#new indian songs 2019 | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

dailyanarchistposts · 1 month

Text

India witnessed the rise of two large protest movements in last 2 years which saw millions taking to streets against the oppressive laws passed by the government. These were the Anti-CAA protests against the discriminative Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), and the farmers protests against the 3 pro-corporate farm laws. During the Anti-CAA protests, the loudest voices of dissent have been the women, from housewives to grandmothers, lawyers to students, women across India have been at the forefront of this struggle. This female-driven political awakening has been most jubilantly epitomized by the sit-in protest at Shaheen Bagh, drawing a cross-generational, largely female crowd never seen in India before [1]. Then came the farmer protests, where millions of farmers took to streets to fight the anti-farmer legislation that was passed in the Indian parliament and to highlight the issues of agrarian crisis which has been growing in India for the last few decades. In these protests, there is an unprecedented solidarity being displayed in the daily rallies that draw out thousands of people all over Indian cities. There are no visible leaders calling out to people to protest in one mode or another, yet the country has found a way to speak truth to power [2].

The Shaheen Bagh protest was led mostly by Muslim women, in response to the passage of the discriminative and unconstitutional CAA passed by Parliament of India and the police attack on students of Jamia Millia Islamia University. Protesters agitated not only against the citizenship issues of the CAA, National Register of Citizens (NRC) and National Population Register (NPR), but also against economic crisis, rising inequality, police brutality, unemployment, poverty and for women’s safety. The protesters also supported farmer unions, unions opposing the government’s anti-labour policies and protested against attacks on academic institutions. The protest started with 10–15 local women, mostly hijab wearing Muslim housewives, but within days drew crowds of up to a hundred thousand, making it one of the longest sit-in protests of this magnitude in modern India. The Shaheen Bagh protest also inspired similar style protests across the country, such as those in Gaya, Kolkata, Prayagraj, Mumbai, Chennai and Bengaluru. The protesters at Shaheen Bagh, since 14 December 2019, continued their sit-in protest in New Delhi using non-violent resistance for 101 days until 24 March 2020 when it ended due to COVID-19 pandemic outbreak.

Most of the women who came to Shaheen Bagh protest were first-time protesters, mostly homemakers, who were standing up to the government [3]. This was the first time they came out on a national issue which cut across religious lines. Some came with their newborns and children and some were grandparents. The women were center of protests and men supported them from the sidelines. They were creative and strategic. They governed their worlds quietly from the background and knew when a crisis needed them to cross invisible boundaries and step into the foreground. They emerged into the public space to collectively confront a looming crisis [2]. Armed with thick blankets, warm cups of tea and songs of resistance, these women have braved one of the coldest winters Delhi faced in the last 118 years [4]. These women were drivers of this protest, joining in irrespective of caste and religion, taking turns to sit-in at the site. They broke down the historically prevailing gender binary of patriarchy and took control. They also destroyed the popular imagination claiming Muslim women as powerless and lacking agency.

Shaheen Bagh in many ways typifies the protest movement that erupted across India as it was leaderless. No political party or organization could claim to be leading the protest. Instead, it was fueled primarily by these women who were residents of working-class neighborhoods of Shaheen Bagh. Since it was a leaderless protest, it could not be terminated by a few prominent organizers [5]. When they tried to “called off” the protest citing interference of political parties and security threats, the women of Shaheen Bagh rejected it and decided to continue the protests. The movement had no formal organizers and thrived on a roving group of volunteers and the local women’s tenacity alone. The lack of leaders also confused the police who are clueless on whom to approach to make these women vacate the site.

The protesters were supported and coordinated by a diverse group of more than hundred volunteers, including local residents, students and professionals. These volunteers organized themselves around different tasks such as setting up makeshift stages, shelters and bedding; providing food, water, medicine, and access to toilet facilities; installing CCTV cameras, bringing in electric heaters, outside speakers and collecting donations [6]. Donations includes mattresses, an assortment of tables that form the foundation of the stage and endless cups of steaming tea that provide warmth on cold winter days. Local residents formed informal groups which coordinated security, speakers, songs, and cultural programs that happened on these makeshift stages. People distributed tea, snacks, biryani, sweets and other eatables at the protest site. Some donated wood logs to keep the protesters warm. Collection drives for blankets and other essentials were organized through social media. A health camp was also set up beside the camped protesters which provided medicines for them. Doctors and nurses along with medical students from different medical institutes and hospitals voluntarily joined for the purpose [7]. A group of Sikh farmers from Punjab came and set up a langer (free community kitchen) in the area.

The space was decorated with art and installations [8]. Stairways leading to the closed shops in the vicinity of the protest circle were transformed into a public library and art centre by student volunteers from Jamia along with the young children of Shaheen Bagh. Protest art became the voice of resistance and dissent during the event, and the area was covered in murals, graffiti, posters and banners [9]. A reading area called “Read for Revolution” had been set up with hundreds of crowd-sourced books as well as writing materials [10]. A nearby bus stop was converted into the Fatima Sheikh-Savitribai Phule library, which provided material on the country’s constitution, revolution, racism, fascism, oppression and various social issues [11]. Public reading spaces were created for the cause of dissent and to amplify the idea of education amongst the protesters of Shaheen Bagh. Since a majority of women of Shaheen Bagh have stepped out of their homes for the first time, this was an attempt to bring these women closer so that they read and facilitate the social change they exemplify. Besides young children, senior citizens, working people, domestic workers and many from Shaheen Bagh and nearby areas were occupying the area, choosing books or picking up colors and chart paper, while some also come to donate their old books and stationery.

लड़ो पढ़ाई करने को, पढ़ो समाज बदलने को (Fight To Read, Read To Change)

The children who were present alongside parents also participated in the protest. Most of these children would visit school in the morning before joining their parents at the protest site, which became an art space for many children [12]. They would express their thoughts and join in the protest through storytelling, poetry, puppetry, singing and painting. Student volunteers engaged the local children in reading, painting and singing, and held informal reading lessons.

Speeches, lectures, rap and shayari poetry readings were held every day [13]. Activists, artists and social workers came and gave talks on various issues faced by Muslims, Dalits, Adivasis, the disabled, LGBTQ people, and all those who are oppressed. The stage is democratic and hosts poets and professors, housewives and elders, civil society groups and civic leaders, actors and celebrities and of course students – from Jamia, JNU to the local government schools. A large number of women participate in open-mics to express their thoughts, many speaking in public for the first time. The protestors read the Preamble of the Constitution which reminds them of their rights of Liberty, Equality and Justice. If the Shaheen Bagh stage had a bias, it is towards women and those, from academia and elsewhere, who can educate them not just on CAA-NRC-NPR, but also the freedom struggle, Ambedkar, Gandhi and the ideas that animate the preamble to the constitution [13]. The chants of “inquilab zindabad (long live the revolution!)”and “save the Constitution” filled the site. At night people would watch films and documentaries which were screened on the site, about refugee crisis, anti-fascist struggles and revolution. Musical and cultural events were also conducted in solidarity with anti-CAA protests. This occupy protest provided an example of how to create a community without government support by voluntary association and mutual aid, make decisions in a democratic way where everyone takes part and decentralize power by having no organizers or leaders who control everything. These elements of anarchist organizing is also visible in the farmers’ protest.

Small and marginal farmers with less than two hectares of land account for 86.2% of all farmers in India, but own just 47.3% of the crop area. A total of 2,96,438 farmers have committed suicide in India from 1995–2015 [14]. 28 people dependent on farming die by suicide in India every day [15]. India is already facing a huge agrarian crisis and the 3 new laws have opened up door for corporatization of agriculture by dismantling the Minimum Support Price (MSP) leaving the farmers at the mercy of the big capitalist businesses.

The farmers protest began with farmers unions holding local protests against the farmer bills mostly in Punjab. After two months of protests, farmers from Punjab and Haryana began a movement named Dilli Chalo (Go to Delhi), in which tens of thousands of farmers marched towards the nation’s capital [16]. The Indian government used police to attack the protesters using water cannons, batons, and tear gas to stop them from entering Delhi. On 26 November 2020, the largest general strike in the world with over 250 million people, took place in support of the farmers [17]. A crowd of 200,000 to 300,000 farmers converged at various border points on the way to Delhi. As protest, farmers blocked the highways surrounding Delhi by sitting on the roads [18]. Transport unions representing 14 million truck drivers also came out in support of the farmers. The farmers have told the Supreme court of India that they won’t listen to courts if asked to back off. They organized a tractor rally with over 200,000 tractors on the Republic day and stormed the historic Red Fort [19]. The government barricaded the capital roads with cemented nails and trenches to stop farmers and electricity, Internet, and water supply were cut off from the protest sites.

Scores of langars, i.e. free community kitchens have been set up by farmer’s organizations and NGOs to meet the food needs of the hundreds of thousands of farmers in the farmers-camps that have sprung up on the borders of Delhi [20]. The farmers came fully equipped to prepare mass meals in these community kitchens with supplies coming from their villages daily. Tractors and trucks with sacks of vegetables and flour as well as cans of oil and milk arrive daily from villages and towns where pooling resources for community meals is a way of life. These langars work round the clock and provide free food without distinction of caste, class, or religion. Supporters of the farm protest often bring almonds, apples, sweets, and packaged water. They even supplied a machine that rolls out a thousand “rotis” every hour. Social media is used to collect blankets and other essentials for these protests who are braving the harsh winter. Many protestors camp on the roadside in the cold Delhi winter and spending nights curled up in tractor trailers. Volunteers have set up solar-powered mobile charging points, laundry stalls with washing machines, medical stalls for medicines, arranged doctors and nurses, dental camps and brought foot massage chairs for elderly protesters [21].

A makeshift school has been set up at the camp, called “Sanjhi Sathh” (a common place) to recreate a village tradition of holding discussions on important issues. Children from underprivileged families who are unable to attend school due to financial issues and the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic come to this tent. It has library, which displays biographies of Indian freedom fighter Bhagat Singh, revolutionary Che Guevara, and other books of various genres and newspapers in English, Hindi and Punjabi languages. Dozens of posters with slogans written on them cover every inch of the tarpaulin tents [22]. Farmers also installed CCTV cameras to keep a watch on the protest site and keep a record of what is happening and counter any narrative to discredit their protest. Farmers protest also saw participation of women coming out to protest in large numbers. Women farmers and agricultural workers were riding tractors from their villages and rallying to the protest sites, unfazed by the gruesome winter.

Just like Shaheen Bagh protest, this is a decentralized leaderless protest by hundreds of farmer unions. Even though the negotiations with the government are being attended by representatives of 32 farmer unions, they act as spoke persons who present the collective demand of all farmers. Whenever Government introduces a new proposal, the representatives come back to the unions where they sit together, discuss, debate and decide the future course of action together in a democratic way. Farmers are conducting Kisan Mahapanchayats (public meetings) which are attended by hundreds of thousands of people in villages around Delhi, UP, Punjab, Rajasthan and Haryana to discuss strategies and ways to put pressure on the government. It was this decentralization that made the protest robust and overcome the condemnation around violence during Republic day Truck Rally. Even though many farm union leaders called for ending the protest, the farmers remained steadfast in their decision to not go back till the laws were repelled.

