Why We Need Bookstores in All Communities

Article; "Why We Must Save Black Bookstores"

What happens to a world that is completely void of physical human contact? More and more we are starting to see this “Asimov” concept play out. As I type this on my computer, to send to the anonymous world of readers, I see how easy it is to get trapped. The article “why we must save black bookstores” struck a strong chord with me. I am from a single parent home, in a 99% african american community. Libraries, bookstores, and community centers were staples in my life. I went there to “stay out of trouble,” learn of my heritage, and talk about issues of the day. In many ways, these places were my first trip around the world. I learned more about my culture on a global level, more about what it means to connect to people, and how and where I could do research to find out even more information. These places taught me about life. As we advance, as technology shows us a million possibilities, there is a cosntant fear that should be present: can we come together as people if we continue to grow closer to technology? Now, I am not a technophobe. I have friends and family all over the world, and I love that I can talk to them on a regular basis. However, B&N.com, Amazon, etc. make book culture much more allusive. I can save gas, time, and patience by buying books online. Why would I ever want to leave the house?!?! This article shows us why we should. Without bookstores and libraries we lose the places that root us to one another. We lose the places that we can go to talk about issues important to our communities; not just African-Americans but all people who strive for knowledge, empowerment, and unity. These places are dying; and until we can learn to shake off the laziness, desire more community engagement, and value face-to-face interaction, we as a nation will always be divided. Our constant need, and the current ease, of staying in our own bubble is what allows hate, division, and ignorance to persist. Visit a bookstore in your community, buy something, it could literally change our lives.
Article link by:By R. L’Heureux Lewis-McCoy, PhD

Review: The Bourne Legacy

I got to check out an advanced screening of Bourne Legacy tonight. I think there will be a lot of conflicting views on this movie. However, I come to you tonight with a heavy heart. As a huge fan of the Bourne books and movies, a fan of Jeremy Renner, and a lover of complex-action stories, I tried to love it. I can say that… I liked it. I can say that it is worth a watch, just for Renner alone. He, as usual, is captivating, raw, unpolished. Even people like Rachel Weisz, Edward Norton, and Stacy Keach were worth a listen and a watch. But the Bourne Legacy has the same problem that most movies that try to continue the franchise without having been a part of the original have: the story doesn’t fully stick. There were parts were I often wondered, “other than staying alive, what is the goal??” Apparently, a few YouTube videos and possible public links of members of the former team make it necessary to kill everyone (and I mean EVERYONE) associated or linked to the endless list of “secret” operations. Aaron Cross (Renner) knows nothing of his purpose, team status, or how many others there might be. He crosses a mountain and almost immediately must fight for his life. A few nosebleeds, an unsuspecting wolf-later and we are on a ride that while entertaining, seems forced. Dr. Shearing (Weisz) is one of the few people that Cross feels can help, and much like previous Bourne movies, he finds himself drawn to help and protect her. They eventually end up on the opposite side of the world and must find a way to complete the “goal.” Ok, so one my biggest problem is the built-up showdown between Cross and a Larx operative. It is a huge letdown. I won’t tell you what happens, but safe to say it isn’t pretty and it is very fast. So yes I can articulate a storyline, I can tell you what might be happening, but it was very hard for me to understand the importance of it while it was happening. At some points, I felt like it was made up after every scene was wrapped. The very abrupt ending, did not help the “I think they wrote this on a whim” idea either. Still, my heavy heart says go see it. It says try not to over-think it as I did. Don’t compare this to the Bourne trilogy (it is a fight that Legacy can’t win). Try not to see connections between the story and real-life events (i.e. in which governmental operations allow for innocence to be destroyed just to save a public image). Go see it because it is a fun ride. Go see it because the action is raw, there are no shaky camera scenes, and because Jeremy Renner is really on to something.

Pyscho

 Re-watched Psycho today for the 200th time. It was so captivating, and wonderfully crafted. I am a huge Hitchcock fan and I am excited to see the Hopkins’ film next year.

