#ms. davis

Ms. Davis: With which assignment?

Tobey: The one where I’m supposed to write a paper that presents both sides of an issue and then defends one of the arguments.

Ms. Davis: What’s your issue?

Tobey: That’s the problem. I can’t think of anything to argue.

Ms. Davis: That’s hard to believe.

Check out these awesome graphic novels reader's advisor Ashley has been picking up for Black History Month!

Read: Kindred by Octavia Butler, adapted by Damian Duffy

This graphic novel was adapted from the book Kindred by Octavia Butler. This story more recently has also been made into a TV series for Hulu. In this twisted tale, Dana is living in the 1970s when she begins having dizzy spells shake her to the core. These dizzy spells lead to her waking up in the 1800s helping a boy who she refers to as “Rufe.” While Dana is not sure what brings these spells on at first, she has an even harder time time trying to figure out how to make it stop.

Ms. Davis: A Graphic Biography by Sybille Titeux de la Croix, art by Amazing Ameziane

The story of Angela Davis is filled with resistance and unwillingness to accept unfair treatment and judgment. She is infamous for being a part of the FBI's Most Wanted List in 1971 due to an incident that occurred where she was accused as the main conspirator.

Reading her story as a graphic novel does not take away the seriousness of her story. I appreciate that the book provides explanations of key events; that is helpful if you are only hearing about some of the events for the first time, as I was. This book was a random find but it sent me down a research hole that made me want to learn more, and that is what any good book does.

Reading: Miles Davis and the Search for the Sound by Dave Chisholm

Miles Davis was an extremely talented musician. He thought outside of the box when it came to his music, so it is fitting that this graphic novel tells his story in an eclectic way.

The story begins as Miles has just gotten a piece of life-altering news in 1982. From there, he reminisces and begins telling his origin story. The artwork and illustrations of this graphic novel are beautiful. The colors truly jump off the page and speak to you, as clear as the words do. The funky art and the insight of Miles' fascinating yet tumultuous life make this book a true learning experience that explores the cool world of jazz and many of its legends.

To-Read: Toussaint Louverture: The Story of the Only Successful Slave Revolt in History by C.L.R. James, adapted by Nic Watts and Sakina Karimjee

This graphic novel details the Haitian Revolution led by Toussaint Louverture. This graphic novel is based on the play by C.L.R. James, produced in 1936. If you love history, and revolutions, this graphic novel my pique your interest.

Out this week: Ms. Davis (Fantagraphics, $24.99):

In this follow-up to their biography of Muhammad Ali, the French writer and artist duo of Sybille De La Croix and Amazing Ameziane tell the story of Black activist, professor and prison abolitionist Angela Davis.

"Ms. Davis will see you now." said the secretary.

Riley's breathing was a little heavy, she hadn't felt this giddy in a long time. This was her big opportunity to get her foot in the door with Goldman Sachs.

She stood up from her seat, shook herself off, put on a big smile and walked through the office door.

Ms. Davis' office was a little smaller than she expected, it was cluttered with binders, and folders stacked up around the small room like mini skyscrapers. Hilda Davis was on the phone looking up, signaling her index finger with a grin, to wait a moment. "I actually have an interview so I'll have to catch up with you at a later time, thanks for the call again Frank," She hung up the phone, "Hello!" she started, "So sorry for the mess," she stood up from her desk and started walking towards Riley, extending her arm out, "I hope the wait wasn't too long." They shook hands.

"Not at all," Riley answered.

Ms. Davis, quickly turned and walked back to her seat, "Are you thirsty, did Hillary offer you a bottle of water?" "No, no, I'm fine. Thanks for asking." responded Riley.

Riley was still standing with her left hand clutching her resume binder. "Please take a seat Hun, or else your feet are going to hurt if you stand there the entire interview." Riley pulled out a seat.

"Okay, where are you." Ms. Davis started to search between the many papers which cluttered the top of her desk, "Where is it... I just had it." She flipped through papers and folders, sliding piles of papers out of the way, "Here we go, Riley Peterson."

Hilda Davis had such a motherly tone of voice, like she had never said "No" a day in her life. She wore dingy old glasses, nice lipstick but on her lips it looked cheap. She was wearing a yellow slim dress with lots of flowers all over it, with heavily padded shoulders which made her look even tinier with her skinny frame. This was not the woman, Riley wanted to work for but she needed her start in the company.

Hilda quickly skimmed through Riley's resume, "Interesting, so why Goldman Sachs?"

Riley started, "Well everyone knows Goldman Sachs for one, and it's a great com-"

"Let me stop you there," Hilda Davis' jolly voice was now a bit more serious, she took off her glasses looked directly into Riley's eyes, "Do you really want this job...  I don't want any bullshit from you okay, give me your full honesty and maybe I'll give you a shot." Her face was stoic and unflinching.

Riley was caught off guard, Ms. Davis had quickly switched up on her. Riley had two choices, to keep up the fake smile and play stupid, or to be completely blunt with Ms. Davis.

Riley took a deep breath, "Okay, you want to know the truth, I'm here to make money and grow as fast as possible, and you are my IN" she stopped, almost unable to believe what had just come out of her mouth. She played it cool, with her shaking right leg being her only tell that she was the most nervous she'd ever been in her entire life.

"Wow, you almost told me the truth, but not completely." Hilda smirked, "Let me ask you the same question in a different way. Why Goldman Sachs and not JPMorgan... and this time don't hold back."

"What was the point of this question, is this some kind of test?" Riley thought. She paused again for a moment and took another deep breath, "Honesty..." she thought.

"I'd much rather be working for JPMorgan, they are a larger market cap, they have more room to grow and honestly the pay would probably be higher, but right now they aren't hiring and you guys are." Riley finished, she had never been so free to say what she thinks before, it almost felt wrong.

Hilda nodded her head a few times, tapped her left thumb on her desk a few times and bit her upper lip.

Riley knew she had trashed her chances with the company, she should of just kept the fake smile.

All that work, she had put in, all those years at university and she just threw a great opportunity out the window by being too honest with Ms. Davis. She almost got right up and ran out the door in shame but stayed glued, sitting in her seat, waiting for Hilda Davis' reaction.

"Wow, if that's the truth then I probably shouldn't even consider you for the position..." she started, "but the one thing I value more than Loyalty, is Honesty, and plus.... I think I can change your mind about Goldman Sachs.... Can you start tomorrow?"

So y'all have heard the theory that Andy's Mom is Emily, Jessie's former owner, have you not?

So I was thinking about this theory.

And angsting about how Jessie would feel when she realized she was near Emily again.

And I needed Jessie to have justice or revenge or something - some kind of fix-it.

And then it came to me.

THE SPEECH

The toys would all know it and as long as I wrote an AU with wizard!Emily she could talk back.