The sites of the two protests mentioned above can be compared to the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone (CHAZ) that was set up in Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle, Washington by Black Lives Matter (BLM) protesters during the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd by Police [23]. CHAZ was a nascent commune, built through mutual aid where no police was allowed and almost everything was free.

CHAZ, Shaheen Bagh and Farmers’ protests were occupation protests where the protestors set up a community themselves and created an autonomous zone. If one was against racism and police brutality, others were against religious discrimination and agrarian crisis. The protests were mostly self-organized and without an official leadership. The sites were filled with protest art, paintings, film screenings and musical performances [24]. Just like the mutual aid cooperative in CHAZ, free food, water, snacks and other supplies were provided to everyone. Areas were set up for assemblies and to facilitate discourse [25].

CHAZ was a leaderless zone, where the occupants favored consensus decision-making in the form of a general assembly, with daily meetings and discussion [26]. They slept in tents, cars and surrounding buildings, relying on donations from local store owners and activists. They collected donations for the homeless and created community gardens [27]. Medical stations were established to provide basic health care.

Anarchism tries to create institutions of a new society “within the shell of the old,” to expose, subvert, and undermine structures of domination but always, while doing so, proceeding in a democratic fashion, a manner which itself demonstrates those structures are unnecessary [28]. Anarchists observe what people are already doing in their communities, and then tries to tease out the hidden symbolic, moral, or pragmatic logic that underlie their actions and tries to make sense of it in ways that they are not themselves completely aware of. They look at those who are creating viable alternatives, try to figure out what might be the larger implications of what they are already doing, and then offer those ideas back, not as prescriptions, but as contributions [28]. They understand that people are already forming self-organized communities when the state has failed them and we can learn a lot about direct action and mutual aid from these communities.

Direct democratic decision making, decentralization of power, solidarity, mutual aid and voluntary association are the core principles of anarchist organizing. Anarchists employ direct action, disrupting and protesting against unjust hierarchy, and self-managing their lives through the creation of counter-institutions such as communes and non-hierarchical collectives. Decision-making is handled in an anti-authoritarian way, with everyone having equal say in each decision. They participate in all discussions in order to build a rough consensus among members of the group without the need of a leader or a leading group. Anarchists organize themselves to occupy and reclaim public spaces where art, poetry and music are blended to display the anarchist ideals. Squatting is a way to regain public space from the capitalist market or an authoritarian state and also being an example of direct action. We can find elements of these in all these protests and that is the reason for their robustness and success. It bursts the myth that you need a centralized chain of command with small group of leaders on top who decide the strategies and a very large group of followers who blindly obey those decisions for the sustenance and success of large scale organizing. All these protests were leaderless protests where people themselves decided and came to a consensus on the course of action to be followed in a democratic way. When people decide to take decisions themselves and coordinate with each other in small communities by providing aid to each other, it creates the strongest form of democracy and solidarity.

The fact that these protests happened, with so many people collectively organizing and cooperating, for such a long duration, shows us that we can self-organize and create communities without external institutions and it can be civilized and more democratic than the autocratic bureaucracy and authoritarian governments which concentrate all power and oppress people. These protests were driven by mostly by uneducated women, poor farmers and people from other marginalized communities, who showed that they can create communities which are more moral and egalitarian, than those that exist in hierarchical societies with the affluent and highly educated. They showed that people who are oppressed and underprivileged can organize themselves into communities of mutual aid and direct democracy which eliminates a need for coercive hierarchical systems of governance which exist only to exploit them.

What these occupy protests show us is that we can form communities and collectively organize various forms of democratic decision making simultaneously providing everyone their basic needs. There protests show us models of community organizing in large scales comprising hundreds of thousands of people. Even though they are not perfect we can learn the ideas these protests emulate – of solidarity, mutual aid, direct democracy, decentralization of power and try to recreate these in our lives and communities.

References

[1]

H. E. Petersen and S. Azizur Rahman, “‘Modi is afraid’: women take lead in India’s citizenship protests,” The Guardian, 21 January 2020.

[2]

N. Badwar, “Speaking truth to power, in Shaheen Bagh and beyond,” Livemint, 17 January 2020.

[3]

B. Kuchay, “Shaheen Bagh protesters pledge to fight, seek rollback of CAA law,” Al Jazeera, 15 January 2020.

[4]

“Shaheen Bagh: The women occupying Delhi street against citizenship law — ‘I don’t want to die proving I am Indian’,” BBC, 4 January 2020.

[5]

K. Sarfaraz, “Shaheen Bagh protest organiser calls it off, can’t get people to vacate,” The Hindustan Times, 2 January 2020.

[6]

“The volunteers of Shaheen Bagh,” The Telegraph (Culcutta), 24 December 2019.

[7]

“Behind Shaheen Bagh’s Women, An Army of Students, Doctors & Locals,” The Quint, 14 January 2020.

[8]

R. Venkataramakrishnan, “The Art of Resistance: Ringing in the new year with CAA protesters at Delhi’s Shaheen Bagh,” Scroll.in, 6 January 2020.

[9]

A. Bakshi, “Portraits of resilience: the new year in Shaheen Bagh,” 2 January 2020.

[10]

J. Thakur, “Shaheen Bagh Kids and Jamia Students Make Space for Art, Reading and Revolution,” The Citizen, 11 January 2020.

[11]

F. Ameen, “The Library at Shaheen Bagh,” The Telegraph (Culcutta), 20 January 2020.

[12]

A. Purkait, “In Shaheen Bagh, Children Paint Their Protest while Mothers Hold Dharna,” Makers India, 22 January 2020.

[13]

S. Chakrabarti, “Shaheen Bagh Heralds a New Year With Songs of Azaadi,” The Wire, 31 December 2019.

[14]

P. Sainath, “Maharashtra crosses 60,000 farm suicides,” People’s Archive of Rural India (PARI), 21 July 2014.

[15]

R. Sengupta, “Every day, 28 people dependent on farming die by suicide in India,” Down to Earth, 3 September 2020.

[16]

“Dilli Chalo | Farmers’ protest enters fifth day,” The Hindu, 30 November 2020.

[17]

S. Joy, “At least 25 crore workers participated in general strike; some states saw complete shutdown: Trade unions,” Deccan Herald, 26 November 2020.

[18]

“Farmers’ Protest Highlights: Protesting farmers refuse to budge, say ‘demands are non-negotiable,” The Indian Express, 1 December 2020.

[19]

G. Bhatia, “Tractors to Delhi,” Reuters, 29 January 2021.

[20]

“Langar Tradition Plays Out in Farmers Protest, Students Use Social Media To Organise Essentials,” India Today, 2 December 2020.

[21]

J. Sinha, “Protest site draws ‘Sewa’ – medicine stalls, laundry service, temple & library come up,” Indian Express, 11 December 2020.

[22]

B. Kuchay, “A school for the underprivileged at Indian farmers’ protest site,” AlJazeera, 24 January 2021.

[23]

D. Silva and M. Moschella, “Seattle protesters set up ‘autonomous zone’ after police evacuate precinct,” NBC News, 11 June 2020.

[24]

C. Burns, “The Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone Renames, Expands, and Adds Film Programming,” The Stranger, 10 June 2020.

[25]

H. Allam, “‘Remember Who We’re Fighting For’: The Uneasy Existence Of Seattle’s Protest Camp,” NPR, 18 June 2020.

[26]

K. Burns, “Seattle’s newly police-free neighborhood, explained,” Vox, 16 June 2020.

[27]

h. Weinberger, “In Seattle’s CHAZ, a community garden takes root | Crosscut,” Crosscut, 15 June 2020.

[28]

D. Graeber, Fragments of an Anarchist Anthropology, 2004.

12 notes · View notes

nix-whythisfilm · 2 years

Text

Movies and Shows to watch this Women's History Month

Coming from a culture where women are only celebrated selectively, and worshipped as a goddess but also are the majority of victims in the crimes here, I hope we can take back our power and find equality in this world that's meant for us all. From naive young girls to wise older women, from tomboys to prep girls, from emo girls to it girls, from straight girls to lesbian women, from ciswomen to trans women; a very happy women's day, including the identities I might have missed out on.

You are all valid. You are all worth it. You are all powerful. You are all more beautiful than any words can describe. You are more than what you look like. You are more than what other people see you as. You are so much more than any wild imagination.

Bridgerton (2020)

With a new upcoming season about the fictional Queen from the first two seasons, the series has everyone biding time in anticipation. The series is based on the books written by Julia Quinn, eight books for the eight Bridgerton siblings. The show is said to be adapted a little differently, focussing on different details and following a different narrative. The first season is set like a typical chick flick, with the oldest daughter having regal confidence and feminine finesse with everything expected of her. The second season takes on a bolder tone, showing us the perspective of the older brother, known to be a rake, looking for a gentle wife, only to meet a pair of siblings opposite in their natures, both challenging his opinion of love.

I initially found this series through the buzz on social media and the modern aesthetics it appeals to despite being set in Regent England. The music was what drew me in, being classical adaptations of modern songs, but what kept me was the way women were not shown in any distinctive way but as themselves. The show highlighted the little details people forget are a part of being a woman, such as not being educated on the duties of a marriage or the quiet strength we all possess through our social capabilities and gossiping skills. It was amusingly empowering to watch how the women took power by not doing anything special but only by being a typical women.

Gangubhai Kathiawad (2022)

Based on the story of Gangubhai Harijeevandas, this film involves a girl running away with her lover only to be sold to a brothel and forced to work there. While the story is all too common to an Indian and gives us a chill every time we hear of something similar, this film brings us a side of the story that is often shunned and not accepted. Gangubhai was a prominent figure in Mumbai in the 1960s, fighting for the rights of sex workers and orphans rising from the red light districts. She has been shown to change as her life demands and took charge of the brothel she was sold to and was very well known in Kamathipura.

Chilling and raw, this film gave us the reality of sex workers in a barely romanticized narration. Alia Bhatt's performance is startling, and by the end of the film, we can find ourselves having a different opinion of the women in that profession. They have made it widely clear that she not only promoted their commercial prospects but also highlighted the confidence and sense of power in the women there to give them a choice in their lives. She fought for her life, her freedom, and the freedom of choice for other young girls who found themselves in her place. While many others would say that the film glorified the dangerous space that women and children could be stuck into, I will go ahead and say that things that cannot be erased or changed should at least be provided with the space to adapt as required.

Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung (2019)

Set in Joseon, this series is about the historians who worked in the Royal Courts of Korea, noting everything that happened, from simple interactions to actions taken concerning state matters. They were to be present at all places, documenting silently, around the King and the Court Officials. While politics and patriarchy were present nearly everywhere in that era, this show features a fictional prince who presented the idea of having female historians who would record everything that happened around the Queen while also providing challenging work opportunities to women of that era, who were always held back from higher education.

This series is remarkable for anyone interested in Journalism and gender equality. The main character is a modern thinker who goes out of her way to make people have uncomfortable conversations. Another thing that stood out to me from this show was the way they resolved the major conflict using non-violent methods, and the strike of honest intellectuals was justified from their perspectives. The series highlighted the importance of honesty and the way history is recorded. It focuses heavily on dramatic politics and simple romance, but they equally discuss the importance of literature and history, in the process.