The Dark Knight Rises: Review

So I just finished The Dark Knight Rises. It is the end of an era and I am very sad to see it go. I am a huge C. Nolan fan and Christian Bale is one of my favorite actors. The accuracy, passion, and dedication they have brought to their respective crafts is astonishing. I am also a big fan of the Batman comics and cartoon. I love it. Going into this I already knew there was a cloud of darkness hanging over the film. With the recent heinous tragedy in Colorado and the death of Heath Ledger from the last movie, it felt like a strange aura surrounded this trilogy. As I watched, I understood why. The movie is incredibly dark; there are some parts where hope seems so small that it is almost non-existent. However, that is the operative word: almost. Batman has to face a lot, in fact the entire city of Gotham faces a lot. I have heard plenty of reviews from comic fans to economists. This movie definitely speaks to the time. It places itself right in front of the “class-warfare” and Occupy movements. It definitely does not give an opinion other than any form of extremism, whether wealthy, middle-class or the working class is wrong. It all causes suffering. Both of them are not fair and allow for people to be torn apart. It is the desire to be better, the love of friendship, loyalty, bravery, and courage that sustain life and make it worthwhile. It did give a glimpse of how people who are not the 1% or even the 10% feel. The frustration with just getting by, watching those who have a lot flaunt it around, and the lack of humility on the part of those in power. It is a heavy movie. There are heavy topics. Yet, I walk away from the film feeling hopeful; knowing that fighting for human rights, and being a hero to just one person still makes you a hero. I feel happy and vindicated. I feel that Batman and all of his allies show people what is possible in the face of evil, when hope is almost failing, and when bravery seems futile. That is what Batman has always been about: anonymously fighting for justice, while leaving traces of hope for the future. Nolan took the already amazing story and made it bigger than life, and gave it a voice in such similar times.

Thought of the day: One day soon I am going to research and do a paper on the ideas of black hair. As a natural hair woman for over 5 years now, and like many people, I am obsessed with my hair. One day I will get the courage to explore what it means psychologically, socially, ethnically to be so concerned with my hair and image.

The announcement that was made a week ago by President Obama was a milestone. It showed a progression that this country, and the world as a whole, had made. The president of the United States taking a stand and saying what he truly believes: Same-sex couples should have the right to marry. Over the last week I have analyzed the amount of support and love he received, but I also witnessed and had discussions with people on how it was tearing away the fabric of our country. Support from people was overwhelming, but stories about Bristol Palin (single, teenaged mother) saying that Pres. Obama should teach his daughters instead of them teaching him, and that children should be raised by a man and a woman was disturbing. Hearing people claim that traditional marriage should not be tainted and destroyed by “the gays” was the most common answer on the negative-side of things. Yet my stance remains true: Human rights are not just for certain humans, they are for all. At some point in history, and even currently, one of the many minorities has been persecuted, and the claim is that they deserve less because anything more would destroy America’s values. Why is it that the majority loves to brag about freedom and rights, when it has to do with a war or an outside force, but it is not true when dealing with our own citizens? Religion and spirituality is something that I hold dear to my heart. I grew up with God being important, talked about, worshipped yet I believe that my relationship is personal. In fact, through my study of life I have meshed many religions to find my way. Christianity is primary, but many other religions and spiritual paths complete me. I do understand that not everyone is like me. Not everyone has friends that are different from themselves, or walked in a Pride Parade for a friend, or love people regardless of differing values. Your religion and faith is sacred…but I do not believe that God wants you to oppress, judge, or ridicule people. We should all live under the law of love, compassion, and understanding. Love is love. God sees us all and knows our pain. He made us, and knows what he made. He loves everyone, and no one on this earth has the ability to say otherwise.

The bible should not be used as a rock to throw at people. Furthermore, marriage is not a Christian-only practice. You cannot deny people governmental rights based on religion because we do not live in a theocracy. Someone else’s marriage should not affect yours. If you are happy, content, working at it, and focusing on your fulfillment-then your marriage and values are not tied up in what someone else is doing. Things that are tearing down families are unfaithfulness, lies, deceit, disrespect, and laziness; not gay marriage. These arguments are just another excuse people use to get distracted from their own issues.

Finally, being African American and a woman makes it hard for me to be in the side of people who want to deny rights and benefits. It was only a century ago that marriages were legal for African Americans and less than that before women could vote. Blacks only received full rights less than 50 years ago. To say, “they should not be allowed to do this because THEY are that” should taste funny in all minorities mouths. Shameful that we are ok denying rights to people when we are still fighting to get all of our benefits and recognition. All in all, we should all take a step back. Stop the hate. And remember that human rights are for everyone, and when they are denied to one group it will only be a matter of time before they come for you…