ADULTHOOD IS A S#!%SHOW
Photographer: Guerrero_Creative
The second installation of the Nora Beady trilogy (read “The Girl In His Shadow” Audrey Blake). After things go awry in England due to her role in a groundbreaking surgery, she’s ostracized from the medical community and society at large. A woman participating in medicine beyond baby duties is scandalous, putting Dr. Horace’s license in peril. The attention gets Nora an opportunity to become a real doctor in Italy. Ahead of England and its time, an elite school in Bologna allows women to obtain degrees.
Nora is faced with greater hardships than learning the language as she goes. The male students and teachers aren’t fond of her, making it difficult. Dr. Horace’s failing health doesn’t make it better, especially when he’s begun expanding his home into a hospital. Money suddenly becomes an issue, leaving her future in dire straits. Will they make it? There are so many highs and lows, plot twists, I love that about this series. Granted it gives me anxiety. Even if Nora succeeds at getting her degree what will she do with it back home? Seeing the battles women faced to be seen as self actualized beings, with our own wants and needs is inspiring. I felt gratitude upon finishing. Thankful to all the women before me who were bold enough to demand, then take a seat at the table. Via: Target
Nora Beady’s family is wiped out by cholera. Dr. Horace who attempted to save them, finds she is the sole survivor. Barely breathing, he takes Nora to his home determined to cure her and ends up informally adopting her. Newly healed and anxious, Nora finds ways to make herself useful, fearing Dr. Horace put her out. While there she ends up assisting him, acquiring university level medical knowledge first hand. It’s 1825 in England and women aren’t legally allowed to be more than midwives. If they’re found out Dr. Horace, a renowned genius, will lose everything. This doesn’t stop him from getting an apprentice who move in with them, risking the exposure of their secret.
Instantly immersed in the world Audrey Blake has created. It’s fascinating to see how far the field has come. Grateful to have been born in the age of modern medicine. It’s insane to think women were viewed as incapable dolts, banned from activities beyond marriage. This is the first book in a trilogy. I’m hooked, the highs and lows of its plot twists left me holding my breath. Smash the patriarchy. Via: Amazon
People are in an uproar about Taylor Frankie Paul’s “Bachelorette” season airing next month. It was cancelled after her domestic violence video was released. The Momtok star is seen attacking her baby daddy. In a blind rage she almost injured her child. While I love Taylor Frankie Paul and don’t condone domestic violence, I’d be remiss not to point out the glaringly obvious double standard. Someone in the comments said “If she were a man this would never be allowed to play.” To which I responded, if she were a man it would’ve never gotten canceled, subsequently giving a plethora of examples, asking if I should continue. There was no reply.
Ian Lightfoot’s Instagram series Famous Male Abusers Who Still Haven’t Been Cancelled As Much As A Woman Who Doesn’t Smile, showcases how misogynistic the industry is. From Jared Leto to Chris Brown, these niggas have committed atrocities and remain untouched. Once in a while they’ll throw us a scapegoat, typically from a marginalized group (R.Kelly, Bill Cosby, Diddy). Yet the biggest offenders roam free and are rolling in dough, perpetuating the cycle of abuse towards women. Keep the same energy across the board. I guarantee part of the anger stems from the subversive nature of the case. How dare she, but you niggas are still blasting Mick Jagger & Chris Brown’s concert is sold out (read Marsha Hunt And Mick Jagger Timeline). Let’s not forget staunch Donald Trump supporters. If he weren’t a rapist and pedophile, Israel wouldn’t be running our country through blackmail. Taylor Frankie Paul is holding a necessary mirror up to society, regarding gender norms. What’s being reflected isn’t acceptable. We’re paying men to get away with murder. Via: NBC News
Women deserve and will have better. Ruling in favor of a predator, who violated someone’s rights, because of clothing is unacceptable. Misogyny comes from the Devil, he made sure when distorting bibles, Qurans etc…to erase the divine feminine. As if we aren’t Gods and our male counterparts are the only answer (read Mick Jagger Wants To Be A Woman). Trust, I’m going to teach a lesson no one forgets.
Hinduism, the first religion we show ourselves in, got it the most accurate. As if my husband would ever align with such abuse and dehumanization. We are equal opposites, I’m the energy, he is stillness (read Jaquana Cornelius Is Kali Ma). I also won’t have trans woman disrespecting the people they’re modeling themselves after, it’s another form of misogyny. Proving how powerful epigenetics are. You don’t see trans men acting like that. You will respect women, our boundaries, or suffer the consequences. No means no. Via: MyVoiceMyChoice
Artist: Jesse Jinghan Liu
Carrying the torch is cool, but so is being original (read First In The Bloodline Trend Part 1. Never be afraid to do your own thing, bringing something new to your bloodline. Also remember epigenetics and generational curses are real. Being chosen to break cycles and pass down better, evolved patterns, is daunting but worth it. What do you want to be the first in your bloodline to accomplish? Via: Zikoko Magazine
At a party celebrating her brother Finley being shipped overseas to fight in Vietnam, Frances McGarth’s eyes are opened to the possibility of women as heroes. Found standing in front of her father’s coveted heroes wall by Rye Walsh, Finely’s friend, who inspires her to serve. Frances proceeds to volunteer as a nurse, the only way women are allowed to participate in combat. Hoping she’d be able to see her brother and be the first female addition to the wall, adorned with her ancestors who served in previous battles. Once there, Frances finds out the infirmary is fraught with trauma and danger. Leaving her in do or die situations.
It’s in Vietnam where she meets life long best friends Barbara Johnson & Ethel Flint, after being put through the wringer. Women who become family. Pulling her out of the trenches of despair as she battles ptsd, heartbreak, deception, betrayal, drug addiction and self-harm. Reacclimatizing to life back home is difficult when society invalidates the role women played in the war, denying their existent overseas altogether, and degrades veterans upon re-entry. A harrowing, bittersweet must read. To everyone who participated after being coerced by the United States Government and discarded, thank you for your service. Via: Amazon
Following in footsteps to continue a legacy is cool and all, but let’s take a moment for the black sheep. Those who are the first to ever do it in their bloodline. Veering isn’t easy, kudos to those who carve their own path. Big or small. Are you the first in your bloodline to do something? Via: Zikoko Magazine
Artist: Marie Alexander