Tribhanga (2021)

Another jewel is this list, this film was written and directed by women, with a story involving mothers and daughters. The movie appears to break the fourth wall, where the characters seem to be talking directly to the audience, but as a start, the story begins with a prominent self-made dancer who hears of her mother being in the hospital. The scenes quickly cut to her hurrying there with her newly married daughter to the hospital, where her estranged mother has slipped into a coma. The film continues with Milan, a follower of Nayantara's work, pleading with everyone to talk more about her story as the mother, who was an author, was in the process of writing her autobiography.

The movie was entertaining, to say the least, and a caressing memoir at its best. Through tears and yelling, fights and hardships, the entire story of three generations of women comes to light in the span of this film. It starts with the mother who separated from her family to be a writer and raised her daughter as a single mother, who then grew up through her hardships to become an accomplished dancer and celebrity. Anuradha was a single mother who raised a confident, poised daughter who then chose to marry into a large family to have the life her grandmother had abandoned. The story picks and talks about the nuances of being a woman while feeling like a personal story to every woman who watches it.

Happiness (2021)

An unlikely genre for this list, this series is a horror-thriller show involving a fast-spreading disease that turns humans cannibalistic. Set in South Korea, this disease spreads much like Covid and the authorities take quick action to control the spread. The story mainly focuses on an unusual couple who move into an elite gated community of apartments. With their jobs being a challenge and being discriminated against for their job benefits, the show quickly focuses on the disease and the ripples of fear it has in the community. I put this show here in this list because the character Park Hyungsik plays, who is an unwavering feminist who goes above and beyond for his wife.

With not much buzz about this show, I discovered it in my interest in watching Hyungsik's work and was pleasantly surprised by the way they captured people's reactions to their epidemic. It was accurate with how the Covid pandemic happened and the trauma a disease can bring to any community through its horror elements. While there are numerous female characters in this show, some antagonistic in nature and others part of the complete story, the series can easily be categorized into a work that captures the story through the female gaze. It's a surprise how well the movies and series can be perceived differently when the perception of the director is guided by their gender.

Bell Bottom (2019)

A Kannada film set in the 1980s, the story follows a man struggling to be recognized as a detective and finally finds a crime that seems like a mystery. Rishab Shetty and Haripriya come together to show us a fresh story that scratches the back of our necks until the end. With their romance bringing an easy laugh and dynamics around the small town that keep us engaged, this film is sure to leave the audience thoroughly entertained.

Curious about the actors' work, I found this film a unique slice of entertainment. The cultural details of this story are highlighted excellently, and the feminist factors need to be dug into passionately. But through it all, the film can be called an easy and entertaining watch. Interesting with narratives that audiences are unfamiliar with, this quirky film brings us a unique set of feminists and characters that cannot be put into stereotypes.

Wheel of Time (2021)

Honestly, underrated for the breathtaking show that it is, this series deserves a much bigger audience. Following a prophecy that was foretold and fighting wars that are beyond humanity, this show is filled with beautiful visuals and meaningful narratives. It starts with one woman guiding five others through the trials for the people they are predicted to be and the story takes us through a journey beyond our imagination. With simplified concepts of fantasy and a world of politics, this show is ruled by the many women who control the stories of numerous others in the show.

A show that was exhilarating and left me wanting more, it was led by women in places of power who decided the fate of people with magic. A unique concept of only women having magic, this series brings us a tale that was written decades ago and gives us characters of various cultures coming together to fight against unfamiliar darkness. With every character holding the potential to be a game changer and everyone hustling to be in places of power, this series presents us with an intimidating world, quite similar to the one we are living in right now. And through it all, it also shows us women finding themselves and bonding with other women in ways that are not highlighted in reality nearly enough.

Kahaani 2: Durga Rani Singh (2016)

Raw and magnetic, this film is about a woman who defies odds thrown in her direction that are beyond ordinary. It starts with a haunting accident and leads a police officer to investigate it, only to find a woman he never expected to see with a daughter. With her daughter missing and criminal charges against her that make no sense, this film takes us on a sombre journey of her past and the things she faced. The movie has a grip over us with Vidya Balan playing Durga Rani and Arjun Rampal playing the police officer. This film is a slap of honesty and mostly focuses on the various women involved in this story who might not always be loyal to their gender.

Shocking me beyond imagination when I first watched it, this story managed to grip me even today with the narrative of a terrified woman facing the world by herself while also taking on responsibilities that were not hers to begin with. With dangerous people always around her, Durga Rani manages to do the right thing by herself and everyone who depends on her. This film empowered me on the struggles of being a survivor and ways one can push themselves to be more than their ruinous experience. Rooted in India and navigating the clutches of patriarchy, this film is a wake-up call to the silent bystanders and people who believe ignorance is better.

How to get away with Murder (2014)

Following the story of Annalise Keating prominently, this show is a dynamic punch for any audience. The show focuses on murders every season, involving the diverse characters of the show, who all grow through the six seasons. While the first season starts off with a student's narration, the following seasons involve the lives of the main characters and conclude with a full-circle story of Annalise. An intimidating woman to most, and a terrific teacher and lawyer to the rest, Annalise is a complex character who can be studied through various approaches. This show was unique with the narration having a feminist approach and having main characters that do not belong to the mainstream crowd.

I began this show hesitantly, expecting it to be a slow watch that would take me aeons to finish. Instead, I finished the entire series in three weeks and was left reeling on how they managed to involve a plethora of ordeals the characters experienced. From losing loved ones to doing the right thing, from being a single mother to experiencing health complications, from menopause to the struggles of being a part of countercultures, this show has managed to put it all together. Women in this show have been shown as the people they are, with their faults and quirks. Women from all stereotypes have been a part of this show, and somehow, the show manages to empower us with its dark truths and dangerous struggles.

Pieces of a woman (2020)

A heartbreaking film on the experience of losing a child, this film focuses heavily on the woman who lost her baby after birth due to complications. While movies exist about the loss of a child and the many labours of miscarriages, a film had never been made before about the experience. The directors, a couple who experienced this personally, brought out this script after surviving the struggle that was never spoken aloud about. Vanessa Kirby has played the character so beautifully it leaves us speechless on the woes a human being could go through.

Having found this film through a friend, we later wrote a paper on this and nuances that would be commonly missed out. The film is incredibly insightful on the details of motherhood and the changes a woman's body goes through post-pregnancy. It focuses on the way loss can affect a woman and a man, and how both adapt to it differently. The most important element highlighted throughout is the way a woman is expected to cope after a miscarriage. While we all hear the numerous pressures a woman goes through in her life, this film sheds light on the way a woman is expected to behave a certain way even through uncertain, hopeless times.

Bombay Begums (2021)

Starting with women in powerful positions this mini-series takes us on a ride with the stories of four women at different times of their lives. They belong to different social classes and have different aspirations, but they all are shown to have challenges that only someone would experience as a woman. While some are struggling for power and money, others are grappling to hold on to relationships and personal-social ties. Some women here are stumbling to balance everything as women are always portrayed to be doing, while others are exploring their options and finding themselves in the midst of everything.

I was confounded when I finished this series, only having imagined it to be a dramatic show with a plot carried by women. It had nuances to their struggles that couldn't have been explained in mere words and brought out their personalities in ways a male director could never. The series humanized the women to the people they were while also shedding light on the experiences that women are privy to. I recommend this show to every woman as it has captured something that has never been done before. The dialogues hit home as the story moves in an unpredictable direction leaving us with a sharp sting of reality over 6 episodes.

Easy A (2010)

A very typical American chick flick, this film is light-hearted and packs a powerful message. It starts with Olive, a seemingly normal high school girl, making up one lie about having a college boyfriend to appease a nagging best friend. The story then spins out of control quickly with wild rumours about her spreading all over her school making her a subject of gossip and school scandals. Being the good-hearted girl she is, she helps out anyone she can with the attention that she now commands, and once again the narrative is taken for a spin to paint her as a girl with loose characters and a nympho.

I watched this film years ago on television and thought about how people could miss the entire point of the film and only focus on the romantic ending of her story. Having "Scarlet Letter" as the prescribed text in the film, the students all witness their scandalous woman, when she starts dressing as they painted her in spite and to claim her power. A film aimed at teenage girls, this film can easily be watched by anyone who enjoys humour. We see a perspective that is often missed out in chick flicks and a main character who takes power in the stereotype she is pushed into. All in all, time spent watching this would be well entertaining.

23 notes · View notes

sprouseandall · 2 months

Text

𝒀𝒆𝒉 𝑫𝒐𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒚𝒂𝒏 𝑴𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒕

sʏɴᴏᴘsɪs: Inspired by the song with the same name and the movie Five Feet Apart.

Set in 2019. It is the story of a young Indian girl named Asher who had a dream of becoming a singer since the age of twelve when she wrote her first song along. Her world was turned upside down when she got diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis (CF), a lung disease. Making her live on borrowed air, through oxygen cylinder with pipe throwing air inside her lungs and the day she gave up on her dreams she even gave up on her hope and life.

She was 17, when on a regular weekend she caught the eye of Cole Sprouse as she played guitar alongside her friends in the central park of New York.

It started off as friendship but eventually love found its way into Asher's heart despite her efforts. She tries to distance him away thinking she was saving him from a heartbreak by breaking her own heart. She thought she was being brave soldier as she stood alone in this battle when inside of her, she was scared but the almighty had sent someone for her to hold onto. He wouldn't leave her no matter how hard she try because he's meant to love her. No matter what.

𝐒𝐨 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐬𝐡 𝐡𝐢𝐦 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬?

A/N: It's really special story to me as for first time I put myself into the shoes of the female protagonist. As an acting student it is really important to feel and become that person and respect and appreciate them so that's what l'm gonna do. It's gonna be challenging but worth it to write and I can't wait to see how the story goes but I can assure you that it's going to be a emotional roller coaster and this new story is my way of giving the characters their happy ending or as I say "happy beginning".

I recently watched "Five Feet Apart"... again and it is movie that hits me in my core and make me cry more than Stella as the movie reaches its climax. Also I got inspired by a Hindi song "Yeh Dooriyan" which means "These Distances" I'm a Indian for those who don't know so I understand that depth in the song and two nights ago I got this storyline stuck in my head.

I'm really excited and nervous, l'm doing a lot of research on the disease to make the story as accurate as possible but still if there's a mistake then I'm sorry in advance, I'll try to write as detailed as possible but since l'm not a professional writer go easy on me and at the same time feel free to reach out to make suggestions and recommendations. My DMs are also open forever 💗

On a serious note, I wanna show my respect to all those people who deal with serious diseases like CF and all of other sorts. It's not easy and if you're moving forward everyday with it, YOU ARE BRAVE. And I'm SO PROUD of you guys! I'm always there.

I'll be updating my new story every weekend as college as officially started. So the story isn't just mine anymore, it's ours.

