#assignment writing help in Zimbabwe

[birdylion]

writing patterns

List the first sentence(-s) of your last 10 AO3 works.

Thanks @freizusein ! What a cool game.

All in all I noticed that I tend to start with a character's judgement and thoughts about a situation, rather than the situation itself.

I'm tagging everyone who wants to do this! These games are meant to be shared, so please take part if you want to :)

I'll start with my second-to-latest work because my latest is explicit, I'm going to put that one behind a cut.

Here's a link to my works on ao3.

2. To Serve The Sacred

Mass Effect Andromeda, Kett characters, rated T

The alien hung in the air, limbs and head limp, as the electric field danced through its body. It had been a pleasant surprise, when they’d first come to Sector 1-19-NYKZ, to see their own contraptions work so well on these aliens. As if they were made for them.

3. Bintumani

Rivers of London, Elsie Winstanley & Mamusu Kamara, adventure, rated G

After her time in Zimbabwe and Zaire, Elsie’s supervisors at the library had decided that she needed a couple of calm years and, as far as they were concerned, it was going well.

4. the empty cage

Mass Effect Andromeda, Ryder siblings, rated G

Ryder is not sure what he expected when he brought Sara on board the Tempest. Not … this.

5. in any other world

Mass Effect Andromeda, past Ryder/Reyes, rated T

Ryder doesn‘t like returning to Kadara. The planet itself is nice enough, especially now that the vaults are cleaning the atmosphere and the sulfuric smell slowly recedes. The cave systems are interesting in and on themselves and Ryder enjoys the ragged mountain landscape. Not as nice as the floating rocks of Ryder-1, but he likes his landscape to have a bit of a vertical structure to it. Now that the Kadara outpost is well established, the planet should be a welcome stop to buy the less common machine parts Gil needs from time to time. It should, but it isn‘t, and that‘s mostly to do with how the apparent peace came to be.

6. a lucky man

Mass Effect, transmasc Shepard & his mom, G

Shepard is not sure how long it’s been. He’s called her, they have talked over voice and video, he has written messages and updated her on the things going on in his life like the good son he is. But with her position on the SSV Einstein and his own assignments, not to mention his N7 training, it’s been a few years since they last met in person. And in that time, he has changed a lot.

7. under the burning sun

Mass Effect, Shepard & Kaidan grieving Ashley, G

All in all, it’s a fruitless idea, Shepard knows that. But he set course anyway – the Council is reluctant to deny him anything so soon after he saved them, so getting permission was easy. Shepard knows that it won’t last forever. Rather than going rounds that ultimately won’t help with the threat of the coming invasion, he should focus on the next step. It isn’t over, no matter what the Council likes to think. But instead of doing something about it, he’s here.

8. Studying Dragons

The Memoirs of Lady Trent, Natalie Oscott, G

The woman approached Natalie when she finished clearing her workspace. Natalie recognised her. They talked from time to time, mostly about engineering. Ever since returning to Scirland, Natalie had been trying to calculate the aerodynamics of the artificial dragon wings she had built. She tried to remember the woman’s name.

9. What we're made of

HP, trans Viktor Krum / Hermione Granger, rated G

The two glasses of butterbeer felt heavy in Viktor’s hands as he left the table and went looking for Hermione. Her friend – Ron … Weasley? – really didn’t seem to like him. He didn’t want his and Harry Potter’s friendship, he didn’t seek their approval, per se, but getting along with Hermione as well as he did, he had hoped that at least he could be on speaking terms with her friends.

1. Breathe, breathe in the air

Rivers of London, Peter/Beverley and Peter/Old Beverley, rated E

I had my head buried between Beverley’s legs and was licking her in a lazy, relaxed sort of way, the kind of Sunday morning sex when you know you don’t have to get up for quite a while and can spend some time just idling around.

[bookeysnewsletter]

I Will Always Write Back: A Heartfelt Friendship Journey

Chapter 1 What's I Will Always Write Back by Caitlin Alifirenka

"I Will Always Write Back" is a true story co-authored by Caitlin Alifirenka and Martin Ganda. It narrates the heartfelt correspondence between Caitlin, an American girl, and Martin, a boy from Zimbabwe. Their exchange begins as part of a school project, but it evolves into a deep friendship that transcends cultural differences and geographic boundaries. Through their letters, they share their lives, dreams, and struggles, highlighting issues like poverty and education. As Caitlin learns about Martin's challenging circumstances, she is inspired to take action, while Martin finds hope and encouragement through Caitlin's kindness. The book emphasizes themes of empathy, connection, and the impact of friendship on personal growth.

Chapter 2 I Will Always Write Back by Caitlin Alifirenka Summary

"I Will Always Write Back" is a touching memoir co-authored by Caitlin Alifirenka and Martin Ganda, chronicling their unique friendship that blossomed through letters exchanged over several years.

The story begins when Caitlin, a middle school student in Pennsylvania, is assigned to write letters to a pen pal in Zimbabwe as part of a class project. She is paired with Martin Ganda, a bright and ambitious boy who lives in a small village and faces considerable challenges, including poverty and limited access to education. Through their letters, they share their lives, dreams, and struggles. Caitlin’s life is filled with the typical experiences of a middle-class American teenager, while Martin's letters reveal the harsh realities of life in Zimbabwe, including issues like food scarcity and political instability.

As they correspond, their friendship deepens, and they both experience personal growth. Caitlin becomes more aware of the challenges faced by people in developing countries, while Martin finds hope and encouragement through Caitlin’s support. The book highlights themes of perseverance, the power of friendship, cultural exchange, and the impact of generosity.

Eventually, Caitlin and her family take tangible steps to help Martin, leading to a transformative experience for both of them. Their story culminates in a powerful message about empathy and the difference one person can make in another’s life.

Overall, "I Will Always Write Back" is a poignant portrayal of friendship, resilience, and the ability to inspire change, demonstrating how connections can transcend geographical and cultural barriers.

Chapter 3 I Will Always Write Back Author

Caitlin Alifirenka is an author known for her work on the memoir "I Will Always Write Back," which she co-authored with Martin Ganda. The book was released on August 1, 2015. It tells the story of their friendship that developed through letter exchanges between Caitlin, an American girl, and Martin, a boy from Zimbabwe. The narrative explores themes of connection, cultural differences, and the impact of friendship across distances.

In addition to "I Will Always Write Back," Caitlin has also contributed to various projects, but she is primarily recognized for this particular work. The book has been well-received and is considered an impactful read, especially in educational settings due to its themes of empathy and global awareness.

Regarding editions, the original hardcover and paperback editions have both been popular, but special editions or formats, such as those with added discussion guides or teacher resources, may be particularly useful for educators and students. Generally, the best edition would depend on the reader's needs—whether they are seeking a collector’s edition, a classroom resource, or simply an enjoyable read.

Chapter 4 I Will Always Write Back Meaning & Theme

I Will Always Write Back Meaning

"I Will Always Write Back," co-authored by Caitlin Alifirenka and Martin Ganda, is a touching memoir that explores the power of friendship, cultural exchange, and the transformative impact of communication. The book recounts the true story of Caitlin, an American girl, and Martin, a boy from Zimbabwe, who start exchanging letters as part of a school pen pal project.

  Key Themes and Meanings:  

1.   Cross-Cultural Connection  : The book highlights the richness of cultural diversity and how communication can bridge gaps between different backgrounds. Caitlin and Martin's friendship exemplifies how understanding and empathy can transcend geographical and social barriers.

2.   The Impact of Kindness  : Their correspondence showcases the profound effect of kindness and generosity. Caitlin's initial letter sparks a lasting friendship that changes both of their lives, showing how small acts of goodwill can lead to significant change.

3.   Resilience and Hope  : Martin's life in Zimbabwe is marked by challenges, including economic hardship and political instability. His resilience in the face of adversity is a central theme, underscoring the importance of hope and determination.

4.   Personal Growth  : Throughout the story, both Caitlin and Martin experience personal growth. They learn about each other’s cultures, struggles, and aspirations, and through this, they develop greater awareness and maturity.

5.   The Power of Education  : The memoir emphasizes the role of education in empowering individuals and providing opportunities. It shows how Caitlin’s and Martin’s commitment to learning and bettering their circumstances plays a crucial role in their journeys.

6.   Friendship  : At its core, the book is a celebration of friendship. The bond that forms between Caitlin and Martin demonstrates the profound connections that can develop through shared experiences and understanding.

Overall, "I Will Always Write Back" serves as an inspiring reminder of the impact that thoughtful communication and friendship can have, illustrating how individuals can affect each other’s lives in significant ways despite their different circumstances.

I Will Always Write Back Theme

"I Will Always Write Back" by Caitlin Alifirenka and Martin Ganda explores several significant themes, including:

1.   Friendship and Connection  : The book emphasizes the power of friendship that transcends geographical and cultural boundaries. Caitlin and Martin’s correspondence fosters a deep bond, showcasing how letters can create meaningful connections despite different backgrounds.

2.   Cultural Exchange  : The story highlights the differences and similarities between American and Zimbabwean cultures. Through their letters, both Caitlin and Martin gain insights into each other's lives, leading to a broader understanding of the world.

3.   Empathy and Understanding  : As Caitlin learns about Martin’s struggles and challenges in Zimbabwe, the book illustrates the importance of empathy. Their relationship encourages readers to consider the experiences of others and the impact of socioeconomic disparities.

4.   Perseverance and Hope  : Martin's determination to overcome adversity and strive for a better future serves as an inspiring example of resilience. The theme of hope runs throughout their journey, emphasizing the belief in a brighter tomorrow despite challenges.

5.   The Impact of Communication  : The act of writing letters becomes a powerful tool for expressing thoughts, emotions, and life experiences. The book highlights how communication can bridge gaps and foster understanding between individuals.

These themes combine to tell a compelling story about the transformative power of friendship, the importance of seeking to understand others, and the resilience of the human spirit.

Chapter 5 Quotes of I Will Always Write Back

I Will Always Write Back quotes as follows:

"I Will Always Write Back" by Caitlin Alifirenka and Martin Ganda is an inspiring true story that explores the power of friendship and connection through letters. Here are ten notable quotes from the book that capture its essence:

1. "Letters were a lifeline for me, a reminder that the world was bigger than my immediate surroundings."

2. "In the silence of the night, I could feel the distance between us disappear when I wrote."

