I've been thinking a lot about anger over the past month and a half. Ever since Michael Brown was killed by a police officer in Ferguson, MO way back in 2014 I've been increasingly political with my online presence -- and the candidacy and ultimate inauguration of Donald Trump has pushed that side of my … Continue reading (Buddhism) We’re All Mad Here
Category: Pop Culture
(Movies) Oscar Season
Yesterday the Oscar nominations were released, signaling the beginning of the Academy Awards season! There's a small subset of us who love this time of year; in the months leading up to it (beginning in December), my ears perk up to see what's opening -- especially in limited release -- to get a bead on … Continue reading (Movies) Oscar Season
(Fandom) Afrofuturism and Furry
Over the weekend I attended Further Confusion 2018 with over 3,400 other furries in San Jose, CA and let me tell you, it was a pretty great time. I got to catch up with a lot of friends from all over the country and meet a few new ones, including folks I've had an internet … Continue reading (Fandom) Afrofuturism and Furry
(Politics) What I Want From White People
When I write about contentious subjects here at The Writing Desk, I try to make sure that I use a tone that comes across as collaborative and inclusive. I know what a minefield sociopolitical topics are -- especially on the Internet -- and you can find someone shouting another person down anywhere you can find … Continue reading (Politics) What I Want From White People
Kwanzaa, Day 6: Kuumba (Creativity)
Habari gani, brothers and sisters? Today is the last day of 2017, and to say it's been an interesting year is a small understatement. But we've made it! We're about to enter 2018, a year full of new possibilities and problems that will require us to be united, self-aware, diligent, cooperative, and purposeful to solve. … Continue reading Kwanzaa, Day 6: Kuumba (Creativity)
(Politics) If Respect Is Mandatory, It’s Not Respect
Earlier this week I received this response from a person named Kenny Stiles to my post on why I'm boycotting the NFL this season. Kenny thinks that the league should make all players stand for the National Anthem; not doing so is "the wrong way to protest" and a slap in the face for all … Continue reading (Politics) If Respect Is Mandatory, It’s Not Respect
(Politics) Why I’m Boycotting the NFL
Exactly one year ago today, Colin Kaepernick took a knee during the National Anthem in a silent protest against police brutality and the inadequate response by police departments around the country to the demand for more accountability. The NFL never really forgave him for the controversy it ignited; after opting out of his contract with … Continue reading (Politics) Why I’m Boycotting the NFL
(Movies) DisneyFest: Home On The Range, The Incredibles, Chicken Little
2004 - 2006 was a really rough time for Disney. With the diminishing returns on their traditionally-animated movie, they decided to move into computer animation full-time while being walloped by Pixar, DreamWorks and critics for mining their rich history to make a series of terrible direct-to-video sequels. While they were bringing their CG animation studio … Continue reading (Movies) DisneyFest: Home On The Range, The Incredibles, Chicken Little
(Fandom) Further Confusion 2017
Further Confusion 2017 is right around the corner! Just two weeks after New Year's Day, the convention feels a lot closer to the holidays than ever before -- not that I'm complaining. Further Confusion actually feels like a part of the holiday season at this point, the last gasp of companionship and partying before we … Continue reading (Fandom) Further Confusion 2017
(Movies) Hold On To Each Other or The Krampus Will Pick Us Off One By One
Christmas-themed horror movies have a really poor track record; except for Gremlins, I can't think of anything that could even remotely be considered good. Well, until now at least. I've already gotten into a few debates about this particular film with other folks, so please understand your mileage may vary. But for me, last year's … Continue reading (Movies) Hold On To Each Other or The Krampus Will Pick Us Off One By One