“The Police Don’t Target Black People,” Says The White Person.

A Circle of Chaos

So, who puts in the effort to try and ban or challenge a book? I would think, and could agree to a certain extent, that parents are those who attempted to restrict their children’s access to books (thou I don’t know why they just don’t do it as parents instead of loophole out of their authority and try to use someone else’s) at their child’s school depending on their age (where some of their authority has temporarily been given over to the teacher or administration). However, while parents make up the second largest percent of challenges against books (32%) only 37% of all challenges occur at schools or school libraries with the majority happening at public libraries (59%) by other local library users (33%).

Books are also not the only things get challenged and for some, removal of the book includes vandalism, theft and destruction (burning books). In 2018 62% of all challenges or censorship actions in libraries were against books, but 15% of challenges were against meetings, 10% were against databases, films and games and 6% were about artwork. This scope of the challenges is the reason for the focus of censorship during banned books week as these challenges extend past the idea usually presented that books are banned because the material is “too mature” for the age group it was recommended too but has to do more with the prejudice behind those promoting the bans and can create an horrific self-fulfilling prophecy as those who were limited in the experiences and connections to these book will remain close-minded and become the passionate censorship leaders of our future.

http://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/statistics

The Power of Fear

In his inauguration speech, President Franklin D. Roosevelt stated, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself”. He followed this with gratitude, that the fears that were plaguing the nation at the time was not a disease, but financial constraint and that we as a nation could overcome if we worked together.  

Fear, is not all bad. In moments of danger, fear can kick start your reflexes allowing us a greater advantage and even in non-immediate danger fear can bring about clarity and a different way of thinking. But fear can also be blinding, and when left unchecked it can grow until it becomes all-consuming. It is important when dealing with one’s fear that you truly think about what you are fearing and where that fear comes from—choosing only to work with the fear of an actual threat.

Franklin D. Roosevelt explained in his speech that the fear people were feeling could paralyze them and make things worse if they let it, in these current times it is important to understand how these small fears can grow and manipulate and take over. There are the fears of many Americans are based in the unknown, fears of potential violence and financial loss. But those who are coming to this country have true fear, fear that powers them through hundreds of miles of desert, and starvation. Fear of starvation and violence, death and disease. They show how fear can produce action over insurmountable odds.

What we also must remember is again how this fear can grow and how it can be stopped. The United States entered World War II after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, but by then, fear of the unknown and fear of an uncertain future had killed hundreds, thousands and millions throughout the world due to famine, panic and genocide. While we all have our fears, we must also think about how we can act when that fear is small, easier to conquer and what it may mean for others who are living in more present danger than ourselves.  

 My family and I are alive today thanks to the countries that rose above their fear of the unknown to help those who were running for their lives, and the members of my family who were able to use that fear of death and persecution to empower them to walk at least 2,000 miles to start to a sanctuary, Tehran. We must not let our fear blind us to our potential and the true victims of hate and violence and the unknown.

Best Company moments

1. Season Seven, Episode Two: Counseling

When they all support and try to help Dwight with the mall fiasco even before they knew what happened. After first storming in and demanding everyone “Boycott the Steamtown Mall” and then again when help him prepare to Pretty Woman the salesclerk (per Kelly’s suggestion).

Kelly “You shirt and tie are disgusto-barfo”

Oscar “Maybe not so monochromatic, not so matching”

Ryan, Kelly, Pam and then Ryan again “The glasses are a little….I liked them…I thought they were kinda cute…yeah I liked them too”

Darryl "Say Stuff like ‘good morning, good afternoon. People appreciate that’” Darryl

Andy “If someone offers you a cocktail, accept, but keeps your wits about you” Andy

Angela “Please and Thank you go a long way”

2. Season Seven, Episode Twenty-Two: Goodbye Michael

When they all sing Rent, and calculated the actual minutes (9,986,000)  that he had been at the company

3. Season Five, Episode Fourteen: Stress Relief Part 1

When, more than those you’d expect, began dancing to them singing ‘staying alive’ to know when to pump for CPR. First Andy joining in singing, then Kelly dancing, Phyllis and Creed bopping their heads, then Michael stops with the CPR and gets up to also dance as does Andy later dancing with the instructor and even Meredith and Dwight bopping their heads as well.

4. Season Eight, Episode Five: Garden Party

When they all come together to cheer Andy up after the Garden party; even to where they ignore him as he tries to leave and apologize with Darryl asking him he wants a “Cheeseburger or Hamburger” and Oscar calling him “Nard-dog” before tossing him a beer.