Catch early updates on Wattpad

Prologue (posted on July 23rd, 2024)

Chapter 1 (posted on July 23rd, 2024)

Chapter 2 (26/7) (published on Wattpad)

Chapter 3 (29/7)

Chapter 4 (01/8)

Chapter 5 (04/8)

Chapter 6 (08/8)

Chapter 7 (12/8)

Chapter 8 (15/8)

Chapter 9 (TBD)

#cole sprouse imagines #cole sprouse oneshot #cole sprouse x reader #cole sprouse #jughead jones x reader #riverdale #yeh dooriyan #jughead jones

1 note · View note

everything-is-crab · 1 year

Text

Two memes-

rules- tag 10 (or less) people you want to get to know better. Thanks for tagging me @robertpattinsonimdb .

I am Indian and more familiar with my own culture so there's stuff here from which you may not get to know me well 😅 but I hope that's okay.

relationship status- Single 😬 but not open yet, just wanna figure myself and my goals out more

favorite color- grass green, black, pastel blue

song stuck in my head- Celebrity Skin by Hole

three favorite foods- 😲😫 no this unfair. I am a huge foodie and I can't choose....but just for the sake of doing it- pani puri, mysore masala dosa and warm chocolate chip cookies :)

Last song I listened to- Kabhi Kabhi Aditi 💜💜 I love this song sm it's one of my favorites and I listen to it whenever I feel down.

Dream trip - Idk I really don't have one but I have been to Dubai and it was a beautiful place and definitely would take the chance to go back again.

Last thing I Googled- "Who is the spot spiderman?" (After watching the second trailer)

Rules- Post 10 of your favorite movies and then tag 10 different people to share theirs. Tagged by same user.

Bollywood-

3 idiots (2009)

Drishyam (2015)

Sholay (1975, sorry but this will never get old)

Pink (2016)

Hollywood-

Joker (2019)

It (2017)

Predator 2 (1990)

The Matrix (1999)

Jurassic Park (1993)

South Korean-

Train to Busan (2016)

Tagging @r-ish-i @mottamadhan @lilithian-labyrinth @iamadamdemigod @chopnuts @infelizjueves @brand-new-uterus @bloomfish @menalez @ve6a and anyone who wants to participate. And if you're tagged no pressure to post if you don't want to 😊💜

8 notes · View notes

imhvm · 1 year

Text

Real-Life Royalty - Disney Princesses in Live-Action Spectacle

By Harshita Verma

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Every girl fantasises about meeting her beloved Disney princess in person, but is it ever the case that your favourite princess actually differs from your actual image of her? In this following article, I will compare the live-action films of two of my all time favourite characters - Cinderella and Jasmine.

Casting and Authenticity

Aladdin (2019) starred Naomi Scott as Jasmine, Mena Massoud as Aladdin. Naomi Scott, who is of British and Indian origin, gave the character of Jasmine a broad and cosmopolitan flavour. Furthermore, she resembled the cartoon character in appearance, just like Mena Massoud and his athletic ability aided the action sequences. This was well received by spectators, who saw it as a positive step towards more diverse casting in Hollywood. The casting of Will Smith as the genie, however, sparked great debate, following Robin Williams' renowned performance in the cartoon version.

The movie, overall, gathered a favorable reception from viewers and critics.

Cinderella (2021) casted Camila Cabello as Cinderella and Nicholas Galitzine as Prince charming. The reviews were mixed, but mostly leaning on the negative side. Camila Cabello is a Cuban woman, contrary to the original Cinderella, who was Caucasian. People immediately compared Cabello's casting to past Cinderella actors, such as Lily James in Disney's 2015 live-action remake. Some debates centred on how Cabello's portrayal differed from earlier interpretations. Additionally, Camila Cabello is a singer by profession, lacking some of the crucial skills an actor must posses.

Overall, the movie received mixed responses, as some people did not like the alteration of plot.

Plot and script

Aladdin sticks to the original storyline of the film. However, In order to further explore and provide depth to the characters and their motivations, the movie incorporates new songs.

A famous dialogue, recited by Jasmine, "How dare you. All of you. Standing around deciding my future. I am not a prize to be won," is kept unchanged, which brought the animated movie to my mind; It felt as if I was present in the scene.

On the contrary, due to Camila Cabello's personal perception of the movie and the message she wants to convey to young girls, the live-action "Cinderella" differs significantly from the animation version of the classic tale. The main alterations included Cinderella's appearance, her behaviour towards her family, and her fashion style. While a few phrases were modified, the well-known "Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo" remained unaltered. I liked the message the movie gave and how the changed scenes made it unpredictable and not repetitive, but the overall modernization of my favorites princess movie did not sit right with me.

Music and quality

Most of the tunes from the animated movie, such as "A Whole New World," "Friend Like Me," and "Prince Ali" are still present in "Aladdin". Fans are familiar with these tunes, providing them with nostalgia.

A few new songs are included in the live-action adaption, notably "Speechless," which Princess Jasmine sings. This song develops Jasmine's persona and explores her desire for autonomy and an identity.

In contrast to the traditional Disney melodies, "Cinderella" features modern pop songs. Some of the songs on the soundtrack are "Million to One" and "Dream Girl."

The directors' intentions for the adaptations and the tone they want to express have an impact on the music choices in both movies.

Conclusion

To sum up, I would prefer it if Princess Tales kept to the original storyline and used actors that fit the roles. With that said, I think "Aladdin" is better than "Cinderella" because I feel more at ease with the characters' original conceptions than I do with a modernised rendition. The only alterations I like would be the songs featured in the movie, as it does not take away the essence of the plot line. Which one would you prefer?

2 notes · View notes

brookston · 1 year

Text

Holidays 6.5

Holidays

Apple II Day

Arbor Day (New Zealand)

Atlantis Day

Barricade Day

Blackberry Prophecy Day (If it rains today, it means the blackberries will be small and full of seeds)

Breonna Taylor Day

Elderberry Day (French Republic)

Family Yahtzee Day

Father's Day (Denmark)

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off Day

Festival of Popular Delusions

Flag Day (Turkey)

Global Jewish Unity Day

Grundlovsdag (Constitution Day; Denmark, Faroe Islands)

HIV Long-Term Survivors Awareness Day

Hot Air Balloon Day

Indian Arrival Day (Suriname)

International Day for the Fight Against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing

Khordad Movement Day (Iran)

The King’s Birthday (New Zealand, Niue)

Liberation Day (Seychelles)

National Attitude Day

National Cancer Survivors Day

National Coworking Day (UK)

National Janet Day

National Jenny Day

National Joyce Day

National Lincoln Loud Day

National Report Stark Violations Day

National Shut Up Day

National Unity Day (Hungary)

National Women Chiropractors Day

One Plastic Free Day

Pansexual Day

President’s Day (Equatorial Guinea)

Reclamation Day (Azerbaijan)

605 Day

Walt Powell Memorial Day

Wiltshire Day (UK)

World Campaign for the Biosphere Day

World Day Against Speciesism

World Environment Day (UN)

Food & Drink Celebrations

Gingerbread Day

National Gingerbread Cookie Day

National Ketchup Day

National Love Island Day (UK) [1st Monday]

National Veggie Burger Day

Sausage Roll Day

1st Monday in June

Crop Over begins (Barbados) [1st Monday Until 1st Monday in August]

Jefferson Davis Day [1st Monday] (Alabama)

Meitheamh begins (Ireland) [1st Monday]

National Thank God It’s Monday Day [1st Monday; also 1st Monday in January]

Western Australia Day [1st Monday]

World Orthoptic Day [1st Monday]

Independence Days

Constitution Day (Denmark)

Feast Days

André Lhote (Artology)

The Bicycle and Helmet (Muppetism)

Boniface (Roman Catholic Church; Saint) [brewers, German brewers, innkeepers] *

St. Boniface (Positivist; Saint)

Dorotheus the Theban (Christian; Saint)

Dorotheus of Tyre (Christian; Saint)

Doughnut Day (Pastafarian)

Festival for Hercules Custos (Ancient Rome)

Genesius, Count of Clermont (Christian; Saint)

Illidius, Bishop of Auvergne (Christian; Saint)

Media Ver V (Pagan)

Meinwerk (Christian; Blessed)

Nones of June (Ancient Rome)

Whit Monday [50 days after Orthodox Easter] (Orthodox Christian) a.k.a. ...

Doua Zi de Rusalii (România)

Holy Spirit Monday

Kataklysmos (Cyprus)

Monday of the Holy Spirit

Pentecost Monday

Valeria (Christian; Saint)

Wild Man Fletcher Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Lucky Day (Philippines) [33 of 71]

Tomobiki (友引 Japan) [Good luck all day, except at noon.]

Unfortunate Day (Pagan) [31 of 57]

Premieres

Arctic Antics (Disney Cartoon; 1930)

Away We Go (Film; 2009)

Be-Bop-a-Lula, by Gene Vincent (Song; 1956)

The Comeback (TV Series; 2005)

Come Blow Your Horn (Film; 1963)

For the Birds (Pixar Cartoon; 2000)

The Hangover (Film; 2009)

Harry and the Hendersons (Film; 1987)

Little Boy Boo (WB LT Cartoon; 1954)

Lovestoned, by Justin Timberlake (Song; 2007)

Lush Life, by Zara Larsson (Song; 2015)

Memory Almost Full, by Paul McCartney (Album; 2007)

Mulan (Animated Disney Film; 1998)

Patriot Games (Film; 1992)

Peter Grimes, by Benjamin Britten (Opera; 1945)

Pleading Guilty, by Scott Turow (Novel; 1993)

Rachel, Jack and Ashley Too (Black Mirror TV Episode; 2019)

Rififi (Film; 1956)

Rock of Ages (Film; 2012)

The Sea Wolves (Film; 1981)

Sixkill, by Robert B. Parker (Novel; 2011)

Spy (Film; 2015)

The Truman Show (film; 1998)

Uncle Tom’s Bungalow (WB MM Cartoon; 1937)

Uncle Tom’s Cabin (Novel; 1852)

The Untouchables (Film; 1987)

What's New Pussycat?, by Tom Jones (Song; 1965)

Yankee Doodle Dandy (Film; 1942)

You’ve Got a Friend, by James Taylor (Song; 1971)

Today’s Name Days

Erika, Winfried (Austria)

Bonifacije, Bono, Darinka, Valerija (Croatia)

Dobroslav (Czech Republic)

Bonifacius (Denmark)

Vilimo, Viljar, Viljer, Viljo, Vilju (Estonia)

Sulevi (Finland)

Igor (France)

Bonifatius, Erika, Winifried (Germany)

Apollon, Dorotheos, Kinthia, Nikandros, Ploutarhos, Selene (Greece)

Fatime (Hungary)

Bonifacio, Ferdinando, Igor, Irene (Italy)

Igors, Ingvars, Margods, Margots (Latvia)

Kantautas, Kantvydė, Marcė (Lithuania)

Torben, Torbjørg, Torbjørn (Norway)

Bończa, Bonifacy, Dobrociech, Dobromir, Dobrymir, Nikanor, Waleria, Walter (Poland)

Dorotei (România)

Laura (Slovakia)

Bonifacio (Spain)

Bo (Sweden)

Dora, Dorothea, Dorothy, Ihor (Ukraine)

