Category: Media and Culture,

My message to the woman who told my daughter girls don’t like Star Wars and the man who hopes my baby is a boy | Voices | The Independent

On By peanutgallerynhIn Chick Stuff,, Modern Parenting,Leave a comment

My four-year-old daughter recently discovered Star Wars, and life will never be the same again. It’s out with Elsa and Anna, in with Han Solo and Luke Skywalker – and instead of a princess dress for Christmas, she’s already talking about lightsabers. At bath time we speak Wookiee, and she asks excitedly if, each Sunday, we can sit down to “watch the next one” (in the order they were made, of course).

…Add to that the multitude of well-meaning sentiments from friends and family: “If you have a boy, that’s when the fun really starts!”, “You’ll have your work cut out if it’s a boy!”, “Be prepared – it’ll be very physical!”

At times like this, I look at my glorious, spirited, fiercely independent little girl, clambering to the very top of the climbing frame, while boys twice her age – and size – watch nervously from below. I watch her legs wrap firmly around the metal bars, her eyes set on the slide ahead, her teeth grit together in grim determination. She gives a sharp and simple nod to my cautionary, “Be careful…”. I am proud.

My message to the woman who told my daughter girls don’t like Star Wars and the man who hopes my baby is a boy | Voices | The Independent

hmmm

 

Gingrich: White People ‘Don’t Understand Being Black in America’ 

On By peanutgallerynhIn Domestic Affairs,, Race,Leave a comment

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) had some surprising words on race Friday after a tragic week.

“It took me a long time, and a number of people talking to me through the years to get a sense of this,” Gingrich …told CNN. “If you are a normal white American, the truth is you don’t understand being black in America.

…White Americans ‘instinctively underestimate the level of discrimination and the level of additional risk’ facing black Americans today.

…They are substantially more likely to end up in a situation where the police don’t respect you and you could easily get killed. And sometimes for whites it’s difficult to appreciate how real that is and how it’s an everyday danger.”

Gingrich: White people ‘don’t understand being black in America’ – NY Daily News

hmmm

Brian Williams’ Return to NBC and Immediately Forgets How Journalism Works (Again.) 

On By peanutgallerynhIn Media and Culture,Leave a comment

Twitter is unimpressed

Brian Williams return to NBC during live coverage of the tragic violence in Dallas was not well-received on social media.

…It was an inauspicious return for the former “Nightly News” anchor, just his third appearance on NBC since his six-month suspension in February 2015 for misrepresenting his experiences during the Iraq war.

As snipers targeting law enforcement officers brought an end to a previously peaceful protest regarding police violence, Williams called the events a “national emergency” and informed viewers that any reporting would be done through the “fog of war.”

…Many on the social media platform took offense at Williams’ characterizations of events as they took place, with some suggesting that his remarks were full-on irresponsible.

Brian Williams returns to NBC for Dallas coverage and Twitter is unimpressed – LA Times

He

Change.Org Petition Fire Jesse Williams BET Speech 

On By peanutgallerynhIn Race,Leave a comment

 

Change.Org Petition Fire Jesse Williams BET Speech | HelloBeautiful

Unbelievable…

What a total fucking ignorant, self-important, loser this Eric Smith is. Awwwww, someone who looks like you created injustice and someone else was against it and this was an attack on the security of your world view? Awwww, poor, pathetic, douchebag asshole baby. Weh, weh, weh, all the way home to your comfort zone where everyone is white and no one is ever oppressed ever. Oh, wait, that’s 1950’s TV. …And this is the real world, filled with real people, who are just as important as your pathetic ass!

Also, if you do not comprehend why someone who is part black and part white might identify as black? Well, life will be too difficult for your puny, backwards, addled, ignorant brain. Just stay in bed and save the rest of us the trouble watching out for your cognitively delayed ass.

U.S. district judge strikes down Mississippi’s ‘religious freedom’ law

On By peanutgallerynhIn Religion,Leave a comment

Governor says to expect an “aggressive appeal” of judge’s decsion, setting up another battle over gay rights that could go to the Supreme Court.

U.S. district judge strikes down Mississippi’s ‘religious freedom’ law – The Washington Post

Using your religion against other isn’t freedom and it sure as hell isn’t separation of church and state.