Disappointed Hunger Games Fans

America has exasperated me for the past several weeks with the ongoing coverage and updates on the Trayvon Martin "investigation" and racist campaign bumpers stickers created by Obama non-supporters but I've been trying to bounce back.  I try not to let those types of things get me down.  Of course, just when I think I can go back to blogging about shoes, bags, and clothes, I come across an article on Jezebel about book fan reactions to The Hunger Games movie.  As you all know The Hunger Games movie was released over the weekend.  The highly anticipated movie was expected to do well with so many fans of the book written by Suzanne Collins.

The movie did make history by being the 3rd largest grossing movie in box office history ($155 million) but many book fans were disappointed in the casting.  More specifically, they were let down that there were so many characters in the movie who were black (namely Rue and Cinna).  Wait...what?  Nope, you heard me!  The Jezebel article has photos of tweets posted by several people who were "disappointed" that Rue was a black girl.  One tweeter went so far as to say that Rue's death wasn't as sad after discovering she was black. 

This breaks my heart.  I've read many books which later were turned into movies.  Everyone knows the book is always better because the movie never captures all the details outlined in the book, sometimes it changes the storyline completely.  But to be disappointed that the race of the characters weren't what you expected is absurd and straight up racist.  It also shows that many did not read the book carefully since the author described Rue as having "dark brown skin".  Be sure to read the entire article and view other tweets posted on Jezebel.  There is also a The Hunger Games Tumblr (unofficial) page which has many of the comments (positive and negative) from the movie and the book.  America has come so far but still has so far to go.  

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Apple Pie Oats

Photo courtesy of CookingLight

Some days you need a little more than a cup of coffee to get you through the morning, especially Monday mornings.  Oatmeal is always a great, quick breakfast option that will keep hunger at bay for several hours.  However, it doesn't take long for the same tired oatmeal recipe morning after morning to get old. Here is a different twist on a classic:

• 1/2 cup oats
• 1/2 cup almond milk (or substitute regular milk)
• 1 small apple cut into bite size pieces
• 1 teaspoon apple pie spice
• 1 tablespoon honey

Recipe courtesty of O2 Fitness.

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Afrocentric

Afrocentric by sociallite featuring canvas handbags

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Un-Fair Campaign

Maybe this is too deep for a Friday but I've been meaning to post something about this for several weeks.  Have you seen or heard about the Un-Fair Campaign?  This campaign is designed to raise awareness about white privilege, provide resources for understanding and action, and facilitate dialogue and partnership that result in fundamental, systematic change towards racial injustice.  The ads are meant to illustrate the various ways white people are not effected by racism in the ways minorities are effected.   The things they take for granted are not privileges all races have.  The ads feature white faces with various statements about white privilege, seen here:

I have mixed feelings about this campaign.  As the majority, white people have the power to make the most impactful changes when it comes to racism, discrimination, and other unfair racial practices. The problem is (and what I THINK the ad is trying to show) most white people aren't truly aware of how much discrimination still exists (because they are not regularly subjected to it), how to identify it (because it's usually done in a subtle or sneaky manner--as it's meant to be), and most importantly what to do about it.  What I dislike about the campaign is that it feeds into the stereotype that ALL white people live privileged lives and whisk through life oblivious to all the hardships minorities experience.  As with all stereotypes, there is some truth represented here but it doesn't apply to all.  I'm interested in hearing your feedback.  Do you think this is an effective way to raise awareness in the white community?

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2012 Racism

Attack the issues, not his race.  Period.  The end.  No further questions.  That is all.

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The Black Experience

I recently discovered Listmania! on Amazon.  Listmania! is a special section on Amazon that allows members to create lists of their favorite books, movies, etc.  During this discovery I came across a very interesting list posted by MikaNici entitled "The Black Experience".  The poster described the list as "books on black history, the black struggle, black power movements, and our continuing issues that every African American should read."  After glancing over the list, I must  agree.  As I state in my profile, I always strive to bring attention to African American culture, whether it be enlightening, informative, or entertaining.  I'm adding the books on this list to my reading list to complete over the next few years (it's a total of 40 books, so too much for a single year).  I'm excited about adding a little more substance (and depth) to my library, especially since a lot of the books are less than $5.00.  Some of them are even less than $1.00.  Of course, you can probably find the majority of these books in your local library but it never hurts to support our black authors.  I will probably go back and purchase my favorites.  Ultimately, I hope that I may have an even greater appreciation of my roots, my ancestor's fight, and the liberties that I'm afforded today.  Now, without further delay here is the list:

1. The Narrative of Sojourner Truth (Dover Thrift Editions) by Sojourner Truth
2. When I Was a Slave: Memoirs from the Slave Narrative Collection (Dover Thrift Editions) by Norman R. Yetman
3. Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl - Literary Touchstone Classic by Harriet A. Jacobs
4. Twelve Years a Slave by Solomon Northup
5. Uncle Tom's Cabin (Dover Thrift Editions) by Harriet Beecher Stowe
6. The Mis-Education of the Negro by Carter Godwin Woodson
7. The Souls of Black Folk (Enriched Classics Series) by W. E. B. Du Bois
8. Up From Slavery: An Autobiography by Booker T. Washington
9. Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass by Frederick Douglass
10. Selected Writings and Speeches of Marcus Garvey (Dover Thrift Editions) by Bob Blaisdell
11. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor
12. Let the Circle Be Unbroken by Mildred D. Taylor
13. The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes by Arnold Rampersad
14. Classical Black Nationalism: From the American Revolution to Marcus Garvey by Wilson Moses
15. Modern Black Nationalism: From Marcus Garvey to Louis Farrakhan by William Van Deburg
16. The Autobiography of Malcolm X: As Told to Alex Haley by Alex Haley
17. Malcolm X Speaks: Selected Speeches and Statements by Malcolm X
18. Waiting 'Til the Midnight Hour: A Narrative History of Black Power in America (Henry Holt Co) by Peniel E. Joseph
19. The Black Panthers Speak by Philip S. Foner
20. Revolutionary Suicide: (Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition) by Huey P. Newton
21. Seize the Time: The Story of the Black Panther Party and Huey P. Newton by Bobby Seale
22. To Die for the People by Huey P. Newton
23. Assata: An Autobiography (Lawrence Hill & Co.) by Assata Shakur
24. Soul on Ice by Eldridge Cleaver
25. Blood in My Eye by George L. Jackson
26. Will You Die with Me?: My Life and the Black Panther Party by Flores A. Forbes
27. The COINTELPRO Papers: Documents from the FBI's Secret Wars Against Dissent in the United States (South End Press Classics Series) by Ward Churchill
28. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
29. Long Walk to Freedom: With Connections (HRW Library) by Nelson Mandela
30. Breaking the Chains of Psychological Slavery by Na?im Akbar
31. Race Matters by Cornel West
32. There Are No Children Here: The Story of Two Boys Growing Up in The Other America by Alex Kotlowitz
33. The Reckoning: What Blacks Owe to Each Other by Randall Robinson
34. The Covenant with Black America (English and English Edition) by Various Contributors
35. Brainwashed: Challenging the Myth of Black Inferiority by Tom Burrell
36. How to Rent a Negro by Damali Ayo
37. The Conversation: How Men and Women Can Build Loving, Trusting Relationships by Hill Harper
38. The Black Male Handbook: A Blueprint for Life by Kevin Powell
39. Come On People: On the Path from Victims to Victors by Bill Cosby
40. Losing the Race: Self-Sabotage in Black America by John H. McWhorter

I will keep you all updated on my progress in the comment section below and make a note of my favorites.

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March Wish List

Sometimes thrift stores and clearance racks just aren't enough for me to get my shopping fix, so I spend a lot of time drooling over fashion pieces that are either out of my price range or simply not in my budget at the moment.  Here's to wishful thinking!!  Which one is your favorite?

Adia Kibur Multi-Strand Neon Bead & Crystal Necklace - $174.00

Zara Printed Shirt with Bow - $79.90

ASOS Fiorelli Havana Satchel - $134.29

Zara Patent Leather Slingback w/ Contrast - $79.90

Jimmy Choo Sefton Scarf - $450.00

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Meet - Ruthie Davis

If I were a shoe designer, my designs would look exactly like those of Ruthie Davis.  Vivid shapes, colors and edgy adornments all wrapped up in a sky high heel made to turn heads.  Ruthie Davis designs have a special place in my heart (and maybe one day, my closet).  Conceived in New York and constructed in Italy, each shoe in the collection has a point of view, as well as a point of difference.  The common thread, however, is a sense of drama, a pop of color and luxury materials.

Each shoe is imagined and hand-sketched by Ruthie Davis herself.  The result are shoes that appear to be impossible to wear, but are made for sharp women with places to go.  Ruthie Davis shoes are for women with a strong sense of style and self (that is so me!!).  

You can find Ruthie's designs at Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale's, or if you live in a small city like me endless.com.  Price points range from $400 for a sleek flat to $1,800 for highly embellished heels incorporating custom studs and Swarovski crystals.  Here are some of my favorite Ruthie Davis designs:

Art

Honey

Microcompact

Unicorn

Horizon

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Dear, Future Self

I've been debating for the past 3 months about going back to school to get my MBA.  Each time I start to seriously consider it, I get stressed out, start doubting myself and get trapped in this maze of confusion in my head.  I come up with a million reasons why I can't and only a handful (if I'm lucky) of reasons why I can or even should.  It causes me so much stress I usually just put it into the back of my mind for later consideration.  Repeat.  I came across this today:

Internet inspiration.  It's always so simple.  Something you already know deep inside.  That slap in the face and kick in the booty you really need from a stranger half your age (OMG I sounded so old saying that!).  So with that being said, I'm off to complete a few graduate school applications.  Happy Friday!

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