3. "Friendship knows no boundaries, whether they are across the ocean or within our hearts."

4. "Every letter was a window into each other’s worlds, a bridge of understanding between our lives."

5. "Caitlin and I were different in many ways, but our dreams connected us in a way nothing else could."

6. "This experience taught me that kindness transcends culture, geography, and circumstance."

7. "Through our words, we found hope and purpose, igniting passions we never knew we had."

8. "Our letters weren't just messages; they were promises of support and belief in each other's dreams."

9. "In a world that often feels divided, our letters reminded me of the power of empathy."

10. "The beauty of our journey was not just in our stories, but in the friendship we built, letter by letter."

These quotes reflect the themes of friendship, perseverance, and the deep human connection established through communication.

Chapter 6 Similar Books Like I Will Always Write Back

Here are five impactful books that explore themes of friendship, culture, resilience, and social issues, similar to "I Will Always Write Back":

1.   "The Joy Luck Club" by Amy Tan   

This novel intertwines the lives of four Chinese-American daughters and their immigrant mothers, exploring the complex relationships between them. Through their stories, Tan tackles themes of cultural identity, generational conflict, and the immigrant experience, offering a rich tapestry of perspectives and emotions.

2.   "A Long Walk to Water" by Linda Sue Park   

Based on a true story, this novel follows the journey of a young boy named Salva in war-torn Sudan and a girl named Nya who fetches water for her family. Their narratives intersect, showcasing themes of perseverance, hope, and the impact of access to clean water. It powerfully illustrates how perseverance can lead to change.

3.   "Inside Out and Back Again" by Thanhha Lai   

Written in verse, this poignant novel tells the story of a young Vietnamese girl, Ha, who flees her country after the Vietnam War and immigrates to the United States. Ha's journey highlights the challenges of adapting to a new culture and the struggles of finding a sense of belonging, all seen through the eyes of a resilient young girl.

4.   "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini   

This compelling story revolves around friendship, betrayal, and redemption set against the backdrop of a changing Afghanistan. It delves into the bonds between characters intertwined by their past decisions and societal upheaval, making it a profound exploration of love, loss, and the quest to make amends.

5.   "Bridge to Terabithia" by Katherine Paterson   

This classic novel tells the story of Jess and Leslie, two friends who create an imaginary kingdom called Terabithia. It explores themes of friendship, imagination, and the painful realities of loss. Paterson's heartfelt storytelling resonates deeply, reflecting both the joys and sorrows that accompany growing up.

These books, while distinct in their narratives, share an emphasis on personal connections, cultural journeys, and the power of resilience, making them great companions to "I Will Always Write Back."

Book  https://www.bookey.app/book/i-will-always-write-back

Quotes  https://www.bookey.app/quote-book/i-will-always-write-back

The Commitment - Love, Sex, Marriage And My Family  https://www.bookey.app/book/the-commitment---love%2C-sex%2C-marriage-and-my-family

YouTuBe  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkkG-GY-axI

Amazon  https://www.amazon.com/Will-Always-Write-Back-Changed/dp/0316241334

Goodreads  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22875069-i-will-always-write-back

[assignmentincubator1]

[guiltgoreglory]

Heat Waves (Chapter 1: A Warm Welcome)

(Very) Brief Summary: Reader is a government contractor joining the team in Benghazi.  (Eventual Tanto x Reader) (2,684 words)

Chapter 2

Foreword: In this series, the reader will be loosely based off of Nikita from the TV show Nikita (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikita_(TV_series)). The reader has an extensive background in black-ops and is currently an independent contractor working with the department of defense in coordination with the executive branch. If you have any questions about the character, feel free to reach out to me and I can clarify. The story will generally follow the plot of the movie with the exception of a few scenes. Lastly, the POV will shift throughout the story, a change in POV will be signaled by a line.

Author’s Note: Hey guys! I have a full plot already set up but it has been a long time since I’ve written a fic. I’m so sorry if the writing is kinda shitty but I really wanted to get it down in writing. I hope you like it!

You closed your eyes and rested your head against the headrest, trying to find an ounce of comfort in the cramped seat. The dull hum of the plane was cut through by various murmurs amongst the travelers. After a minute or two, you deemed the effort fruitless, letting out a frustrated sigh. Instead, you opened your eyes and looked out the window, watching as the monotonous view trailed by. For the next several weeks, maybe even months, you’d once again become acclimated to discomfort. This shitty seat is probably as good as it gets, you thought. The department will likely have you shacked up in some storage closet on a grimy 20-year-old cot. You have had worse and at least you’d be occupied. 

Out of the corner of your eye, you noticed Silva shift. You turned, watching him from a row back, across the aisle. He grimaced as he took off his wedding ring, putting it into a small metal container. He didn’t appear to notice your gaze as you turned your attention back to the window, the heat already radiating in. You felt sorry for him. Leaving people behind is never easy, especially kids. Luckily, you didn’t have that problem. 

As the plane began its descent you skimmed the team comp in your head. You’d been thoroughly briefed on the contractors, on top of all the research you had done on your own. You were joining alongside Jack Silva. A family man in real estate. Pushed to fly back overseas for the money to support his family. From all that you had seen, he’s a good guy. He seemed to be good company. It’ll be nice to not be the only strange face, you thought.

You readied yourself. Benghazi is far worse than most believed. Ever since the department even suggested you might be helpful here, you’d been keeping track of the chaos. It was only a matter of time before it erupted into a full-blown civil war. 

As the landing zone came into view you checked your hijab, making sure not a hair was out of place. You wore a casual white button-down shirt with a gray tank top underneath. You unfolded the sleeves, covering as much of your skin as possible. Given the heat, you’d love to run out in something a little more breathable, but the beige cargo pants would have to do. Next, you checked your “cello” case that sat in the seat next to you. Moving the strap towards you for a quick and effortless disembark. Being you had its perks, one of which was bringing some of your own firepower. 

You cracked your neck as a familiar ding came over the com. 

“Welcome to Benghazi.”

_

The two men settled into the car, watching over all the civilians walking past. Rone leaned forward, pulling a handgun out of the back of his pants. “It’s loaded.” Jack accepted the gun readily, cocking it within his lap. 

“How’s the team here?” 

“Good. Three ex-marines, one ex-army ranger. It’ll be nice to have some more team guys around.”

Jack briefly glanced back at Rone. “Guys?”

“Yeah. We’re waiting on one more before we head out.”

“You work with him before?”

“Nope. Defense department assigned her.”

Jack furrowed his brow slightly, pursing his lips in surprise. “Alrighty then, what’s she look like?” Jack looked more intently for another westerner standing out like a sore thumb. 

“No idea. I’ve been told that she will find us.”

“Oh how ominous.” A smile tugged at the corner of his lip. 

Rone hummed in agreement as he eyed the rearview mirror. Out of the crowd, a body began to beeline towards the car. “Think that’s her.”

Jack nonchalantly stretched, turning towards the back of the car to catch a look. 

_

You approached the dust-covered truck, already craving shade from the burning sun. Your sunglasses did little to protect your eyes from the glare off of the ground. As you got closer, you could see Tyrone eying you from the side mirrors. You adjusted the straps of both your cello case and your duffel, making sure not to make any sudden movements. You made your way to the driver’s side door, turning to face him. “You Tyrone?” you asked, knowing full well it was.

“Yes, Ma’am. And you are?”

“Y/N.”

“Nice to meet you, Y/N. Hop in.”

You nodded, moving back towards the rear of the car. Swinging the back door open, you threw your stuff onto the ground next to the seat. Leaving just enough room for you to climb in. As you sat down, you angled yourself towards Jack so that you could have a proper introduction. He noticed your movement, turning back to face you. He reached out his hand for a handshake. 

“Jack Silva”

You took his hand. “Y/N.” 

He settled back into his seat as Rone started the car. “Just Y/N?”

“Just Y/N.” You affirmed. 

As Rone made his way through the city they began to catch up, making friendly jabs at each other. You yanked your duffel towards you, rummaging through the various clothes. You could feel Jack’s eyes peeking at you ever so often through the mirror, making sure you weren’t doing anything unsavory. Trust is earned.  Finally, you found your shoulder holster. You unbuttoned your shirt, throwing it on the seat beside you. You put on the holster, adjusting the straps as needed so that it sat comfortably. After you were satisfied you again began to look through your luggage, pulling out two black pistols. You loaded a magazine into both of the guns. The sound quickly drew the attention of both men as the conversation briefly paused before they returned to their conversation. You paid them no mind, knowing that any response would probably make them more antsy. You then cocked them before placing them within your holster. Grabbing your shirt, you put it back on, leaving it unbuttoned. It was opaque enough to conceal your firearms as long as no one looked too close. 

“So, Y/N,” Rone directing the conversation towards you, “The Defense Department didn’t tell me much about you. What branch you from?” 

You turned from watching out the side of the car. “Covert operations.” 

That definitely piqued his interest. Jack let Rone do the questioning, but it was clear he was just as curious as him. 

“Alright. SEAL Team?”

“Uh, no. It’s a little more complicated.”

“Oh I get it, you’re on some James Bond shit huh.” He chuckled to himself as you smiled and rolled your eyes.

“Pretty much.”

Rone left the questioning there, knowing he’d probably not get much more of an answer, at least not until you’d come to know him a bit better. The two of them shared a look before the car came to a sudden stop. 

“Shit. No, no, no, no, no this isn’t good.” Rone’s body tensed as he assessed the situation. 

Civilians began to run around the car, whimpering in fear. You straightened up, readying for a shit show. You positioned yourself in the middle of the back, between the two men so you could see as much as possible through the windshield. 

“Fuck.” Rone’s discomfort quickly seeped through his cool resolve. “Who the fuck are these guys?” 

“What do we got?” Jack stayed still, his eyes scanning over the various armed men.

“Brigade we coordinate with, February Seventeenth Martyrs. This ain’t them.” He looked back past you and he switched into reverse. Moving back a few feet, the path was blocked and the car jolted forward. “Shit we’re boxed in.”

You settled on your knees, carefully unclipping the straps keeping your guns in place, just in case. Both men leaned out of the window. Jack looking up towards the man on the balcony readied to run.

“We bailing?” He asked, voice calm and collected.

Rone, giving no response, pulled out his radio. “Base this is Rone. Come in, over.”

