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"Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced" -James Baldwin

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Deja Vu-nion

Hey there, time-travel enthusiasts and history skeptics! Today, we're embarking on a journey through the space-time continuum to explore the uncanny similarities between early America and our modern-day escapades. Buckle up, because we're about to discover that time travel might be a myth, and the more things change, the more they stay the same.

Early America: Tricorn hats, powdered wigs, and corsets – because nothing says "freedom" like dressing like a powdered pastry.

Modern Day America: Trucker caps, athleisure, and skinny jeans – because why fix what ain't broke?

Early America: Lengthy treatises, passionate speeches, and spirited debates – because the only way to express your political views was with a quill in hand.

Modern Day America: Twitter feuds, 280-character manifestos, and meme diplomacy – because who needs eloquence when you can drop a fire emoji?

Early America: The Boston Tea Party – an act of defiance against British taxation or an elaborate ruse to host the world's first tea-dumping Olympics?

Modern Day America: Starbucks protests – because fighting for soy milk options is our generation's version of revolution.

Early America: Morse code, carrier pigeons, and smoke signals – because instant messaging meant waiting patiently for your pigeon to arrive.

Modern Day America: Side-eyeing at slow Wi-Fi, rage-quitting Zoom calls – because we may have invented the internet, but we're still waiting for it to catch up.

Early America: Pocahontas, the OG celebrity – because nothing says "fame" like having your own animated movie made about your life.

Modern Day America: The Kardashians – because nothing says "reality" like a show that makes us question what's real and what's expertly curated for the camera.

Early America: Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness – because nothing says "happiness" like questioning the meaning of life in your candlelit colonial cabin.

Modern Day America: Life, liberty, and the pursuit of memes – because in the 21st century, happiness is measured in likes and retweets.

Whether you're sipping on colonial-era tea or frantically refreshing your Twitter feed, it's clear that the more things change, the more they stay hilariously the same. So, the next time you ponder the wonders of time travel, just remember: Early America was basically Modern America in a powdered wig. 

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"What colonialism does is cause an identity crisis about one own's culture" - Lupita Nyong'o

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Colonization Chronicles

Greetings, history aficionados and armchair revolutionaries! Today, we're diving into the rollercoaster ride of decolonization in early America, where colonization was as common as powdered wigs and tea parties, and exploring the remix that modern America has given to the term. 

Early America, where colonization was the OG selfie of settlers. Forget about Instagram; the Pilgrims and Puritans were the original influencers, setting up colonies like influencers set up sponsored posts. Jamestown was basically the Plymouth Rock of early American social media, just with more dysentery.

Fast forward to the 19th century, and "Manifest Destiny" becomes the hottest colonial remix on the charts. The belief that America was destined to expand westward was the original "New Year, New Me" resolution. Forget about respecting indigenous lands; manifesting destiny meant manifesting a fresh new frontier to conquer.

Ah, the Boston Tea Party – the ultimate colonial kegger or a decolonization soiree? In early America, where taxation without representation was the ultimate party foul, throwing tea into the harbor became the revolutionary equivalent of spiking the punch bowl. Talk about a bitter brew of rebellion!

Independence – the original flavor of freedom fries that early America served to its British overlords. In a world where redcoats were the original fashion faux pas, declaring independence was the ultimate power move. Move over, haute couture; we're rocking liberty chic.

Fast forward to the present day, where America is in the midst of a decolonization remix. However, the remix comes with a side of cultural appropriation that rivals a college student's misguided attempt at a themed party. Just because you appreciate tacos doesn't mean you've earned the right to appropriate sombreros, folks.

Decolonization in early America was the original revolution, complete with colonial selfie antics and rebellious tea parties. Today, as we navigate the modern remix, let's remember that true decolonization isn't just about changing names; it's about respecting cultures and acknowledging the complexities of history. So, the next time you sip your coffee or post a selfie, remember that the echoes of early America's colonization shenanigans are still reverberating in our modern-day remix. Stay unfiltered, my history remixologists!

