Wednesday, May 22, 2024
Southern Comments to Avoid
An excerpt from the Wealthy Nickel -
16 Comments You Should Never, Ever Make to a Southerner
by Rebecca Holcomb
1. Sweet Tea
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| Image Credit: Shutterstock. |
During a trip to Michigan with my southern husband, we were invited to lunch, where my husband kindly asked the waitress for sweet tea. Word to the wise: If someone asks you for sweet tea, it is far better to say you don’t have any than to offer them iced tea with sugar from the table.
Anyone who makes sweet tea knows you cannot add sugar to cold tea and get good sweet tea. At most, you’ll end up with iced tea with gritty crystals.
2. Instant Grits
Having moved to Florida in 2003, I can tell you people in the South are serious about their grits. Cheesy grits are especially favored, but cooking them well is a big part of most “Southern” cooking. Creamy with a texture similar to cream of wheat, these savory grains are a great addition to Southern specials like fried chicken and excellent barbecue.
However, never are they “instant,” and asking someone if they are may get you disinvited from dinner.
4. Y’all
When I was growing up and in school, a contraction of the words you and all wasn’t a word. However, down South, it’s been an accepted part of everyday vocabulary since before I was born. One particular sticking point, though, is where you place the apostrophe.
Y’all is the correct way to write it; anything else is unacceptable. Also, ain’t, which wasn’t a word when I was in school, is now proper (according to Webster’s Dictionary) language and should be spelled correctly.
12. Bless Your Heart
While hearing this phrase may make you think that the sweet grandma you met at the grocery store is complimenting you, it’s more likely that she thinks you’re a bit dim. “Bless your heart,” or any version thereof, is not often given as a nice comment. Take a moment to evaluate the situation, and you’ll know whether someone’s insulting you. If you’re unsure, chalk it up to indifference and move on.
Black-Owned Pilot School
An excerpt from Travel Noire -
A NEW BLACK-OWNED FLIGHT SCHOOL IS MAKING WAVES IN THE RACE FOR MORE MINORITY PILOTS
Gwinnett County has opened its first Black-owned flight school, joining a nationwide effort to increase the number of minority pilots.
by Faith Katunga
Gwinnett County, in Atlanta, Georgia, officially has its first Black-owned flight school, joining a nationwide effort to increase the number of minority pilots. Look Up Flight Academy, owned by Mike Ojo, is a much-needed opportunity for aspiring minority aviators. As a successful pilot in his own right, Mike Ojo has always felt a deep connection to the air. However, he did have some reservations on his way to the skies.
“I always thought it wasn’t for me because I never saw anyone who looked like me in a pilot uniform,” Ojo expressed during an interview with WSB-TV’s Gwinnett County Bureau Chief Matt Johnson. His experiences reflect a larger issue within the industry. Minority pilots currently make up only about 3% of the total aviation workforce.
With Ojo’s dedication to expanding minority access to aviation, the Look Up Flight Academy is a vanguard of progressive change. The Gwinnett County airport, recognizing the significance of this initiative, approved a 25-year lease for the academy. The school will open its doors by summer. This launch will follow the renovation of a vacant building and hangar at Briscoe Field, creating a conducive learning environment for students.
https://travelnoire.com/gwinnett-county-black-owned-flight-school-opens
Malcolm X Quotes
An excerpt from Newsone.com -
20 Malcolm X Quotes Every Black Person Should Know
His eloquent, but fearless style of writing and reciting still resonates with people from all walks of life.
Written by Bilal G. Morris
A father, a civil rights leader, and a symbol of courage; Malcolm X was a true pioneer to the advancement of human thought.
On Sunday, May 19, the civil rights leader would have turned 99 years old
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| Source: Richard Saunders/Pictorial Parade/Archive Photos/Getty Images / Richard Saunders/Pictorial Parade/Archive Photos/Getty Images |
Malcolm X Quotes About Violence
1. “If violence is wrong in America, violence is wrong abroad. If it is wrong to be violent defending black women and black children and black babies and black men, then it is wrong for America to draft us, and make us violent abroad in defense of her. And if it is right for America to draft us, and teach us how to be violent in defense of her, then it is right for you and me to do whatever is necessary to defend our own people right here in this country.” — Speech, Nov. 1963, New York City.
