#Boston Catholic Appeal
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In honor of my nth W359 relisten, here is the breakdown of how I accidentally independently headcanoned most of the characters as Catholic:
Eiffel: He was born in Boston, where Catholics are the largest religious population. I've been told the Lord's Prayer he mumbles is the Protestant version, but that prayer is used a lot in Alcoholics Anonymous, which is probably where he's remembering it from. Perhaps his issues with authority stem in part from having to go to Catholic school.
Minkowski: Her father's surname is Jewish, while her mother is French, where the dominant religion is Catholicism. I envision her as growing up in a mixed household (which I believe is also the case for her VA) but she leans harder into celebrating Christian holidays on the station as part of her attempt to assimilate into white bread apple pie Americanism. After the events of the show I like to think she reconnects more with her Jewish heritage, especially as she could relate to the theme of so many holidays being 'they tried to kill us, they failed, let's eat'.
Hera: Hera quotes St. Augustine, quotes the Bible to Maxwell in Memoria, and says "amen" during the funeral despite never being exposed to religious services. Conclusion? She had Catholicism installed in her to nerf her. Why? Because Pryce is also Catholic. More on that later.
Lovelace: I hc Lovelace as having a Puerto Rican mom. Puerto Rico is heavily Catholic. (Her dad is probably Protestant, but when it came to parents from different denominations choosing which to raise their kid(s) in, my mom won for us, so I shall assume her mom won as well. It's possible she also went to a private Catholic school. She may not have considered herself very religious at the start of her mission, but I think about her leaning on hopes of an afterlife when her crewmates start dying as a scrap of comfort.... only to be forced to contemplate the state of her soul later.
Cutter: It was at this point that I realized I was hcing a whole bunch of the characters as Catholic and decided to lean into it. Luckily for me, he's from Carmel-by-the-sea, which is in fact fairly Catholic due to the presence of a historic Catholic mission. (Did I know this because of a probably Buffy-inspired YA paranormal series I read in high school? Maybe.)
Pryce: Again, was leaning into it at this point, but also it makes sense. She was raised in an orphanage, and a lot of those institutions were run by religious organizations. How many of her problems can be traced back to being raised by nuns. She quotes the Bible to position herself as divine. Why Catholicism specifically? The cannibalism. It's all coming together.
Non-Catholics (Hilbert + the Midwestern Corporate Hit Squad):
Hilbert: Grew up in the USSR. Likely not religious.
Maxwell: Her father was a pastor in Montana, where the biggest Christian denomination is Evangelical. Likely ex-Evangelical. Sorry that happened to you Alana.
Jacobi: His name is Jewish, which is supported by his disdain for office holiday parties and ordering Chinese food on Christmas. Catholics are the dominant religious group in Milwaukee though so he gets to the station and goes ah not this shit again.
Kepler: I do not care about him and thus have not spent much time thinking about him, but probably not religious. When he is trying to turn everyone against Lovelace, he doesn't appeal to religious language while dehumanizing her. There are quite a lot of Catholics in Chicago though so he is also used to them.
What's funny about this is I'm not even Catholic. I did not start out doing this on purpose. Somehow Wolf 359 is a more Catholic podcast than Greater Boston, set in Boston, where the character who talks about religion the most is a Protestant.
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"CARDINAL WOULD FLOG RICH MEN WHO IGNORE APPEALS OF THE POOR," Toronto Star. December 14, 1931. Page 1. --- Primate of Catholic America Castigates "Safe-Deposit Worshippers" --- SEES SLAVERY AHEAD ---- Says Moneyed Interests Seek to Control Governments of World ---- Boston. Dec. 14. Those who worship the safe deposit box are to blame for the woes of the world to-day, according to William. Cardinal O'Connell, archbishop of Boston and dean of the Catholic hierarchy in America. "Great numbers of rich men should be flogged; it is the only suitable. punishment for them; they are insensible to all appeals," the cardinal told members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society Sunday. At the same time he lauded as "noble. souls" those rich men, Catholics and non- Catholics, who give to every good cause. Continuance of the "throes of material, mechanistic control" even of governments, by certain selfish financial interests, the cardinal declared, means "complete domination of money over life, getting every last penny, exploiting banking for every last dime." A solemn warning was issued by his eminence to the moneyed interests of the world against repetition of the inflation which preceded the stock crash of 1929. He said these interests were out for control of the governments of the world and that if they were successful it would mean "slavery for the masses". He scored the materialistic philosophy which developed the "Get rich quick" idea among children. Tribute was paid by the cardinal to the late. Henry Higginson and James J. Storrow. non-Catholics, who shared their enormous wealth with the less fortunate. Others named for their generosity among wealthy Catholics were Nicholas and James Brady, their sister. Mrs. James C. Farrell of Albany, N.Y., and the late Humphrey O'Sullivan, rubber heel magnate of Lowell.
#boston#archbishop of boston#roman catholic church#roman catholicism in america#anti-materialism#christian charity#charitable philanthropy#the great depression#pressures of the great depression#united states politics#united states history
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Boston University vs Boston College
Choosing the right college is one of the most significant decisions you’ll make in your academic journey, and for many students, the choice between Boston University (BU) and Boston College (BC) is a tough one. Both institutions are renowned for their academic excellence, vibrant campus life, and prime locations in one of the most historic and culturally rich cities in the United States—Boston. However, despite their geographic proximity, BU and BC offer distinctly different experiences, each catering to other types of students and career aspirations.
Boston University’s sprawling urban campus is a hub of innovation and diversity. Located in the heart of Boston, BU is deeply integrated into the fabric of the city. The university boasts a global outlook, with students hailing from all over the world, contributing to a dynamic, multicultural environment. BU’s extensive academic offerings, from its highly ranked School of Law to its renowned College of Communication, provide students with a wide array of choices to tailor their education to their specific interests and career goals. The university’s emphasis on research and professional development ensures that students are not only learning from top-notch faculty but are also gaining practical, real-world experience that prepares them for life after graduation.
On the other hand, Boston College offers a more traditional collegiate experience, with a strong emphasis on liberal arts education rooted in its Jesuit Catholic tradition. Located in Chestnut Hill, just a short drive from downtown Boston, BC offers a serene, suburban campus that feels like a world away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Boston College is known for its commitment to fostering not only intellectual growth but also personal and moral development. The university’s core curriculum encourages students to explore a broad range of disciplines, cultivating well-rounded individuals who are prepared to think critically and lead with compassion. BC’s sense of community is palpable, with a strong network of alumni and a student body that values service, ethics, and social justice.
Both BU and BC have their unique strengths, and the decision between the two ultimately comes down to what you’re looking for in a college experience. Are you drawn to the fast-paced, urban environment of Boston University, where you’ll be in the midst of the city’s cultural and professional opportunities? Or does the close-knit, values-driven community of Boston College appeal to you, where you can immerse yourself in a holistic education that challenges you to grow both intellectually and spiritually?
In this blog, we will delve into the key differences between Boston University and Boston College to help you make an informed decision. We’ll explore which school might be the better fit for your academic and personal goals, compare the benefits of studying at each institution, and discuss which one might be easier to get into based on your profile. We’ll also provide tips on how to prepare for the admissions process at both schools, ensuring that you can present the strongest possible application. Whether you’re still in the early stages of your college search or you’re trying to make a final decision, this guide will provide the insights you need to choose between BU and BC with confidence.
Which One Should I Choose: Boston University or Boston College?
Choosing between Boston University (BU) and Boston College (BC) can be a difficult decision for prospective students, as both institutions are highly regarded and offer unique experiences. To make an informed choice, it’s essential to consider various factors, including academic programs, campus culture, location, extracurricular opportunities, and your personal goals.
Academic Focus and Offerings:
Boston University is a large, private research university known for its diverse range of academic programs. It offers more than 300 majors and minors across 17 schools and colleges, making it an excellent choice for students who are undecided or interested in interdisciplinary studies. BU is particularly strong in areas such as communications, business, international relations, and health sciences. The university’s urban location also provides ample opportunities for internships and research in various fields.
Boston College, on the other hand, is a private Jesuit university with a liberal arts focus. While BC offers a broad range of programs, it emphasizes the humanities, social sciences, and pre-professional studies, with a strong commitment to intellectual and spiritual growth. BC is well-known for its rigorous core curriculum, which ensures that all students receive a well-rounded education. If you value a close-knit academic community with small class sizes and a strong emphasis on moral and ethical development, BC might be the better fit.
Campus Culture and Environment:
Boston University’s campus is integrated into the city, with buildings spread out along Commonwealth Avenue in the heart of Boston. This urban setting means that students have direct access to the city’s cultural, professional, and social opportunities. The campus vibe is fast-paced and dynamic, reflecting the city’s energy. BU students tend to be ambitious, diverse, and engaged in a wide array of extracurricular activities, from student government to media organizations.
Boston College, in contrast, is located in the suburban neighborhood of Chestnut Hill, offering a more traditional and picturesque college campus. The Gothic architecture and sprawling green spaces provide a serene environment that is ideal for focused study and reflection. BC’s campus culture is deeply rooted in Jesuit values, which emphasize community service, social justice, and the pursuit of truth. Students at BC often describe a strong sense of community and school spirit, with traditions like the annual “Marathon Monday” celebration fostering a close-knit atmosphere.
Extracurricular Opportunities:
Both BU and BC offer robust extracurricular programs, but the nature of these activities can differ. BU’s urban setting allows for a wide variety of opportunities, particularly in the arts, media, and professional development. The university has numerous student-run organizations, ranging from academic clubs to cultural groups, and offers extensive support for students interested in entrepreneurship, research, or global studies.
At Boston College, extracurricular life is heavily influenced by its Jesuit mission. Community service and social justice initiatives are central to student life, with many students participating in volunteer programs, service trips, and social advocacy groups. BC also has a strong athletic culture, with Division I sports teams and a vibrant intramural scene. If you’re interested in combining your academic pursuits with a commitment to service and leadership, BC provides numerous avenues to explore these interests.
Making Your Decision:
Ultimately, the decision between BU and BC should be based on your academic interests, preferred campus environment, and personal values. If you’re looking for a large, research-oriented university with a global outlook and a bustling urban setting, Boston University might be your choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a more traditional college experience with a focus on liberal arts education, community engagement, and a close-knit campus, Boston College could be the better fit.
Check out this link to learn more about – rostrumedu-navigating-the-boston-university-application-process
Is It More Beneficial to Study at Boston University than Boston College?
Whether it is more beneficial to study at Boston University than Boston College depends on your academic and career goals and your preferences for campus life. Both institutions offer excellent educational opportunities, but they cater to different types of students and aspirations.
Academic Flexibility and Resources:
Boston University offers a high level of academic flexibility, with a wide range of majors, minors, and interdisciplinary programs. The university’s size and scope mean that students have access to extensive resources, including state-of-the-art research facilities, a large library system, and numerous study abroad programs. For students interested in pursuing a career in research, academia, or a specific professional field like communications, international relations, or health sciences, BU’s resources and connections can be highly beneficial.
Boston College, while offering fewer programs than BU, provides a more personalized educational experience. The liberal arts core at BC is designed to develop critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and effective communication skills, which are valuable in any career. Additionally, BC’s Jesuit tradition emphasizes the development of the whole person, encouraging students to think about how they can use their education to serve others. BC can be highly beneficial for students who value a strong ethical foundation and a well-rounded education.
Career Opportunities and Alumni Networks:
Both BU and BC have strong alumni networks, but they are known for different strengths. BU’s alumni network is extensive, particularly in fields such as media, business, and global affairs. The university’s location in Boston provides students with numerous internship opportunities in these industries, and BU’s Career Services is well-equipped to help students secure jobs in their chosen fields.
Boston College’s alumni network is particularly strong in fields like education, law, finance, and public service. The university’s reputation for producing ethical leaders is well-regarded, especially in the Northeast, and BC graduates often find success in roles that require strong analytical and interpersonal skills. The university’s emphasis on community service and social justice also means that BC alumni are often well-connected in nonprofit and advocacy sectors.
Campus and Community Benefits:
If you thrive in a fast-paced, urban environment, the benefits of studying at BU include direct access to the city’s cultural and professional opportunities. The integration of the campus with the city allows students to easily balance academic life with internships, part-time jobs, and city exploration. This urban setting can be particularly beneficial for students who want to immerse themselves in the professional world while still in college.
In contrast, Boston College offers the benefits of a more traditional college campus with a strong sense of community. The campus environment at BC is more insulated from the hustle and bustle of the city, providing a focused and peaceful setting for study. The suburban location also means that BC students can enjoy the natural beauty of the Chestnut Hill area while still being just a short distance from downtown Boston. For students who value a supportive community and a more contemplative atmosphere, BC offers significant benefits.