5. Season Seven, Episode Seven: Christening

When they all shit on the churchgoers at the Christening; they are their own type of family

Ryan “Teach for America girls are way hotter—but their nuts”

Phyliis “Who takes a kid to Mexico”

Stanley” I would run to Mexico if that’s where the sandwiches are”

Dwight “You wanna know my 11th Commandment, I will not be undersold”

Andy “What if the Moon was your car and Jupiter was your hairbrush”

Ending with half-assed claps and Ryan playing with his cup

6. Season Six, Episode Fifteen: Sabre

When they work together to repackage the Sabre box

7. Season Seven, Episode Nine: WUPHF.com

When they figured out the server password first thinking of things topical for when it was set, IT guys, and then that it made Michael laugh when he heard it, but Pam got offended.

8. Season Seven, Episode Six: Costume Contest

“Is there no limit to what Stanley won’t notice?”

Jim’s OJ wasn’t his hot coffee

Kevin dressed up as Phyllis

Andy naked except for his tie

The computer monitor being replaced by a cardboard box with a picture on it

Michael with fake teeth

The conference meeting having everyone but him sitting backwards and the meeting talking about the projections on Jupiter

Pam with a mustache

and Dwight with a pony

 Except—he notices the clock is slow and it’s after 5pm

9. Season Nine, Episode Eight: The Target

When Pete, Kevin, Erin, Meredith, Creed, Nellie and Darryl all work together to build the complaint tower and support Pam getting a complaint

10. Season Nine, Episode Eighteen: Promos

When they realize the camera crew followed them more than they realized, and all looked at the camera simultaneously

Gutted, Gentrified and Gone

Libraries are great community spaces that should be free so local residents can learn, explore and expand their minds and creativity. But libraries like our schools, are generally paid for by the income of the local residents, therefore, poorer communities get less funding and therefore poorer quality libraries. Similar to the recent “Aunt Becky” college situation, this goes against the ideals behind libraries and in the US, our equality, and how knowledge, perseverance, education and will is supposed to allow us all to flourish.

A prime example of the differences in communities is nestled within San Francisco. Known for massive hills and hipsters, San Francisco’s Pacific Heights Presidio Branch Library is just six miles away from the Bayview Linda Brooks-Burton Branch Library in Bayview-Hunters Point. There is nothing wrong with the Bayview Library; its open frequently, it’s clean and the local neighborhood seems to enjoy it but with comparison you can see a difference to the Presidio Branch Library. First, the Bayview Library is in an semi-industrial area and has classes geared to computer classes for Adults & Seniors including sales meetings and tax classes. The Presidio library is surrounded by open grass where you can comfortably read outside, has information available about it’s environmental LEED Green Report Card, highlights inter-library loan, foreign language staff and diverse classes of baby and toddler interaction, writing classes and Tai Chi. The Presidio Branch Library has the resources and access residents need to want to visit the library and develop new interests. This is not surprising as Pacific Heights is noted as a rich and thriving community (1) and Bayview has been graded one of the worst based on income and education opportunities (2) and has a history of gentrification and marginalization (3). Libraries don’t have to be pretty and I can understand how they’re not always the most updated but we cannot forget that “a rising tide lifts all boats” and that we are all equal.

(1)   https://www.businessinsider.com/photos-pacific-heights-san-francisco-billionaires-row-2014-3

(2)   https://www.roadsnacks.net/worst-neighborhoods-in-san-francisco-ca/

(3)   https://www.mccalman.co/portfolio/i-am-bayview/

Lucius and Narcissa

While I cannot say I like these two, I don’t mind them as much as one would think. Partially, because both really have no substance to dislike; yes, they are cruel, greedy, elitist, and quite a few horrible other things but really all they are, is the greatest example of snowflakes in the wizarding world

“wah.....some person with no history of magic is more skilled than me”

“wah....those with power are trying to help those without”

“wah....people don’t think my son is as great as I think”

on and on and on 

Regardless of their complete lack of character and spine, there were a few things I enjoyed. For starters, they really were perfect for each other. True, they needed to be assisted in every aspect of their lives, but they both fawned of their son in separate ways, both held strong beliefs with no interest in taking any related action (my belief about Lucius joining the Death Eaters was because it was the cool thing to do at the time), and both were just blinded by ego and wealth. They are just a morally gross version of Arthur and Molly, they support each other completely in being boringly horrible. 

Related to their lack of character, I do enjoy snowflake Lucius as he loses his place in the world and the realistic outcomes he and Peter Pettigrew experience by just being followers, but there are different levels with Narcissa. In a small level, it is funny to see how similar she is to everyone else as, as a side character, we see typical family relationships as she has with her sister, husband and son. And it’s just nice to get that background and reminder. 

