Where did February go?
Black history, valentines, and hot girl walks
Y’all thought I was just gonna miss Black History Month??? With Angela Bassett doing the thing, my new man Jonathan Majors getting Twitter all atwitter, and Beyonce and LeBron smashing records while looking fine as wine?? Not in this newsletter, my friends!
Of course, February reliably brings its disappointments. Governor and soon-to-be presidential candidate Ron Desantis is trying to erase Black history while pitting marginalized groups against each other, while an even fringe-ier politician calls for a civil war. And this year, Black History Month was ushered in by a police shooting video so disturbing that calls for peace began days before its official release. But despite all of that, we’re going to end it on a high note around here.
First, some Black history that your children didn’t learn but mine sure will… This influencer’s micro lesson on the Ying Yang Twins is EVERYTHING. Honestly, if you are even passively curious about what I mean by that, just watch.
Next, a video I’ve now shared for three years in a row: Google’s spine-tingling “Most Searched” ad. I can’t get over how thrilling it is, how joyful and proud it makes me feel Every. Time. I must have watched this at least 50 times by now.
And lastly, good news for me; I’ve secured tickets to see Lil Wayne AND Beyonce!! Happy Black History Month to meeee!!
Good reads
The other reason I popped out of newsletter hibernation was this article: Wash Your Hands and Pray You Don't Get Sick (The Atlantic). Friends! The norovirus currently tearing out of everyone from both ends can’t be killed by alcohol. Your hand sanitizer will not cut it. This should be a PSA! (Maybe it is; I’m regrettably out of it these days).
February 14th was one of my very favorite holidays: Valentine’s Day. Even though I haven’t been in a relationship on Valentine’s Day in a minute, I am an avowed and annoying fan of the day of love. I love that it applies pressure, with basically everyone having their anniversary on the same day. This year, I had a sister-date, watched J. Lo’s Shotgun Wedding (which I loved despite shaky reviews), and read this great piece for the romantic comedy lovers out there: Sex, Love, and the State of the Rom-Com (New Yorker).
Speaking of the world of men and women, some good ones on gendered issues (tip: most of the NY Times articles linked in this newsletter are the unlocked versions, so click away if interested):
She Says Doctors Ignored Her Concerns About Her Pregnancy. For Many Black Women, It’s a Familiar Story. (ProPublica). Fantastic reporting, but so sad that we are still reading and writing about this.
A good read to share with anyone for whom this is relevant: Women Have Been Misled About Menopause (New York Times).
“What about boys and men?” was by far the most-asked question when I worked in girls’ education. I don’t fully agree with this article, but it dives boldly into the issue of what’s becoming of men in a world where women aren’t as oppressed. What’s the Matter with Men? (The New Yorker).
“For the revanchist right, the plight of American men is existential. It is an affront to biological (and perhaps Biblical) determinism, a threat to an entire social order. Yet, for all the strides that women have made since gaining the right to vote, the highest echelons of power remain lopsidedly male. The detoxification of masculinity, progressives say, is a messy and necessary process; sore losers of undeserved privilege don’t merit much sympathy.”
But before we get too cozy with throwing women’s empowerment out of the door, see These Reactions to the Taliban’s Ban on Women & Girls’ Education Show Why We Must All Speak Up (Global Citizen) and Taliban Bar Women From College Classes in Afghanistan (New York Times). I feel truly helpless and heartbroken about this.
My worldview has not returned to what it was pre-COVID. I read these two articles with bittersweet relief; I am not alone. First, from December: The Year We Lost It (New York Times). This second one is quite brilliant, long, and well-worth reading. The discussion on “ontological insecurity” blew me away and gave a name to what life has felt like since March 2020. What Happened to Us? (NY Times Magazine).
A diabetes drug has become an off-label appetite suppressant, changing the definition of being thin and what it takes to get there (The Cut). This article made me feel pretty miserable, which is fitting since it’s about folks who will endure anything to be thin. Some lab rats developed thyroid tumors on this drug, and a woman interviewed in this article sheepishly admitted that if she had to risk getting cancer, thyroid cancer was an acceptable one. Yeah, it’s that kind of article. As unnerving as it is to read about wealthy people and their latest fad diet, this drug is going to be big news in the coming years and may reverse some of the body-positive gains we’ve eked out. This article, written by a guy with lifelong eating issues, is also a little depressing, but at least it’s vulnerable and about something real.
If your brain needs a body-positive palate cleanser, this excellent, razor-sharp advice column reply will do just the trick: You Need Help: You Fat-Shamed Your Beautiful Girlfriend (Autostraddle).
Some fun or interesting things that really caught my eye:
#70. Always be the first one out. Now, this is the truth. The others are a mix of fun, funny, and odd. 194 Modern Etiquette Rules for Life After COVID (The Cut).
This is thrilling to read, for the writing on rap and Memphis culture, and for the joy of reading about Glorilla. As someone newly FNF after a shortlived entanglement, I’m fully into Glo’s authentic and compelling music. GloRilla on Cardi B, Her New Album, and 2023 Grammys (The Cut).
I stan for Marie Kondo and her KonMari method. Apparently, some folks are coming at her because she shared that keeping her house tidy isn’t her top priority—spending time with her family is. Far from invalidating her method, this reinforces her commitment to making life peaceful and surrounded by that which brings you joy. Decluttering queen Marie Kondo turns her focus to creating inner calm (Washington Post).
Alabama’s prisons are a nightmare—an unconstitutional nightmare—and it looks like the jails are, too. Arrested over $40, dead of pneumonia in an Alabama jail. Family claims woman denied basic care (AL.com).
What Was Kyrie Irving Thinking? (New York Magazine). This is long and I think they dropped a thread somewhere in the middle, but I still found it interesting and worrisome.
See you later, lovelies!
I’m out! Probably going to watch the marvelous The Woman King again. Or, get some rest so that I can take a Hot Girl Walk tomorrow! I love my hottie walks. I took one last week, but it was so vigorous (my first outdoor walk in my new neighborhood!!) that I got sore and achy and haven’t walked since. Not hot. Let me know if you want to be my Hot Girl Partner! We can text each other 🙂. Miss y’all!!
Talk soon
<3
Sam