Whether istudyingat Boston University or Boston College dis more beneficial epends on what you are looking for in a college experience. BU might be more useful if you’re seeking a large university with diverse academic offerings and a vibrant urban environment. On the other hand, BC could be more beneficial if you’re looking for a smaller, community-focused college with a strong liberal arts tradition and a commitment to ethical leadership.
Which One is Easier to Get Into, Boston University or Boston College?
When considering the relative ease of admission to Boston University versus Boston College, it’s important to look at the acceptance rates, the academic profiles of admitted students, and the selectivity of each institution. While both schools are competitive, there are some differences in their admissions processes that might influence your chances of acceptance.
Acceptance Rates and Selectivity:
Boston University’s acceptance rate typically hovers around 20-22%, making it a competitive institution but not as selective as some of the Ivy League schools. BU receives a high volume of applications each year, which means that while it is selective, there are still opportunities for well-qualified applicants to gain admission. The university looks for students with strong academic records but also values diversity, creativity, and a willingness to engage with the world.
Boston College, on the other hand, has an acceptance rate closer to 17-19%, making it slightly more selective than BU. BC’s admissions process is highly competitive, especially for certain programs like business and pre-law. The university places a strong emphasis on academic achievement. Still, it also looks for students who are aligned with its Jesuit values, including a commitment to service, leadership, and ethical decision-making.
Academic Profiles of Admitted Students:
The academic profiles of admitted students at BU and BC are similar, but there are some differences to note. At BU, the middle 50% SAT scores for admitted students typically range from 1340 to 1480, with ACT scores ranging from 30 to 34. BU tends to attract students who are high achievers in a wide range of academic disciplines, and the university values a diverse student body with varied interests.
Boston College’s middle 50% SAT scores are slightly higher, ranging from 1360 to 1490, with ACT scores typically between 31 and 34. BC’s student body tends to be more focused on the liberal arts, business, and pre-professional programs, and the university places a strong emphasis on students who demonstrate a commitment to social justice and community engagement.
Other Factors to Consider:
Both BU and BC have holistic admissions processes, which means that they consider more than just grades and test scores. Extracurricular activities, personal statements, letters of recommendation, and demonstrated interest all play a role in the admissions decisions at both schools. However, BC’s Jesuit identity means that the admissions committee also looks for students who align with the university’s mission of service and ethical leadership.
In general, Boston College is slightly more selective than Boston University, but both schools are highly competitive. Your chances of admission will depend on your academic record, test scores, extracurricular activities, and how well you fit with each institution’s values and mission. To improve your chances of getting into either school,
focus on building a strong academic profile, engaging in meaningful extracurricular activities, and crafting a compelling personal statement that highlights your unique strengths and interests.
Check out this link to know more about rostrumedu-how-to-write-supplemental-essay-for-boston-university
How Can I Prepare to Get Into Boston University?
Preparing to get into Boston University requires a combination of academic excellence, strong extracurricular involvement, and a well-crafted application. Here are some key steps you can take to increase your chances of being admitted to BU.
Focus on Academic Excellence:
Boston University values academic achievement, so it’s important to maintain a strong GPA throughout high school. Take challenging courses, such as Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) classes, to demonstrate your readiness for college-level work. BU also looks for students who excel in areas that align with their intended major, so if you’re interested in a specific field, make sure to take relevant courses and do well in them.
In addition to maintaining a strong GPA, aim for high standardized test scores. The middle 50% SAT range for BU is typically 1340-1480, and the ACT range is 30-34. While BU has a test-optional policy, strong test scores can still enhance your application, especially if you’re applying to competitive programs.
Engage in Meaningful Extracurricular Activities:
BU values students who are engaged in their communities and have a passion for extracurricular activities. Whether it’s involvement in student organizations, sports, the arts, or community service, BU looks for students who have demonstrated leadership, commitment, and a genuine passion for their activities. It’s important to focus on quality over quantity; depth of involvement in a few meaningful activities is often more impressive than superficial participation in many.
Consider taking on leadership roles in your extracurriculars, as this shows initiative and the ability to make a positive impact. If you’re passionate about a specific cause or interest, try to develop a project or initiative that allows you to make a tangible difference in your community. This can also serve as a strong talking point in your personal statement or supplemental essays.
Craft a Compelling Personal Statement:
Your personal statement is a crucial part of your BU application. This is your opportunity to showcase who you are beyond your grades and test scores. Reflect on your experiences, values, and goals, and write an essay that is authentic and insightful. BU looks for students who are intellectually curious, globally aware, and eager to contribute to the campus community, so make sure your essay reflects these qualities.
When writing your personal statement, be specific and avoid clichés. Instead of simply stating that you’re passionate about a particular subject, provide examples of how you’ve pursued that interest. If you’ve faced challenges or obstacles, don’t hesitate to discuss them and how you’ve overcome them, as this can demonstrate resilience and determination.
Demonstrate Interest in BU:
Boston University takes demonstrated interest into account during the admissions process. This means that showing your enthusiasm for BU can enhance your application. Attend virtual or in-person information sessions, campus tours, and college fairs where BU is represented. If possible, connect with current students or alumni to learn more about the university.
Make sure to engage with BU’s admissions office by asking thoughtful questions and participating in any available opportunities to interact with admissions representatives. Mention specific programs, resources, or opportunities at BU that align with your interests in your supplemental essay, as this shows that you’ve done your research and are genuinely interested in attending the university.
Submit a Strong Supplemental Essay:
BU requires a supplemental essay that asks why you’re interested in attending Boston University. This is your chance to explain why BU is the right fit for you and how you will contribute to the campus community. Be specific about what attracts you to BU, whether it’s a particular academic program, a unique research opportunity, or the university’s diverse and dynamic campus life.
Avoid generic statements that could apply to any school. Instead, tailor your essay to BU by mentioning specific classes, professors, or extracurricular opportunities that align with your interests and goals. This will demonstrate that you’ve thoughtfully considered why BU is the best place for your college education.
Getting into Boston University requires a combination of academic excellence, meaningful extracurricular involvement, and a well-crafted application that showcases your unique strengths and interests. By focusing on these areas and demonstrating a genuine interest in BU, you can increase your chances of being admitted to this prestigious institution.
How Can I Prepare to Get Into Boston College?
Preparing to get into Boston College involves not only academic achievement but also a commitment to service, leadership, and the values that align with BC’s Jesuit mission. Here’s how you can prepare to make your application stand out.
Excel Academically with a Liberal Arts Focus:
Boston College is known for its rigorous academic environment, particularly within its liberal arts curriculum. To prepare for BC, strive for a high GPA and take challenging courses, especially in the humanities, social sciences, and sciences. BC’s admissions committee looks for students who have a strong foundation in critical thinking, writing, and analytical skills, so excelling in these areas will strengthen your application.
Standardized test scores are also important, although BC has adopted a test-optional policy. The middle 50% SAT range for BC is typically 1360-1490, and the ACT range is 31-34. Strong scores can help demonstrate your academic readiness, particularly for competitive programs like the Carroll School of Management or the Lynch School of Education and Human Development.
Engage in Service and Leadership Activities:
As a Jesuit institution, Boston College places a strong emphasis on service, social justice, and ethical leadership. Engage in activities that demonstrate your commitment to these values, whether through volunteer work, service projects, or leadership roles in community organizations. BC looks for students who are not only academically talented but also dedicated to making a positive impact on the world.
Leadership experience is particularly valued at BC. Whether you’re leading a student organization, a community initiative, or a team, showing that you can inspire and guide others is a key component of a strong BC application. If you’re passionate about a specific cause, consider how you can take your involvement to the next level, perhaps by starting a new project or taking on a leadership role in an existing one.
Write a Reflective and Thoughtful Personal Statement:
Your personal statement is an opportunity to reflect on your experiences and how they’ve shaped your values and aspirations. Boston College looks for students who are introspective and can articulate their personal growth and the impact they hope to have in the future. Write an essay that is not only well-crafted but also deeply personal and reflective.
Consider discussing how your experiences have influenced your understanding of social justice, ethics, or community service. BC values students who are committed to the common good, so highlighting your commitment to these ideals can strengthen your application. Be sure to connect your personal values with BC’s Jesuit mission, showing that you understand and align with the university’s emphasis on educating the whole person.
Demonstrate Interest in Boston College:
Boston College, like many selective schools, considers demonstrated interest in the admissions process. Attend virtual or in-person campus tours, information sessions, and other events where you can learn more about BC and interact with admissions representatives. Expressing your interest in BC and understanding what makes the university unique can enhance your application.
In your supplemental essay, be sure to mention specific aspects of BC that resonate with you, such as particular academic programs, faculty members, or campus traditions. This shows that you’ve done your research and are genuinely excited about the possibility of attending BC.
Submit a Strong Supplemental Essay:
Boston College requires a supplemental essay, which often asks you to reflect on how you will contribute to the BC community or how a specific aspect of BC’s mission resonates with you. This essay is your chance to demonstrate your understanding of BC’s values and how you will embody them as a student.
Be specific in your essay, and avoid generalities. Mention specific programs, traditions, or opportunities at BC that align with your goals and values. Whether it’s BC’s focus on service, its commitment to social justice, or its strong liberal arts curriculum, make sure your essay reflects why BC is the right place for you.
Preparing to get into Boston College involves a combination of academic excellence, leadership in service, and a deep understanding of the university’s Jesuit mission. By excelling in these areas and crafting a thoughtful and reflective application, you can increase your chances of being admitted to BC.
Deciding between Boston University and Boston College can be challenging, but Rostrum Education is here to help. Our expert counselors offer in-depth insights into both institutions, helping you understand which school aligns best with your academic goals, personal values, and career aspirations. With our guidance, you’ll be equipped to make a well-informed decision and craft compelling applications that showcase your strengths to both universities.
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*books with great love stories and plots that don’t just revolve around them.
SORROW AND BLISS by Meg Mason
Martha’s marriage is falling apart, because there’s something wrong with her but nobody has been able to tell her what. We go back in time to relive all the ups and downs of Martha and Patrick’s relationship to find out if they can make it out together. Beautiful story about mental health and love and family.
TOMORROW AND TOMORROW AND TOMORROW by Gabrielle Zevin
Sadie and Sam love each other but are never lovers and we follow their journey for 30 years, from Boston to California as they develop together a video game and a complicated personal relationship. Very fun book about gaming and being best friends who are often in love with each other and often very mad at each other.
UNLIKELY ANIMALS by Annie Hartnett
Emma flies home from California to New Hampshire as a Med school dropout when her dad is diagnosed with a brain disease. At home her parents are in a fight, her brother is just out of rehab and her childhood best friend is missing. She scrambles to find her feet and pull everyone together. This is such a CUTE, heart lifting book with great characters and GHOSTS.
NEVER LET ME GO by Kazuo Ishiguro
Kathy, Tommy and Ruth are three best friend who have grown up in an English boarding school. But throughout their childhood many things felt wrong and as they grow and leave school they realize just how many secrets were kept from them. It’s a love story! It’s a mystery! It’s a critique of human arrogance!
NO LAND TO LIGHT ON by Yara Zghaeib
Hadi and Sama are a Syrian couple living in the USA. As they are waiting for the birth of their son, Hadi leaves to visit his family and then their lives are uprooted by a travel ban. Sama and Hadi are forced apart and as the physical and emotional distance between them grows, they try to find their way back to each other. This is a pretty sad one, I can’t lie, but such a beautiful story.
YOUNG MUNGO by Douglas Stuart
Mungo meets James in their housing estate in Glasgow. They are young and lonely, they become friends and they fall in love. Unfortunately Mungo is a Protestant and James is a Catholic, and where they’re from these things matter, especially to Mungo’s brother, a violent gang leader. This is not a very happy book either but it is THE best story about being young and falling in love. PLEASE READ THIS. Then come talk to me about it.
REAL LIFE by Brandon Taylor
Wallace is working toward a degree in the Midwest. But he’s Black and he’s queer and he feels distance between himself and his colleagues. We follow him through a summer weekend he spends with his college friends, finding out truths about them and about himself. I will never tire of recommending this book. It’s just so interesting and well written. And lovely words about the start of a relationship.
THE NIGHT CIRCUS by Erin Morgenstern
There is a circus that arrives without warning and is only open at night. Behind the scenes two magicians, Celia and Marco, are involved in a duel they’ve been training for since childhood. But despite all that, they fall in love. This is a fantasy novel that will for sure appeal to any fans of the genre. It’s fun and the aesthetics are sublime.