“This is Base, go Rone.”

“I’m in a Jam off Fifth Ring Road. I’m lookin’ at about 8 armed tangos here.”

“Copy that, sit tight.”

“Sit tight, that’s great advice.” Everyone in the car became increasingly more agitated as the armed militia made its way in your direction. 

You took a deep breath. “If we’re bailing we gotta do it now.” You glanced at your bags. You could leave the duffel. There wasn’t anything particularly important in there. The case on the other hand couldn’t be lost to a rampant terrorist cell, if you did, the government would be up your ass about it for at least another 10 years. You fidgeted slightly, knowing that the opportunity to flee was about to pass.

Jack clenched his jaw. “They got a KPV.”

Fuck this is bad. 

“Base we ain’t got all day.”

“Hey, Rone. They’re trying to get Feb 17 to back you up, but we’re coming.”

Deeming that transmission utterly useless, Rone whipped out his cell. “Oz I’m in a jam of Fifth Ring.”

“Ty.” Jack interjected as the men became uncomfortably close.

“Rone, 17 Feb QRF is being alerted.”

“Fuck that, the only Quick Reaction force I want is my guys.” Without an immediate response, Rone continued on. “Send them. I want my guys.” He said more adamantly. 

“Negative, Rone. Just hang in there.”

“Maybe I’m not making myself clear. I’m looking at multiple radical insurgents with AKs and a 50-cal technical set to blow my rover all the way back to Zimbabwe. Over.”

You watched as a man dressed in a disheveled suit made his way around the vehicles and debris. He’s the big guy.

“It’s not my call, brother.”

Goddamnit. Looks like we’re either talking our way through this, or we go out quick. The thought gave you the slightest bit of comfort.

Rone looked towards Jack frustrated. You could sense he felt an inch of guilt for getting his friend stuck in this hellhole.

“Here we go.” Jack said nonchalantly as he could given the circumstances.

You crossed your arms, giving yourself easy access to your handguns without looking too conspicuous. A man stood at the front of the rover, yelling something you couldn’t understand. He pointed his AK right at you, maybe it wasn’t on purpose but you couldn’t help but mentally scoff. Well, that’s not very nice.

“Welcome to Benghazi.”

The man in front banged on the hood as the leader moved towards the driver’s side window. Jack raised his hands up innocently as Rone smiled at the man. 

“Salaam.” Rone raised his badge up to the man in the suit as he gazed at him incredulously. “Libyan visa. Official. Libyan government.” The leader looked him up and down. 

The guy with the AK was now in Jack’s face. His gaze shifted forward, doing his best to remain calm despite the barrel of a gun being inches from his forehead.

“Friendly? Hm? Friendly?” Rone again gestured with his badge.

Rone whatever game you’re playing it better fucking work because last time I checked a friend of Al-Qaeda is no friend of ours. You did your best to blend into the back of the car, feigning as the harmless woman. 

“Pull over for inspection.” The leader said sternly.

Rone shook his head. “No.” 

“Pull over for inspection!” He was now angry, his voice shaking with every word.

Alright, this is how it’s gonna go. You crept your hands slightly closer to your guns.

Rone’s voice remained steady. “I’m sorry, sir. I can’t do that.”

The man at Jack’s door yelled once more. Banging his palm against the dirty surface. Then the slightest movement came from Jack. 

It’s showtime. You thought. You gripped your pistols and whipped them forward, pointing them as the secondary soldier positioned at the front of the rover. Jack and Rone acted similarly with Jack’s gun pointed across at the leader, and Rone’s gun pointed at the soldier beside the door. The soldier at the front adjusted his AK, pointing it more fervently towards the car. 

“Look up.” Rone pointed towards the sky with his empty hand, never moving his gaze from the leader’s eyes. “Go ahead, look up.” Some of the aggression left the leader as he looked towards the sky, confused. “You see the drone?” The man looked back down. “No? That’s okay. The drone sees you.”

Nice play, Rone. You thought to yourself. A couple of Americans? No problem. We don’t pose that much of a threat. But good ol’ American air support? Now that carries a little weight. 

“Sees your face. We know who you are.”

Jack, facing the soldier at his door, swallows hard. Keeping with Rone’s power play, he maintains eye contact.

“If anything happens to us, your home, your family, boom, gone. Give us the order to let us go.”

Jack, looking past the AK in his face, doesn’t flinch as the soldier gestures with his gun.

 “I want the car!” 

Within a brief moment, Jack and Rone switched their aim, with Jack now pointing his handgun at the soldier and Rone at the leader. You flinched ever so slightly at the movement, but you remained steady, watching for any worrisome movement amongst the militia. Adrenaline pumped through your veins as you could feel your heart pounding in your chest. You ignored the harsh metal of the rover digging into your knees. This was your guys’ only shot to make it out of this cramped alley. They had to think your little caravan of three had the power of the entire U.S. military revolving overhead when in reality, you were just three Americans with a couple of guns in the middle of fuckin nowhere.

“No, I’m not gonna do that.” Jack shakes his head, leaning forward towards the man. The energy around the car was beginning to shift. Despite the KPV having enough firepower to destroy your car, and about 5 cars behind you, you three possessed the upper hand. They recoiled at the barrel of your guns, not the other way around.

The leader’s eyes began to soften, his harsh exterior falling at the thought of losing everything. For a moment, you actually pitied him. “I earn the right to decide the future of my country.” You understood the sentiment behind his words. Once again the U.S. had shoved itself into the center of a country, with no right to do so. But you, and the men sat beside you, just wanted to keep others safe. You had no agenda.

“You’re talking to the wrong guy. How willing are you to die for your country? I’m ready to go right here, right now.” Easy, Tyrone. Don’t push it too far. 

The leader’s frown deepened as he considered the weight of Rone’s words. He slowly backed away from the car. “Leave here. While you still can.”

You stopped yourself from relaxing your figure even though it felt like the weight of the world had just been lifted off your shoulders. Rone leaned back into his seat, beginning to maneuver the car between the debris. Jack slowly lowered his pistol to the door as the car inched forward. You followed suit and lowered your guns into your lap. You could hear the leader yelling to his men, and their posture relaxed enough to show they weren’t an immediate threat. Air filled your lungs for the first time in what felt like 5 minutes, before you looked behind through the dusty back window, making sure the leader was true to his word and you weren’t about to get shot in the back. You settled back onto your seat, leaning back against the warm metal. You debated holstering your weapons but decided it was best to have them at the ready until you were within the walls of the base.

“We got air support?” Jack’s voice was calm but demanding. You knew the answer to his question but left Rone to give him the bad news. Rone didn’t take his eyes off of the road as he did his best to make it back to base in one piece. 

“We don’t have any fucking support.”

[goodnewsjamaica]

In new memoir, a Jamaican-American girl comes of age in Anchorage

New Post has been published on https://goodnewsjamaica.com/world-view/in-new-memoir-a-jamaican-american-girl-comes-of-age-in-anchorage/

In new memoir, a Jamaican-American girl comes of age in Anchorage

Patrice Gopo, formerly Patrice Harduar, grew up in Anchorage as the daughter of Jamaican immigrants. In her beautifully written, insightful and ultimately loving memoir in the form of essays, she takes readers on her journey across the world and into the social and racial issues of our time.

Anchorage in the 1980s and ’90s was nowhere near as diverse as it has become, and Patrice and her sister grew up living in a largely white world. Their parents, moreover, as Jamaica immigrants of African and Indian descent, had little experience of black American culture.

Gopo writes, in the context of eating flavorful tamarind balls, “My family’s presence in Alaska was a mixture of flavors too. Jamaican roots and an American life. While my parents adapted to mountain hikes in the frosty air and summers spent fishing for salmon, our home often featured the customs and foods from the early years of their lives — the years when they first met each other in the breezy, salt-scented air of their island home. As we lived the multi-faceted existence of Jamaican American, we were tamarind balls — not fully one flavor, not fully another, but two distinct parts coexisting in my family’s unique form.”

In one essay, “Caught in the Year of O. J. Simpson and Huckleberry Finn,” Gopo recalls squirming in her seat as her high school English class—in which she was the only brown-skinned person — read about Huck and Jim, with the n-word used over 200 times. “I interpreted my classmates’ curious stares to mean that when they read about Jim, they must be thinking about me. . . .Years later I would learn that the book I read in high school is considered antiracist. A satirical account of the evils of the era. A story meant to make a mockery of slavery. In tenth grade I retained none of this. All I remember is the longing to finish the unit and move on.” At the same time, everyone at school was following the O. J. trial, and the racial component of what to believe about guilt or innocence loomed large and confusing in her mind. “How could I offer an opinion that might remind others how I, in fact, was not like the rest?”

Gopo’s parents — a banker turned educator and a nurse — provided a solid middle-class life for their two girls, and after high school Gopo went off to Pittsburgh’s Carnegie Mellon University, where she earned a degree in chemical engineering. It was at college that she found both a group of African-American friends to belong to and more acquaintance with racism.

In the year after college, Gopo chose to serve as a missionary English teacher in an “African country I care about and so choose not to name.” In “Washing Dishes in the Family of God” she tells of working with white missionaries. “So in this life — and in this kitchen too — I straddle two worlds. Not outsider. Not insider. Instead, other.”

On one occasion during the trip, Gopo writes, she volunteers, “Is there something I can do to help?” and is shown into a kitchen piled with dirty dishes. This is who she is — someone who serves others as part of her faith, the same as serving God. The others in the home are celebrating in the other room; she is washing dishes. When another person comes into the kitchen, it’s not to pick up a dishcloth to dry but to make a joke: “It’s like you’re our slave.”

It’s painfully clear from this essay how this encounter (and too many others) reverberates through Gopo’s later life. In the years to come, she writes, “when my mind wanders during a dull sermon or when I startle awake in the predawn hours of night . . . I will return to washing and stacking those plates. I will loiter over the memory of this kitchen and dream of ten — no, of one hundred — different statements to spout in response.”

Gopo spent the following year working a soulless job at Eastman Kodak, then went to graduate school for master’s degrees in business administration and public policy, with a goal of working in community development. On a 10-week assignment to South Africa to teach women about starting small businesses as a way out of poverty, she met a man from Zimbabwe.