Boniface, Sancho, Santino, Santos (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 156 of 2024; 209 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 1 of week 23 of 2023

Celtic Tree Calendar: Huath (Hawthorn) [Day 22 of 28]

Chinese: Month 4 (Ding-Si), Day 18 (Jia-Wu)

Chinese Year of the: Rabbit 4721 (until February 10, 2024)

Hebrew: 16 Sivan 5783

Islamic: 16 Dhu al-Qada 1444

J Cal: 6 Sol; Sixday [6 of 30]

Julian: 23 May 2023

Moon: 97%: Waning Gibbous

Positivist: 16 St. Paul (6th Month) [St. Boniface]

Runic Half Month: Odal (Home, Possession) [Day 11 of 15]

Season: Spring (Day 77 of 90)

Zodiac: Gemini (Day 15 of 32)

#calendar #Holidays

2 notes · View notes

brettyimages · 2 years

Text

January Record Review below

Elastica - Elastica - 10 Of course it's a 10. If I loved it less I could talk about it more. Highs: Vaseline is my favourite but so is 3/4s of the album. Lows: It's all great but these ones are less great than the others: S.O.F.T and Never Here (the long ones), Blue, and Indian Song (the only one I can't play on guitar/bass)

Summer 2019 mixtape - 10 I made this to listen to on my little Walkman at work and it's full of bangers. Side 1 is upbeat and mostly Britpop and late 80s alt, and Side 2 is all dreampop and hazy ballads. It's a masterpiece, honestly, and the fact I am still saying it's a 10 in 2023 says something about my tastes not changing, I suppose. Highs: I included a few of my favourite Suede tracks: Introducing The Band to start, Lazy on side 1, and The Living Dead and The Asphalt World (although it cuts off mid-solo) to finish. Also Fade Into You and Nothing's Gonna Hurt You Baby are back to back on the dreampop side. Lows: I went with Spastica by Elastica which is by no means bad but I should have cut off Justin's silly intro bit.

New Order - (the best of) NewOrder - 9 I love New Order as a singles band and I listened to this a lot this time last year. Everything here is great, even perfect, to me. Highs: I cannot stress enough how much I love Blue Monday (the 1988 mix appears here) Lows: Ruined In A Day doesn't match up to the others

The Smiths - Hatful of Hollow - 9 This was donated to the charity shop I worked in, the 10" double vinyl pressing, with white-tack stuck in the grooves. I've rehabilitated it and now it's one of my favourites. Highs: 10/16 of these songs are perfect pop records: William It Was Really Nothing, What Difference Does It Make?, This Charming Man, How Soon Is Now?, Still Ill, Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now, Hand In Glove, Girl Afraid, Reel Around The Fountain and Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want Lows: the slower ones were less engaging: This Night Has Opened My Eyes, You've Got Everything Now and Back To The Old House

Suede - Bloodsports - 9 This is an album of two halves and I find the last four tracks a bit slow compared to the first six but it has two of my favourite Suede songs on so still, 9/10 thanks for coming back babies Highlights: Barriers is one of my favourite post-reunion songs that they never play (🙁) and For The Strangers makes me feel invincible Lowlights: the last four songs slow things waaay down and I don't love Snowblind either but I think they're all still great songs

Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazelwood - Nancy & Lee - 8 I love this album, it's magical to me. It was top of my wishlist and then one day I went down into the basement of the charity shop I worked at and there it was, an original vinyl copy donated and left on a stool. She's so special 💖 Highs: both Summer Wine and Some Velvet Morning are among my all-time fave songs, they're cult classics I know but they deserve it. Honorable mention to Jackson too. Lows: there's nothing bad on here but my least faves are You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin', Elusive Dreams, Storybook Children and I've Been Down So Long (It Looks Like Up To Me).

Depeche Mode - Music For The Masses - 8 I love Depeche Mode and this is from their great period, but my CD is a thrifted 80s pressing where they tacked on some b-sides and remixes which lets down the overall quality. Highs: almost the entirety of the standard album - I think Never Let Me Down Again, The Things You Said, Strangelove, Sacred, Behind The Wheel, I Want You Now and Nothing are all perfect records Lows: Agent Orange and the To Have And To Hold Spanish Taster are not worthy of being here

7"s 2486 - 2490 - 8 All Depeche Mode singles, acquired via eBay in the era when I was deep in my DM obsession. 2486. Everything Counts (Live) 2487. Personal Jesus 2488. World In My Eyes 2489. I Feel You 2490. John The Revelator/Lilian remix picture disc Highs: Personal Jesus, World In My Eyes, I Feel You and One Caress all perfect songs. Lows: John The Revelator (UNKLE Dub) - the remix does nothing for me and bears no resemblance to the album track, which I do like

Good Charlotte - The Young & The Hopeless - 8 This album was essential for me growing up, they were the first 'proper' rock band I got into as a 10 year old and my brother and I played this album constantly. Highs: Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, Wondering, The Story of My Old Man, My Bloody Valentine, Riot Girl Lows: Hold On and Emotionless (the ballads) and the intro, good but not as great as the rest

Suede - The Blue Hour - 8 The album that hooked me in as a Suedegirl and I've rated it based on the average rating of the individual songs, which is why it's only an 8. It should probably be a 9 because it's one of those that needs to be looked at as a whole piece rather than a collection of songs, sorry I have been so unfair to you TBH I love you. Highlights: Tides!!!! I love her! Especially live, the build-up of that song is incredible. Lows: There are none, really - I considered ranking Dead Bird lower but then Brett's grunt as he shovels dirt got me.

Lily Allen - Alright, Still... - 7 I got this in the supermarket when it came out and I listened to it quite a lot despite being a certified emo girl. It's still really good. Highs: Smile, Knock Em Out, LDN and Friday Night are my faves. Lows: none, the rest are all good songs!

Elvis Presley - Elvis' Golden Records - 7 Elvis is obviously an icon with loads of great records. This is a repress of an old compilation that my dad had in his collection, with early hits. Highlights: Hound Dog and Jailhouse Rock, naturally Lowlights: the ballads, there's 5 on here

#148 - January 2015 pt. 2 - 7 First off can I just say I don't know how some of these songs managed to be relegated to pt. 2 of my monthly mix CD series because some of my favourite songs of all time are on here!!! Pt 1 is probably what I was listening to a lot at the time but didn't make a lasting impression. Highs: Animal Nitrate is on here!!! And so is Angels of Porn by Nicole Dollanganger which is also a perfect record. But the absolute number one, possibly my favourite song ever which I didn't appreciate at the time, Menswear by the 1975. Lows: the set opens with Nightcrawler by Kids In Glass Houses who I was listening to a lot at this time but it's not one of their hits.

Elastica - Weekend Swingers - 6 This was the first Elastica bootleg I bought on eBay and it's a good one, with a full 1994 festival set, 2 Peel Sessions and a couple of demos on the end. Rarely is a live version ever as good as the album though and bless Justine but her stage banter is always cringe. Highs: the demo of Vaseline is great and also the live version of Hold Me Now that they play here is also important - the guitars are played at double speed and there's an Ants-esque Burundi beat to the drums which I wish they'd kept for the album! Lows: there's none - it's a good set.

Elastica - Glastonbury Festival 25 June 1995 - 6 Another eBay bootleg, this time of their Glasto set. Again, it's all good but nothing special. Highs: Stutter Lows: n/a

#116 - 6 A mix CD that's largely devoid of theme; just me backing up songs I had downloaded that I didn't have any other place for. Highs: Ghost Town by The Specials is the highlight of any mix CD, I think Lows: Sonic Boom Six's cover of Addicted To Bass. I love the original and this version doesn't add anything so I don't need it.

7"s 2581-2585 - 6 I bought these as part of a box of about 50 cheap singles from Discogs where I was just racking up a cart of everything I might like to reach the free shipping amount. Some of the choices are unhinged. 2581 - Piero Umiliani - Mah-Na Mah-Na 2582 - The Fun Boy Three - The Telephone Always Rings 2583 - Lene Lovich - Say When 2584 - Shaggy - Oh Carolina 2585 - The Supremes - Baby Love Highs: Baby Love is a perfect record, of course, but I also have a soft spot for Mah-Na Mah-Na purely for the chaos factor. Lows: none, actually - I expected to say goodbye to Lene Lovich but I warmed to the song. Same with FB3 but the b-side is cool.

#145 - November '14 - 6 This was a month of very mixed vibes, fuelled by The Blackout's Wolves EP tour - a mix of pop, nu metal and a lot of Die Antwoord. Highs: two Die Antwoord songs that I will still listen to - Rich Bitch and Orinoco Ninja Flow - plus Break Stuff by Limp Bizkit, Twisted Transistor by Korn, and Blank Space by Taylor Swift Lows: Limp Bizkit's cover of Faith is bad.

#102 - 6 This is another mix CD that's just me backing stuff up so not very well put together although it includes some EPs and punk themes I suppose. Highs: The entire Dear Boy EP - 5 perfect songs that make me feel like I'm home. Also R U Mine? and Road Runner. Lows: Angel With A Shotgun by The Cab sounds engineered for the credits of some YA action movie and I think people used to put it in their fandom playlists on here a lot so it just sounds like really annoying Tumblr to me.

The Housemartins - London 0, Hull 4 - 5 This is another that I feel I might have been unfair to because I quite liked it, it's just that the songs are all kind of the same. There's 2 vibes - the jangly indie tunes and the ballads that are grasping at soulfulness. All of the former are good, all of the latter are not for me. Highs: Happy Hour was a hit single for a reason Lows: Flag Day is the ballad that drones on the longest, they're trying to be ambitious but I didn't like it.

Hyro Da Hero - Birth, School, Work, Death - 5 I saw Hyro a few times when he was promoting this album because of his feature on The Blackout's record and his subsequent support slot on their tour. I was really into it at the time but it doesn't do anything for me now. I didn't actually buy it at the time (I ripped it to iTunes from a friend's CD) but I found it in an Oxfam music shop years later. It's going back into the charity shop circuit now though. Highlights: Grudge, Ghetto Ambiance, Section 8 and Beam Me Up Scotty are my keepers Lowlights: The World's Stage was my least favourite - I find his misogyny really gross.

Mix CD #8 - 5 I think this dates to about 2007, maybe even 2006, when I would download anything and everything that was popular on PureVolume or Kerrang TV. The 20 tracks are split between decent rock songs and average ones. Highlights: By The Way by Red Hot Chili Peppers and In Too Deep by Sum 41 - both music TV staples Lowlight: Sinking Ships by Only Innocent Die, which would have been OK as a normal length song but it was 7 and a half minutes long and I got very bored waiting for it to end.

Propaganda - A Secret Wish - 4 I bought this at one of those charity shops in the Central Belt where CDs are 10p each, on the basis of them being on ZTT. I didn't enjoy it though, unfortunately, and I've not kept it in my collection. Highs: Duel was the only song I liked Lows: none of the rest was *bad*, just dull

From First To Last -Heroine - 4 I loved the first FFTL album so I was excited that this one came out as I was getting into them, but I never really gelled with it in 2006 and I still don't, sadly. Highs: The Latest Plague is the only song that does it for me. Lows: the rest is average quality.