OPEN WATER by Caleb Azumah Nelson
Two young people meet at a pub in South East London. Both are Black British, both won scholarships to private schools where they struggled to belong, both are now artists - he a photographer, she a dancer - trying to make their mark in a city that by turns celebrates and rejects them. Tentatively, tenderly, they fall in love. So beautiful, so well written. Reads like falling in love feels like. LOVE IT.
SWIMMING IN THE DARK by Tomasz Jedrowski
Set in early 1980s Poland against the violent decline of communism, a tender and passionate story of first love between two young men who eventually find themselves on opposite sides of the political divide. It’s beautiful and poetic and quite sad. Stunning characters, stunning descriptions.
LAST NIGHT AT THE TELEGRAPH CLUB by Malinda Lo
Seventeen-year-old Lily Hu can’t remember exactly when the question took root, but the answer was in full bloom the moment she and Kathleen Miller walked under the flashing neon sign of a lesbian bar called the Telegraph Club. This is so SWEET. Lily is such a great character and her story fills your heart with pain and glee and pride. I love this book and this wonderful story.
EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM WILL SOMEDAY BE DEAD by Emily R. Austin
Gilda, a twenty-something lesbian, cannot stop ruminating about death. Desperate for relief from her panicky mind and alienated from her repressive family, she responds to a flyer for free therapy at a local Catholic church, and finds herself abruptly hired as a receptionist. Through all of this she finds a girlfriend. And it’s sweet and slow and lovely.
THE PROPHETS by Robert Jones Jr.
A novel about the forbidden union between two enslaved young men on a Deep South plantation. Isaiah was Samuel’s and Samuel was Isaiah’s. That was the way it was since the beginning, and the way it was to be until the end. Goes without saying, this is a sad story that will make you cry and will make you angry. But it is so so beautiful.
YOLK by Mary H.K.Choi
Jayne and June are two sisters living in New York after growing up in Texas. Jayne is struggling through fashion school, while her sister has a hot shot job in finance and a big apartment. They are sort-of estranged until June is diagnosed with cancer. The first love story in this book is between the sisters, but there is a budding romance for Jayne that is so sweet. This is a sweet book. I love it.
EARLY MORNING RISER by Katherine Heiny
Jane falls in love with Duncan easily. He is charming, good-natured, and handsome but unfortunately, he has also slept with nearly every woman in Boyne City, Michigan. A wise, bighearted, boundlessly joyful novel of love, disaster, and unconventional family. This feels like Gilmore Girls but better.
A TIP FOR THE HANGMAN by Allison Epstein
Christopher Marlowe, a brilliant aspiring playwright, is pulled into the duplicitous world of international espionage on behalf of Queen Elizabeth I. I also will never tire of recommending this novel about stupid Kit Marlowe becoming a spy while crushing hard on his best friend. It’s just so fun and so good.
THE BAD MUSLIM DISCOUNT by Syed M. Masood
It is 1995, and Anvar Faris is a restless, rebellious Pakistani boy whose family moves to start life over in California. At the same time, Safwa, a young girl suffocating in war-torn Baghdad with her grief-stricken, conservative father will find a very different and far more dangerous path to America. The fates of two remarkably different people intertwine and set off a series of events. It’s very good, the characters are great and the relationship is very realistic.
THE STORIED LIFE OF A.J. FIKRY by Gabrielle Zevin
A. J. Fikry is cynical but lovable. His wife has died and his bookstore is experiencing the worst sales in its history. Slowly but surely, he is isolating himself from all the people of Alice Island. But there’s Amelia, the lovely and idealistic (if eccentric) Knightley Press sales rep who keeps on taking the ferry over to Alice Island. Such a lovely book. Lovely and heatwarming with amazing characters and unpredictable plot.
WRITERS & LOVERS by Lily King
Blindsided by her mother's sudden death, and wrecked by a recent love affair, Casey Peabody has arrived in Massachusetts in the summer of 1997 without a plan. She waits tables in Harvard Square and rents a tiny, moldy room at the side of a garage where she works on the novel she's been writing for six years. When she falls for two very different men at the same time, her world fractures even more. Again this is just a lovely book. About love and grief and being lost.
AN AMERICAN MARRIAGE by Tayari Jones
Newlyweds Celestial and Roy are the embodiment of both the American Dream and the New South. He is a young executive, and she is an artist. But as they settle into the routine of their life together, they are ripped apart by circumstances. Roy is arrested and sentenced to twelve years for a crime Celestial knows he didn’t commit. BEAUTIFUL. Just masterful work. Will make you cry like a baby.
THE SONG OF ACHILLES by Madeline Miller
Achilles, "the best of all the Greeks," son of the cruel sea goddess Thetis and the legendary king Peleus, is strong and beautiful. Patroclus is an awkward young prince, exiled from his homeland. Brought together by chance, they forge an inseparable bond, despite risking the gods' wrath. I mean I like this. It’s poetic and romantic and it’s a classic story. Had to make the list...
TOM LAKE by Ann Patchett
Set during the pandemic when the main character and her three daughters are quarantining in their farm. The daughters get their mum to tell them the story of how she fell for and dated a famous actor while putting on a play in her 20s. VERY SWEET AND SPECIAL and also ann patchett can do no wrong!!!!
SIRENS & MUSES by Antonia Angress
The story of two very different girls who meet in art school. Lots going on in this book but it's all very poetic and interesting and the two main characters go through a lot but also like each other a lot.
IN MEMORIAM by Alice Winn
About two boys who meet in boarding school and then join war world I. It is insanely sad and it's a book about the war and about young people meeting terrible fates, but very romantic and they keep sending letters that are heartbreaking and they really love each other.
THE LATE AMERICANS by Brandon Taylor
About a group of friends and acquaintances who are all young and fucked up and all in different weird relationships but it's very interesting and Brandon Taylor also can do no wrong!!!!
TIN MAN by Sarah Winman
About two boys who meet in their youth and fall in love but then suddenly there's a time jump and it's been years and one of them is married to somebody else and the other one is nowhere to be found. Sad but also very special and definitely a book that is all about love.
LESS by Andrew Sean Greer
Pulitzer prize winning book about a novelist who receives an invitation to his ex boyfriend's wedding and is heartbroken so, suddenly, he finds himself coping by going on a world tour. It's funny and sweet and has a happy ending.
#OPEN WATER should have been n.1 in this list cause it doesn't get much more romantic than that#books#book recommendations#book recs#what if i tag#dark academia#just for the notes#bookblr#booksblr#young mungo#tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow#the song of achilles#last night at the telegraph club#swimming in the dark
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been meaning to ask this for a while, but this new Hey Alma article that came out (https://www.heyalma.com/should-non-jewish-actors-play-jewish-roles/) kinda kicked my ass into finally asking: for you as an actual Jewish person watching Maisel and being a fan, is it hard to watch non-Jewish actors play Jewish characters? or is it less complicated than it's made out to be? fully asking this as a gentile myself. hope you're doing good!
So like.
There is a long history of non-Jewish people playing Jewish characters, partially because when the Western world thinks "Jewish" they do think "White" and also "Christian adjacent." They don't take into account Jews of color, or the full diaspora. Which is intensely diverse, if small.
So you have things like Alison Hannigan playing Willow Rosenberg on Buffy and Emily Bet Rickards playing Felicity Smoak on Arrow. Neither of which were portrayed terribly Jewish, for a number of reasons:
Modern Ashkenazi Jewishness in America is very cultural and the religious aspects aren't as prominent as they once were. A lot of Jewish people like the food and ritual but the God and strict adherence to Jewish law fall by the wayside in favor of agnosticism or atheism. And that's partially because Judaism is about asking questions about the world around you and challenging things. If you do that a lot, the idea of an all powerful god who created the universe is hard to make sense of.
Jewishness isn't considered cool in Hollywood. The stereotypes for Jewish people are pretty rough, right? We're dweebs. Overbearing, hand-wringing, naggy, uptight hypochondriacs. And we see those kinds of portrayals in a lot of corners.
Not many people can figure out how to portray Judaism without fucking it up, because it largely remains mysterious to a lot of gentile content creators and audiences. The differences between Ashkenazi, Sephardic and Mizrahi, along with the separation between Orthodox, Conservative and Reform Judaism, and understanding that Judaism IS NOT Christianity without Jesus, but it's own completely different thing, is about as confusing for gentiles as understanding all the different factions of Christianity (Catholics, Protestants, Lutherans, Southern Baptist, etc etc) is for Jews.
So keeping those things in mind, there aren't a lot of overtly Jewish characters on television and in movies to begin with. Marvelous Mrs. Maisel has a ton of Jewish characters, between the main cast and the background characters in settings like Synagogue and Steiner. And it's part of the appeal for Jewish people: That is a lot of Jewish people on my screen. That's really rare. That much Yiddish being spoken is really rare. Before this, the only thing that comes to mind are Sandy and Seth Cohen from The OC (because creator Josh Schwartz is Jewish and made that a minor focus on the show).
Do I wish more Jewish actors were hired to play Jewish characters? Totally. It'd be really nice if the actors portraying Jewish characters were also Jewish, because they, presumably, have the experience to inhabit a character of that religion.
And there are cases where I get a little grumpy about it. Chris Evans in Red Sea Diving Resort (a film whose only real value is seeing Chris Evans in very sparse clothing) feels wrong. Chris Evans is a Boston gentile. Did that film need star power to get made? Yes. Could they have found an equally hot Jewish man to portray that character? Probably.
Similarly, and Moon Knight fandom, don't come after me, Oscar Isaac is not Jewish, and is playing an Egyptian(? Comics fans help!) Jewish character. I haven't watched that show yet because I'm disappointed. They could have found a Jewish actor. To say nothing of how much Judaism they've erased from Moon Knight in general. They switched his Jewish parent from his father to his mother, and made her abusive, as far as I've heard, and that feels hurtful to Jewish characters as a whole on screen. The tug of war regarding faith between Moon Knight and his father (a rabbi in the comics) made for interesting content that now isn't there.
I'm not as harsh on Maisel's casting of Rachel Brosnahan, Tony Shalhoub and Marin Maisy as the Weissmans, because they all do such an incredible job at portraying Jewish Characters, but also, the fact that those characters are so overtly Jewish in the first place make it more palatable. And that those characters get to more multidimensional AND Jewish - that they get to be so many things, eases my judgy face quite a bit.
Because that's the real issue with Jewish characters in media: So often, they are not allowed to be overtly Jewish AND other things. They are just that ONE THING, and it's boring and frustrating.
So, the answer to your question is (like so many things in Judaism)...yes and no.
By and large, yes. Please cast Jewish actors to play Jewish characters. But if the gentile playing a Jewish character understands their character, has a good director who can guide their performance in regards to Judaism, as well as a script that treats Jewishness as one facet instead of the whole picture in a weird, gross way, it can be good.
#Jewish suff#just my opinion#I do not speak for all Jewish people#some people truly do not care and that's also cool
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What's your favorite ze mole and or gregory head canons
oh man dude don’t make me PICK generically……. I could talk headcanons about those two for days 🥰 but!! lemme try and pull a random few 👀
Christophe (Ze Mole)
One of my favorite headcanons I have for Christophe is that he’s biracial!! Specifically, half Haitian/Creole on his dad’s side. I don’t think Christophe knows anything about the culture growing up bc his mom broke up with his dad and didn’t tell him that she was pregnant. However, Christophe eventually tracks down his dad who is thrilled to learn he has a son and teaches Christophe as much as he can. Lots of father/son bonding.
Growing up, Christophe’s mom enrolled him in piano lessons in the hopes of making him do youth choir. He was definitely kicked out of the choir but retained all of those piano lessons. He doesn’t get any particular enjoyment from playing, but Gregory likes when he plays and he likes when Gregory sings along so Christophe will play from time to time. Plus it comes in handy for mercenary undercover stuff sometimes.
Most people assume Christophe would like action films, but he hates them for how unrealistic they are. He talks constantly whenever he watches a film and can work himself into a sort of rage. However, all his commentary makes him perfect for watching either VERY shitty or artsy/convoluted films with. Think like… either “Birdemic: Shock and Terror” or “Enter the Void” kind of levels of extreme. Christophe, Kyle, and Kenny have movie nights together bc I feel like they’d appreciate those two genres best with him.
Gregory
For starters, Gregory ABSOLUTELY did cotillion as a child. He took it all super seriously, learning the steps of all the different dances so precisely. Because of this, though, he dances rather… clinically, for lack of a better term. Skilled, sure, but stiff and exact. He’s tried to loosen up but he gets too in his head about all the steps and just can’t.