2. Concerning non-violence: “It is criminal to teach a man not to defend himself when he is the constant victim of brutal attacks.” – Malcolm X
3. “I am for violence if non-violence means we continue postponing a solution to the American black man’s problem just to avoid violence.”
4. “I don’t favor violence. If we could bring about recognition and respect of our people by peaceful means, well and good. Everybody would like to reach his objectives peacefully. But I’m also a realist. The only people in this country who are asked to be nonviolent are black people.”
5. “I don’t even call it violence when it’s in self defense; I call it intelligence.”
Malcolm X Quotes About Education
6.”Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.”
7. “Without education, you are not going anywhere in this world.”
Malcolm A Quotes About Media
8. “The media’s the most powerful entity on earth. They have the power to make the innocent guilty and to make the guilty innocent.”
9. “The press is used to make it look like (the black man) is the criminal and (the police force is) the victim.”
https://newsone.com/4186419/malcolm-x-quotes-you-need-to-know/
Favorite Movies Nobody Has Watched
An excerpt from BuzzFeed -
"This Is My Favourite Movie Of All Time And I've Never Met Anyone Else Who Has Seen It" — 21 Of The Best Films You've Never Heard Of
"This is my favourite movie of all time and I've never met anyone else who has seen it, or even heard of it."
By Amy Glover
1. Breaking Away (1979)
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| 20th Century |
| Roger Ebert gave it four stars and called it 'a precious cinematic miracle.'" | u/WhatsMyAgeAgain-182 |
8. The Station Agent (2003)
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| Miramax |
u/Camille_Toh
"This is a lovely film. I’m going to mention that Peter Dinklage is the leading character (in a tremendous ensemble cast) in order to get more people to watch it."
u/Dogs_Akimbo
11. Ghost Dog: The Way Of The Samurai (1999)
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| Arthaus / Lionsgate Films, Madman Entertainment / MORE |
u/jinyx1
"That recurring bit in Ghost Dog where he and the French guy talk every day despite not understanding each other was so endearing."
u/alltherobots
Success Depends On This One Skill?
An excerpt from CNBC Make It -
Amazon CEO: An ‘embarrassing’ amount of your success depends on this one skill
By Morgan Smith
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| Andy Jassy on stage at the 2022 New York Times DealBook in New York City, November 30, 2022.Thos Robinson | Getty Images |
The trick to getting ahead at work isn’t being the fastest learner or the smartest in the room — it’s having a positive attitude, says Amazon CEO Andy Jassy.
Jassy, who took the top job at Amazon after Jeff Bezos stepped down in 2021, shared his “best career advice” in a new interview with LinkedIn CEO Ryan Roslansky.
“I think an embarrassing amount of how well you do, particularly in your 20s, has to do with attitude,” Jassy, 56, said.
It’s not just about being cheerful, he explained. Having a positive attitude means you work well on a team and honor deadlines, among other strengths.
If you have the right mindset, Jassy said you should be able to confidently answer “yes” to the following questions:
- Do you work hard?
- Are you more can-do than naysaying?
- Do you do what you said you were going to do?
- Can you work in a team?
These strategies are “so simple” and yet often overlooked, he said.
Extraordinary Black Scientists
An excerpt from AfroTech -
15 Black Scientists That Changed Our Understanding Of The World
By Leah Jones
Shirley Ann Jackson (b. 1946)
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| Photo Credit: Nicholas Kamm / AFP |
Dr. Shirley Jackson is a physicist and the first African American woman to earn a Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Jackson’s research has primarily focused on theoretical physics, semiconductor physics and condensed matter physics. She conducted groundbreaking research in the field of semiconductors, leading to advancements in telecommunications and computing. Her work laid the foundation for technologies such as fiber optics, solar cells and the portable fax machine. Jackson also served as the chairman of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission from 1995 to 1999, becoming the first woman and first Black American to hold this position.
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Neil deGrasse Tyson (b. 1958)
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| Photo Credit: John Lamparski |
Neil deGrasse Tyson is an astrophysicist, author, and science communicator known for his efforts to popularize science and make complex concepts accessible to the public. yson has made significant contributions to astrophysics through his research on star formation, galaxy evolution, and the structure of the Milky Way. However, he is perhaps best known for his work in science communication. Tyson has hosted several television series, including “Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey” and “StarTalk,” where he discusses scientific topics in an engaging and entertaining manner. He has also authored numerous books aimed at making science understandable and engaging for people of all ages. Tyson’s ability to convey complex scientific concepts with enthusiasm and clarity has made him a beloved figure in the world of science and education.
