Sidetracks - September 23, 2013

[helloladies]

Sidetracks is a collaborative project featuring various essays, videos, reviews, or other Internet content that we want to share with each other. All past and current links for the Sidetracks project can be found in our Sidetracks tag.

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I've spent the last week moving like a fiend and have been away from the Internet regularly. PRO-TIP: if moving 30 years worth of stuff and furniture, plan for more than 30 days.

➝ Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2012.

➝ I've been watching Doctor Who (I'm on season two) and now I am definitely making this when I start converting my own people to Doctor Who.

➝ I liked Moxyland and loved Zoo City. The Shining Girls will be published next year and I am excited. The first chapter is available and I want the whole novel in my eyes NOW.

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➝ I found 'A Black Mom in Chief is Revolutionary: What White Feminists Get Wrong About Michelle Obama' really interesting and it helped me expand my understanding. The writer, Tami Winfrey Harris, pulls out some key critical reactions from white feminist commentators to the 'mom-in-chief' part of Michelle Obama's DNC speech and then explains why the stereotypes surrounding black woman and motherhood, differ from those surrounding white women and motherhood by quoting and analysing parts of an article by Deesha Philyaw's called 'Ain't I a Mommy?'.

The quick summary:

'Philyaw writes that historically, black women have rarely had the privilege to choose motherhood over career.' (via alondra)

➝ Deputy Prime Minister Nick Cleg says sorry for breaking his promise about tuition fees and actually uses the word sorry. I don't want to make a huge deal about this because the Lib Dems were my political party of choice and I want to remember the importance of scepticism when looking at all political decisions. Still, he actually used the word that politicians aren't supposed to touch. That's a start.

➝ I could really put up a ton of posts from Justine Larbalestier's blog now that she's started writing there again, but in the end I've decided to highlight 'Racism in the Books we Write' because I think it makes a great companion piece for Sarah Rees Brennan's 'All Those Who Default from The Default Will Be Punished (But Personally I Think They Will be Awesome)'. It seems fitting that their blog writings mesh when read together as they've collaborated on 'Team Human'.

➝ Karen Healey posted about the 31 Day nail challenge and got me excited about nail art again. Go marvel at the pretty and then check out some of the tutorials. I want to play with my varnish again.

➝ I think 'Confessions of an Ex-Republican' gives a useful insight into why people vote republican and where some republicans diverge from the extreme faction within their party. I believe there are a lot of reasons why even though it's tough, it's important to gain a full understanding of the factors that shapes everyone's political views, even if they are allied or have been allied with a political party we rear away from. And I should really start practising what I preach more, because knowledge is power :P

So many political links this week! Maybe I should get some trendy librarian glasses and a serious hat.

Comments

[nymeth]

Sounds like you had a super rough week Renay :( *hugs* Fingers crossed that the rest of the move goes well and that things aren't too stressful until then.

[bookgazing]

Glad to see you're back now and hopefully moving is behind you.

[chrisa511]

Renay can you please make Matt watch Doctor Who now please!!! I've been trying for over a year now with no luck T_T Also, I have $50 saved in my envelope for the trip!!! It's totally on….