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"The longings and anxieties of modern civilization are brought out in the Gothic as in no other fictional medium"

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The Goths

Greetings, Gothic enthusiasts, and interior design critics! Today, we're venturing into the unsettling world of Edgar Allan Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher," where mansions crumble faster than a game of Jenga, family drama is as twisted as a pretzel, and everyone seems to have a flair for interior decorating that would make Martha Stewart reconsider her life choices. Join me on this sarcastic journey through the haunted halls of Usher, as we explore how this Gothic masterpiece relates to early American times and our own modern-day domestic nightmares.

Roderick Usher, the man who proves that home renovation projects can lead to more than just a Pinterest fail. In the grandiose halls of the Usher mansion, where every creak echoes like the ghost of an HGTV host weeping, Roderick's attempts at DIY interior design result in a home that makes the Winchester Mystery House look like a model of practical architecture.

Madeline Usher, the queen of family drama with a plot twist more shocking than a reality TV finale. In the gloomy shadows of the Usher estate, where secrets are as abundant as cobwebs, Madeline's grand entrance is the stuff of early American soap operas. Move over, Downton Abbey; the Ushers were serving drama before it was cool.

The Usher mansion's aesthetic is the OG haunted house chic, inspiring generations of horror enthusiasts. Fast forward to today, where homeowners embrace the haunted house aesthetic in the form of distressed furniture, peeling wallpaper, and ghostly moans that may or may not be the central heating acting up.

The Ushers had a family curse that makes modern family dynamics look like a Disney sitcom. In early America, where family feuds were as common as smallpox, the Usher curse takes the cake. Forget sibling rivalry; Roderick and Madeline redefine "sibling goals" in a way that would make the Kardashians nod in approval.

Roderick's melancholia is the early American version of "emo" before it became a music genre. In the depths of the Usher mansion, where gloominess is both an aesthetic and a lifestyle, Roderick sets the mood for centuries to come. Move over, Hot Topic; Roderick was the original purveyor of melancholic vibes.

"The Fall of the House of Usher" is a sarcastically dark comedy of family drama, haunted house aesthetics, and questionable interior design choices. So, the next time you find yourself contemplating a home renovation or caught up in family melodrama, remember: the Ushers did it first, and they did it with Gothic flair. Stay sarcastic, my haunted home enthusiasts!

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"Change is frequently pioneered and designed by rebels and non-conformist"

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Rebel and Roll

Greetings, rebels with a cause and keyboard warriors of dissent! Today, we're diving into the art of civil disobedience, where the quill meets the tweet in a harmonious blend of passive resistance and modern-day hashtags. 

Picture this: Henry David Thoreau, transcendentalist extraordinaire, decides to engage in the most rebellious act of his time—living by a pond. Forget about raucous protests; Thoreau was too busy contemplating nature and scribbling in his journal. A true revolutionary, he showed early America that civil disobedience could be as simple as telling society, "I'm going to stare at some water for a while, deal with it."

Fast forward to today, where Thoreau's minimalistic rebellion has become a Pinterest aesthetic. Modern rebels are decluttering their lives, embracing a digital detox, and tweeting about it as they sip artisanal coffee from a recycled mug. Thoreau would probably scoff at our version of minimalism, wondering why we need a hashtag to brag about simplifying our lives.

Enter Ralph Waldo Emerson, champion of self-reliance and the original influencer of independent thinking. In early America, he urged citizens to trust themselves, question authority, and probably eye-roll at conformity. Emerson's essay is like the 19th-century version of "You do you, boo," but with more crinolines.

Fast forward to today, where Emerson's call for self-reliance has morphed into a selfie-centric culture. Modern rebels are preaching self-love while simultaneously seeking external validation through Instagram likes. Emerson might raise an eyebrow at our interpretation, asking, "Do you really need a thousand selfies to find yourself, or is that just a cry for Wi-Fi attention?"

Thoreau spent a night in jail for refusing to pay taxes to a government he opposed. Fast forward to today, where modern rebels are avoiding adulting by taking "mental health days" from work. Thoreau might have appreciated the sentiment but questioned our dedication to the cause when Netflix binges are involved.

Civil disobedience has come a long way from Thoreau's pond-side musings to our modern-day tweets of dissent. So, the next time you're contemplating a rebellious act, remember: whether it's a transcendentalist staring at a pond or a millennial tweeting from a coffee shop, the spirit of civil disobedience lives on. Stay sarcastic, my rebel comrades!