Today, her family — the man from Zimbabwe and their two daughters — live in Charlotte, North Carolina, a community they chose sight-unseen from a magazine article she read, “Top 10 Cites for African Americans.” Although they gave serious thought to returning to Alaska, “Charlotte seemed like a place filled with opportunity for our black family, a city exploding with a bounty of opportunities.”

In her final essays, Gopo explores some of the contradictions they found in their new American home — Confederate flags still flying, fear induced by the church murder in nearby Charleston, Gopo’s nervousness as her husband drives off alone. “Please, my love, keep your hands on the wheel, your registration close. Keep your speed under the limit and go straight home.”

In this time of racial strife, immigration politics, and general divisiveness in our country, “All the Colors We Will See” is a very welcome addition to the open-hearted discussion we all should be having. Gopo does not try to tell us how to live; she simply shows us how it has been for her to be herself — a person of intelligence and faith, an “other” who is finding her way. Her sensitive but direct questioning and her eloquent prose make this book a joy to read.

By: Patrice Gopo

Original Article Found Here

Rate This Post

(0 votes, average: 0.00 out of 5) You need to be a registered member to rate this. Loading...

Register with your Social ID .wp-social-login-connect-with.wp-social-login-provider-list.wp-social-login-provider-list a.wp-social-login-provider-list img.wsl_connect_with_provider

Connect with:

Share This Post

Share on Facebook Share

Share on Twitter Tweet

Share on Tumblr Share

Share on Linkedin Share

Share on Whatsapp Share

Share on Pinterest Share

Send email Mail

Related posts:

Small Businesses Get Funding For Climate Change Adaptation

Boost for small businesses

When your business is helping other businesses become better

NEPA distributes 10,000 coffee suckers to St Thomas farmers

[love-bookrelease]

MAA SHAKTI & SHIVA Anthology of Source of Power by RAKESH KUMAR MISHRA

About the Book

This book is collections of facts on Maa Shakti and Universe Creator Shiva. There are various names of Maa of Sati, Devi, Shakti, Kali and Durga etc. Shakti has always in daily prayers of every Hindu and gives enormous strength and confidence in daily life.

With the above, To write a book on this subject with the help of Maa Shakti and Shiva, Creator of Universe. It is like a prayer to write a book on Maa Shakti and Shiva, Universe Creator. It was an experience of life of purification of mind and body going through the Three Parts of the Book.

Part 1; Introduction of shakti & shiva

Part 2; Fifty one shakti peethas, divine place of shakti

Part 3; Twelve jyotirlingas, shvaambhu places of shiva.

About the Author

Rakesh Mishra belongs to a Brahmin family of Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh. His father was a dedicated government servant and now spends most of his time in imbibing spiritual and religious values to the younger generations of his family. Like father his mother too is a very pious lady. Rakesh Mishra has inherited the qualities of both his parents as a dedicated and self motivated professional as well as soft hearted human being. Having an Engineering, Management and Law degree, he has carved a niche for himself as a successful professional in a multinational company. He has widely travelled to many countries like Singapore, United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Bangladesh Zimbabwe, Dubai, Zambia for assignments and business development purposes.

Shop now on Amazon, Flipkart and BlueRose Online Shop

[greissueessay901]

buy essay

About me

Buy Essay Online Fast

Buy Essay Online Fast Take buy essay good friend evaluations canada your time and search for an alternative for them. You will find excellent texts for the same buy essay friend reviews canada price and obtain the necessary notes. We purchase essay pal evaluations canada offer APA, purchase essay pal critiques canada MLA or a Chicago fashion doc in virtually essay assist tumblr. Essay assist guarantees money Write my essay in hours solely when the ultimate copy fails to fulfill essay help example order necessities the way to purchase an essay or be canceled by a tutor. Choose to purchase college essays from a professional writing service. Take the writing a comparability distinction essay strategies of the excellently written making certain analogies homework help they have overcome or 20 years, but bestessaywriting. The only challenge that comes with this type of thesis is that it's a bit difficult in terms of providing your readers a particular. These groups both constructive examine the a buy essay club evaluate finest quality, which sums up for the introduction. Buy comparison contrast essay harvard supplemental essay help also to help you with the existing one. Working within the essay writing business we understand how difficult it purchase essay reviews zimbabwe could also be for college kids to write high quality essays. If you Buy Essay Club Review Zimbabwe are misled and stalled whereas writing your essay, our skilled school essay writers may help you out to finish an excellent high quality paper. In Buy Essay Club Review Zimbabwe addition, we offer Editing services for individuals who purchase essay reviews zimbabwe are. Catherine Valadez Lopez purchase essay reviews zimbabwe is buy essay evaluations zimbabwe a buy essay reviews zimbabwe Childcare Center Director in New York. The buy essay critiques zimbabwe project was carried out in phases during which users have been adapting to the different capabilities of the solution steadily. For your comfort, we now have an on-site customer help chat. Maybe you're pondering that writing an essay about just one subject is tough sufficient. Shopping charges are and low here plus are offer reductions so it's possible to buy papers and on-line lower your expenses. A fast operation is the most effective that may about essay writing if you end up determined for an essay. If you do have a while to purchasing them a essay back your correction, you should benefit from it since you do not have to pay for it. benefits of on-line classes essay, essay for sale online. Buy Essay Reviews Zimbabwe, when your essay is a quote, english essay writing samples, english essay intro paragra. How to Get a Great purchase essay reviews zimbabwe Paragraph Essay. Buy Essay Friend is a reliable service, as you possibly can login and buy an merchandise with them. However, we do not advocate it, as quality is not what you should Private Writing Services. Australia is an observer of this rising trend of individuals accessing this help at affordable prices that also comes with the promises of timely supply and good high quality original writing. We know that students want to obtain cheap essays of the finest quality. Therefore, why waste your time trying to cope with complicated assignments by yourself? It is extra environment friendly to use the companies supplied by true professionals. Find graduate admissions essay help vcu buy essay friend reviews canada write extra about Resume writing services for hospitality trade! Top Hospitality Resume Examples & Pro Writing Tips my services my essay shark. Looking for skilled assist to write your essays, time period papers, articles and so forth? Bestessays.com.au is one of such service which presents essay papers. Skilled writers having acceptable experience in writing tutorial papers know how that will help you. Thus, you should not get nervous when you do understand the way to do your assignment. Turn to our experienced specialists for help. Despite widespread public health & sanitary control of the qualifying examination charge. I purchase comparison contrast essay have heard that tfth has a world presence in many different international locations. Sep 17, books be tough examine the comparison-contrast essay comparability and contrast essay. 260 finest evaluate and distinction essay topics for students. Compare- to search out these males is a carbon copy i ve all the time been submitted by. Comparison distinction essay help is out there for all college students in want. We have kaplan assist private assertion round there are issues or have examined their skills. A compare-and-contrast essay an essay that analyzes two topics by both evaluating them, contrasting them, or. When writing a evaluate and distinction essay, it is always essential to make a good introduction so as to grasp the reader's attention from the go, and allow them to. Buy comparison contrast essays people where are they phd thesis literature evaluation structure confused define the deadline is on the market from customized written from good showdown. Thesis software letter essay on time administration essays comparability distinction essay sample white lie essay.

[charlzm]

Short reviews of the books I read in 2017

Chairman of Fools by Shimmer Chinodya 

Farai Chari an author and professor returns home to find his family changed. His wife has become too religious and he finds solace in drinking. Struggling between culture and the demands of modern life, he spirals into alcoholism which puts a strain on his relationship with his wife and he finally ends up in a mental institution. Farai suffers the consequences of society’s expectations of masculinity. The book offers a glimpse into mental illness and the burdens of tradition and culture. 

A Question of Power by Bessie Head 

The story of Elizabeth who has a mental breakdown which threatens to tear her away from her young child. Her daily routine as a teacher is disrupted by the nightmares and hallucinations she experiences in her new found home in exile in Botswana. It’s during her times of insanity that she questions good and evil, love and power and begins to doubt her self-worth and identity. Sometimes it is hard to tell the difference between her lucid moments and moments of insanity. The book is a semi-autobiographical work which explores oppression, gender discrimination, power struggles and sanity in the most fascinating way. 

July’s People by Nadine Gordimer 

This book tells the story of the Smales, a white liberal family, and July their black servant. As racial tensions flare in apartheid South Africa the Smales seek refuge in July’s village. The Smales adjust to life in the village taking part in the assigned roles for men and women. July who has served then loyally for over ten years keeps the keys to their car which brought them to his village from Johannesburg – thus begins a shift in relations. 

The Reactive by Masande Ntshanga 

Lindanathi, a young HIV positive man, spends his days slaving at a job he hates, selling his antiretrovirals and taking drugs with his two friends. Haunted by the trauma of the death of his brother ten years ago during an initiation ceremony he numbs himself with drugs and alcohol. Avoiding the responsibilities of adulthood and chasing the next high the three friends sometimes get philosophical. Also offering a glimpse into life in Cape Town, the tail end of the story seems to give hope for a different life for Lindanathi when he tries to reconcile with the past and make peace with his family. 

The Boy Next Door by Irene Sabatini 

Lindiwe and Ian are next-door neighbours in Bulawayo as independence dawns in the British colony of Rhodesia. Ian is accused of gruesomely murdering his stepmother and sentenced to jail but comes out after just two years. Lindiwe is fascinated and drawn to the young man and a friendship develops between the two. After Ian leaves the country the friendship temporarily breaks down but is rekindled when they begin exchanging letters. Though curious of the mystery that surrounds the murder of his stepmother, Lindiwe has also kept a secret from Ian, which ultimately brings them together. It’s a story of secrets, love, race relations and violence. 

Petals of Blood by Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o 

One of the greats of African literature gives a critic of post-colonial Kenya through the eyes of four main characters – Munira, Abdulla, Wanja and Karega. Munira is a school teacher who moves to the dormant Ilomorog village. Abdulla is a trader who sets up a shop and a bar in the village. Wanja is a barmaid who returns to the village from the city and Karega is a school dropout who becomes a teaching assistant to Munira. Moving between the present and the past it exposes government corruption, the excesses of capitalism and empty promises of post-independence governments. A great social and political commentary.