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Katherine Johnson (1918-2020)
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| Photo Credit: Eddy Chen/Disney General Entertainment Content |
Katherine Johnson was a mathematician whose calculations were critical to the success of NASA’s early space missions. She is one of the most famous Black scientists in history. Johnson’s mathematical genius played a pivotal role in the Mercury and Apollo space programs. She calculated trajectories, launch windows and re-entry paths for many of NASA’s missions, including Alan Shepard’s 1961 flight and John Glenn’s historic orbit around the Earth in 1962. Her calculations were so accurate that Glenn specifically requested her verification before his flight. Johnson’s work was instrumental in ensuring the safety and success of NASA’s missions during the space race.
Katherine Johnson’s contributions to space exploration were recognized with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015. Her story gained widespread attention following the publication of the book “Hidden Figures” and the subsequent film adaptation, bringing her achievements to a broader audience. She is celebrated not only for her groundbreaking work as a mathematician but also for breaking barriers as an African American woman in a male-dominated field.
Black-Owned Hotels in New Orleans
An excerpt from Travel Noire -
5 BLACK-OWNED HOTELS TO VISIT IN NEW ORLEANS
Whether a bed and breakfast or a luxury hotel, these Black-owned accommodations are fan favorites when visiting the Big Easy.
By Jasmine Osby
THE DUTCHESS BB
Steeped in Southern charm, the Dutchess BB is a lovely accommodation in the historic Irish Channel neighborhood. It has eight bedrooms spread out over two stories. Travelers will fall in love with the beautiful home with all of the fixings of a modern home. There’s a private backyard for outdoor vibes, laundry access, free breakfast, a jacuzzi, and more. The Dutchess is great for a personal experience while visiting New Orleans.
*Location: The Irish Channel
*Type of Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast
*Accommodation Spotlight: The Dutchess is located near the trolley for easy access to transportation to restaurants and excursions.
*Before You Go: This is a great B&B for group trips with a downstairs and upstairs space with multiple bedrooms on each floor.
HUBBARD MANSION
The Hubbard Mansion opened in 2000 and is a beacon of hospitality in New Orleans. It’s located minutes from everything you want to see in the city including the French Quarter, Central Business District, and the Zoo. The Black-owned hotel in New Orleans has always been in the family and offers five rooms with suite accommodations for visiting guests. The mansion overlooks the Mississippi River and has a graceful flair you won’t find at any other bed and breakfast.
*Location: St. Charles Avenue
*Type of Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast
*Accommodation Spotlight: Hubbard Mansion is decorated with an array of antiques and historic heirlooms for guests to see and experience during their stay.
*Before You Go: It took the Hubbard family three years to build this NOLA stay.
This Info Could Save Your Life
@doctorhoeflinger Knowing this about drinking could save your life! #fyp #party #drinking #alcohol #foryou #holiday #christmas ♬ Storytelling - Adriel
Denzel Breaks It Down
An excerpt from MadameNoire
Denzel Washington Breaks Down Why ‘Fences’ Needed A Black
by marysymone
Washington began, “It’s not color, it’s culture. Steven Spielberg did Schindler’s List. Martin Scorsese did Goodfellas, right? Steven Spielberg could direct Goodfellas. Martin Scorsese probably could have done a good job with Schindler’s List. But there are cultural differences.”
He continued to give an example, “I know, you know, we all know what it is when a hot comb hits your head on a Sunday morning, what it smells like. That’s a cultural difference, not just color difference.”
The Equalizer star expressed the importance of what August Wilson did for the culture. “August Wilson is writing how we feel. That’s why I’m producing all 10 of [his plays]. Because of all those people who laid the groundwork for me to be in the position I’m in, I’m going to make sure that there’s hundreds of roles for the next generation and utilize the power that I have at this moment to do that, and nobody’s going to get in my way,” he told SiriusXM.
Repurposing Old Teacups
An excerpt from House Digest -
18 Clever Ways To Repurpose Old Teacups Around The House
BY MASIE O'TOOLE
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1. Bird feeder
Bird feeders are easy to make out of just about anything, but this teacup idea is one of the most fun and whimsical out there. All you need is a teacup, a saucer, some string, and an adhesive. Turn your teacup on its side with the handle facing upwards, then attach it to the saucer with your adhesive of choice. Once it's dry, attach your string to the handle of the teacup to hang it from a branch. After you fill the cup (and likely some of the saucer, too) up with birdseed, birds can fly up and rest on the rim of the saucer to eat.