Pixies - Come On Pilgrim - 4 I inherited this from a family member who emigrated so I don't feel like I can get rid of it even though I didn't enjoy it much. It doesn't have any of the well-known Pixies songs on it, or even anything that feels like it could have been a single. Highs: The Holiday Song and I've Been Tired Lows: everything else was a bit boring.

Top of the Pops 2000 - Vol. 2 [disc 2] - 4 This was so much worse than I remembered! It's mostly UK garage and really dull house music with a bit of mainstream rock on the end. The pop music on disc 1 may save this from donation. Highs: All The Small Things by Blink-182 is the sole attempt at greatness Lows: I was really unimpressed by the opener - A New Beginning (Love II Infinity Mix) by Stephen Gately. I don't understand why they would put remixes on a pop hits compilation when the remix wasn't the hit version (there's a remix of The Bad Touch on here too). I also didn't like Masterblaster 2000 by DJ Luck & MC Neat, but the worst thing on here was Who Feels Love? which is Oasis having a go at psychedelic Beatles and it's fucking dogshit.

#rachel's record review

2 notes · View notes

brookstonalmanac · 2 years

Text

Holidays 11.8

Holidays

Abet and Aid Punsters Day

Aboriginal Veterans Day (Canada)

Day of Baku Metro Employees (Azerbaijan)

Days of History and Memory (Kyrgyzstan)

Feast of Pamphleteers

I Hate to Cook Day

International Day of Radiology

International Human Animal Bond Day

Intersex Day of Remembrance (Australia)

La Almudena (Madrid, Spain)

Merchant Sailing Ship Preservation Day

Moon Festival (Elder Scrolls)

National Aboriginal Veterans Day (Canada)

National Ample Time Day

National Dunce Day

National Loneliness Awareness Day

National Parents As Teachers Day

National S.T.E.M. Day (a.k.a. National S.T.E.A.M. Day)

Octave Day of All Saints (Anglicanism)

Personal Liberty Day (Chicago celebration of Prohibition's repeal)

Pohnpei Constitution Day (Micronesia)

Rorschach Test Day

Shakespeare Authorship Mystery Day

World Pianist Day

World Radiography Day (a.k.a. X-Ray Discovery Day)

World Town Planning Day

World Urbanism Day

X-Ray Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Cook Something Bold and Pungent Day

Harvey Wallbanger Day

National Cappuccino Day

National Pupusa Day (El Salvador)

Try a New Recipe Day

2nd Tuesday in November

Election Day (US) [1st Tuesday after 1st Monday]

National Young Readers' Day [2nd Tuesday]

Skeptics Day International [1st Tuesday after 1st Monday]

Independence Days

Montana Statehood Day (#41; 1889)

Feast Days

Appreciate Your Loved Ones Day (Pastafarian)

Big Bird’s Daddy (Muppetism)

Elizabeth of the Trinity (Roman Catholic Church; Blessed)

Feast of the Mania (Ancient Rome)

Festival of the Mania (Ancient Rome)

Four Crowned Brothers (Christian; Martyrs)

Full Moon [11th of the Year] (a.k.a. ...

Beaver Moon (Amer. Indian, Colonial, Traditional)

Dark Moon (Celtic, North America)

Digging Moon (Traditional)

Flower Moon (South Africa)

Freezing Moon (Alternate)

Frost Moon (Alternate)

Hunter’s Moon (North America)

Ill Full Moon Poya Day (Sri Lanka)

Loy Krathong (Floating of the Lamps Festival; Thailand)

Palden Lhama Festival (Tibet)

Rutting Moon (Traditional)

Sassafras Moon (Choctaw)

Snow Moon (England, Wicca)

Southern Hemisphere: Corn, Flower, Hare, Milk

Tazaugmone (a.k.a. Thasaung Mong; Festival of Lights; Myanmar)

That Luang Festival (Theravada Buddhism; Laos)

Trading Moon (Cherokee)

Tree Moon (Neo-Pagan)

Whitefish Moon (Traditional)

White Moon (China)

Godfrey of Amiens (Christian; Saint)

Isabella of Castille (Positivist; Saint)

Johann von Staupitz (Lutheran)

John Duns Scotus, Blessed (Christian; Saint)

Mae West Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Mania Festival (Old Roman)

Saints and Martyrs of England (Church of England)

Synaxis of the Archangel Michael and the other Bodiless Powers of Heaven (Eastern Orthodox Church)

Tysilio (Christian; Saint)

Willehad of Bremen (Christian; Saint)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Shakku (赤口 Japan) [Bad luck all day, except at noon.]

Premieres

Ace of Spades, by Motörhead (Album; 1980)

Days of Our Lives (TV Soap Opera; 1965)

8 Mile (Film; 2002)

Everybody’s Talking’, recorded by Harry Nilsson (Song; 1967)

The Goodies (UK TV Series; 1970)

Jailhouse Rock (Film; 1957) [Elvis Presley #3]

Led Zeppelin IV, by Led Zeppelin (Album; 1971)

Midway (Film; 2019)

Night School, 21st Jack Reacher book, by Lee Child (Novel; 2016)

Sacred Arias, by Andrea Bocelli (Album; 1999)

Sheer Heart Attack, by Queen (Album; 1974)

Stairway to Heaven, by Led Zeppelin (Song; 1971)

Surfing’, by The Beach Boys (Song; 1961)

Thor: The Dark World (Film; 2013)

Today’s Name Days

Gottfried (Austria)

Angel, Gavrail, Gavril, Mihaela, Mihail, Ognyan, Ognyana, Plamen, Plamena, Rada, Radka, Radko, Rafail, Raia, Raika, Raina, Rangel (Bulgaria)

Bogdan, Bogoljub, Gracija, Gracijan (Croatia)

Bohumír (Czech Republic)

Cladius (Denmark)

Nele, Nella, Nelli (Estonia)

Aatos (Finland)

Dora, Geoffroy (France)

Gottfried, Karina, Willehad (Germany)

Angela, Angelos, Gavriel, Michalis, Stamatis, Stamos, Taxiarchis (Greece)

Zsombor (Hungary)

Goffredo (Italy)

Agra, Aleksandra, Sandors, Sandra (Latvia)

Domantė, Gotfridas, Severinas, Svirbutas (Lithuania)

Ingvild, Yngvild (Norway)

Dymitr, Godfryd, Gotfryd, Hadrian, Klaudiusz, Sędziwoj, Sewer, Sewerian, Seweryn, Wiktor, Wiktoriusz, Wiktoryn (Poland)

Bohumír (Slovakia)

Godofredo, Segundo (Spain)

Vendela (Sweden)

Michael, Michaelina, Raphael (Ukraine)

Geoff, Geoffrey, Jeff, Jefferson, Jeffery, Jeffrey, Mercer, Montana (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 312 of 2022; 53 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 2 of week 45 of 2022

Celtic Tree Calendar: Hagal (Constraint) [Day 11 of 28]

Chinese: Month 10 (Lùyuè), Day 15 (Yi-Chou)

Chinese Year of the: Tiger (until January 22, 2023)

Hebrew: 14 Cheshvan 5783

Islamic: 13 Rabi II 1444

J Cal: 12 Mir; Foursday [12 of 30]

Julian: 26 October 2022

Moon: 100%: Full Moon

Positivist: 4 Frederic (12th Month) [Isabella of Castille]

Runic Half Month: Ngetal (Reed) [Day 14 of 15]

Season: Autumn (Day 47 of 90)

Zodiac: Scorpio (Day 17 of 31)

#Holidays

2 notes · View notes

lindsaywesker · 2 years

Text

Good morning! I hope you slept well and feel rested? Currently sitting at my desk, in my study, attired only in my blue towelling robe, enjoying my first cuppa of the day. Welcome to Too Much Information Tuesday!

Obesity is now a bigger killer than malnutrition.

Everyone has three lives: a public life, a private life and a secret life.

Women tell an average of 11 lies a week. Men, 58.

A third of married Britons describe sex as a chore.

There are 19 languages on Earth with only one speaker left.

All swimmers leave traces of faecal matter in the water.

Magic mushrooms grow in the gardens of Buckingham Palace.

You should never use “beef stew” as a password. It’s not stroganoff.

No one born blind has ever been diagnosed with schizophrenia.

51 cars a year overshoot and drive into the canals of Amsterdam.

After the 9/11 attacks, the Maasai tribe of Kenya gave 14 of their most important cattle to America as aid.

If a man pees on a pregnancy test and it comes up positive, he may have testicular cancer.

Half of Americans believe that a British person saying something "with the greatest respect" is a compliment.

Counterfeiters in medieval Russia were punished by having their coins melted and the molten metal poured down their throats.

A smartphone contains more computing power than the whole of NASA had in 1969.

Asia has the greatest number of working children, totalling 45 million. Africa is second with 24 million.

Psychologists believe that when someone says "I need to talk to you" you automatically recall every bad thing you've done recently.

“A fit of the clevers” is 19th-century Scots for a sudden burst of activity when you realise how much work you have to do.

In 2019, there were still 17 US States where it was legal to fire someone for being gay.

At 12,000ft above sea level, there is barely enough oxygen in La Paz, Bolivia, to support combustion. The city is nearly fireproof.

The most popular song played at funerals in the UK is Monty Python's 'Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life'.

Looking at a photo of a person you love can reduce moderate pain by up to 40%, and severe pain by 15%.

In 2021, an invisible sculpture was sold for $18,030. Artist Salvatore Garau says his work should “activate the power of the imagination”.

According to the Roman writer Juvenal, one of the punishments for adultery was the insertion of a mullet in the offender’s anus.

In the reign of Queen Mary, anyone caught living idly for three days was branded with 'V' for vagrant.

When Usain Bolt ran the 100m at the 2012 Olympics, his feet only touched the ground for two seconds.

In March 2014, an Australian Python swallowed a chihuahua and found itself chained to a kennel.

The revolving door was invented by a man who hated holding doors open for women.

The colour we call ‘white’ is the frequency of light that stimulates all three sets of colour-sensitive cone cells in our retinas equally.

There is a Spanish man that is the singer in a Kajagoogoo tribute act. He's brilliant! So good in fact that, once you've seen Juan, you've seen Limahl.

Curvy women may be more intelligent than skinny women due to fatty acids in their hips that improve their mental abilities, a study found.

In the 1960s, Italian shops had a service called 'the smearing' in which they would spread Nutella on any slice of bread brought to them by a child.

The government’s flagship ‘40 New Hospitals’ policy could be scaled back, as soon as mathematicians work out how to scale something back from zero.

If a Google employee dies, their spouse gets paid half their salary for the next ten years and their children get $1000 a month until they're 19.

According to Huichol Indian tradition, men and women experienced the pain of childbirth together. Men sat in the rafters with a string attached to their testicles and women pulled the string during contractions.

In a 2008 study, researchers at Bath Spa University asked volunteers to rank the intelligence of people with various accents. A Yorkshire accent was rated highest. A Brummie accent was rated lower than staying silent.

When English author and artist Ernest Seton turned 21, his father handed him an itemised bill for everything spent on him up to that point. The total came to $537.50 and his father set the interest rate at 6%. Seton paid the debt but never spoke to his father again.