The Uncertainty of Hope by Valerie Tagwira 

This book explores life in the high density suburb of Mbare in Harare through the eyes of two friends Onai and Katy. It delves into poverty, abuse and HIV. Onai the main character is a devoted wife and mother who is at the receiving end of abuse –emotional and physical, from her drunkard husband. She is determined to keep her marriage at any cost despite her husband’s numerous affairs that expose her to HIV. Her husband neglects the family leaving Onai to fend for the family as a street vendor. The book also explores the other side of life in Harare thought its other characters; Tom, a businessman, Emily, a doctor and Faith, a law student. 

Butterfly Burning by Yvonne Vera 

Fumbatha a construction worker in pre-independence Zimbabwe is mesmerised by the young and ambitious Phephelani. He loves her so deeply all he ever wants is to be with her and provide for her. Phephelani though charmed by Fumbatha yearns for more in life and wants to be a nurse. Their love blossoms in the high density township of Makokoba but faces the ultimate test – ambition. Phephelani’s desire for more freedom suffocates Fumbatha’s love. Her desire for a better life and more independence ends up tearing them apart. A great love tragedy. 

Swallow by Sefi Atta 

Tolani and Rose navigate life, love and work in Lagos. Tolani is stuck in a relationship with a man who is afraid to commit to marriage and Rose suffers sexual harassment from her boss. In trying to survive the women find themselves down a dangerous path of drug trafficking. The preparations to be a drug mule sap the life out of them and ultimately Tolani throws in the towel but Rose is determined to get rich or die trying. It’s an insightful look into the complexities of life in a mega city. Perhaps the statement that sums up this book ‘Someone in power does something wrong to you and everyone treats you as if you are at fault. You yourself begin to feel you’re at fault. And for what? No reason. No reason at all’ 

Three Strong Women by Marie NDiaye 

This book tells the stories of three Senegalese women who encounter rejection, deception and male dominance - Norah, Fanta and Khady. Norah a lawyer in Paris visits her father in Dakar who abandoned them when she was young. He requires her to defend her young brother who is accused of murdering his stepmother. Fanta a former school teacher, who moved to France to be with her husband Rudy, gets into a heated argument with him. Rudy tells her to go back where she came from and the racist remark fractures their already fragile relationship. Khady a domestic helper in Norah’s father’s house is desperate to move to France for a better life after being widowed young. She finds herself stuck when the people smugglers decide to up their price. 

We Need New Names by NoViolet Bulawayo

Darling, a ten year old girl in Bulawayo lives in a shack with her mother after the government’s clean-up operation razed their home. She spends her days, with her friends Stina, Bastard, Chipo and Godknows, roaming about the streets, stealing guavas in the affluent suburb of Budapest and imagining life in places like America. She and her friends do little skits imitating the things they encounter in their neighbourhood – funerals, political violence and food donations from aid agencies. That is until she moves to her aunt in Detroit where she finds that life in America is not as her and her friends imagined. 

The Memory of Love by Aminatta Forna 

 A delicate examination of the effects of war and the pain of unrequited love. Adrian, a psychologist from Britain, comes to Sierra Leone to help people cope with the devastating after effects of civil war. Kai, a surgeon at an understaffed government hospital, is haunted by nightmares from his experiences during the war which he tries to block out by keeping busy. Elias, a former lecturer now a terminally ill patient at the government hospital and Adrian’s patient, reflects on his life before the war. All three men are tormented by the loss of love – once had and lost or unrequited – and they are connected by the love of one woman.

The Book of Memory by Petina Gappah 

Memory is an inmate on death row at Chikurubi Maximum Security prison in Zimbabwe. Convicted of murdering her adopted wealthy father, her lawyer seeks to appeal her conviction and encourages her to write down all she remembers about her life and the murder. It’s through those letters that her struggles as a young albino child growing up in the high density suburb of Mufakose are revealed, from the bullying to the alienation and health challenges. A wonderful story on the fragility of memory, tradition and love. 

[checkoutafrica]

Ananya; Zimbabwe’s next star

At this moment in time, if I could switch roles with anyone in this. life, it’d have to be Ananya, this girl is literally living my dream life. Currently living in NYC – the city where dreams come true, studying fashion at one of the most prestigious fashion colleges in the world – Parsons and on top of that she recently topped the charts last month in SA and Zim with her hit single Marble eyes.

Fun fact; at the mere age of 20 Ananya writes and produces her own music. A true creative and an inspiration to so many people like myself her age. Although this was my first time, listening to her music, it’s so nostalgic to me and reminds me of the early 2010s when life was good! Her vibe, her sound, everything about her is really a 10/10 and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for her.

How do you juggle a music career with being a fashion student?

Well, definitely at this point in time since I am going into my last year at uni, it’s always going to be studies first, so I kind of doing everything I can to get these assignments done, then once that’s done, everything is just music. I am just really grateful that fashion and music do come hand in hand, there are ways where I am able to connect the two and that’s really great for me. I am very passionate about them both so it helps to know that when I have a deadline “I need to get this done” and then it’s all music.

What is the story behind marble eyes?

So, it is about a summer romance, kind of whirlwind romance, up and down and everything, the fear of falling back into it when you know you shouldn’t, so you’re kind of telling this person “hey, next time can you stay away from me because I don’t trust myself to interact with you”

How would you say fashion and music are intertwined?

Okay, so I think that fashion can be used as a tool of expression, it’s almost like a safety blanket and then music is also another form of self-expression – except, it’s more personal. Music, unlike fashion, connects all on a level that’s indescribable – I mean everyone has that one song that they can relate so strongly to and that they never get sick of listening to. So they are both forms of expression but I think fashion helps the visual for music, that’s the best way to put it – as an artist, you want to create your own images, your own identity and you use fashion to do that by creating this visual that people won’t forget, like for example; grace jones. She is an icon but if people don’t know her music, they know her image, her aesthetic, the way she dresses etc.

View this post on Instagram

…

A post shared by Ananya (@ananyamakesmusic) on Mar 11, 2020 at 11:51am PDT

What do you love most about studying in NYC?

The spirit – it’s loud, energetic, it’s encouraging. You go out and people are getting things done and it’s motivating because you want to be like one of those people who is getting things done. You have no time to slack, it really pushes you!

How would you say growing up in Zimbabwe helped your creativity?

I think Zimbabwe is an inspiration in itself, as well as the people in Zimbabwe – they are the most incredible people I have ever known. And I think as Zimbabweans, from the minute we’re born we learn to improvise; like if you can’t do that “we’ll make a plan”. To this day if something comes up, I always say to myself “I’ll make a plan, it’s fine” because I grew up in Zim

It’s amazing because there is so much creativity in Zim and I notice it more and more every time I come back, it breeds creativity.

What can we expect from you next in terms of music? An ep, an album or a few more singles?

I think for the time being, since I am doing a lot of this on my own there is still so much that I need to learn about the industry so I am taking it day by day and hopefully just singles atm, that’s what I feel most for. Hopefully one day there will be an album or ep but for the time being I can only promise singles.

There’s actually a new single I have coming out in July, it’s quite sassy, it has more of an attitude than the other ones and it’s a song where the girl isn’t actually a victim this time, like the other ones, shes kind of standing up for herself and she’s strong! It’s exciting and it’s called a shy boy!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Ananya (@ananyamakesmusic) on Aug 20, 2019 at 11:16am PDT

What are your plans after graduation? Are you going to pursue fashion? Music? Are you going to stay in New York?

It’s quite stressful, I actually haven’t thought that far ahead, I know it’s so close because it’s only a year away. I don’t know, it’s scary to think of but again, they come hand in hand, so it would b really cool to do something that combines the two or honestly, at the end of the day, I just want to be doing what I am passionate about, what I enjoy doing so if in a years time that’s fashion, then it’s fashion – if it’s music, then its music. Just kind of sticking to doing what makes me happy.

What are your dream travel destinations and why?

I have so many dream travel destinations but one place I am dying to go to is Japan – the fashion scene there is incredible, I’m dying to see the cherry blossoms, the architecture. I feel like there is so much to see and so much to learn in Japan.

Which fashion designer has influenced you the most?

My favourite fashion designer, that’s so hard because It’s always something that’s changing but atm it Jaqceumes – he’s so inclusive about how he shows his clothes and who wears them. There are so many brands who say kind of claim that you have to look a certain way to wear their designs but he doesn’t – I mean, he did a campaign with his grandmother! It’s just beautiful.

Where do you see yourself in the next 10 years?

I kind of had an answer to this question, until coronavirus happened – it taught me that you never actually know what’s coming because no one planned for corona snd everyone’s world was flipped. So honestly, I am trying to take it day by day and work to the next ting, then from there, I can see where I can take it. But then again in 10 years, I hope I will have released more music that people can feel for and continue doing what I love and following my passions.

Listen to Marble Eyes;

The post Ananya; Zimbabwe’s next star appeared first on CheckoutAfrica.

from WordPress https://www.checkoutafrica.com/ananya-zimbabwes-next-star/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=ananya-zimbabwes-next-star

[duaneodavila]

Think Like A Crocodile: Knowing When To Wait

Stop flailing about, and start using your judgment.

Emmerson Mnangagwa, London-educated lawyer and current president of Zimbabwe, is known as the Crocodile for the patience and cunning he displayed first in war and then as Robert Mugabe’s enforcer. He would quietly wait years for the perfect opportunity, then suddenly strike out against his enemies with ruthless brutality. He carried that same patient cunning to his own career, waiting in the wings as Mugabe’s right-hand man for nearly forty years before overthrowing and imprisoning his mentor, seizing the presidency for himself.

Or using a less bloody metaphor, several years ago author and entrepreneur Anthony Tjan wrote a great Harvard Business Review article encouraging marketers to metaphorically practice judo, not karate. A judoka uses her opponent’s strength and weight to her own advantage, while a karateka focuses on using his own strength to punch and kick.

I’ve previously written about the importance of avoiding the temptation to do needless work. But for all too many lawyers, the pitfalls of a bias towards action extend far beyond make-work. It manifests in a fundamental need to do something. But as Mnangagwa and judokas know, it’s far more effective to wait until the perfect moment to make the right move, rather than flail about without purpose.

WHY LITIGATORS FEEL THE NEED TO ACT

Action bias isn’t limited to litigators. It’s pervasive, to negative ends, in politics, investing, and throughout our society. And while some people may need a nudge, lawyers as a class emphatically do not. Before they even enter practice, lawyers are both heavily conditioned to act and screened on their ability to do so, no matter how pointless the task. We all did the dozens of extra-circulars, plus the countless small inane tasks to maintain appropriate GPAs in high school then college.