More telling, unlike Lucius who I think was not only too stupid to see why Voldermort brought Draco into the Death Eaters but also would gladly use Draco just to gain status, I have no doubt that Narcissa would sacrifice herself for her son just as Lily had. And I know I’m right because she already did. Similar to Draco’s questions of morality and evil, while she may have had more alignment with the beliefs of the Death Eaters she had more strength than Draco in knowing and fighting for what truly was most important to her. Considering both put each other over the stupidity of murdering muggles and Death Eaters it’s upsetting, annoying and that dumb-poetic of just TALK to each other and they really could have avoided all this mess. Leave Lucius behind, he’s the weakest link and really it didn’t seem that either would be too heartbroken over it. I mean you guys are already weak, why not just be weak for the good guys. But whatever. 

I do enjoy these two, mostly just for a laugh, but also for the reminder that there is no black and white, and that we all need to remember to look past the surface

The Girl’s Guide to Hunting and Fishing

I got this book at a thrift store–which is a great practice on its own, just got a school textbook for less than $5.00—I didn’t get it thinking it was about Hunting and Fishing, but as I believed that it would be about raising strong women; but that it wasn’t either and I’m not going to lie, the reviews are right, this book is a bit of a mess but overall it reminds me a bit of Freaks and Geeks where it’s messy and authentic.

First on the mess, it doesn’t help and is unnecessary, the majority of the story is believed to be from one person’s point of view, but two chapters (one told from a character connected to the “main character”, and one not) are told from different people’s points of view. As the “main character” who actually isn’t depicted as the main character or is always portrayed the same but has memories from the earlier chapters—it’s the best you can go. This is confusing, and when I read this book the second time it was early in the second chapter that I remembered—oh right, this is why this book was annoying and confusing. But while poorly formatted and executed, that’s not really all that important, overall the story is snippets of most girls struggles with her personal romantic relationships, navigating different adult relationship as she gets older and changes, figuring out what she wants with her relationships and her changing relationship with her family.

What’s also crucial, and does make it a good story for young adult women and older, is that the love stories aren’t fairy-tale, they’re realistic. Loving someone you broke up with, how much pain can one handle or one should handle in a relationship, the weirdness of not wanting what you know is probably best for you, breaking up with your best friend; it’s not some dramatics of other books: woman finds herself after divorce, found her fiancé cheating, just got a makeover and became the ‘hot girl’ in school. It’s all the other parts of love, the common and more dramatic, heartbreaking and confusing stuff that there is no right answer for.

I’ve read this story a few times—and I still don’t get the title (really, it does not come up in the book, I’ve checked) but what’s great about it is that it’s accurate, and how you do feel the mess you’re in, isn’t unique to you—you’re not alone in feeling alone, even if no situation matches yours.

Peter Pettigrew

I don’t think anyone likes Peter Pettigrew. People have gotten Dark Mark tattoos and have found compassion for Bellatrix and Voldemort, but no one likes Peter Pettigrew. A non-major character, but one of the most crucial in the overall story (factor in ending first and second Wizard Wars, killed both of Harry’s chances at a good family), Peter Pettigrew reminds us a lot of friendship and moral codes that some people forget. I don’t know if he even deserves a picture

“ The road to hell is paved with good intentions”--NO, that is not it, but it is similar, that “ The safest road to hell is the gradual one - the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts ” (C. S. Lewis)

Once you make one concession, the next one is easier; then all of the sudden the decisions you are considering are miles away from any you would have considered if thrown in that first concession, but they were all only one small step over from your last act. 

It is part of the Christian faith that if you accept Jesus into your life, even in your final moments, that you will be brought to heaven upon death. This is crap, and if it’s real, it should and still would be complete crap. You should not be judged just by your final moments, whether it be good or bad, out of remorse or desperation. 

Something that was lightly touched on throughout the series, is that people change. We see this with Snape, Malfoy, Dudley, Neville and Peter Pettigrew, Ron and others I’m sure (like James, supposedly). Snape and Malfoy were both put into Slytherin, but with very different outcomes (and beginnings). Snape was already a bit angry at the world, but with Lily as a friend and had he not been put into Slytherin in the first place, he may very well have not become a Death Eater. That’s who he spent his time with, other Slytherins; so the chances were higher. They say you are a combination of the 5 people you spend the most time with, and here I think that shows. Malfoy, on the other hand, came to Hogwarts excited and thrilled when he ended up with his friends. But in reality, 1st year Malfoy is just a spoiled brat, and not evil as he would need to be a true Death Eater (see Peter Pettigrew’s death). I don’t think that Malfoy would have realized he wasn’t evil if he hadn’t been put into Slytherin or with Peter Pettigrew, who wound up friends with those in his house (seriously, what else was there to tie them together?); he overtime showed he wasn’t brave, kind, smart or strong. Maybe the houses don’t choose who fits them most, but what they need the most, whether they rise above (Malfoy and James) or fail the challenges presented (Severus and Peter Pettigrew). 