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"A mirror reflects what you see, and a black mirror shows the dark side of it" - Madeline Brewer

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The Shadows of America

Hey there, screen junkies and digital voyeurs! Today, we're diving into the mesmerizing world of "Black Mirror," where technology and human nature collide like a clumsy Tinder date. Buckle up for a sarcastic, unfiltered journey through the eerie parallels between the dark tales of "Black Mirror," the shadows of early America, and the bizarre Twilight Zone of our modern culture. Because who needs a comfort zone when you have a Black Mirror?

Early America, where communication meant quills, ink, and the occasional carrier pigeon. Fast forward to today's "Nosedive" episode, where social ratings reign supreme. Forget about gossiping over the white picket fence; we're giving each other side-eye based on how many likes our latest Instagram post gets. Ah, the sweet smell of social validation in any century.

In the episode "San Junipero," Black Mirror takes us on a soul-searching quest for immortality through simulated realities. If our ancestors had Black Mirror, they might have opted for the eternal colonial spa experience, complete with quill massages and horse-drawn carriage VR tours. After all, who needs to face the grim reality of early America when you can escape to San Colonial-ero?

"White Bear" introduces us to a world of public shaming on steroids. But hey, early America did it first with the Scarlet Letter. Puritans would probably watch "White Bear" and say, "Back in our day, we just made them wear an 'A' for adultery, not run a surreal obstacle course."

In "The National Anthem," we witness a scandalous scenario involving a beloved public figure and a pig. Early America would've been like, "Hold my quill; we wrote the book on scandalous scenarios. Just ask Alexander Hamilton." Modern culture may be shocked, but our forefathers were busy dueling over affairs.

"Bees" and hashtags unite in "Hated in the Nation" to wreak havoc. Early America may not have had robo-bees, but they had the town gossip buzzing about everyone's business. Imagine if our forefathers had Twitter; Thomas Jefferson's drafts would have been buzzing like an apiary.

"Black Mirror" is the modern-day looking glass into the dark corners of our tech-obsessed minds, but the echoes of eeriness resonate through the annals of history. So, the next time you're tempted to rate your neighbor based on their lawn-mowing skills, remember that the digital dystopia of "Black Mirror" is just a high-tech remix of the quirky, unfiltered tales of early America. Xoxo, my digital time-travelers!

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"Often you are accomplishing much more than you can see at the moment." - MLK Jr.

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#AcTIviSM

Hey there, history buffs and armchair philosophers! Today, we're diving into the profound and unfiltered world of Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Letter from Birmingham Jail."

Move over, modern activists; MLK was the OG with the blueprint for turning injustice into a teachable moment. In "Letter from Birmingham Jail," he didn't just write a letter; he penned a masterclass in activism that has more punch than Muhammad Ali on a caffeine high.

Buckle up, time travelers, as we revisit early America, where protests weren't just about tossing tea into the harbor. MLK's words could've inspired a revolution back then, turning the Founding Fathers' quills into instruments of justice. Move over, John Hancock; we've got a new signature move in town.

Picture MLK critiquing early America's protests with an unfiltered lens. "So, you thought a tea party was a protest? Darling, that's just a quaint afternoon with mismatched china. Let me show you how to shake things up," he might say, turning every historical event into a roast for the ages.

Fast forward to today, where MLK's teachings have found a new home on Twitter. He'd probably scroll through the timeline with a mix of amusement and side-eye. "You think retweeting is activism? Let me drop some truth bombs and remind you that real change happens offline," he might say, shaking his head at the evolution of the protest.

If MLK were here today, he'd probably say, "Activism isn't about performative gestures; it's about shaking the foundations of injustice. Read my letter, laugh at the absurdity of discrimination, and remember that the fight for justice requires more than just a trending hashtag—it requires action."

A timeless guide to activism with enough wisdom to span the ages. So, the next time you find yourself typing out a hashtag, channel your inner MLK, and remember: the real protest is in the persistent pursuit of justice. Stay real, my activist comrades!