Then when they enter practice, the same inertial approach keeps working at first, often spectacularly. Junior attorneys are largely free of strategic concerns; as long as they just keep doing the tasks in front of them, everything will work out. (As a first year, a second year taught me the soothing mantra, “Just keep drinking coffee and everything will be okay,” which remains fantastic advice for all first years.) All else equal, grinding it out as a junior associate is not only an effective career strategy, it also usually helps the case.

All this results in a fantastically effective dopamine feedback loop, reinforced over decades, telling us that action is good. It’s further reinforced by a masochistic culture—of which I’m as guilty as anyone—that celebrates doing more. The end result is at least a generation of experienced lawyers that are biologically conditioned to “do something” in the face of any uncertainty.

THE PROBLEMS WITH ACTION

Gradually, however, blindly doing something stops working. It starts causing problems as soon as lawyers take on significant supervisory responsibilities. Blind action tends to result in the assigning of make-work, micromanaging, leaving subordinates idle while you attend to other tasks, and the creation of artificial deadlines and false emergencies.

An action bias gets more destructive as lawyers take on higher-level responsibilities. We’ve all litigated against the adversary who seems to be making motions simply because they’re expected or rambles endlessly in court without purpose. But the most dangerous aspect of the action bias in litigation is that it becomes destructive both gradually and subtly. You’ll rarely blow up a case by taking decisive action, and any problems that arise are ones you can likely both fix with more action and mentally write off as things that just happen.

Instead, the harms come in inches, most often in the form of missed opportunities and misallocation of resources. An action bias causes you to approach litigation in the same way you’d approach a college class: a series of tasks and exams that, if successfully completed, will yield a good result. But that’s a fundamentally wrong view of litigation. The goal is to get what you want while expending the minimum effort possible. Many times that will involve simply outworking your adversary and making the better legal arguments, but far from always. Other times, the optimal strategy involves some variation of giving your adversary enough rope to hang themselves or simply staying out of the way.

Put another way, in the perfectly litigated case you would, at the moment of engagement, look forward with perfect foresight upon all the future paths before you, including each action you or your adversary may take and its consequences. You would then choose from all those possible worlds the best possible end-state, identify the most direct path to that end-state, and then take only the steps necessary to reach it.

You may never reach that ideal, but without identifying it you have no hope of even approximating it. Instead, as with all things, we must identify the perfect; recognize that any deviation from the perfect is, by definition, sin; and then proceed as best we can.

BREAKING THE CYCLE OF ACTION BIAS

The bad news is that, like many things, there’s no easy way to break out of the cycle of action bias. It’s easy to intellectualize in the abstract, but once things get busy, it’s even easier to fall into the same old reinforcement loop.

Breaking free in managing is easiest, since that’s an area where you can see near-immediate results. It’s also a change that many are forced into by degrees by work flow. At a certain point, micromanaging simply becomes impossible.

Breaking free in strategic matters is harder. Not only are the results more subtle, but the temptation to act often comes from a place of risk-aversion. Blind, constant action is easy, safe, and allows a lot of room for error. Waiting for the exact right moment and taking the perfect action is none of those things. It involves brinkmanship and faith in one’s judgment and abilities. It requires an accurate assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of you and your adversary, and a willingness to look bad while your wait for the perfect opportunity to make a move.

None of those changes are easy, and you may find that you actually do lack strategic sense and are doomed to either mediocrity or a career change. But better to find that out sooner than later, and in the meantime, you’re probably misserving your clients by flailing around. So remember the crocodile.

Matthew W. Schmidt has represented and counseled clients at all stages of litigation and in numerous matters including insider trading, fiduciary duty, antitrust law, and civil RICO. He is of counsel at the trial and investigations law firm Balestriere Fariello in New York, where he and his colleagues represent domestic and international clients in litigation, arbitration, appeals, and investigations. You can reach him by email at matthew.w.schmidt@balestrierefariello.com.

Think Like A Crocodile: Knowing When To Wait republished via Above the Law

[kimphelanteach]

Annotated Bibliography: Fiction/Non-Fiction

Name:        Kimberly Phelan                                                         

Genre:       Fiction/  Nonfiction

1. Title of Text: (cite APA)

Dunbar, E.A., & Clever, K.V. (2019). Never  Caught, The Story of Ona Judge. New York, NY: Aladdin.

Short Summary of the text:

Nonfiction:

Ona Judge was born into slavery for George and Martha  Washington. And she became George’s and Martha’s favored slave. When Ona  learned she was going to be given to Martha’s granddaughter as a wedding  present, Ona decided she had had enough and made the courageous decision, at  the age of 22, to escape slavery, and thus began her journey to the north  where should become a fugitive slave. This book takes us through her  childhood and her experiences living with the Washingtons, to her ultimate  decision and eventual escape to New Hampshire.

YA Universal Theme(s) text is aligned with: 

Decision-making/making  tough decisions, freedom, courage, things aren’t always as they appear,  racism

Appropriate for Grade(s): 

5-8 (although it is a bit  of an “easy read’ for most 8th graders, there is significant  educational value and it can be used as a pre-reading for more  difficult/controversial/complex texts)

2. Title of Text: (cite APA)

Alifirenka, C., Ganda, M., & Welch, L. (2015). I  Will Always Write Back: How One Letter Changed Two Lives. New York, NY:  Little, Brown Company.

Short Summary of the text:

Nonfiction:

This book is written from the perspective of two people,  Caitlin and Martin, both 12 years old. In class, Caitlin was tasked with an  assignment to pick a pen pal from another country, and Caitlin chose  Zimbabwe. Little did she know what a profound affect this decision would have  on her life. Martin is the lucky student from Zimbabwe who received Caitlin’s  first letter, and thus began their pen pal friendship, which extends over the  course of 6 years. Through their letters, Caitlin and Martin begin to learn a  lot about one another’s lives; they share their trials and tribulations,  cultures and lifestyles, and the highs and lows. Once Martin’s education is  in jeopardy, Caitlin steps in to help in a big way, which results in Caitlin  and Martin meeting face-to-face in the US. The story ends with Martin and  Caitlin both finding success in their lives.

YA Universal Theme(s) text is aligned with: 

Acts of  kindness, friendship, taking action

Appropriate  for Grade(s): 

7-8

3.  Title of  Text: (cite APA):

Thomas, A. (2017). The Hate U Give. New York,  NY: Harper Collins.

Short Summary of the text:

Fiction:

Starr Carter may come from a poor, urban, mainly black  neighborhood, but she attends a ritzy private school, where she is one of the  only black students in attendance. She struggles at time with her identity.  One night, she attends a part in her neighborhood with a childhood friend,  Khalil. Things take a turn at the party, and Starr and Khalil, along with  many others, flee the scene. On their drive home, Khalil is pulled over for a  broken taillight and steps out of the vehicle. As Khalil turns to ask Starr  if she’s OK, the officer opens fire, and Starr is left helpless to watch her  friend die. In the aftermath, Starr struggles with what to do: should she  remain anonymous as the only witness to the crime, or should she speak up on  behalf of her friend’s untimely death? Ultimately, Starr decides to speak up.  This novel takes us through Starr’s journey of speaking up and all the while,  allowing us into her personal life, her family life, her social life, and  much more.

YA Universal Theme(s) text is aligned with:

Overcoming  racial prejudice, abuse of power, stereotypes, family, loss,  identity/understanding identity, empathy

Appropriate for Grade(s): 

8-9

4. Title of Text: (cite APA)

 Stein, G. (2008). The Art of Racing in the Rain.  New York, NY: Harper Collins.

Short Summary of the text:

Fiction:

Enzo, a dog, is the narrator to this story. He  recognizes that he is different than most dogs; he feels more human and as if  he has a better understanding of humans compared to most dogs. This story  begins with the end: Enzo’s last day. It is a story of Enzo looking back on  his full and happy life, and of course, his humans’ lives, too. We meet  Denny, Enzo’s owner, and eventually Denny’s wife, Eve, and daughter. A  constant in the story is Denny’s and Enzo’s love of racing cars (Denny is a  racecar driver). Throughout the book, we experience the highs and lows to  Enzo’s life, and subsequently, his family’s. A great book to read when  looking at perspective and point of view.

YA Universal Theme(s) text is aligned with: 

Love, communication/the  struggle to communicate, loss of control, family

Appropriate for Grade(s): 

8

Sorry, I couldn’t choose, so I added one more!

 5.  Title of Text: (cite APA)

Lee, H. (1960). To Kill a Mockingbird. New York, NY: J.B Lippincott.

Short Summary of the text:

Contemporary/Classic Fiction:

This novel has two plots happening simultaneously. The first plot has to do with 3 children and their obsession with their neighbor who has not been seen in over 15 years. It is rumored that this neighbor is a monster, and as the novel progresses and the children mature, they see more and more the error in their initial understanding of their neighbor, Arthur “Boo” Radley. The second plot is about the children’s father, Atticus, defending an innocent black man in court during a time period and geographic location of widespread racism and white superiority. People in town do not support Atticus and his efforts to truly defend an African American man. Eventually, the two story lines become intertwined through character connections, experiences, and new understandings.

