurray

Title: I Love My Hair, Coloring book
Artist: Shakira Rivers Kiratheartist
https://www.am*zon.com/Love-My-Hair-Coloring-Natural/dp/B0BQ9L2NSY?ref_=ast_author_dp

prior post
https://aalbc.com/tc/profile/6477-richardmurray/?status=2306&type=status

Kira the artist post
https://aalbc.com/tc/search/?q=Kiratheartist&quick=1&type=core_statuses_status&updated_after=any&sortby=newest

richardmurray

Title: Black Mermaids Coloring book
Artist: Shakira Rivers Kiratheartist
https://www.am*zon.com/Mermaids-Black-Coloring-Book-ages/dp/B0BFWKTN97?ref_=ast_author_dp

prior post
https://aalbc.com/tc/profile/6477-richardmurray/?status=2305&type=status

Kira the artist post
https://aalbc.com/tc/search/?q=Kiratheartist&quick=1&type=core_statuses_status&updated_after=any&sortby=newest

richardmurray

Title:A Black Princess Coloring Book, fantasy
Artist: Shakira Rivers Kiratheartist
https://www.am*zon.com/Black-Princess-Coloring-Book-Children/dp/B0BJYSQ59P?ref_=ast_author_dp

Title:A Black Princess Coloring Book, all ages
Artist: Shakira Rivers Kiratheartist
https://www.am*zon.com/Black-Princess-Coloring-Book-Brown/dp/B0BTKZSG4R?ref_=ast_author_dp

Kira the artist post
https://aalbc.com/tc/search/?q=Kiratheartist&quick=1&type=core_statuses_status&updated_after=any&sortby=newest

richardmurray

Stellantis' Drive for Design contest < http://www.stellantisdrivefordesign.com/ > is now up and running for the 11th straight year. The annual challenge gives high schoolers from the 10th to the 12th grades the chance to win prizes for their visionary automotive designs. The challenge issued to students picks up from the recent debuts of the Ram 1500 Revolution BEV concept and the production-intent Ram 1500 REV that is on the floor at the New York Auto Show. With Ram preparing a range of electric and electrified offerings, including a highly anticipated midsize truck, Stellantis wants entries that picture the electric Ram pickup of the future. Submissions will be judged equally on four criteria: craftsmanship, design quality, illustration, and originality.

First prize is eligibility for a summer internship at the Ram Design Studio, and a Wacom MobileStudio Pro 16 digital drawing tablet that would help any winner make the most of their design dreams and that potential internship. Second- and third-place prizes are an Apple iPad Pro with Apple Pencil, a one-to-one review of the winners' design portfolio, and a scholarship to a three-week "Transportation Design" summer course at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit.

The contest is not only sponsored by the Stellantis North America Product Design team, the jury includes a previous contest winner. Mark Tostle, VP of Ram Truck and Mopar Design, took first prize in a previous version of the contest held in 1987. He said of the win, "Participating in this contest gave me the confidence to pursue the path to a career in automotive design. Now, I want to help students find the connection between their creativity and the automotive industry. It is incredible to see our past winners come up through the design school ranks. I even get to see some of them as interns or coworkers in our design studio."

The only restrictions for entrants are that they be legal U.S. residents in grades 10-12 currently attending a U.S. high school. Designs can be submitted from now until Friday, April 21, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Winners will be announced a week later, on April 27. The prizes will be handed out at the EyesOn Design Vision Honored Award Ceremony in Detroit in May. Over that span, Stellantis will post weekly updates and contest content on Tuesdays and Thursdays with the hashtag #DriveForDesign.

Check out the Drive for Design site for more information on the contest, submissions from previous years like the Helios concept above by last year's winner Rocco Morales, a bunch of videos from Stellantis designers, and goodies like a high-res poster and a coloring book. And to all of the high schoolers going for it, good luck.

Referral
https://www.autoblog.com/2023/04/05/stellantis-drive-to-design-contest-call-for-entries-high-school-students/

ENTRY RULES
https://stellantisdrivefordesign.com/_data/downloads/Stellantis_Drive_For_Design_Contest_Guidelines_2023.pdf

Project brief:
The global race to cut emissions to zero is a vital step toward tackling climate change. The entire Ram Truck lineup will offer electrified solutions with disruptive, leading-edge, advanced technology in the years to come. We’ve given you our vision of the future with the Ram 1500 Revolution BEV concept. Now, we want to see your design of what an electric pickup truck would look like. This year, we’re challenging students to sketch the future of a Ram truck.

Eligibility:
Entrants must be legal U.S. residents in grades 10-12 currently attending a U.S. high school.