I’ve discussed with others in the past about exactly what sect of Christianity Gregory ascribes to, and I’ve pretty definitely settled on Episcopalian for him. Since it’s fairly similar to Cath his parents sent him to Catholic school for a period of time, which is where he met Christophe. They were both the odd ones out in all sorts of ways and so ended up gravitating towards one another. Maybe this Catholic school was Yardale, maybe it came before Yardale. Undecided on that.
While he travels constantly for mercenary work (or lives in Denver for South Park reasons), if Gregory had a choice of anywhere in the US, he’d want to settle down in Boston or just generally in Massachusetts. He really loves cities that are also visibly historical and the whole revolution bit too would appeal to him. Even if it was against Britain. He’s also a fan of the history of Salem and the witch trials (The Crucible being one of his favorite plays for many reasons), and then ofc his family spent their summers on Nantucket. So Gregory would want to be close enough to be able to go there whenever he wants during summers as an adult too.
And some headcanons of them as a couple bc I enjoy indulging myself:
Christophe willingly took Gregory’s name (Sinclair) when they married, much to Gregory’s surprise. This was for 2 reasons: he wanted to distance himself from his mother (her last name being DeLorne) AND he knew it would make the Gregory happiest
Gregory’s affectionate pet name for Christophe IS “Christophe”. Most of the time he calls him Mole or some generic British pet name (love, darling, etc.)
They both have “acts of service” as their main love language which works out pretty well when they know that the act is romantic. Because they have different definitions of what is an act of love vs what isn’t, however, they did not realize that the other liked them back for a LONG time. It was very obvious to the mutual friends both Gregory and Christophe had but no one wanted to say anything for fear that, if pushed, Gregory and Christophe would double down on repressing their feelings (a bad habit they both very much have).
#thank u dude for letting me just… ramble about them i love them. sorry i did not answer this right away tho I wanted to give it some thought#south park#sp headcanons#gregstophe#gregory of yardale#christophe delorne#ze mole
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You're a druid and an ex-evangelical, right? What does being a druid mean to you? How did you get from evangelicalism to where you are now? And of course feel free to ignore this if it's nosy. (sincerely, a Christian who wants to leave but who doesn't know what to do)
this is going to make me sound ignorant as hell, lol, but i'm happy to share
under a cut because this got very long, sorry, lol.
my personal progression was: "vaguely christian -> VERY christian -> christian agnostic -> agnostic/atheist -> agnostic/druid -> some sorta druid-neopagan-animist thing." i guess i'll just go through what made me switch between each of those, and close out with some high-level thoughts that may be helpful for you?
okay, so when i was
VAGUELY CHRISTIAN,
i went to Sunday school every week because That's What You Do, and because my whole hometown was very southern Baptist, i never questioned the veracity of its teachings much... until they ran a whole weekly series on "why [x] is wrong," where [x] is some other group
e.g., we had a week on why Mormons are wrong, and i didn't bat an eye because i hadn't even known Mormons existed until that moment
then we had a week on why Muslims are wrong, and that... bothered me, because i had a friend who was Muslim, and she was just objectively a better person than me, and i was like "any universe where she goes to hell and i don't seems really fucked up"
then we had a week on why EVOLUTION was wrong, and that just absolutely threw me, because while i hadn't thought about evolution much (i think i was in fourth grade or so), it seemed common-sense? scientists thought highly of it? "adaptation over time" just seems logical?
so i went to the public library every day after school for like a week, read some Darwin and some science books, and came back to my Sunday school teacher with, like, an itemized list of objections to the whole "evolution is wrong" thing. and he came up with some standard Answers In Genesis rebuttals, and i did more research and came back the next week with more science, and we repeated this a few times until he was like "lua, you just gotta take some things on faith"
which. lmao. full existential crisis time, because no matter how hard i thought, i couldn't *not* believe in the science, but i also didn't want to go to hell, so i was like "maybe if i believe SUPER HARD i will SOMEDAY be able to unbelieve the condemn-me-to-hell bits"
so i decided to become
VERY CHRISTIAN
and my frantic googling for shit like "proof of god" and "god and evolution" *eventually* broke me out of the Answers In Genesis circles of the internet, and into some decent Christian apologia, like, think First Things and various Catholic bloggers. and there, i found some way to square my gut sense that evolution was right, with a spiritual worldview.
like, i remember finding some blogger who said:
"young earth creationists get tripped up when they try to explain stars that are millions of light-years away, and end up basically arguing that God's tricking us somehow, and—no! my God lets you believe in the evidence of your eyes, my God does not demand that you make yourself ignorant or stupid, my God expects you to use your brain"
and i just started crying at my computer, because no one had ever said "using your brain is Good and part of God's will," i was like *finally* here's someone who won't tell me i'm going to hell for just *thinking* about things
(st. augustine does a much better riff on a similar theme, fwiw, but i only found him later)
still, it was an uneasy fit, because, the more i learned and read about world history, the more it seemed... weird... that the One And Singular Path To Salvation was... the successor to some niche desert cult... which didn't even occur at the *beginning* of written history, like, it was all predated by that whole Mithraism thing, etc... and like, sure, i could trot out all the standard theological talking points for why Actually This Makes Perfect Sense, but gut-level-wise, the aesthetics just seemed kinda dumb! and no level of talking myself out of it made that feeling go away!
so at this point i started referring to myself as a
CHRISTIAN AGNOSTIC
i mean, not aloud. i still lived in southernbaptistopia and i didn't want, like, my hair stylist to tell me i was a horrible person. but in my *head* i called myself Christian agnostic and it felt right.
and i started church-hopping, which honestly was really fun, would recommend to anyone at any point. i visited the fire-and-brimstone baptist church, the methodist church, the episcopalians, the universal unitarians, etc.
unfortunately, while this gave me *some* new perspectives, each of the places either had the same shitty theology as my old megachurch (i remember the *acute* sense of despair i felt when i was starting to jive with a methodist church... only for the dumbass youth minister to start going on about evolution), or, they just lacked any sense of the *sacred*. like, the Church of Christ churches, with their a capella services, *definitely* had it; i felt more God there in one service than i did in a lifetime of shitty Christian rock at the megachurch. but their beliefs were even *more* batshit, so. big L on that one.
having failed to find a satisfactory church, i was basically
AGNOSTIC/ATHEIST
by the time i went to college, but honestly pretty unhappy about it; while it was harder than ever for me to actually *connect* with the divine, i didn't like thinking that my previous experiences of the divine were total lies. because my shitty evangelical church, for all its faults, could not *completely* sabotage the sense of God's presence. there were real moments in that church where i do believe i experienced something divine. mostly mediated by one particular youth minister, who in hindsight was the only spiritual teacher in that church who didn't seem a bit rotten inside, but! it was something!
so when i happened upon a bunch of writings on the now-defunct shii.org (that's the bit that makes me look WILDLY ignorant, lol), i was utterly captivated.
said author was a previous archdruid of the Reformed Druids of North America, an organization that was formed in the 1960s to troll the administration of Carleton College (there was a religious-service-attendance requirement; they made their own religion; their religion had whiskey and #chilltimes for its services). however, this shii.org dude seemed to take it pretty seriously. he was studying history of religion and blogged a lot about his studies, both academic and otherwise. while RDNA had started out as a troll, that didn't mean they hadn't *discovered* something real in the process, he said.
this, already, was going to be innately appealing to me; i've got a soft spot for wow-we-were-doing-this-ironically-but-now-it's-kinda-real? stuff in general.
in particular, shii.org’s discussions on the separation of ritual from belief was really interesting to me: most religions/spiritualities have *both*, but like, you can do a ritual without having the Exact Right Beliefs (if there even is such a thing!), and it can still be useful to you, it can have real power. (he had a really lovely essay, speculating on the origins of religion as just a form of art, but that essay is now lost to the sands of time, alas.)
(note that i wouldn't really recommend seeking out *recent* writing by the shii.org guy; he kinda went full tedious neoreactionary-blowhard-who-reads-a-lot-of-Spengler at some point? sigh.)
the shii.org guy led me to checking out a bunch of books on the history of neopaganism & also books by scholars of religion in general, and the more i read, the more excited i became. and i started doing little ritual/meditation stuff here and there.
then i was fortunate enough to attend some events with Earthspirit (this was when i lived in Boston), which cemented my hippie dalliances into something more real. the folks there, being from Boston, were all ridiculously overeducated (a sensibility that appeals to me), but also, being the kind of folks who drive out to a mountain in the middle of nowhere for a spiritual retreat, they tolerated a full range of oddities (everyone from aging-70s-feminist-wiccans to living-on-a-farm-with-your-bros-Astaru to dude-who-started-having-weird-visions-and-is-just-trying-to-figure-out-the-deal to Nordic-spiritualist-with-two-phds-from-Scandanavian-universities-on-the-subject, etc), which gave me a lot of room to explore different types of rituals, ceremonies, "magic", etc.
(polytheism in general lends itself well to this sort of easy plurality! i can believe other people are experiencing something real with their gods, and i can be talking to a totally different set of gods, and that’s just all very compatible, etc)
anyway, i started calling myself
AGNOSTIC/DRUID
around then, because i knew i'd found *something*, something that felt like all the realest moments i'd ever had in nature, and all the realest moments i'd ever had in that shitty megachurch, but i wasn't quite ready to put a theology to it.
but, idk, you do the thing for a while, and you start encountering some things that you may as well call gods, and you realize you're in pretty deep, and you ditch the "agnostic" bit and just throw hands and start describing yourself as
SOME SORTA DRUID-NEOPAGAN-ANIMIST THING
because that's the most precise thing you can muster. in particular, the druid bit resonates because nature's still very much at the center of my practice; the neopagan bit resonates because i'm not especially interested in reconstructing older traditions or being faithful to any actual pre-Christian traditions, and animist resonates because what i sometimes call gods seem to be tied pretty tightly to the land itself. it's all very experiential; all this mostly means i'm some weird chick who sometimes grabs a car and drives out someplace very lonely and hikes for a while and does some hippie shit to try and talk with the land or the god or whatever is there. and sometimes i come back from it changed, or refocused, or what-have-you, and hopefully i'm better for it. i'm aware this makes me look a little ridiculous, and is an unsatisfying answer, sorry!
WRT YOUR SITUATION
i don't know you or your situation, obviously, but if i wanted to give former-me some advice to save her some angst, i'd say
-> Christendom itself is far wilder and more diverse than many churches lead you to believe. if you still want to be Christian on some level, and it's just a shitty church that's convinced you the whole project is fucked, i'd honestly explore, i dunno, your nearest Quaker meeting. they're invoking the Holy Spirit with regularity but they're not raging douchenozzles about it.
-> if you're specifically interested in druidism, i found John Michael Greer's "A World Full of Gods" really nice. (caveat: Greer has *also* gone full right-wing nutjob these days, sigh, so like. would not recommend a great swath of his writing. but that one's good)
-> deciding that a just God wouldn't give me a brain and then ask me not to use it was hugely comforting to me. like, that was the start of the whole process, that was what made me feel ok searching for other churches and trying to find something that fit. obviously you should take this with 800 grains of salt, because obviously i'm no longer Christian, and thus maybe i'm just some poor misguided fallen soul, but... i still kinda believe that! maybe if you can make yourself believe that, it'll seem less scary?
idk, happy to answer more questions, sorry for the long ramble, hope it helped~
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Frederick Douglass Series | Part 2
Frederick Douglass escaped slavery as a young adult in 1838 and became an influential leader in the struggle for abolition and women’s suffrage. His dedication to and passion for the protection of human rights brought about transformations in the US constitution.
This year marks the 175th anniversary of Frederick Douglass’ visit to Ireland.
Douglass Week, which runs from 8-14 February 2021, coinciding with Frederick Douglass’ assumed birthday, commemorates this revolutionary man’s visit to Cork.
Cork City Libraries will publish a four-part series, during Douglass Week. This series will chronicle Frederick Douglass’ childhood, his experience as a slave and escape from slavery, his time in Ireland and, in particular, Cork, his two wives, his meeting with Daniel O’Connell and his achievements as an abolitionist, orator and suffragist.