2. Candle vessel
Making your own soy candles is surprisingly easy, so much so that finding appropriate vessels for your creations is oftentimes the hardest part. If you're tired of filling plain jars with wax, try thinking outside the box and making a teacup candle. Teacups are already meant to withstand high heat, so there's a low risk of cracking as you fill the teacup and eventually burn your creation, and the handle on the side can make it easy for you to move the candle from place to place, even when it's still hot. Add on the fact that it's absolutely adorable, and you have a winning DIY idea.
3. Succulent garden
Succulent gardens are a low-maintenance way to bring some interesting greenery and freshness to your home décor. Once you start adding to your collection of plants, however, it can be hard to find planters that are the perfect fit for a collection of different succulents. To give yourself more freedom, consider potting your succulents in individual teacups, then displaying them together. Teacups are small and shallow, making them a great choice for succulent planters, and putting your succulents in several tiny pots instead of one large one can make it easier add on new plants and take away old ones that might not be faring so well.
Sunday, May 12, 2024
Still Want 'Em?
@elle.cordova Replying to @the_lonelyest_pickle dare accepted. RX Side Effects Redux! (Deja vu now also makes a recurring appearance per commenter requests) #rx ♬ original sound - Elle Cordova
A Mother's Love
An excerpt from USA Today -
She was the chauffeur, the encourager and worked for the NSA. But mostly, she was my mom
By Mike Freeman
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| Mike Freeman and his mom in the 1970s. Provided by Mike Freeman |
I remember the exact day I first saw my mother’s strength. I mean, really saw it. My father had left us. Not long after, my mom sat next to me on the stairs of the house, put her arm around me, and kissed me on the cheek. She told me we were going to be OK, and there was no doubt in my mind she was right. Because she was Mom. She always made everything right. Even moments like that one.
She’s called me Mickey or Mickey Joe forever. We’ll be all right, Mickey. I promise. And her promises meant something. They meant everything.
She was the chauffeur who took me to soccer practice, the cook, the child psychologist, the encourager, the disciplinarian and the empath. She did all of that while working at the National Security Agency, where she was a senior executive, and one of the highest-ranking Black women at the agency. She’d also get her law degree by going to classes at night.
We sometimes think of power as physical strength or wealth, but true power is what my mom did for me growing up, and what so many other moms have done. She used her strength to create a protective forcefield over the ordinary and mundane, which are so important to kids: going to school; playing sports; hanging with friends; having food and clothes and support.
Her love has always had the power of a splitting atom. But another strength was just as buttressing. Mom’s almost unrelenting desire to educate me about the world and how things work, from making pancake batter, to handling myself if stopped by the police, to emphasizing the power of Black pride when much of the outside world constantly told Black people how awful we were.
If We Only Knew Then What We Know Now
An excerpt from Buzzfeed -
People Over 60 Are Revealing "Time-Sucking" Habits They Wasted WAY Too Much Time On In Their 30s, 40s, Or 50s
"That may have worked for men, but definitely not for women at that time."
by Raven Ishak - BuzzFeed Staff
3. "Trying so hard to be friends with people who had no time or interest in being friends with me or only wanted my friendship when it was convenient for them." —Jayne, 62 1/2, California
4. "I spent way too much time people-pleasing. Being a caregiver for my parents at a very young age left me struggling for good coping skills as I grew older. The insecurity made me way too concerned about what others thought. The best part of getting older is not giving a crap about what anyone thinks!"—Anonymous, 62, Illinois
5. "When I was younger, I wasted too much time worrying about whether a man liked me or not. My self-esteem was not very high, and I suspect I thought most men I liked were thinking about anything else besides me. Nowadays, I don't worry about whether a man likes me or not. If he likes me, he'll show it by wanting to be with me. It's now all about whether I find him interesting enough to want to be with him!"—Suzanne, 63, United Kingdom
10. "Don’t waste time being angry over something you can’t control. Don’t waste time on gossip or negativity. Don’t waste time blaming others or your childhood on present bad decisions, behavior, or situations."—fiercemoon84
https://www.buzzfeed.com/ravenishak/things-older-people-wish-they-didnt-waste-time-on
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