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"No one has a right to sit down and feel hopeless. There is way too much work to be done." - Dorthy Day

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Twitter is our protest

Greetings, bookworms and accidental scholars! Today, we're diving into the realm of James Baldwin's "Everybody's Protest Novel," where he takes us on a rollercoaster of literary activism, wit, and enough sass to rival your grandma's Sunday roast. 

Move over, pretentious literature professors; James Baldwin is the sassy critic we all wish had taught us English Lit. In "Everybody's Protest Novel," he's not just critiquing; he's serving tea, throwing shade, and leaving you wondering why you ever tried to analyze a book without his guidance.

Baldwin's critique makes us rethink early American literature, where every quill stroke seemed to double as a rebellious act. Forget about tea parties in Boston; the real revolution was happening in the pages of protest novels, challenging the status quo with more fervor than a colonist tossing crates into the harbor.

Baldwin would probably have a field day critiquing early American protest novels. "Nice try, Nathaniel Hawthorne, but let's talk about the Scarlet Letter being more of a fashion statement than a protest," he might say, turning every literary classic into a roast that even the Founding Fathers couldn't escape.

Fast forward to today, where protests have shifted from ink on paper to hashtags on Twitter. Baldwin would likely navigate the modern landscape with a mix of amusement and eye-rolling sarcasm. "So, now you think a hashtag is a protest novel? Honey, let me tell you about 'The Fire Next Time,'" he might say, shaking his head at the evolution of activism.

If Baldwin were here today, he'd probably say, "Protest novels aren't about virtue signaling; they're about challenging the system. Read with a critical eye, laugh at the absurdity, and remember that real change requires more than just a well-crafted sentence—it requires action."

"Everybody's Protest Novel" isn't just a critique; it's a journey through the evolution of literary activism. So, the next time you're analyzing a protest novel, channel your inner James Baldwin, sip on some metaphorical tea, and remember: the real protest is in challenging the narrative, one sarcastic comment at a time. Stay unfiltered, my literary comrades!

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"Beauty begins the moment you decided to be yourself" - Coco Chanel

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Beauty, it's in eye of the beholder

Greetings, beauty aficionados and those boldly navigating the labyrinth of modern vanity! Today, we're delving into the realm of Tressie McMillan Cottom's "In the Name of the Beauty," where she takes us on a rollercoaster of unfiltered insights, laughs, and a reality check that hits harder than a botched at-home haircut. 

Move over, beauty influencers; Tressie McMillan Cottom is the guru we didn't know we needed. In "In the Name of the Beauty," she's not here for your contouring drama or skincare sorcery. Instead, she's serving up real talk about the absurdities of modern beauty standards and leaving us wondering why we ever considered gluing rhinestones to our faces in the name of self-love.

Ah, modern beauty standards—the ever-changing bar that seems to be set by someone with the whimsy of a unicorn on a sugar high. Tressie dissects this with a surgeon's precision, pointing out the absurdity of chasing after ideals that are as elusive as a decent Wi-Fi signal in a crowded coffee shop.

Tressie takes us behind the curtain of the beauty industry, revealing its secrets like a magician who's had a few too many drinks. From the wizardry of Photoshop to the absurdity of "miracle" products, she's the whistleblower we need to remind us that flawless skin doesn't come in a bottle, and the real magic is learning to embrace your quirks.

Fast forward to today, where filters and Facetune have become the unsung heroes of modern self-esteem. Tressie's eye rolls are practically audible as she dissects our obsession with portraying perfection in a world where reality has more wrinkles than an un-ironed shirt.

If Tressie were here to guide us through the jungle of modern beauty standards, she'd probably say, "Listen up, folks. Beauty is subjective, and the only 'must-have' is confidence. Also, laugh at the absurdity of it all because life's too short to stress about the perfect winged eyeliner."

"In the Name of the Beauty" is not just a critique of modern beauty standards; it's a laugh-out-loud journey through the looking glass of absurdity. So, the next time you're contemplating the necessity of a beauty routine, channel your inner Tressie McMillan Cottom and remember: beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and sometimes that beholder needs glasses. Stay real, my beauty comrades!

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"When someone keeps making the same mistake over and over again, it's no longer a mistake. It's a habit."