Frederick Douglass in Ireland
by Mary Horgan
Frederick Douglass, 1845 – a whole-plate daguerreotype, which he had taken shortly before his visit to Ireland (from Picturing Frederick Douglass: An Illustrated Biography of the Nineteenth Century’s Most Photographed American)
In 1845, shortly after the publication of Frederick Douglass’ first autobiography Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave, Written By Himself, the American Anti-Slavery Society sent the 27-year-old, as a lecturing agent, on a very successful two-year tour of Great Britain and Ireland to forge stronger links with their anti-slavery movements and to attract new supporters to the abolition cause. Also, he was advised to leave America for his own safety. As Douglass was still considered a fugitive slave under the Constitution of the United States, he lived in the constant knowledge that he could be returned to bondage at any time. Anti-slavery societies in various parts of Great Britain and Ireland were working to enlighten the public mind on the subject of slavery as well as raising funds to aid fugitive slaves as they tried to make good their escape north on the Underground Railroad – a network of secret routes and safe houses - to free states and to Canada.
Soon after his arrival in Dublin on 31 August 1845, Douglass wrote to friends in America: “I am safe in old Ireland, in the beautiful city of Dublin.” He began his four-month visit to Ireland at the home of James Webb and his family, near Trinity College. James’ brother, the Quaker anti-slavery activist, Richard Davis Webb was a friend of American abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison and an important link between British, Irish and American anti-slavery activists. Webb was a founding member of the Hibernian Anti-Slavery Society in 1837 and had founded a printing company in Dublin, in 1828, publishing works from various philanthropic, social and political organisations. In late September 1845, Webb published the first Irish edition of Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass with a print run of 2000, which would be sold at Douglass’ various speaking engagements throughout the country. It contained the following notice of recommendation for Douglass from the Hibernian Anti-Slavery Society.
A notice of recommendation for Douglass from the Hibernian Anti-Slavery Society, Richard D. Webb, Secretary (from Douglass, Frederick. Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, Written By Himself. Dublin: Webb and Chapman, 1845, Special Collections, UCC Library).
After a month in Dublin where he gave a number of lectures and met Daniel O’Connell, whom he greatly admired, Douglass travelled onto Wexford and Waterford before arriving in Cork. Though Cork’s 18th/early 19th century economy had benefited through trade links from the existence of slavery in the West Indies, Cork also had a committed Anti-Slavery Society (CASS). It was formed on 6 January 1826, by the Quaker, Joshua Beale, at the Assembly Rooms in George’s Street (now Oliver Plunkett Street). CASS was ecumenical in its membership; as well as Quakers and other protestant dissenters including Unitarian Presbyterians and Methodists, it also attracted members of the Established Church of Ireland as well as Roman Catholics. After the abolition of slavery in the West Indies in 1833, CASS turned its attention to working for the abolition of slavery in the American South. Its auxiliary branch, the Cork Ladies Anti-Slavery Society (CLASS) collected contributions for Bazaars organised by the American Anti-Slavery Society. The following is an appeal from Cork Ladies Anti-Slavery Society for contributions for the Twelfth Annual Bazaar in 1845.
Appeal from Cork Ladies Anti-Slavery Society
A visit by Douglass to Cork was organized by the Cork Anti-Slavery Society (CASS) and its auxiliary branch, the Cork Ladies Anti-Slavery Society (CLASS). On arrival in Cork on 10 October 1845, Douglass went to stay with Thomas and Ann Jennings and their eight children at 9 Brown Street, where he enjoyed the lively family atmosphere and stimulating discussions which helped to make his time in Cork such a personal highlight of his two year tour of Great Britain and Ireland. Thomas owned the Jennings Soda-Water Factory at 11/12 Brown Street. Brown Street is no longer in existence but at the time of Frederick’s visit, it ran through what is now the Paul Street Shopping Centre down towards the River Lee. One of the daughters of the family, 32-year-old Isabel, was Secretary of the Cork Ladies’ Anti-Slavery Society and her sisters Charlotte and Hannah also attended its weekly meetings. Isabel arranged Douglass’ speaking engagements, so she was soon able to report to Maria Weston Chapman of the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society that his lectures in Cork had been such a success that:
“There never was a person who made a greater sensation in Cork amongst all religious bodies . . . He feels like a friend whom we had long known, and I think before he goes we will quite understand one another”.
Her sister Jane was equally impressed writing to Mrs Chapman:
“We are a large family, my mother, three brothers and five sisters, generally considered not easily pleased – but Frederick won the affection of every one of us.”
(Letters from the Jennings family to Maria Weston Chapman held at Boston Public Library)
During Douglass’ time in Cork, nearly 250 copies of the Narrative of Frederick Douglass were sold in the city, which were on sale in bookshops such as Purcell & Co and Bradford & Co on Patrick Street. So successful was the first Irish edition that a second was published in early 1846. Douglass’ busy schedule in Cork involved at least thirteen lectures with people turning out in droves to hear him. In a series of lectures at the Wesleyan Chapel, the Court House, the Temperance Institute, Lloyd’s Hotel, the Imperial Hotel and the Independent Chapel, Douglass’ powerful oratorical skills drew a wide cross-section of Cork society. He spoke at temperance meetings as well as abolitionist meetings, where he would leave his audiences in no uncertainty about the evils of slavery. On Tuesday 14 October, he gave a breakfast speech at Lloyd’s Hotel, George’s Street, (now Casey’s, Oliver Plunkett Street) where he reminded his audience:
“You will remember that I was a slave . . . that I am still a slave according to the law of the State from which I ran, and according to the General Government of the States of North America”.
(from Cork Examiner, 15 October, 1845).
One of his Cork speeches was reprinted in an American abolitionist newspaper with the following warning:
“Southern slaveholders read the following proceeding, if you wish to know what are the feelings of the People of Ireland, in reference to your nefarious slave system.”
(from The Liberator newspaper).
During Douglass’ time in Cork, he became friendly with the then Mayor of Cork, 51-year-old Richard Dowden, a Unitarian, philanthropist and member of the Cork Anti-Slavery Society. Dowden later ran the Jennings Soda-Water Factory after the death of Thomas Jennings.
Richard Dowden, Mayor of Cork, 1845 (JCHAS, 1992)
Douglass attended the Unitarian Church, Princes Street with Richard Dowden. This church is listed as the oldest place of continuous worship in the city since it was opened in 1717. Dowden was closely associated with Father Theobald Mathew, often fundraising for the ’Apostle of Temperance’ and it was in this church that Father Mathew signed the Temperance Agreement in 1839. Fr Mathew attained national and international prominence for his temperance crusade of the 1830s and 1840s and Douglass was already a great admirer of Fr Mathew when he came to Ireland. Soon after his arrival in Cork, he attended a Temperance soirée with music, dancing and fireworks at the Cork Temperance Institute, Academy Street, to mark Fr Mathew’s fifty-fifth birthday.
Opening of the Cork Temperance Institute, London Illustrated News, 1845 www.corkpastandpresent.ie
Shortly after this, Fr Mathew invited him to breakfast at his home at 7 Cove Street, which Douglass described as being of “all of a very plain order . . . too plain, for so great a man”. Though Douglass had been teetotal for eight years, he was moved to renew his pledge to abstain from alcohol from Fr Mathew, writing:
“So entirely charmed by the goodness of this truly good man was I, that I besought him to administer the pledge to me . . . “
On 20 October, Douglass spoke at Cork Temperance Institute, on ‘Intemperance and Slavery’. Only a few years later, Douglass would be greatly disappointed in Fr Mathew. Though he was a supporter of the anti-slavery cause, Fr Mathew refused to attend anti-slavery rallies or to speak out against slavery when on tour of the United States in 1849. In Douglass’ newspaper, The North Star, he wrote: “We had fondly hoped, from an acquaintance with Fr Mathew . . . that he would not change his morality by changing his location . . . We are however grieved, humbled and mortified to know that HE too, has fallen”. Fr Mathew felt he had to prioritize his temperance crusade and that to condemn slave owners during his visit to the United States would lose his campaign much support.
Cork Examiner, 13 October 1845
This is an advertisement for a lecture titled, ‘I am Here to Spread Light on American Slavery’ at the Court House, Great George’s Street, (now Washington Street), on the following afternoon. The Cork Examiner, 15 October 1845, reported that “The Grand Jury Gallery was thronged with ladies, who seemed to take the liveliest interest in the proceedings” and went on to praise the two-hour lecture as being “one of the most eloquent and impressive discourses we ever heard”.
On Friday 17 October, Douglass delivered a two-hour lecture at the Wesleyan Chapel, St Patrick’s Street, titled ‘Slavery Corrupts American Society and Religion’ in which he was critical of different Protestant groups in America for their lack of support for the anti-slavery cause. In Ireland, he drew people from diverse backgrounds to hear him, cutting across social, religious and political divides. As well as those from the more affluent sections of Cork society, “the suffering poor”, as they were referred to by the Cork Examiner, also came in great numbers. Douglass was adept at being able to tailor his speeches to the different audiences. For instance, when speaking at the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, he refrained from mentioning Daniel O’Connell at all, but at the Court House, where many in the audience were from the Roman Catholic working class, he extolled the man they called ‘The Liberator’, saying that they felt “more sympathy with the slave than did the other sects”.
(Cork Examiner, 15 October 1845).
Cork Constitution, 21 October 1845
Douglass’ final public appearance in Cork was at the Independent Chapel, George’s Street (now Oliver Plunkett Street) on 3 November 1845. This chapel which was built between 1826 and 1831, on the site of the old Assembly Rooms, was the chapel of the Congregationalists, who were also known as Independents because they believed in liberty of conscience and the independence of each congregation.
The remains of the Independent Chapel today behind Euro Giant , Oliver Plunkett St., www.corkpastandpresent.ie
A number of placards including one which read Céad Míle Fáilte decorated the room. Ralph Varian, the secretary of the Cork Anti-Slavery Society read an Address to Frederick Douglass:
“ . . . In the happy hours of social intercourse which we have enjoyed in your society, a further opportunity has been afforded us of becoming acquainted with the details of that abominable system of savage law, and degraded public sentiment by which three millions of human beings are held in bodily and menial bondage yoked to the oar of American Freedom. Never were we so impressed with the horrors of the system, as while listening to one, who was himself born subject to the lash and fetter . . . yet who is so gifted, as he to whom we dedicate this Address, with high [ ], intellectual, and spiritual power, together with so much refinement of mind and manners.
Allow us to say that in estimating the pleasures and advantages which your visit has conferred upon us – we value highly those derivable from your excellent Anti-Slavery work – the unpretending memoir of your escape from chattled bondage to the liberty and light of a moral and intellectual being. While perusing it, we have been charmed to the end by the power of simple truth, and warm and genuine feeling . . . “
Extract from an ‘Address to Frederick Douglass from the Anti-Slavery Society of Cork’
Cork Examiner, 7 November 1845
A verse, ‘Céad Míle Fáilte to the Stranger’ was composed for the occasion by local poet, Daniel Casey, and sung by those in attendance:
“Stranger from a distant nation
We welcome thee with acclamation
And, as a brother warmly greet thee –
Rejoiced in Erin’s Isle to meet thee
Then Cead Mille Failthe to the stranger,
Free from bondage, chains and danger.
Who could have heard thy hapless story,
Of tyrants – canting, base and gory;
Whose heart throbbed not with deep
pulsation
Oh! Why should different hue or feature
Prevent the sacred laws of Nature,
And every tie of feeling sever? –
The voice of Nature thunders ‘Never!’
Then borne o’er the Atlantic waters
The cry of Erin’s sons and daughters
For freedom shall henceforth be blended
Till Slavery’s hellish reign be ended.”
(by Daniel Casey)
In return, Douglass was moved to sing an old abolition song. In his reply to the Address, he thanked the Cork press for reporting his words, saying:
“I did not expect the high position that I enjoy during my stay in the City of Cork . . . I want the Americans to know that in the good city of Cork, I ridiculed their nation - I attempted to excite the utter contempt of the people here upon them”.
(Cork Examiner, 7 November 1845)
Mayor Richard Dowden gave Douglass a signet ring, on behalf of the city, to symbolize the relationship between Frederick and people of Cork. On the next leg of his Irish tour, Douglass sent a letter of heartfelt thanks to Dowden on 11 November 1845.
Letter from Frederick Douglass to Richard Dowden (part) (Courtesy of Cork City and County Archives)
The following is a transcription of part of the letter which is now held at Cork City and County Archives.
“I speak just what I feel – and what all who are acquainted with the facts will confess to be true, when I say that to yours and the deep interest which the Miss Jennings took in me and my mission, I am almost entirely indebted for the success which attended my humble efforts while in the good City of Cork. I shall ever remember my visit with pleasure, and never shall I think of Cork without remembering that yourself and the kind friends just named constituted the source from whence flowed much of the light, life and warmth of humanity which I found in that good City . . .