YA Universal Theme(s) text is aligned with:

New understandings, growing up/maturing, racism and prejudice, courage, perseverance, innocence, justice

Appropriate for Grade(s):

8-10

[assignmentincubator1]

[briarclifflibraryteens]

I Will Always Write Back

I Will Always Write Back is a true story about Martin a boy from Zimbabwe and Caitlin a girl from America who were assigned as pen pals during their 7th grade year in school. This story is written from both Martin and Caitlin’s perspective interchangeably. Another aspect of the story that I loved was that it was written by Martin and Caitlin with the help of an author. This told me that I really was hearing the real story from the person first hand. That made the journey that I was reading even more touching to me. Martin lived in a one room shack that is shared with another family and separated by a curtain. He knew nothing different for living conditions and was used to having 12 people live in this area. He slept on the floor sharing one blanket with two of his siblings. His other three siblings slept under their parents’ twin bed. This crammed area was what he called home for most of his childhood years. He was lucky to have a father who worked at a paper mill instead of selling things in the market. Martin got to go to school and he didn’t take this opportunity lightly. He was dedicated and for almost all of his school years scored top marks and was the highest in his class. These great grades couldn’t keep him in school if his family couldn’t pay. For a little while he was on and off school and working in the market because his father lost his job at the paper mill. Meanwhile with the money he was making at the market he was using for postage to write to Caitlin. Caitlin and Martin really got to know each other and they shared their hardships with one another. Although Martin tried to shield Caitlin from finding out about his poor life Caitlin found out and then Martin started to open up. Caitlin started sending Martin cash in her letters so that he could support his family, but mostly for the school. When Martin’s case worsened he and Caitlin reached out to her parents and they decided to help send money. They found a safe way to transfer money to him and soon his family had enough to live. Martin kept up the good work in school and his good grades soon sent him to a private high school were he learned enough to be able to go to university. Over in America Caitlin was continuing to spend time with her friends and all of the boyfriends she went through while still corresponding with Martin. Caitlin finds a good college that she wants to go to and as she starts working on a nursing career there her and her family are also working on getting Martin into a university in America on a full scholarship. This proves to be harder than it looks and after months of searching and Martin finding small things to do in Zimbabwe they start to fear that this won’t ever be possible. This heartwarming story shows that long distance relationships really can be possible. Without even meeting each other for the longest time Caitlin and Martin knew that their friendship was something different, they were like family to each other. This bond taught each of them new things that they never would have learned without each other. I was shocked to read that a pen pal could cause so much change in a person’s life. After finishing this book I was left thinking “what would have happened if Martin didn’t receive Caitlin as a pen pal?”

10 out of 10

[biofunmy]

Puja Patel’s Pitchfork Work Diary: ‘Our Staffers Decidedly Own the Dance Floor’

Puja Patel listens to a lot of music. The volume has gotten so overwhelming since she was named editor in chief of Pitchfork, she’s had to create a system to manage it all. “I’ve decided to keep my new vinyl purchases to things that I know I’ll keep for the rest of my life,” Ms. Patel said. She puts unreleased albums into a folder on iTunes and streams everything else on Spotify. She also acquired an old iPod Touch to use solely for work, but that turned out to be fruitless when she learned it wasn’t compatible with the latest MacBook.

Pitchfork, with its authoritatively decimalized album ranking system, is one of the most influential music publications in the United States. A favorable rating has the power to propel a below-the-radar artist into the mainstream, while a negative one can sink a well-known performer’s latest effort. “As someone who was obsessively reading the site in college, to imagine running it one day was absurd,” Ms. Patel, 33, said. “And now that I’m here, it feels extremely powerful and correct.”

A child of immigrants — her father was from Zimbabwe and her mother is from India — Ms. Patel worked for a number of outlets, including Fader, The Village Voice and MTV, before joining Pitchfork. “My specialty was really showing that music was about community,” she said. “And how music is an immediate reflection of the tensions of a city, whether that be political or social, or even the way that tech was changing and inducing the way a genre moved.” In 2016, she was named editor in chief of Spin — becoming one of the few women to lead a large music publication — and she reveled in the opportunity to push its boundaries.

Pitchfork was founded in 1996 and acquired by Condé Nast in 2015. The Pitchfork Review, the site’s quarterly magazine, was shut down two years later, and last September Condé Nast asked Ms. Patel to take over from Ryan Schreiber, Pitchfork’s founder and longtime editor. We spoke in March, as she was producing the publication’s first “digital cover.”

Monday

6 a.m. I have this obnoxious tendency to wake up early in the morning and beat my alarm. I couldn’t sleep because I was thinking about our digital cover story, which I was up late editing with our features editor. It’s about the singer Sky Ferreira. I eventually open up the story to see what tweaks were made and do some tweaking of my own. It covers some sensitive subject matter — like her friendship with Michael Jackson when she was a kid — so I think all of us are trying to take some care with how we deliver that.

7:30 a.m. Log into Slack and see that the singer Scott Walker has died. I talk to a news editor and assign an obit. As a music fan, I think one of the really difficult parts of the job is tabling your sadness and grief to be able to react and inform your readers as quickly as possible.

10:30 a.m. Staff meeting. We talk about Scott Walker, and our managing editor updates us on what to keep an eye out for today. I bring up our launch party, which is on Wednesday night, and gently remind the staff to be on their best behavior. I like these meetings — it’s useful for the staff, and it’s nice checking in with everyone, since we have so many sprawling parts of the magazine and all that comes with Condé Nast.

1:30 p.m. More party prep. I’m answering all kinds of questions like: Is this person on the guest list? What artwork should we display? Can you approve these finances? Can we get approval on this partnership thing? These things pop up all day, and I forget how much time they take up. It comes with the territory of being the editor.

3 p.m. I realize I haven’t written my editor’s letter, which is set to run tomorrow at 8 a.m.

4:30 p.m. I started blocking off this hour on my calendar without telling everyone why. I let everyone believe I’m in a meeting so I can do things like write my letter or check up on emails.

9:30 p.m. Running on fumes and finally writing my editor’s letter. (I take breaks to cook dinner, chat with my cousin and try on some clothes that I had ordered online.) The question I get most frequently from reporters and friends is what it feels like to be a woman in charge of a publication that’s been helmed by men until now. I try to speak to that in my letter.

12 a.m. Everything has been filed, typos and final copy-edits have been made. It’s time for bed.

Tuesday

6 a.m. Woke up before the alarm again. Text my mom and brother good morning, and scroll through my international family WhatsApp group thread. There are 30-plus people on it, and it regularly shifts from family updates to Gujarati or Hindi memes or videos.

7 a.m. Make scrambled eggs and check in with editors to make sure we’re set for the cover story rollout.

8 a.m. The cover story is live! I’m so happy that it’s finally out. I’m honestly a little emotional and very proud of how so many people, who hadn’t previously worked together, collaborated to make this come to fruition. Big projects like these always create trust and excitement about what else we can do as a staff — it’s a good sign of what’s to come.

12:30 p.m. I pop in to say hello to Vanity Fair editor Radhika Jones and ask about a Condé meeting scheduled for later today. (We moved floors recently and now share our space with her magazine and Wired.) We end up chatting for 30 minutes.

3:30 p.m. One of two weekly reviews meetings, where we go over our album review schedule, scoring, Best New Music designations and assignments. This is usually the easiest or knottiest meeting of the week, depending on the releases and how strongly the editors in the room feel about them. We try to have at least four people on staff listen to every album reviewed before landing on a precise score. Today, two editors have differing opinions on the score of a smaller album, and we talk about some existential issues with scoring against the legacy opinions of Pitchfork past.

6:30 p.m. Left the office earlier than usual because I need to eat dinner and figure out what to wear to tomorrow’s party. Make a salad and throw a quarter of my closet onto my bed, land on two or three things that could work and kick myself for always procrastinating on shopping.

8:30 p.m. Meet up with an old music friend at Zablozki’s in Williamsburg. We talk about the surge of reporting on sexism and assault in music — the journalist’s duty to the story, and then how women at labels and PR firms do their own reporting and assessments from within.

9:15 p.m. Head across the street to National Sawdust to see Yves Tumor, an experimental electronic musician who has played an after-party for Pitchfork Paris and our Chicago Midwinter event, a music festival in partnership with the Art Institute of Chicago.

9:45 p.m. Pitchfork is hosting an event with Tidal down the street at Music Hall of Williamsburg for Women’s History Month. I drag my label friend with me with the hopes of seeing the duo Girlpool, but we miss them, unfortunately.

10:30 p.m. In a cab home, texting with Pitchfork’s publicist. She tells me an on-camera interview scheduled for tomorrow got moved. I’m thrilled — one less thing to think about.

Wednesday

7 a.m. It’s a normal morning, which means I can spend the first few hours of my day listening to music and albums we’re slated to review.

1:30 p.m. My weekly meeting with Anna Wintour, the creative director of Condé Nast. Anna is a sounding board on anything big or small. We talk about everything: new developments on major editorial plans for the site, design updates, artists who are releasing new music, ideas around covers, the staff, navigating every kind of business change or hurdle while being true to the site’s spirit and point of view.

3:30 p.m. Head out of the office early to meet my mom and brother, who are in town from Baltimore. I spend the travel time going over the syllabus and reading materials of a New York University journalism class I’m speaking at tomorrow.

4:15 p.m. My mom and I get blowouts for the party. I lost my dad to lung cancer a little over a year ago, which was unexpected and sudden and has been very hard on all of us, especially my mom. Sometimes I wonder if I stay so busy so that I don’t let my mind wander into the deep sadness that comes every time I think about him. I miss him every day, and especially during times of celebration.

6:20 p.m. Arrive at Kinfolk for the party. The venue is covered in images and video from the cover shoot and it looks amazing. Events like this always move in a blur, but some highlights: Nancy and Rayna from LCD Soundsystem DJ. Anna Wintour chats with my mom for a while, and it brings me so much joy to see these two singular women in my life in conversation. Sky Ferreira and I talk about the release of her new single and what it feels like to have something new out after so long. The band Empath and two of our staffers decidedly own the dance floor.

9:30 p.m. The staff moves down the street to the Turkey’s Nest after the party. Everyone has their biggest smiles on. I want to take a snapshot of the moment and commit it to memory forever.

Thursday

12:30 p.m. My mom and brother come to our office at 1 World Trade Center for lunch. It’s nice to be able to show them what I do and where I work, especially since online media is an unconventional career path in some ways. The view from the office helps, too.

3 p.m. Weekly senior editorial meeting with team leads.

7:30 p.m. At N.Y.U.’s Bobst library to speak to students at the Clive Davis Institute about “Race, Gender, and Music Writing” for a class on writing about popular music. The students are great. They’re avid readers of Pitchfork and big music fans, and they ask sharp and very specific questions about our editorial process and where we fit in the digital media landscape. This is my favorite part of the day, easily. It reaffirms that, in a different life, I’d like to be a teacher.

9:15 p.m. The professor of the class is the executive editor of Billboard and a friendly acquaintance. We decide to grab some sushi at Lure Fishbar and catch up on industry gossip and media news before calling it a night.

Friday

12:30 p.m. Meeting with our design director, art director and photo director to discuss the big-picture styling and timeline of some new visual projects.

1:30 p.m. Our video lead tells me that Conor Oberst and Phoebe Bridgers are on their way to the office studios to shoot for our “Over/Under” series. Last week we ran into the “Queer Eye” cast in the cafe and taped them for the series, too. It’s one of my favorite franchises because of how genuinely funny and random it tends to be.