Okay, that’s enough information for one day. Have a tremendous and tumultuous Tuesday! I love you all.

#mixcloud #mi soul #dj #music #lockdown #new blog #coronavirus #books #democracy #brexit #cronyism #election #tuesdaymotivation #autumm

4 notes · View notes

chrisryanspeaks · 2 months

Text

Dumbo Gets Mad: Psychedelic Pop Pioneers Return with New Single “The Depth Of An Answer”

Dumbo Gets Mad, the brainchild of Luca Bergomi, has been captivating listeners since its inception in 2011. Launching from Los Angeles, the debut album *Elephants at the Door* quickly amassed a global following. The breakout single, "Plumy Tale," earned a spot among Pitchfork's top 50 tracks of 2011, while NPR hailed "Marmalade Kids" as their song of the day. With the release of *Quantum Leap* in 2013, Dumbo Gets Mad delved deeper into the realm of psychedelic jams, with tracks like "Indian Food" solidifying the project's presence in the U.S. music scene. Their 2015 album, *Thank You Neil*, paid homage to astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, blending soulful influences with a minimalist production style. Recorded live, this album once again garnered international critical acclaim. Fast forward to 2019, the single "Makes You Fly" emerged under the French label Nice Guys, setting the stage for the 2021 album *Things Are Random And Time Is Speeding Up*. This release led to a successful North American and Mexican tour. That same year, Dumbo Gets Mad collaborated with Marracash on the album *Noi Loro Gli Altri*, further expanding their artistic reach and influence. Check out his new single “The Depth Of An Answer” below: Read the full article

0 notes

audiofuzz · 2 months

Text

Dumbo Gets Mad: Psychedelic Pop Pioneers Return with New Single “The Depth Of An Answer”

0 notes

music-industry-updates · 3 months

Text

How Spotify is Shaping the Careers of Indian Artists

The music industry has undergone a seismic shift with the advent of digital streaming platforms. Among these platforms, Spotify stands out for its extensive reach and innovative features. For Indian artists, Spotify has become a game-changer, offering new opportunities to reach audiences, monetize their music, and grow their careers. This article explores how Spotify is shaping the careers of Indian artists, highlighting success stories, platform features, and the impact on the industry.

1. The Evolution of Music Distribution: Traditionally, music distribution in India was dominated by physical sales and radio airplay. The rise of digital streaming has revolutionized this landscape, with Spotify leading the charge. Since its launch in India in 2019, Spotify has opened new avenues for artists to distribute their music globally without the need for traditional intermediaries.

2. Democratizing Access to Audiences: Spotify’s algorithm-driven recommendations and personalized playlists have democratized access to audiences. Features like "Discover Weekly" and "Release Radar" help artists reach listeners who might not have found their music otherwise. This has been particularly beneficial for emerging and independent artists.

3. Key Features Supporting Indian Artists:

Spotify for Artists: This powerful tool provides artists with valuable insights into their streaming data. Artists can see where their listeners are located, which songs are most popular, and how their audience is growing over time. This data-driven approach allows artists to make informed decisions about their music and marketing strategies.

Editorial Playlists: Spotify’s curated playlists, such as "New Music Friday" and "Bollywood Butter," are crucial for gaining exposure. Being featured on these playlists can significantly boost an artist’s streams and followers.

Canvas and Spotify Clips: These features allow artists to add visual elements to their music, enhancing the listener experience and providing more avenues for creative expression.

4. Success Stories:

Prateek Kuhad: Known for his indie-folk style, Prateek Kuhad’s success on Spotify has been organic and audience-driven. His inclusion in former US President Barack Obama’s 2019 summer playlist brought him international attention. Kuhad’s ability to connect with listeners through his heartfelt lyrics and soothing melodies has made him a prominent figure on Spotify.

DIVINE: As a leading voice in the Indian hip-hop scene, DIVINE has used Spotify to reach a global audience. His tracks, characterized by their gritty realism and social commentary, have resonated with listeners worldwide. Spotify’s playlisting and recommendation features have played a significant role in his rise to fame.

Ritviz: Blending electronic music with Indian classical influences, Ritviz has created a unique sound that stands out on Spotify. His track "Udd Gaye" went viral, thanks in part to Spotify’s algorithmic playlists. Ritviz’s success story underscores the platform’s ability to elevate innovative and genre-blending music.

5. Monetizing Music on Spotify: Spotify offers various revenue streams for artists, including streaming royalties, merchandise sales, and concert ticket promotions. Although the per-stream payout may seem modest, the potential for reaching a massive global audience can lead to significant earnings over time. Additionally, Spotify’s support for merchandise and live event integrations helps artists diversify their income.

6. Building a Global Fanbase: Spotify’s global reach allows Indian artists to connect with listeners around the world. This international exposure can lead to opportunities for global tours, collaborations with international artists, and features in global media. Artists like Anoushka Shankar and Nucleya have leveraged Spotify to build substantial international followings.

7. Community and Collaboration: Spotify fosters a sense of community among artists and listeners. The platform’s social features, such as collaborative playlists and sharing options, encourage interaction and engagement. Artists can collaborate with each other and connect with their fans in new and meaningful ways.

8. Challenges and Opportunities: While Spotify offers many opportunities, it also presents challenges. The sheer volume of music on the platform makes it competitive, and standing out requires strategic marketing and promotion. However, the tools and data provided by Spotify for Artists can help artists navigate these challenges effectively.

Spotify has undeniably transformed the careers of Indian artists, providing them with tools and opportunities to reach wider audiences, monetize their music, and build sustainable careers. The platform’s innovative features and global reach have made it a crucial player in the evolution of the Indian music industry. As more artists embrace digital streaming, the future of Indian music looks bright, with Spotify playing a central role in this ongoing transformation.

How has Spotify helped you discover new Indian artists? Share your favorite discoveries and how they’ve impacted your music taste in the comments below.

Support your favorite Indian artists by streaming their music on Spotify, following their profiles, and sharing their tracks with your friends. Explore new music, create playlists, and be part of the vibrant and diverse Indian music community on Spotify. Together, we can help shape the future of Indian music.

0 notes

xtruss · 8 months

Text

Canceled Tribal Chief White Calf, Face of The Redskins, Generates New Support Nationwide

— Kerry Byrne | Tuesday February 6, 2024

Chief John Two Guns White Calf, left, served as the inspiration for the Washington Redskins logo, right — which represented the NFL franchise on the field for nearly 50 years, from 1972 to 2020.

"The Redskins were the only minority representation in the entire NFL and it was a real person, not a mascot," historian Andre Billeaudeaux of San Diego, California, the author of "How the Redskins Got Their Name," told Fox News Digital in an interview.

The NCAI counts among its benefactors the George Soros-funded Open Society Foundations. American taxpayers also fund the group.

It receives support from seven federal bureaucracies, including the Department of Defense, according to its own website, as Fox News Digital previously reported.

Beyond the removal of Native logos and representations in pro sports, the NCAI "has tracked the retirement of more than 200 unsanctioned Native ‘themed’ mascots since 2019, and has supported legislation banning the use of these mascots in multiple states," the group said in a statement last year to Fox News Digital.

Yet "these decisions never have popular support," said Eunice Davidson, a Dakota Sioux and president of the Native American Guardians Association (NAGA), to Fox News Digital last week.

Many of those images were founded up to a century ago to celebrate local Native heritage — and not all were mascots.

Top: Left, Native American Blackfeet Chief John Two Guns White Calf (1872-1934), is shown shaking hands with A. Aaron of Madras, India, as they met at the Twin Cities for the Rotary Convention, circa 1925. Bottom: Blackfeet dressed in full ceremonial traditional clothing, Browning, Montana, U.S., circa 1930.

Some — like the man who was the face of the Redskins — were real people who made a profound impact on America.

Even before his face was beamed from NFL football fields into millions of American homes each Sunday in the fall, Chief White Calf's name and image were familiar to people all across the United States and elsewhere.

"He provides one of the most readily recognizable images of a Native American in the world," the Native American Heritage Project website reported in 2012.

He was born near Fort Benton, Montana, in 1872, the site states. He was the son of White Calf, chief of the Pikuni Blackfoot.

He achieved international acclaim by fighting to preserve Native American culture.

"The chief headed a secret group known as the ‘Mad Dog Society’ whose purpose was to protect and sustain the Blackfoot Heritage," according to the Kansas City Public Library.

"The Crazy Dog Society Song," from an album of Blackfoot music, is held in the Smithsonian Institution's collection of Folkways recordings.

The Kansas City Public Library added, "Chief Two Guns was very outspoken about U.S. policies and the mistreatment of Native Americans."

He championed Native issues in Washington, D.C. — rubbing elbows with President Calvin Coolidge — and appeared to bridge cultures long at odds.

White Calf was, according to multiple sources, the inspiration for the face that appeared on the U.S. Mint's famous 1913 Indian head nickel.

This account of the story is disputed, but the image on the coin bears a striking resemblance to known portraits of White Calf.

The two sides of the first 24-karat pure gold coin one-ounce replica of the U.S. Mint's Buffalo Nickel of 1913. Blackfeet chief John Two Guns White Calf is reportedly the inspiration for the Native American portrait found on the coin. His portrait later served as the face of the NFL's Washington Redskins from 1972 to 2020.

White Calf became a spokesman for Glacier National Park in Montana, "where he posed with tourists," according to the Native American Heritage Project and other accounts.

White Calf was so prominent in the United States that his death in 1934 earned a New York Times obituary.

The tribute noted that he helped make President Coolidge "an honorary chief of the same Blackfeet tribe."

The Redskins of the National Football League were founded as the Boston Braves in 1932, playing on the same field as the Boston Braves of baseball's National League.

In the tradition of the era, the upstart professional football team adopted the name, image and color scheme of the more established Major League Baseball team.

The National League Braves were represented by the image of Lenni Lenape chief Tammany, dubbed "the patron saint of America" for his role inspiring colonial troops in the American Revolution.

Left: Blackfeet chief John Two Guns White Calf. Right: Lenni Lenape chief Tammaned, also known as Tammany, was dubbed the "Patron Saint of America" by the generation that fought for American independence. This is an idealized portrait by Fritz Bade from descriptions of the man, as it appeared in the 1938 book, "The Tammany Legend" by Joseph White Norwood.

The Boston Football Braves found a new hometown field at Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox, in 1933. The franchise changed its name to the Boston Redskins as a tribute to their hosts and to maintain their Tammany identity and uniforms.

The franchise then moved to Washington, D.C., in 1937 and for decades maintained its original indigenous identity.

In the 1970s, the Washington Redskins looked for a new Native American icon to represent the team. The image of White Calf was championed by Blackfeet tribal leader Walter "Blackie" Wetzel.

The Redskins stepped onto the field with a portrait of Chief White Calf on team helmets for the first time in 1972.

The similarities between White Calf and the face on the logo are unmistakable. The black-tipped white feathers and braided hair hanging down over the ear are also similar to those found in pictures of White Calf and other Blackfeet.

The proud, prominent face of White Calf enjoyed widespread support and input from Native communities across the country. Even the NCAI, for a time, appeared to be among those who favored the indigenous icon.