. . . I received the token of your esteem which you sent, I have it on the little finger of my right hand, I never wore one- or had the disposition to do so before, I shall wear this, and prize it as the representative of the holy feelings with which you espoused and advocated my humble cause”.
Douglass wrote of his time in Ireland as being transformative. As he was about to leave Ireland, he wrote from Belfast the following to William Lloyd Garrison:
“I have been here a little more than four months . . . I can truly say, I have spent some of the happiest moments of my life since landing in this country. I seem to have undergone a transformation, I live a new life”.
(Letter of 1 January 1846, The Life and Writings of Frederick Douglass).
Douglass continued his anti-slavery lectures in England and Wales throughout the rest of 1846 and early 1847. On his return to the U.S in April 1847, he published newspapers and further autobiographies. He provided aid for fugitive slaves. During the Civil War, he campaigned for the rights of African Americans to enlist in the Union Army. He was consulted by President Lincoln and later presidents, from whom he received several political appointments. Throughout his life, Douglass was also a great supporter of equal rights for women.
In 1887, Douglass made a short return trip to Dublin to “once more look into the faces and hear the voices of the few remaining friends who gave me sympathy and support during my visit 41 years ago”. He visited the family of Richard Webb, the abolitionist and publisher, who had died in 1872.
Frederick Douglass in Killiney, Co. Dublin, 1887, when he visited the Webb family. (from Picturing Frederick Douglass: An Illustrated Biography of the Nineteenth Century’s Most Photographed American)
On return to Washington D.C., Douglass spoke in favour of Irish Home Rule.
Frederick Douglass died of a heart attack near Washington D.C. on 20 February 1895 after attending a meeting of the Women’s National Council.
Bibliography:
Douglass, F., Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave, Written by Himself, Webb & Chapman, Dublin, 1845. (Special Collections, UCC)
Douglass, F., Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave, Written by Himself, Norton & Co., New York, 1997.
Fenton, L., Frederick Douglass in Ireland: ‘The Black O’Connell’. Ulverscroft, Leicester, 2015.
Foner, P. ed), The Life and Writings of Frederick Douglas, International Publishers, New York, 1987.
Kinealy, C., Frederick Douglass and Ireland: In His Own Words, Vol. 1, Routledge, New York, 2018.
Stauffer, J., Trodd, Z., Bernier, C., Picturing Frederick Douglass: An Illustrated Biography of the Nineteenth Century’s Most Photographed American, Norton & Co., New York, 2018.
Ferreira, Patricia J., ‘Frederick Douglass in Ireland: The Dublin Edition of His “Narrative”’, New Hibernia Review, Vol. 5, No. 1, Spring, 2001.
Harrison, Richard S., ‘The Cork Anti-Slavery Society, its Antecedents and Quaker Background 1755-1859’, JCHAS, 1992.
Jenkins, Lee, ‘Beyond the Pale: Frederick Douglass in Cork’, The Irish Review, No. 24, Autumn, 1999.
Quinn, John F., “Safe in Old Ireland”: Frederick Douglass’s Tour, 1845-1846’, The Historian, Vol. 64, Spring/Summer, 2002.
Cork Constitution
Cork Examiner
The North Star
www.corkpastandpresent.ie
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• Mallory Tia McKinley •
Aged 18ish
From Boston
Lives in NYC
First year student for theater, with an emphasis on character design and styling.
Serial romantic
Self-absorbed
Affluent background
Youngest of her family
Has an older sister, aged 26, who is “perfect” in her family’s Bostonian-Greek ideals.
Has 4 nieces and nephews
Rebel of her family
Was slated by her wealthy family to follow in her older sister’s footsteps by marrying young and wealthy.
She married at the age of 17 to her high school boyfriend, but was caught in an abusive relationship. Once she got pregnant shortly after her wedding, she began panicking and hating her life. She forced a miscarriage and left her 20-year-old husband to the dismay and disgust of her harshly Catholic family.
She is still in the process of trying to divorce her husband.
She obtained her GED and ran off to NYC after being accepted into an arts university for theater.
Theater has always appealed to young Mallory. As a child she would sit on her grandmother’s lap and watch PBS performances and never missed a year of watching the Tony’s, always dreaming of the chaos behind the scenes of a grand, theater performance. She’d awe in amazement at the beautiful set and be mesmerized at the costumes and makeup for the characters on the stage.
During her sophomore year of high school—just one year prior to dropping out and getting married at her parents’ behest—she got her first taste of a theater production when she secretly joined a small theater troupe in Boston. In her free time (usually lying to her parents and saying she was studying with friends or with her boyfriend), she’d practice costume designing, theater hair and makeup with her high school best friend.
[DM if you want me to package her up and upload]
[wcif-friendly]
#new#ts4#the sims 4#ts4 alpha#sim profile#character profile#discover university#ts4 discover university#porcelains sims#mallory mckinley
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Animal Farm (1945) — George Orwell
112 pages
One of Orwell’s best works and definitely more on the nose with its agenda than 1984, Animal Farm quickly establishes the status quo of the farm and the hierarchy of the animals within it. We are presented with clear leaders within their ranks and a dream of a better future governed among the animals and not the farmer and their overnight takeover of the farm. It is in large a depiction of how the ideals of communism fall apart once an individual becomes more powerful than the ideals the society was founded on. The breakdown of their rules is done by rewriting their past and changing the collective memory, making it easier to control their citizens through propaganda. Animal Farm remains a relevant novel, and its short length makes it perfect for an afternoon or evening read.
The Triggering Town (1979) — Richard Hugo
109 pages
As the subtitle says, Hugo’s book is a combination of lectures and essays on poetry, detailing much of his own biography alongside writing suggestions. While I feel that chapters 1,3,5, and 7 are the most helpful for any practical advice, the book as a whole is an interesting look into times of academia past that we can compare to our present attitudes and approaches in the classroom.
Here’s a small selection of exercises and quotes (some paraphrased for space’s sake) on poetry writing:
“Every moment, I am, without wanting or trying to, telling you to write like me. But I hope you learn to write like you…If I say something that helps, good. If what I say is of no help, let it go,” (Chapter 1) *a good perspective to remember when reading any writing advice or taking any writing class.
Try writing a poem in which you:
-Take someone you know well and trust to a city they don’t know, but you do.
-Describe it with confidence.
-Pick out things in the world before you, point them out.
-Write as if you received some news earlier in the day that set your tone of speech. (Chapter 1)
Once you have an idea of the “town,” or subject you want to write about, write under an assumption. Here are a few examples from the book:
“The inhabitants are natives and have lived there forever. I am the only stranger.”
“I am eighty-nine and grumpy but with enormous presence and wisdom.”
“The annual picnic is a failure. No one has a good time.”
“The air is still all week except on Sunday afternoons when the wind blows.”
“No one dies, makes love or ages.” (Chapter 3)
A professor reading poetry collections from many different writers to students can help them figure out what they like and dislike, or help “train the ear,” to find those sounds that appeal to them that they can introduce into their own writing. “In poetry, the big things tend to take care of themselves,” aka the big themes of the poems that young writers are often caught up in, “But little matters like that are what make and break poems.” (Chapter 4)
“When rewriting, write the entire poem again. If something has gone wrong deep in the poem, you may have taken a wrong turn earlier.” (Chapter 5)
“Read your poem aloud many times. If you don’t enjoy it every time, something may be wrong.” (Chapter 5)
Upon hearing a classmate read an essay aloud before the class about a traumatic and embarrassing incident that happened to them:
“…we had just heard a special moment in a person’s life, offered in honesty and generosity, and we better damn well appreciate it…You are someone and you have a right to your life…When we are told in dozens of insidious ways that our lives don’t matter, we may be forced to insist, all too loudly, that they do… That anyone or anything says they are not important is vivid proof that they are.” (Chapter 6)
Norman Fucking Rockwell! (2019) — Lana Del Rey
14 tracks, 1 hour & 7 minutes
While I highly recommend listening to Lana’s new album as a whole, at least on the first listen through, here are my summaries of some of my favorite tracks:
-Norman Fucking Rockwell — The title track comes in as a primer for the rest of the album, a retrospective look at a past relationship. Lana sings of having a lover you can’t change and who you only realize later was bad for you when you are no longer blinded by your love.
-Doin Time — A cover that maintains Sublime’s original hit and its essential 90’s sound, while meshing perfectly with Lana’s signature haunting vocals.
-Venice Bitch — An incredible 9-minute acoustic ballad detailing the struggle of wanting that true “Hallmark” love and the transition to finding that love.
-Love Song — Taking place in a car seemingly amid a breakup, Del Rey stating that she has fallen apart lately, but is still holding onto the hope that her lover can see the true her through it all. She sings of doing anything to hold onto their love, but it is tinged with hopelessness and the feeling that this love is already gone.
-The greatest — A reflection on her past and the things she longs for amidst her feelings of burnout, and her desperate need for a “wakeup call,” whatever that may be.
-Happiness is a butterfly — Every night, when the music ends and she’s alone, she feels a low she just can’t shake. She knows she cannot always have that high that she feels on stage and that love is the only thing that can fill the void. Even when the love is bad, it is still better than feeling nothing.
-Hope is a dangerous thing for a woman like me to have — Lana knows that music makes her feel a great happiness, but that she feels she can only create art from her pain and suffering. She knows that it will be an uphill battle, but holds out hope that she can change despite it all.
Spotlight (2015)
2 hours & 9 minutes
The film Spotlight depicts the trials of not only navigating the politics of the press, but the tendency of a society to fight against change and maintain the status quo. Even though everyone involved with the catholic church and with covering up the scandals knew that it was wrong and that children would continue to be hurt, they kept the scandals to themselves or settled out of court instead of going public because it would cause a rift in their community. As they state repeatedly in the film, areas with troubled youth and broken families are especially hit hard. In poorer communities, like those focused on in Boston, many vulnerable people turn to religion as an escape and for a sense of hope. In these situations, the young are all too often the victims of adults, both in the occurrence of the sexual abuse and by those around them who would encourage them to keep it to themselves. While at times the two-hour film seems to lack in pacing, it is definitely an accurate portrayal of how slowly justice moves and how many people have to be hurt and team up together before anything can maybe, possibly, be done to stop it.
#weekly 4#mzashleypie#reviews#lana del rey#norman fucking rockwell#spotlight#the triggering town#richard hugo#animal farm#george orwell#creative writing#poetry#writing exercise#poetry prompt#writing advice#books#movies#film review#film#new music#ashley robles
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Apps Every Catholic Artist Should Know: Part Two!
For Part Two in our series of Apps for Catholic Artists, we asked the members of the Catholic Artist Connection board which apps they find indispensable in their creative work.
THEATER
Cole Matson, executive director and vice president, recommends TODAYTIX. This free app (available for multiple major cities, including New York City, Boston, and London) lets users theater buy tickets at discounted prices, enter lotteries to win heavily discounted theater tickets, and otherwise stay up to date on shows happening in their cities. A ticketing agent will meet you outside the building at 30 minutes to curtain and give you your tickets. No age restrictions or IDs required, like there are for student lotteries! You can also add your own production to the TodayTix database to drum up ticket sales for your performances. TodayTix is a staple for broke young artists who nonetheless want to spend their last $30 at the theater.
MUSIC
Melissa Maricich, secretary, recommends APPCOMPANIST for performers who need backing tracks for auditions, vocal warmups, tempo and key changes, and more. Singers often find themselves preparing for auditions in strange places, and may not always have a personal accompanist on the piano at the ready - how awesome to have one in your pocket!
WRITING
Laura Pittenger, treasurer, recommends GOOGLE KEEP for writers. This free app lets you make lists, take notes, and draw sketches. The best ideas often come to us in the shower or walking down the street, places which are not optimal to stop and type or write in notebooks - this app makes it easy for you to talk and transcribe your thoughts for later. There’s also an alert function if you have a note of which you need to remind yourself at a set time.
PHOTOGRAPHY
While you can’t go wrong with Instagram, have you tried VSCO? This app functions as an outside extension for Instagram and lets you modify your photos with filters and features not available in Instagram. Whether you’re a professional photographer, or a performer looking to up your social media game, VSCO gives your photographs a professional, distinctive edge.
For the EASILY DISTRACTED of all disciplines...
Laura also recommends a productivity app called FOREST! This free app (which comes with a premium ad-free option to purchase) locks down distracting apps on your smartphone and builds visually appealing trees during the lockdown period you designate. It’s hard to contemplate cutting down a cute tree just so you can log onto Twitter for the 23rd time. Once you build enough trees, you start to build your own forest, and you have the option to build different kinds of trees.
