Corn.

So, I've been in crucial need for another writing excercise to get my creative juices flowing. And, a few days ago, I thought to myself "why not just create a segment of some of your favorite nonsense that you learn all the time?"

Thanks to that thought, I've decided to share with you all some non-nonsense about the most interesting women from the 18th century and beyond. Or should I say before?

I'll call it Historical Ladies of Absolute Awesomeness! It's a working title.

And to start HLAA off, I'll tell you a little about Joan of Arc.

Jeanne d'Arc (Joan of Arc, en anglais) was born sometime around 1412, in a small village called Domrémy-la-Pucelle, in France. She was never taught how to read or write, but her mother, Isabelle Romée, was the catalyst of a catalyst, as she was the one who established Joan's piety within Catholicism.

The Hundred Years War was prevalent throughout Joan's entire life, even before she was born. Her people were in pain, and she knew that it was the English that harmed them. But it wasn't until she began to hear voices (sent by God, as she perceived), that she determined it was her destiny to free France from the clutches of their oppressors.

The first records of her quest began after she vowed abstinence and convince a local court that she should not be forced to marry at her father's demand. Couldn't let no man get in the way of her holy pursuit of liberty. And she kept to that notion, even when the magistrate of stronghold Vaucouleurs denied her to speak with the French crown prince Charles VII. She then cropped her hair and returned to the magistrate disguised as a man and succeeded. (sound like someone you may know?)

Since then, our homegirl Joan accomplished many victories, the most notable one being the liberation of Orléans.

After promising Prince Charles that she would see him crowned king, which she later accomplished in July 1429, Joan was given an entire army of soldiers to fend of the siege of Orleans, also in 1429. Dressed in all white armor and riding a white horse, our heroine fought and won in style. And, if that's not impressive enough for you, she was only 17 years old!

Alas, not all great things end on a high note. In 1430, after failing to defend the town of Compiégne, Joan was defeated and captured by her enemies. The English tried Joan for about 70 crimes, including witchcraft(typical, in that era), heresy and dressing like a man. And, if you think King Charles VII came to her aid, sadly, you're incorrect.

After being held captive for a year and being under constant threat of death, Joan finally confessed to her "crimes". She was even forced to deny ever receiving divine guidance. And perhaps they would've let her live after that; because it wasn't until several days later, when she defied orders (again) by donning men's clothing, that they pronounced her death sentence. That's right, Joan! la liberté ou la mort!

Hey, Reader :)

So, My Monday, this week, was--unlike typical Mondays--quite wonderful. And, There’s one reason in particular as to why: I woke up at about 11 am, traveled in the bitter cold winds of 36 degrees weather, and sat in the front left section--the third row of the seats closest to the screen--to watch a lovely indie movie called “Waves”. It’s also worth mentioning that the theater’s concession food and the staff were amazing, as well (Support your local indie theaters, fam!!!), but I digress.

“Waves” is an emotional movie--written and directed by Trey Edward Shults, under studio A24--, centering a suburban, African American family, who endure an immense and transformative tragedy, all the while, learn to mend the broken by fixing some errors from within, and building the emotional support for one another; which was lacking since the movie began. 

The list of main characters includes Tyler (Kelvin Harrison Jr.), the “prodigy” of the family, who’s the main focus of the first half of the film. Ronald (Sterling K. Brown), the Stern,--kind of-- myopic Father; also, the leader of the family. Emily (Taylor Russell), who plays as more so in the background, in the shadow of her brother, Tyler, in the first half of the movie. However, in the second half, She becomes more of her own person, and is noticed as such; like a butterfly, bursting out of a cocoon of disregard and loneliness. And, lastly, is the ever-so supportive step-mother, Catharine(Renee Elise Goldsberry). Catharine gets a thin beam of light shined on her as well, in the film’s second half. 