Wetzel, after all, was president of the NCAI from 1961 to 1964, before the organization changed its priorities.

But times have changed, noted Billeaudeaux.

While White Calf once fought against Washington, D.C., to preserve the heritage of American Indians, said Billeaudeaux — the NCAI now fights in Washington, D.C., to erase the heritage of American Indians.

The newer woke NCAI elevated its assault on Native American images in 2013, when it published a report dramatically called "Ending the Legacy of Racism in Sports & The Era of Harmful ‘Indian’ Sports Mascots."

The 29-page dissertation included a caustic 3,560-word history of the Redskins and its "legacy of racism."

Yet the NCAI Redskins' narrative is missing one notable name. It fails to mention Chief Two Guns White Calf — the face of the Redskins franchise for 48 years.

Top: Babe Ruth is shown signing autographs for fans while playing his last season for the Boston Braves. The National League Braves were founded by James Gaffney, a member of Tammany Hall, who adopted the image of Lenni Lenape chief King Tammany as the team logo, seen on Ruth's left sleeve. The Washington Redskins were founded in 1932 as the Boston Braves and adopted the same Tammany imagery.

Bottom: Donald Wetzel holds an autographed Washington Redskins football on June 27, 2014, in Great Falls, Montana. Wetzel, a member of the Blackfeet nation, was proud of the Washington Redskins logo that his father Walter designed in the 1960s and the team adopted in 1972.

Fox News Digital made several attempts to ask the NCAI to explain the oversight and to share its viewpoints — most recently on Monday, Feb. 5 — but did not receive a response.

The failure to mention the once-revered face of the Redskins franchise, in a history of the Redskins franchise, betrays the group's mission to promote a woke agenda over Native American heritage, Billeaudeaux charged.

The report even cites historical events of 1932, including a Tom & Jerry radio cartoon, to offer conflated support of its claims that the Redskins name was racist. Yet the NCAI failed to note that the team changed its name to the Redskins only after moving to Fenway Park, home of the Red Sox.

The study also did not mention Tammany, the original inspiration for the Braves/Redskins Native American imagery when the franchise was founded in 1932.

The NCAI report also argued, in a widely repeated claim, that indigenous mascots on sports teams have led to low self-esteem among Native Americans.

A source document cited in the claim was a brief study of 71 Native American children in Arizona in 2004.

But the claim that Native imagery creates low self-esteem is "a bald-faced lie," Walter "Red Hawk" Brown, chief of the Cheroenhaka Nottoway tribe of Virginia, told Fox News Digital.

The U.S. Army veteran said he was a fan of the Redskins until its history was erased. He added, "You take away self-esteem when you take away someone’s history."

He also said, "If things keep going the way they're going now, in 100 years there will be nothing left of our history."

Walter "Red Hawk" Brown, chief of the Cheroenhaka Nottoway tribe of Virginia, refuted claims by the National Congress of American Indians that Native American logos in sports harm the self-esteem of those in Native American communities. Brown spent 28 years as a U.S. Army officer.

Redskins historian Billeaudeaux called the NCAI's version of events a "misinformation campaign" and "information laundering."

The NCAI tacitly admitted in its own report that White Calf's omission was not a mistake.

"Mr. Wetzel was not president of NCAI at the time he took these reported actions and these actions were not taken on behalf of NCAI’s members," the organization claimed, connecting Wetzel with the Redskins portrait but failing to name the man it portrayed.

The NCAI's incomplete history had the intended effect. The accusations of racism against the Redskins organization caught the attention of congressional leaders and President Obama — and stoked public outrage

The 42nd New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment was commonly known as The Tammany Regiment, in honor of the Lenni Lenape native who helped inspire the birth of the new nation. Tammany's image adorns a battlefield monument dedicated to the 42nd New York Volunteers at Gettysburg.

The Redskins erased the image of White Calf from the NFL seven years after the NCAI erased him from Native American history.

White Calf was not only scrubbed from the NCAI's 2013 history of the Redskins, but multiple searches on the organization's website also produced no mention of him.

"The whole thing has been a sham since the beginning," said NAGA president Davidson, expressing her viewpoint. "They don’t put out accurate information because they don’t want people to know the real story."

As recently as 2016, a poll by The Washington Post revealed that 90% of Native Americans supported the Redskins name and logo.

Over the past few years, communities across the nation have been stepping up to save their Chief White Calf Redskins heritage and other Native American images targeted by cancel culture and its woke proponents.

"They're trying to erase or eradicate Native American history," said Rick Spiegel, an activist in Sandusky, Michigan, who is leading a grassroots effort to reclaim the Redskins nickname and its White Calf portrait logo at the local high school.

Top: Residents of Sandusky, Michigan, were angry that the local high school was forced to erase its Redskins identity despite popular support. The Redskins image is not a stereotype or mascot, noted local activist Rick Spiegel, but the portrait of celebrated Blackfeet Chief John Two Guns White Calf.

Bottom: The digital display sign bearing the Redskins logo is seen outside Red Mesa High School on Oct. 15, 2014, in Red Mesa, Arizona.

Voters in Sandusky recently recalled three school board members who voted to eliminate the Redskins. They've since elected three new pro-Native American school board members who campaigned to bring the Redskins back to Sandusky High School.

Spiegel said that nearly 90% of registered voters in the town who responded to a mail-in survey (1,900 of 2,100) supported the traditional Redskins — as did 74% of students and 53% of teachers at the school in another survey.

Despite overwhelming public support for the Redskins, Sandusky teams are now called the Wolves.

High schools around the nation with Native-majority student populations have displayed recent public support for their White Calf-portrait Redskins.

The Red Mesa (Arizona) High School Redskins installed a new football field last year with their White Calf Redskins logo splashed across the 50-yard line.

And students at Wellpinit (Washington) High School voted to keep the school's Redskins mascot in March 2023, rejecting efforts to erase it.

"It’s a very powerful word for us," student Smokey Abrahamson told the Spokesman-Review last March, after leading the Welpinit Redskins boys basketball team to a state championship.

Red Mesa football player Kai Lameman mounted on a mustang horse cheers as he leads his Redskins football team during the homecoming parade at Red Mesa High School on Oct. 16, 2014, in Red Mesa, Arizona. Red Mesa is a small Navajo school in northeast Arizona.

Students also "proudly chanted ‘Redskins power’" at a parade to honor the championship team, the Spokesman-Review reported.

"The people that I’ve talked to — they have a sense of pride about our name, and about our mascot being the Redskins," Taylor Wiebener, athletic director at Native-majority Kingston (Oklahoma) High School, told KXII.com in 2020.

A Washington Redskins fan holds up a sign to keep the Redskins name before the team played the Jacksonville Jaguars at FedExField on Sept. 14, 2014, in Landover, Maryland.

And, according to activist and historian Billeaudeaux, students and residents of Donna, Texas, and McCloud, Oklahoma, also have repeatedly voiced support for their Redskins identity.

#Source: Yahoo.Com

0 notes

theghostpinesmusic · 8 months

Text

youtube

As I've written about before, one of my favorite fun things about Goose is that they have a variety of arrangements for some of their songs ("Slow Ready" and "So Ready," four (?!) versions of "Indian River," and so on). So, when their first set at this year's Goosemas turned out to be "mirror-themed" - involving versions of both "All I Need" and "Tumble" played in their slow arrangements initially before seguing into their fast versions - it immediately became one of my favorite sets I've heard the band play. And, since there's a great video of the "Tumble" on YouTube, I'm going to write about that today.

Some very quick background on "Tumble": in its original, "fast" arrangement, it was one of the first Goose songs that really hooked me back in 2019, mostly because, to my mind at least, it's one of their most Phish-adjacent songs. It reminds me of something like "Stash" while still being its own thing. It's hooky while also having some compelling composed sections, and the lyrics are catchy and simple while also hinting at deeper meaning if you want to dig for it. In short, it's got all the things that make most great Goose songs great.

The fast version has been a great-to-incredible jam vehicle pretty consistently since 2019: if the band plays "Tumble," you are going to get a jam. Odds are it'll be a more straightforward funk/rock exploration instead of a freak-out journey amongst the stars, but don't rule the latter out by any means.

The slow version debuted on 5/9/21, a show I watched live from the couch, and absolutely lost my mind when I heard it. It's got a Vintage Vibe/reverb-heavy tone that hits a sweet spot that I really love (see "Red Bird" for another song that sort of sits in the same place sonically). Though this version isn't jammed very often, I'm always happy to hear it pop up and listen to the band play around in its sonic environment for a few minutes each time.

So, as I said above, the Goosemas version starts as the "slow" arrangement. I should share for posterity that I, once again, absolutely lost it as I heard the drumbeat that introduces this version, watching live from the couch, even before Rick started hitting the opening chords. I just love how they introduce this version slowly before all the instruments hit together at 1:11. I could listen to that opening minute all day.

Trevor really makes the composed part of this tune. I'm glad he's a bit more audible here than on the Euro tour videos (my last complaint about the Euro mix!).

Pete has a little mic trouble at 3:13.

After the chorus, everyone dives into an absolutely great, Vibe-y jam (around 4:10). This isn't particularly complex playing, but I could happily live in the "Vibey Tumble" groove for at least an hour.

Right around 5:45, the percussion becomes a bit more driving than is usual for "Tumble"'s slow arrangement, which is neat. From there, the jam builds in intensity (and, it seems, in tempo?) for a bit until Rick starts teasing the instrumental bridge from the "fast" version of "Tumble" at 8:15. This causes the band to make a (planned, I assume) transition into the fast version of the song proper at 8:36.

Incidentally, the part of this arrangement that always makes me think of "Stash" starts around 9:15. Everything up through 11:05 is part of the composition, and from there on, along with some dancing from Peter, we're in jam mode.

This version, like a lot of recent versions of the "fast" "Tumble," starts off with some great two-guitar interplay between Rick and Peter. I love that this bit is both of them playing (basically) rhythm guitar instead of one soloing while the other holds down the rhythm. They layer over each other really well so it's interesting and driving without sounding crowded (if you really like this section, I'd recommend the Manchester version of "Tumble," which I described in my notes as "The best Talking Heads jam of 2023"). Then, there's a great, smooth transition at 13:30 into a new jam space (how did Peter get from guitar to piano so quickly here?!).

This is bread-and-butter Goose territory. Rick leads the jam with a nice solo, taking through bliss jam territory. I don't mean this is a derogatory way: I really like what starts happening at 17:00 in particular. If you've read previous entries in this series and/or are a big fan of Goose already, the band's not exactly exploring new ground here. But, usually, this is what "fast" "Tumble" is for: bringing a huge dance party. And this version definitely delivers on that front.

20:05 has us absolutely crashing into the composed ending of the song...and that's the Goosemas "Tumble"!

There were a lot of amazing jams and fun debut covers that came up during this two-show run, and I'd love to have/take the time to talk about them all, but as usual I'm going to go with the songs that have pro-shot footage on YouTube, which means next time I'll be writing about the time Goose covered...Justin Timberlake.

#goose #goose the band #music #live music #jams #jam bands #videos #tour journal #writing #Youtube

0 notes