As stated earlier while our final moments do not excuse us, they may show our true selves. I don’t know how much Peter Pettigrew changed as we never really knew him, and, I don’t think he ever really did change. I see this most when he turns back into a RAT after Lupin starts to transform at the end of the third year. It wasn’t a cowardly exit or a confused exit, it was an evil exit. He was escaping them, hahaha. But at the same time, he couldn’t strangle Harry, so maybe there was a young old part of him that knew what was right and had regrets. But I suspect it’s more because he’s a little shit. 

The Office (US)

It is the end of the year and the end of an era. The Office (US) series is about to leave Netflix, and along with spending time with our families during this global pandemic in the US this is also the time of more “traditional” family time. 

Whether to get through spending this time with your family or celebrating with them, you still have time to rewatch the series without too much strain. Watching just two to three hours a night you can relive all 201 episodes and nine fabulous years of The Office by the end of the year.

Today, with only a six-episode long Season 1 you’d jump into Season 2 tomorrow, get to Pam and Jim’s first kiss this Sunday night, cheer up the middle of your week with Season’s 3 Christmas party battle, see Ryan’s promotion with the beginning of Season 4 on Friday December 4th, meet Holly Sunday December 6th with the start of Season 5, visit Niagra that Friday in the beginning of Season 6, see Michael off the following week towards the end of Season 7 and seeing Andy as new manager for the beginning of Season 8 starting December 19th. As you continue with this routine the last chunk of special, longer episode you can watch all Christmas Day or spread out them out for the remainder of the year. 

Whether this will just be another journey into The Office (US) or a long-embraced farewell you can still enjoy all the camera looks, romantic couple moments, friendship moments, awkward moments, parties, pranks, one-liners, office-colleague and coworker moments, advice, interviews, conference room meetings, “that’s what she said” jokes, introduction sequences, ending sequences, and lingering questions of Jim, Pam, Dwight, Michael, Holly, Jan, Andy, Stanley, Phyllis, Kevin, Meredith, Creed, Oscar, Angela, Ryan, Kelly, Toby, Gabe, Darryl, Erin, David Wallace, Charles Miner, Nellie Bertram, Robert California, Roy, Karen, Pete, Clark, Val and Todd Packer

Thank you, and Cherrio!

A Walk to Remember, Holes

The book is almost always considered better than the film, and really, how couldn’t it be (shout-out to all the people who were in the same theatre as me during the first Harry Potter and had to deal with me going thru the book in the theatre and complaining about the inaccuracies for the first third); there’s no budget, no timeline for the writer or the reader and you get to become more immersed (bonus: movies are expensive!). But except for times when the movie greatly alters the story (the Giver), I understand that movies are more restricted than the books and sometimes even very important plot points not 100% relevant to the main story ‘must’ be omitted (R.I.P S.P.E.W). However, two stories that were big as I grew up went from book to movie, one that I first saw as a movie (A Walk to Remember) and one I first read as a book (Holes)

A Walk to Remember was a big deal in my school when it first came out, even after those who saw it first shouted about the ending and while the dramatics of young love being lost to death area big plot point in young adult novels, many of the aspects of high school were accurate even when they’re cliché. There are kids who are ‘losers’ and hate it, but also don’t care; and some people who are assholes in elementary school, are assholes for life—but others, may not even be assholes by the end of high school whether due to basic maturing and growth or dramatic circumstances change them (I’ve seen both). About ten years after the movie came out, I came across the book and decided to read it as there some things in the book that didn’t make sense to me (main point, her leukaemia being so devastating at such a young age and the school being overly involved with Landon’s criminal activity punishment). Turns out, the original book was set in the 1950s!!! but adapted so more teens would go see it. As with most of the stories I love, this one I loved because it gave a good background as to why and how Landon falls in love with someone ‘not his type’, it’s both explained and unexplainable—completely accurate and brings the idea to kids that there are many reasons why people are the way they are and you can only truly know someone by getting to know them. As a side, while mostly ignored in both the movie and novel, both stories do have the reconnection made between Landon and his father.

Holes: is, was, and will always be; hysterical. From Stanley = Yelnats, to the curse being centered on a pig and a dumb rich girl, to the kids at camp green lake really not being hardened criminals but just really overactive kids, and of course, the fact that them digging holes was going to not just make them strong enough to beat the counsellors up. There were so many amazing stories and lessons portrayed in both the movie and the novel: racism, how love can turn into anger, how women can be ruthless, how it’s important to find love that is equal, to thank your friends who try and help you and to always be optimistic (though maybe a bit more realism wouldn’t have hurt). Both the film and the movie portrayed the lessons they wanted to get across well, especially, the greatness that is true friendship and compassion for others.

Both A Walk to Remember and Holes to me are stories that were adapted and made sure to keep the true story and the experiences of the characters intact, so while not everything aligns up perfectly, only a snob would complain about the outcome.