Submitting Entries:
www.stellantisdrivefordesign.com

Submit as a .pdf or .jpg, any medium accepted, size no larger than 11” X 17”
Submit only one final design
Interior or exterior design is acceptable
Deadline for submission is Friday, April 21, 2023 at 11:59 P.M. Eastern
Entry must not contain material that violates or infringes upon another’s rights, including but not limited to, privacy, publicity or intellectual property rights, or that constitutes copyright infringement
Submission must be the original work of the student entering
Timing and Deadlines:
March 21, 2023

Contest start date. Begin submissions

April 21, 2023

Entries due via StellantisDriveForDesign.com

COloring book

https://stellantisdrivefordesign.com/_data/downloads/2021_Coloring_Book_Pages.pdf

High School activity book

https://stellantisdrivefordesign.com/_data/downloads/BOAC_Stellantis.pdf

April 27, 2023

Winners announced

Prizes & awards:
Prizes are as listed at the top. Three winners will be selected and must be present, or have a representative present*, at the EyesOn Design Vision Honored Award Ceremony in Detroit, Michigan.

Judging:
After an initial screening, submissions will be evaluated by a panel of qualified judges from the Stellantis North America Product Design Office
Judges will evaluate each finalist’s entry according to the following weighted criteria:
Craftsmanship – 25%
Design Quality – 25%
Illustration – 25%
Originality – 25%
The finalist with the highest overall score from the judges will be deemed the potential first place winner
The finalists whose entries receive the next two highest scores from the judges will be deemed potential second and third place winners. (All winners are deemed potential winners pending verification of eligibility and compliance with these guidelines, as determined by Stellantis at its sole discretion)
The decisions of Stellantis shall be final and binding in all matters pertaining to the Drive for Design contest

FIRST PLACE PRIZE:
+
Eligibility for a Summer Design Internship with the Ram Design Studio
+
Wacom MobileStudio Pro 16
+
Winning sketch to be featured on the Stellantis social media platforms
+
Local winners invited to participate as a Student Judge at the prestigious EyesOn Design at Ford House car show in Grosse Pointe, MI, on Father’s Day, Sunday June 18th 2023
eyesondesigncarshow.com

https://www.eyesondesigncarshow.com/

richardmurray

title:Black Girl Magic

Artist: the daughter of DJDontTouchTheTrim

Prior post

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richardmurray

Shani and the shadow

richardmurray

Webinar with south side home movie project
7:30 pm eastern standard
forum post
https://aalbc.com/tc/topic/10199-a-webinar-with-the-south-side-home-movie-project/
status post
https://aalbc.com/tc/profile/6477-richardmurray/?status=2294&type=status

TIME INDEX THOUGHTS

sabrina craig

7:32
justin williams

founded by jacqueline stewart in 2005

the people who are behind the organization

7:35

35 mm is theatrical super 8 or 8 mm is for home movies
7:37

home movies are documentaries of the black past, archivist thought to preserve them to

7:39
very little record of south side chicago from black people

neither image was from a black migrant in the usa.
the photographer's context is absent the angle from black people how we saw ourselves

Justin williams will narrate some home movies
7:41

Presents home movies, I will take stills from them.

womens's history moments

althea gibson

naacp

medgar evers wife

party from 1941
https://sshmp.uchicago.edu/collections/nicholas-osborn-collection

7:55
williams explains the process into digital
they do family watch parties/ oral histories/ participatory programs. all is archived and stored in double places.
During the pandemic they made streaming spinning home movies
to see spinning home movies
https://sshmp.uchicago.edu/creative-reuse/spinning-home-movies

8:04

the archivists interacting making this possible

community tagging, to describe what goes on in film, who is from chicago

8:11 jeanette foreman family collection
justin williams shares the movies and jeanette shares the stories

love the gold pants
the url
https://sshmp.uchicago.edu/collections/jean-patton-collection

uncle ironing

jeanette younger

jeanette early 30s

kids playing - the complete film is a nice magic trick

8:24 adding tags to the videos
an example

8:31
what jeanette says
lake meadows had the first high rise in the black community of chicago
imminent domain was used by the government, but overcrowding was rampant
they had kitchenette apartments

I think this can be a place for memory dates, someone younger type in and someone older remember
modern nyc is revitalizing kitchenette apartments for the highest rent in NYC

Questions and answers

Did any home movies from pullman porters?
james e taylor, but it isn't fully digitized

what did she cook in the gold pants?
She made apple pie in the gold pants, any time apple pie or peach pie. the family canned the fruit all year.

I wonder how many other black communities , that didn't have as many home movies, that have a lost existence?

any plan of extending beyond south side chicago, i comprehend the task isn't quick or the ability to find content easy

you can use this to connect stories to items
https://storycorps.org/participate/great-questions/

their main website
https://sshmp.uchicago.edu/

how it works
https://sshmp.uchicago.edu/community-cataloging-guide

have you found home movies where no one was able to speak on them?

the oldest, no one knows who can speak on them

dr helen hash
https://sshmp.uchicago.edu/collections/dr-helen-nash-collection

a pediatrician and practiced in st louis missouri
she was the first african american physician on staff at washington university

jeanette says, women in her memory didn't smoke in front of their father's or in public
but gold pants said, that is my kitchen and I will smoke in it.

have you guys asked people from countries where the doctor traveled outside the usa to look at her movies to get an idea of where these places are?
thank you all, the legend Jeanette, Justin and Sabrina for making this happen, Jacqueline for starting this organization and all for making this fun

THE NEXT EVENT
https://sshmp.uchicago.edu/events/spinning-home-movies-live-special-guest-artist-tbd

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