It’s also a great opportunity to respond to Pope Francis’ call to protect the environment, our common home! From Forest’s website: “Forest team partners with a real-tree-planting organization, Trees for the Future, to plant real trees on the earth. When our users spend virtual coins they earn in Forest on planting real trees, Forest team donates our partner and create orders of planting.”
We want to hear from you! What apps do you consider essential to your creative process? Email us at [email protected].
#forest#app#apps#catholic artist#catholic artist connection#catholic artists nyc#todaytix#vsco#google keep#appcompanist
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Identity Politics and surrounding issues
Everyone knows about Identity politics. Some activists scream about colonisers, radical feminists cause a clicking ovation at slam poetry, gender-fluids cause controversy over the apparent 78 genders (or 112, or 63 - whoever you get your info from) and the overall takeover from the left when it comes to issues such as personal feelings and how someone identifies.
So let’s break it down.
Identity politics is essentially how someone can change their political beliefs and their whole identities based upon their identity (e.g. race, religion, social class, wealth, sexuality, etc.). The idea in itself might seem appealing to many, as it seems to with the left, but recently, Identity politics has gotten out of control.
Black people and those that sympathise are screaming about white men colonising the U.S. in the eighteenth century, that’s over two hundred years ago, and talking about the murders of their ancestors by the ancestors of the white men and women they walk around college with today. This idea promotes the victim mentality, where someone walks around thinking the world’s out to get them everyday and that everything’s against them. It’s simply false.
Many current white Americans today are actually descendant of people who immigrated into the country after the civil war, which statistically speaking, means that their ancestors most likely did not murder the ancestors of black Americans today.
Talking about the victim mentality, walking around screaming at white ‘colonisers’ (Which I'm pretty sure only became a term used by the progressive left after Black Panther was released), is, in itself, inherently racist. But we don’t mention that, do we? Right? I mean...you can’t be racist to white people, am I right?
Wrong.
You can be racist to white people. Being racist has nothing to do with one’s social class, past history of their race and so on. Being racist, however, has everything to do with judging another by their skin colour.
Oxford Dictionary describes it as this:
“Prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one's own race is superior.”
Where in that does it mention that you cannot be racist to white people because they’re the oppressors? No-where. It doesn’t say anything, and you want to know why? That’s because ‘reverse racism’ doesn’t exist. It’s just called racism.
Why do conversations about racism, oppression and slavery always have to do with black, African people and white, European people? The Middle East practically ran slave trading for a while, and it’s still happening. Irishmen were enslaved for a time. Do you see them getting mentioned? Nope.
“But what does that have to do with America?”
Nothing, you’re right, but it does show that slaves in America weren’t the only ones out there, and while American slavery has been abolished, Middle Eastern slavery in certain areas has not.
Now let’s look at feminism.
Feminism is currently the core belief that men and women are not equal in developed countries. I’m here to say that’s false. Men and women have the exact same rights as each other and complaining about the so-called ‘pay gap’ is nothing in comparison to what women have to go through in, once again, middle eastern countries and parts of Africa.
Look at this video for example:
youtube
While it’s not a conservative video, it does illustrate that these two people, a white man and a black woman, both of whom work the same job, but at different companies, are not only equal in pay, but the black woman is paid much more than the white man.
While this isn’t true for many places, a number of factors do influence how much someone is paid, such as; family leave (Whether it be maternity or otherwise), whether the employee decides to go part time or full time, whether the employee takes more time for the family, holidays and so on. It’s the same for both men and women. I guarantee that a man who works from home or works part time to spend more time with his kids is going to be paid much less than a woman with no kids and a focussed career.
Comparing the salary from the same or similar jobs but from different companies is not a way to get reliable statistics.
Feminists parading around in vagina hats to protest Trump in the 2016 women’s march is just kinda sick, really. Not even going to give a factual statement here, It’s sick. I don’t want to look at vagina hats and whatever other shit that they parade around in.
Moving aside from the side of the debate, let’s look at Muslims, feminist movements relating to Muslims, LGBTQ+ issues relating to Muslims, terrorism and other religious issues relating to Muslims.
Before we even get into it, I have nothing against peaceful Muslims. Freedom of Religion is a right.
Feminist Muslims. Oh how you’ve gotten everything wrong. Just today, Iranian women are pulling off their hijab’s in a protest for rights.
from: https://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/Iranian-Women-Tear-Off-Their-Veils-in-National-Push-for-Rights-20180425-0040.html
from: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5656091/Support-grows-Iranian-woman-viciously-beaten-morality-police.html
There was also the story a few months back about the woman doing the same thing. Then there’s white, American, atheist women (Called sympathisers or allies), who put on hijab’s for feminism.
What’s screwed up here?...hmmm
LGBTQ+ Issues. There are many. The Muslim religion is, in itself, greatly against homosexuality of any sort. Gay men and Lesbian women in the Middle East have been brutally murdered, and it’s not even stopped at the borders of the Middle East. I’m sure everyone heard of the rehabilitation camps in Chechnya. Well, guess what? Chechnya’s actually a Muslim majority. The main religion is Sunni Islam.
While the may have nothing to do with it, it’s still quite a coincidence.
Let’s talk about religious issues relating to Muslims and other religions. Many believe Muslims to be older than Christianity and Protestants. This is false. Muhammed, the founder of the religion, actually wanted to be a Catholic priest but was kicked out for being too militant. From then on, he created the Muslim religion in retaliation to the Catholics.
In truth, Christianity, Judaism and other religions like those, predate Muslims by around 600 or so years.
Next on the list is Terrorism.
Yes, many terrorists are Muslim, no, that doesn't mean that all Muslims are terrorists. There are white, domestic terrorists, like the Las Vegas shooter and several school shooters, but those responsible for some of the U.S’s biggest disasters in the past have been Muslim terrorists.
Al Queda was responsible for 911.
Osama Bin Laden was a big name in Terrorism.
Just recently, the YouTube shooter, a Muslim woman.
Boston Marathon Bombings
Those are just some of the few since 2001. Thousands of people have died, and there have been many more from Muslim terrorists in other countries. Now, none of this doesn’t excuse what the white terrorists have done (Because white privilege isn’t real), what it does do, however, is prove that there is a part of Islam, not all of it, a part of it, that is wrong, that has caused several mentally unstable Muslim men to go out, bomb people and fly planes into buildings.
Now, how about when Muslims immigrate to first world countries from Syria, Iran, Sudan and all of those ares. If you ask them to name which law they thought was better, many would say Sharia Law. In developed countries such as the U.S, U.K, Australia and so on, immigrants should be expected to follow the laws of that country, not the laws of the country they left behind. That should be fact.
Religion actually has nothing to do with that. The Laws in Canada are different to the laws in Australia. Canadians moving to Australia should be expected to follow Australian Law, just as Australians moving to Canada should be expected to follow Canadian law. While the concept is the same, the stakes are higher when the immigrant is from a third world country.
I’ve known people who immigrated from Africa. They’re fine with the laws.
Lastly, let’s move onto the sexuality, gender and sex debate. You know, the one where the LGBTQ+ activists claim that there are infinite genders or some crap.
I can break this down into a few easy ways to understand it.
Sex and gender are not different from one another. Both have a basis in biology. Your sex is what genitals you have, a penis = male, a vagina = female. This is how it has been since sex and gender were first termed.
It goes deeper than genitals, though, it goes into your genes, cells, chromosomes, muscle composition, body fat distribution and so on. It’s common knowledge that males have an XY chromosome makeup, while female have an XX chromosome makeup. The deciding factor of what sex you are, actually depends on the father. When it comes to muscle composition, male’s have genetically stronger muscles, their composition is stronger than that of a female’s.
Female’s generally have softer muscle composition, as genetically, a woman isn’t made for doing hard work like a man is, a woman is genetically made to be a caretaker. That’s not to say that every woman is the same, just the opposite actually, but this is just the general genetic profiles of men and women.
A woman’s fat distribution is different to that of a man’s. A woman will have more fat around her hips, thighs, breasts and arms, while a man will generally have more fat around the stomach (See: Beer belly) and just the upper body in general.
Men and Women have different skeletal structures. A woman has a wider pelvis than a man, this is so she is ready to have children, smaller shoulders, smaller head and a smaller skeletal structure in general to a man’s. While a man will have a thinner pelvis, broader shoulders, larger rib cage and is generally taller. The height difference is quite apparent in many real world situations. (Every male I know my age or older, is much taller than me) There are anomalies to this everywhere, the odd female taller than all the males she knows, or the short male who feels like a dwarf in comparison.
This get’s me to hormones. Male and female brains will send out different hormones to their bodies. This is mostly evident in oestrogen and testosterone. Oestrogen is a woman’s hormone, generally a boost will be given through puberty which stimulates breast growth and the menstrual cycle, which in turn enables the female to have children. Males, during puberty, get a boost of testosterone, causing facial hair, voice breaking, genital growth and so on.
There is obviously a distinct scientific difference between male’s and females, and this is what gender and sex have been founded in. Both relate to the scientific properties of the sex.
Frankly, I don’t understand half of what goes on in the side of the world.
Well, thanks for sticking around (If you made it this far, sorry for the long post)
~GTM
#politics#republican#conservative#facts#political issues#LGBTQ+ issues#Muslim issues#Gender issues#christianity#black issues#black men and white men#segregation#racism issues#gettriggeredmedia#Donald trump#maga#open to Liberals#scince#gender science#identity politics#america#australia#canada#middle east#feminism
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Democratic congressman calls on Justice Stephen Breyer to retire Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer is photographed at his home in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in September 2015. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer In his early career, Breyer was a professor at Harvard Law School. This photo was taken in 1979. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer Breyer, seen here in May 1993, was the chief judge of the US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. The First Circuit includes Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Puerto Rico and Rhode Island. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer Breyer arrives at the White House in June 1993. He was being considered for the Supreme Court opening left by retiring Justice Byron White. That seat eventually went to Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer Breyer and his wife, Joanna, are seen at Boston’s Logan Airport in May 1994. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer Breyer walks with President Bill Clinton at the White House in May 1994. Breyer was chosen by Clinton to replace retiring Justice Harry Blackmun. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer Breyer and his daughter Chloe jog with Clinton in May 1994. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer Breyer meets with US Sen. Joe Biden in Biden’s office in May 1994. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer Breyer is joined by US Sen. Ted Kennedy at his confirmation hearings in July 1994. Breyer was confirmed by a vote of 84-9. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer Breyer receives an honorary degree at the Suffolk University Law School in September 1999. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer Breyer is greeted by US Secretary of State Colin Powell before President George W. Bush spoke in front of a joint session of Congress in February 2001. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer Breyer works in his office with his staff of clerks in June 2002. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer Breyer reads Dr. Seuss’ “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” to elementary school students who were visiting the Supreme Court in March 2003. It was National Read Across America Day. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer Breyer, right, is joined by his brother Charles, who is also a judge, at a federal courthouse in San Francisco in May 2003. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer Breyer and his fellow Supreme Court justices file out of the court building to attend the funeral of former Chief Justice William Rehnquist in September 2005. From left are justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Breyer, Clarence Thomas, David Souter, William Kennedy, Antonin Scalia, Sandra Day O’Connor and John Paul Stevens. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer Breyer, second from right, attends a State of the Union address in January 2006. Joining Breyer, from left, are Chief Justice John Roberts, Justice Clarence Thomas and newly confirmed Justice Samuel Alito. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer Breyer and fellow Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg attend Samuel Alito’s ceremonial swearing-in. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer Breyer is seated between students Cole Mitguard, left, and C.J. Mourning while visiting San Francisco’s Lowell High School in February 2006. Breyer graduated from Lowell in 1955. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer Breyer walks off the field with his wife, Joanna, and their 3-year-old granddaughter, Clara Scholl, after throwing a ceremonial first pitch at Boston’s Fenway Park in July 2006. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer Breyer accepts an honorary doctorate from Belgium’s Catholic University of Louvain in March 2009. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer Breyer sits with former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor during a forum at the Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, DC, in May 2009. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer Breyer testifies before the House Judiciary Committee’s Commercial and Administrative Law Subcommittee in May 2010. Breyer and fellow Justice Antonin Scalia testified to the subcommittee about the Administrative Conference of the United States. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer From left, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Breyer, Vice President Joe Biden and first lady Michelle Obama listen to President Barack Obama speak at a White House reception in May 2010. The reception, held for Jewish American Heritage Month, celebrated Jewish American heritage and its contributions to American culture. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer Breyer sits down with ABC’s George Stephanopoulos for a “Good Morning America” interview in September 2010. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer Breyer speaks during an interview in Washington, DC, in October 2010. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer Breyer and his wife, Joanna, arrive at the White House for a state dinner honoring Chinese President Hu Jintao in January 2011. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer President Barack Obama reads from his book, “Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to My Daughters,” as Breyer and some of his family members visit the White House Oval Office in May 2011. Joining Breyer, from left, are his wife, Joanna; his grandson Eli; and his daughter Nell. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer Breyer walks with Britain’s Prince Charles as Charles visited the Supreme Court in May 2011. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer Breyer and fellow Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia confer in October 2011 before testifying at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled “Considering the Role of Judges Under the Constitution of the United States.” Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer Breyer greets members of the military and their families at a Washington Nationals baseball game in June 2013. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer Vice President Joe Biden greets Breyer as he arrives at the funeral services for Ben Bradlee, the former editor of the Washington Post, in October 2014. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer Breyer listens during a meeting of the Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee in March 2015. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer Breyer appears on “The Late Show” with Stephen Colbert in September 2015. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer President Donald Trump greets Breyer at his State of the Union address in January 2018. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer The Supreme Court poses for an official portrait in November 2018, shortly after adding new Justice Brett Kavanaugh. In the back row, from left, are Neil Gorsuch, Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Kavanaugh. In the front row, from left, are Breyer, Clarence Thomas, Chief Justice John Roberts, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Samuel Alito. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer Breyer, second from left, attends the State of the Union address in January 2018. With Breyer, from left, are Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Elena Kagan and Neil Gorsuch. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer Breyer and his wife, Joanna, are seated together for a private ceremony honoring the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg in September 2020. Seated from left are Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch, the Breyers, former Justice Anthony Kennedy, Justice Sonia Sotomayor and Maureen Scalia, the wife of late Justice Antonin Scalia. Source link Orbem News #Breyer #Calls #Congressman #Democratic #Democraticcongressmansays-CNNPolitics #Justice #Politics #retire #Stephen #StephenBreyershouldretire
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Democratic congressman calls on Justice Stephen Breyer to retire
New Post has been published on https://appradab.com/democratic-congressman-calls-on-justice-stephen-breyer-to-retire/
Democratic congressman calls on Justice Stephen Breyer to retire
Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer
Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer is photographed at his home in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in September 2015.
Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer
In his early career, Breyer was a professor at Harvard Law School. This photo was taken in 1979.
Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer
Breyer, seen here in May 1993, was the chief judge of the US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. The First Circuit includes Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Puerto Rico and Rhode Island.
Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer
Breyer arrives at the White House in June 1993. He was being considered for the Supreme Court opening left by retiring Justice Byron White. That seat eventually went to Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer
Breyer and his wife, Joanna, are seen at Boston’s Logan Airport in May 1994.
Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer
Breyer walks with President Bill Clinton at the White House in May 1994. Breyer was chosen by Clinton to replace retiring Justice Harry Blackmun.
Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer
Breyer and his daughter Chloe jog with Clinton in May 1994.
Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer
Breyer meets with US Sen. Joe Biden in Biden’s office in May 1994.
Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer
Breyer is joined by US Sen. Ted Kennedy at his confirmation hearings in July 1994. Breyer was confirmed by a vote of 84-9.
Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer
Breyer receives an honorary degree at the Suffolk University Law School in September 1999.
Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer
Breyer is greeted by US Secretary of State Colin Powell before President George W. Bush spoke in front of a joint session of Congress in February 2001.
Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer
Breyer works in his office with his staff of clerks in June 2002.
Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer
Breyer reads Dr. Seuss’ “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” to elementary school students who were visiting the Supreme Court in March 2003. It was National Read Across America Day.
Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer
Breyer, right, is joined by his brother Charles, who is also a judge, at a federal courthouse in San Francisco in May 2003.
Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer
Breyer and his fellow Supreme Court justices file out of the court building to attend the funeral of former Chief Justice William Rehnquist in September 2005. From left are justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Breyer, Clarence Thomas, David Souter, William Kennedy, Antonin Scalia, Sandra Day O’Connor and John Paul Stevens.
Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer
Breyer, second from right, attends a State of the Union address in January 2006. Joining Breyer, from left, are Chief Justice John Roberts, Justice Clarence Thomas and newly confirmed Justice Samuel Alito.
Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer
Breyer and fellow Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg attend Samuel Alito’s ceremonial swearing-in.
Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer
Breyer is seated between students Cole Mitguard, left, and C.J. Mourning while visiting San Francisco’s Lowell High School in February 2006. Breyer graduated from Lowell in 1955.
Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer
Breyer walks off the field with his wife, Joanna, and their 3-year-old granddaughter, Clara Scholl, after throwing a ceremonial first pitch at Boston’s Fenway Park in July 2006.
Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer
Breyer accepts an honorary doctorate from Belgium’s Catholic University of Louvain in March 2009.
Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer
Breyer sits with former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor during a forum at the Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, DC, in May 2009.
Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer
Breyer testifies before the House Judiciary Committee’s Commercial and Administrative Law Subcommittee in May 2010. Breyer and fellow Justice Antonin Scalia testified to the subcommittee about the Administrative Conference of the United States.
Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer
From left, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Breyer, Vice President Joe Biden and first lady Michelle Obama listen to President Barack Obama speak at a White House reception in May 2010. The reception, held for Jewish American Heritage Month, celebrated Jewish American heritage and its contributions to American culture.
Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer
Breyer sits down with ABC’s George Stephanopoulos for a “Good Morning America” interview in September 2010.
Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer
Breyer speaks during an interview in Washington, DC, in October 2010.
Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer
Breyer and his wife, Joanna, arrive at the White House for a state dinner honoring Chinese President Hu Jintao in January 2011.
Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer
President Barack Obama reads from his book, “Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to My Daughters,” as Breyer and some of his family members visit the White House Oval Office in May 2011. Joining Breyer, from left, are his wife, Joanna; his grandson Eli; and his daughter Nell.
Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer
Breyer walks with Britain’s Prince Charles as Charles visited the Supreme Court in May 2011.
Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer
Breyer and fellow Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia confer in October 2011 before testifying at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled “Considering the Role of Judges Under the Constitution of the United States.”
Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer
Breyer greets members of the military and their families at a Washington Nationals baseball game in June 2013.
Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer
Vice President Joe Biden greets Breyer as he arrives at the funeral services for Ben Bradlee, the former editor of the Washington Post, in October 2014.
Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer
Breyer listens during a meeting of the Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee in March 2015.
Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer
Breyer appears on “The Late Show” with Stephen Colbert in September 2015.
Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer
President Donald Trump greets Breyer at his State of the Union address in January 2018.
Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer
The Supreme Court poses for an official portrait in November 2018, shortly after adding new Justice Brett Kavanaugh. In the back row, from left, are Neil Gorsuch, Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Kavanaugh. In the front row, from left, are Breyer, Clarence Thomas, Chief Justice John Roberts, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Samuel Alito.
Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer
Breyer, second from left, attends the State of the Union address in January 2018. With Breyer, from left, are Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Elena Kagan and Neil Gorsuch.
Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer
Breyer and his wife, Joanna, are seated together for a private ceremony honoring the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg in September 2020. Seated from left are Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch, the Breyers, former Justice Anthony Kennedy, Justice Sonia Sotomayor and Maureen Scalia, the wife of late Justice Antonin Scalia.
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i keep thinking about how if there was any kind of actual accountability they'd have to unstuff the supreme court and unappoint hundreds of unsupreme justices and demilitarize the unwalled border. but they can't do that because the democrats were investing in the same peloton and boston dynamics tech ETFs and they picked a catholic/cop ticket in order to keep the hamster wheel and robot dog profits flowing in a sad appeal to deranged christian centrism fueled by covid delirium. and they can't even say "pussy" at the hearing
catching up on capitol riot hearing 5 because i'm stuck with this sunk cost fallacy after the first 4... wow, i can't believe someone said wac-a-mole, i was just thinking about that, we as a society really do need to get back to the carnival midway... maybe if there was an avenue where all these small business owners could run their little scams, nothing would ever have ended up this way... long term capital management? more like a lack of enrichment amirite ladies
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Nicaragua on the brink of calamity
By Stephen Kinzer, Boston Globe, June 04, 2018
As a mass of unarmed protesters filed past Dennis Martínez Stadium in Managua, Nicaragua, on May 30, snipers inside the stadium began firing at them. That day’s casualties joined a list of about 100 dead and 1,000 wounded and missing in the last two months. Among those outraged was the person for whom the stadium is named. Dennis Martínez is the most celebrated of all Nicaraguan baseball players, immortalized by pitching a perfect game for the Montreal Expos in 1991.
“It pains me to see the national stadium bearing my name being used for violence against my brother Nicaraguans,” Martínez declared in a public statement. The novelist Sergio Ramírez, who was Nicaragua’s vice-president in the 1980s, tweeted that with this statement, Martínez “pitched another perfect game.” Ramírez had just been awarded the Cervantes Prize, the highest honor in Spanish-language literature, and dedicated it “to the memory of Nicaraguans who have in recent days been killed on the streets for demanding justice and democracy.”
Nicaragua is a land of volcanoes and earthquakes. At times it seems that the fury churning underground must somehow be reaching above the surface, making national politics especially turbulent. This is one of those times. Protests that shook Nicaragua in mid-April did not quickly fade, as some expected. The opposite has happened. Nicaragua has entered a phase of civic insurrection. For the second time in as many generations, Nicaraguans are rebelling against a decadent family regime. A historic turning point is approaching.
During the 1980s Nicaragua was a battleground for proxy armies representing the interests of the United States and the Soviet Union. Since then, it has remained poor and, over the last decade, become steadily less democratic. Nonetheless it seemed stable. President Daniel Ortega, who helped lead the revolution that brought leftist Sandinistas to power in 1979, appeared to have consolidated his authoritarian state. He continued to use anti-imperialist rhetoric, but allowed the business elite to make economic policy and won the support of Catholic bishops by banning abortion.
Now this alliance is collapsing. Catholic bishops have rejected government appeals to mediate the current crisis, declaring that “it is not possible to resume national dialogue while the people of Nicaragua are being denied their right to protest peacefully and are being repressed and murdered.” Business leaders, who supported Ortega because he guaranteed stability, now see him as a source of instability and are turning against him. “The model he brought to the country has run its course,” said Carlos Pellas, the country’s richest tycoon. Pellas told an interviewer from the opposition newspaper La Prensa that he was “outraged and in pain” over the carnage of recent weeks, described protesters as representing “a clamor for the return of democracy, justice and human rights,” and urged Ortega to arrange “an orderly exit” through early elections. If he refuses, business leaders may support a national strike that could paralyze the country.
Dozens of shops in the Nicaraguan capital of Managua have been looted as protests sparked by government social security reforms continued.
Ortega has remained defiant. “We are staying here,” he assured his supporters--adding, in a swipe at the business elite, that “Nicaragua is not anybody’s private property.” The police and army have remained loyal to his government. Rather than order them to repress protesters, however, he often sends paramilitary gangs. Sandinistas have used this tactic since the 1980s, but never before have their gangs fired live ammunition into crowds of peaceful demonstrators. Funeral marches balloon into new protests, and when they are attacked, the spiral intensifies. Hundreds of thousands have taken to the streets. This is by far the largest popular protest in Nicaragua since the uprising that toppled the Somoza dictatorship in 1979.
The protest began after Ortega announced cuts in pensions, but that was not its root cause. Pressure has been steadily building inside Nicaraguan society. Each time Ortega took another step toward repressive rule and got away with it, he felt encouraged and pressed ahead. Neither he nor anyone else realized how angry Nicaraguans were becoming. Now it is clear that he went too far.
In the years since he was elected president with 38 percent of the vote in 2006, Ortega has worked systematically to dismantle Nicaragua’s incipient democracy. Through a series of maneuvers, he gained control over Congress, the Supreme Court, and the Supreme Electoral Council. In 2009 he directed the Supreme Court to rule that he could run for re-election even though the constitution forbids it. Then, last year, he not only ran for a third term but named his wife as his running mate. His control of the electoral system guaranteed their victory. Their children have become rich. One has been groomed to lead Ortega family rule into another generation. The last round of local elections was manipulated to assure the defeat of anti-Sandinista candidates. Each of these outrages added to Nicaraguans’ anger. No one imagined that something as relatively innocuous as pension cuts would set off the time bomb of accumulated rage.
Repressive rule was imposed on Nicaragua slowly, one outrage at a time. For more than a decade Nicaraguans grumbled but did not act. This spring they finally erupted. Their example is an object lesson to other countries. People may seem to accept government corruption and the steady creep of autocracy, but they have limits. Political explosions can come without warning.
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