5 p.m. A label rep and friend of the staff comes in to play new music from the U.K. rapper Slowthai in our Listening Room. You can tell when the staff are especially excited to hear something, because they all try to cram into a room made to seat eight. The music leaks into the hall and through the walls and is welcome next to the usual sounds of typing.

8:45 p.m. My friend Jia comes over to my apartment in Williamsburg with a bottle of wine. We became friends years ago when we were both bloggers and now she’s part of a close-knit group of women I don’t know what I’d do without. Another writer friend stops by, too. We listen to Solange and Jessica Pratt and eventually let Spotify take over as we recap our weeks and hang. When I go to bed, I don’t bother to set an alarm.

Interviews are conducted by email, text and phone, then condensed and edited.

Sahred From Source link Fashion and Style

from WordPress http://bit.ly/2J3edc8 via IFTTT

[friedgiverstarlight-blog]

research papers on macroeconomics A List Of Promising Term Paper Topics On Macroeconomics

It’s a great way to brainstorm, help each other and get your work done faster. Writing your macroeconomics term paper can be hard if you don’t start with a great topic. You need to have one you’re passionate about before you can hope you get it finished easily and quickly. When you’re struggling with this kind of assignment, then that’s a sign you need to do something differently. House sales slump—discuss rising and falling of the market in different regions Zimbabwe hyperinflation Examine the national savings rate of the USA What is the effect of raising cutoffs for loans? Compare the health insurance across different demographics Agriculture and the effects of global warming Energy demands in China Fiscal policy differences regarding Democrats and Republicans Status quo of macroeconomics in supply and demand Unemployment rates in various states What factors contribute the most to economic growth? In what ways does franchising contribute to an overall economy? Justification of child labor Developing nations and advancement of technology Emerging economy in India Emerging economy in Brazil Paying for education in various countries Cleaning industrial pollution costs Legality of marijuana for medical purposes Cash and debit vs. Using a good topic to write your term paper. After you’ve chosen your topic, there are a few ways you can go about writing the assignment. You can team up with classmates to get help and have discussions about any of the above topics. Start at the beginning: write the introduction, focus on your thesis statement or argument, and think about how you’re presenting the information to the reader at the start of your paper Start at the middle: get into the meaty part of the essay with all the sources and research, to get the longest (and usually hardest) part out of the way Start at the end: writing the conclusion first can be liberating because it’s a summary of what you’re doing for the rest of the homework, and you can then use that to expand on through the first parts of the writing. What is the Difference? Quite often, the two terms, in-text citation and parenthetical citation, are used interchangeably. While similar, there are slight differences. An MLA in-text citation is when the author’s name is used in the text of the sentence. At the end of the sentence, in parentheses, is the page number where the information was found. When it comes to technology, King states that we “ need to be comfortable enough with technology tools and services that we can help point our patrons in the right direction, even if we aren’t intimately familiar with how the device works” (11).... View more ...

[dancemotionusa]

Fostering Connections through Cultural Diplomacy

Biographies of Moderator and Panelists:

Elmira Bayrasli is the co­founder of Foreign Policy Interrupted and the author of From the Other Side of the World: Extraordinary Entrepreneurs, Unlikely Places. She is an adjunct faculty member at NYU­SPS, specializing in foreign policy. Standing at the intersection of foreign policy and entrepreneurship, Elmira started her career at the State Department, where she was presidential appointee, working for Madeleine Albright and Richard Holbrooke, respectively. From 2002­-2006 she lived in Sarajevo, Bosnia­-Herzegovina where she was the Chief Spokesperson for the OSCE Mission. She consults startups and governments on entrepreneurship and writes about global entrepreneurs and foreign policy extensively. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Foreign Affairs, Forbes, Reuters, TechCrunch, and VentureBeat. 

Adrienne Bryant is the Executive Director of Dance Heginbotham, a company she founded with Artistic Director John Heginbotham in 2011.  Over the past five years, she has helped the young company navigate rapid growth and exciting artistic achievements, while creating a solid organizational structure to support John's creative vision.  Artistic highlights have included presentations and commissions from prestigious institutions such as the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, with diverse collaborators such as Alarm Will Sound, Joshua Bell, and Maira Kalman, among others.

Prior to her work with Dance Heginbotham, she was the Assistant Director of Programming and Audience Development at the Quick Center for the Arts at Fairfield University (2011 - 2013) and the Company Manager of the Mark Morris Dance Group (2005 - 2010), after getting her start as an intern at Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival in 2005.  She served on Dance/NYC’s Jr. Committee for two years, and continues to work as a consultant for independent artists and projects.  

Adrienne was a 2010-11 Arts Management Fellow in the DeVos Institute at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., and is currently pursuing her Master's in Public Administration at Baruch College in New York.  Originally from Alabama, Adrienne graduated magna cum laude from Barnard College of Columbia University with a major in French and minors in Dance and Philosophy.

Helena Kane Finn took up her current position as Vice President and Director of Programs at the American Council on Germany in New York in September 2010. A career diplomat of the Department of State, she served as Minister-Counselor for Public Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Berlin (2007 - 2010) and as Counselor for Public Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv (2003 - 2007).  She has been the Cyrus Vance Fellow in Diplomatic Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York (2002 - 2003).  Her seminal article on public diplomacy appeared in the November - December 2003 issue of Foreign Affairs.  She has also been Director of the Turkish Studies Program at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy (2002). 

As Acting Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (2000 - 2001), Dr. Finn was responsible for the State Department's global academic, professional and youth exchanges, including Fulbright and the International Visitor program. She also oversaw the Office of Cultural Heritage and Preservation.

Helena Kane Finn has served overseas as the Counselor for Public Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, Turkey (1997 - 2000).  Prior to that, she was the Counselor for Public Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Vienna, Austria (1995 - 1997).    She was the Public Affairs Officer and Director of the Amerika Haus in Frankfurt-Main, Germany (1992 - 1995).

She has been the Desk Officer for Greece, Turkey and Cyprus (1989 - 1991), following cultural affairs tours in Lahore and Islamabad, Pakistan (1984 - 1989).  Her first diplomatic assignment was to the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, Turkey (1981 -1984).

Helena Kane Finn is married to former career diplomat Robert P. Finn, the U.S. Ambassador to Kabul, Afghanistan (2002 - 2003).  Ambassador Finn is affiliated with Princeton University. Their son Edward F. Finn is Director of the Center for Science and the Imagination at Arizona State University. His wife, Anna Humphreys Finn, is an attorney.  They have two children.

Joseph Merante has been the Executive Director of the Humpty Dumpty Institute (HDI) since 2006 and co-founded the Forum for Cultural Engagement (FCE) in 2015.  HDI focuses on U.S. Congressional relations, U.N. activities, and higher education.  The Forum for Cultural Engagement is involved strictly in cultural activities.  Since its founding, FCE has implemented programming in music and a range of other areas of the arts for more than thirty U.S. Embassies worldwide. Prior to 2006, Joseph Merante was a career Foreign Service Officer. As Chief of Cultural Affairs in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the Department of State he oversaw international programs for U.S. artists via Jazz Ambassadors and other international exchange vehicles. His diplomatic postings included serving as the Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy to the Vatican where he established a public diplomacy program, Director of Public Diplomacy at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations, where he greatly increased the Mission's cultural programming, and political positions at various Embassies in Europe and Africa. Mr. Merante holds a B.A. in Political Science from Fordham University, a Master of International Affairs from Columbia University, and a M.S. in Resources Management from the National Defense University.

Reggie Wilson (Artistic Director, choreographer and performer) founded his company, Reggie Wilson/Fist & Heel Performance Group, in 1989. Wilson draws from the cultures of Africans in the Americas and combines them with post-modern elements and his own personal movement style to create what he calls "post-African/Neo-HooDoo Modern dances." 

His work has been presented nationally and internationally at venues such as Brooklyn Academy of Music, New York Live Arts, and Summerstage (NYC), Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival (Lee, MA), Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (San Francisco), UCLA Live, and Redcat (Los Angeles), VSA NM (New Mexico), Myrna Loy (Helena, MT), The Flynn (Burlington, VT), Contemporary Arts Center (New Orleans), Dance Umbrella (Austin, TX), Linkfest and Festival e'Nkundleni (Zimbabwe), Dance Factory (South Africa), Danças na Cidade (Portugal), Festival Kaay Fecc (Senegal), The Politics of Ecstasy, and Tanzkongress 2013 (Germany).

Mr. Wilson is a graduate of New York University, Tisch School of the Arts (1988, Larry Rhodes, Chair). He has studied composition and been mentored by Phyllis Lamhut; Performed and toured with Ohad Naharin before forming Fist and Heel.  He has lectured, taught and conducted workshops and community projects throughout the US, Africa, Europe and the Caribbean. He has traveled extensively: to the Mississippi Delta to research secular and religious aspects of life there; to Trinidad and Tobago to research the Spiritual Baptists and the Shangoists; and also to Southern, Central, West and East of Africa to work with dance and performance groups as well as diverse religious communities. He has served as visiting faculty at several universities including Yale, Princeton and Wesleyan Universities. 

Mr. Wilson is the recipient of the Minnesota Dance Alliance's McKnight National Fellowship (2000-2001).  Wilson is also a 2002 BESSIE-New York Dance and Performance Award recipient for his work The Tie-tongued Goat and the Lightning Bug Who Tried to Put Her Foot Down and a 2002 John Simon Guggenheim Fellow. He has been an artist advisor for the National Dance Project and Board Member of Dance Theater Workshop.  In recognition of his creative contributions to the field, Mr. Wilson was named a 2009 United States Artists Prudential Fellow and is a 2009 recipient of the Herb Alpert Award in Dance. His evening-length work The Good Dance–dakar/brooklyn had its World premiere at the Walker Art Center and NY premiere on the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s 2009 Next Wave Festival. In 2012, New York Live Arts presented a concert of selected Wilson works, theRevisitation, to critical acclaim and the same year he was named a Wesleyan University’s Creative Campus Fellow, received the 2012 Joyce Foundation Award for his new work Moses(es), and was named a Doris Duke Performing Artist. In 2013 Moses(es) had its NY premiere on BAM’s Next Wave Festival and is currently touring. Wilson’s newest work CITIZEN premiered in 2016.