There’s also a couple of side characters worth mentioning. Like, Alexis(Alexa Demie), Tyler’s girlfriend, and Luke(Lucas Hedges), Emily’s love interest. Both of these characters, not only support and complement The children in the main cast but, in their own ways, are essential to the plot. They also provided their own--kind of--nuanced themes to the film, that allows it to be that much more meaningful to viewers. Which brings me to the overall importance of the film. And no, this isn’t just another film review.

In 2016, Adele Romanski, Dede Gardner, and Jeremy Kleiner Produced a movie--directed by Barry Jenkins--called “Moonlight”. Based on the life of a black man, struggling with his sexuality and identity, throughout his childhood, adolescence, and adulthood; “Moonlight” was a film that hit home for a lot of people who struggle with those same issues--African American or not--, and opened the eyes of those who don’t face these challenges, just for the sake of understanding those that do. Movies like “Waves” and “Moonlight” give us nuanced takes on the true lives of black folks, that not only tear down the stigmas of the black man, family, and lifestyle; but also helps people realize that some of the issues they face are just the same as the ones, say, a caucasian family would; cultural differences aside.

However, for black people, specifically, The fact that these movies feature a black main cast gives us better, more meaningful stories, than ones filled with stereotypes, like “Baby Boy”, written and directed by John Singleton, and released in 2001. In “Waves”, one Theme that resonates with viewers is the pressure placed on black parents, in America, to raise their children “the right way”, in order to succeed--and survive--in a country that will always be infinitely harder on them. If there’s too much focus on that, and less on the emotional welfare of a child, and support, things could take a horrible turn. This is exactly what we see in the movie, between Ronald and Tyler. That dynamic shook me to my core because, as a young black man, myself, one of my biggest worries for the future is being able to raise my children with a correct balance of love, and preparation for this cruel world; a consideration I wasn’t given, growing up.

That connection, paired with many others that I have with “Waves”, is why I will always advocate for movies like it. Art, in all its forms, has the power to make us better people, and the power to build bridges of understanding and empathy, when done correctly. Bridges that can lead us all to a better world. And I’d love to see more of us aid in construction.

Hey, Reader :)

So, as I’ve already addressed, I’m a poet. It’s what helps me convey my inner feelings. It also brings pain outward. It’s therapy, just without a trained doctor forcing you to pay them for help, whether you get that “help” or not. In many ways, it also helps you find yourself. Writing poetry is a luxury that we all should have; it’s something a lot of us need; an expressive coping mechanism. So, why--when it comes to youth, specifically--is it not as commonly indulged as, say, social media?

As a kid coming up in underfunded public schools--like many. Maybe even you relate, Reader--, I was deprived of a lot of extracurricular activities, including poetry clubs. That, and having all kinds of poetry I was exposed to, in school, be accompanied by tedious classwork, really ruined the idea of poetry for me, at that time. Simply because it was being taught to me in the wrong way; which is a, and not sound dramatic, plight, especially to adolescent children and young adults struggling with mental health. And even a plight to poetry itself. Something as fire as “I, Too” by Langston Hughes shouldn’t be ruined with a “whole page summary”. Why would one even need to write a whole page about a poem made with less than twenty lines?

I may be exaggerating on the length of the summary, but tedious classwork, paired with the teachings of a lot of the same outdated poems, is driving a wedge between students and poetry. However, Teachers can diminish this wedge by eliminating these deterrents, and boost the appeal by teaching--and showing--students how poetry can heal and build a better connection with oneself. No therapist, or pricey crystal necklace required. 

It can start with teachers just showing students a powerful slam poem on youtube; something timely for reference, of course. And--along with them having the knowledge of poem structures, styles, and techniques--allowing them to create their own poems, based on whatever prompt chosen. Exercises, such as, are what spark one’s imagination; causing a student to have to dig deep to create either a symbolic, introspective piece. Or, even a straight-forward, yet meaningful gem. Poetry classes should be as wide and boundless as a sandbox. And I say “Let the kids play freely”.