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Books

Unpacking Race in “Americanah”

“I only became black when I came to America” says Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche’s protagonist, Ifemelu, of her latest novel Americanah (2014). This line stuck with me long after putting down this incredible book, which brought to light some of the complexities of race. Adiche has made multiple headlines in recent years with her unapologetic approach to race and gender issues, namely ignorance surrounding those issues. Most recently was her clapback to a French interviewer asking if libraries existed in Nigeria. So, it is inevitable that this same unapologetic attitude would appear in her writing, particularly so in Americanah. As a…

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Music

Head in the Clouds Playlist

As promised, I have another playlist for you! This time filled with old-school, classic songs that were a big part of my childhood. For me, these are the kinds of songs I love to listen to while on a plane somewhere. I travel a lot and while the stress of airports, layovers and screaming children can be exhausting, I find that the time I get with a good playlist to zone out, let my mind aimlessly wander, or look out at the incredible scene of being in the clouds are some of my most relaxing. So if you’re headed onto…

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Reflections

Visibility in Marvel’s Black Panther

“Can you believe that? A kid from Oakland running around believing in fairytales.” Erik Stevens, Black Panther, 2018 Marvel’s latest movie adapts the comic book character, which first emerged in 1966 and was first introduced in Captain America: Civil War (2016), to present the feature film, Black Panther. The film is majorly set in the fictional African nation of Wakanda, the home of super-metal vibranium which has allowed extensive technological advancements and prosperity to be achieved in the country. However, Wakanda is hidden “in plain sight” from the rest of the world, believed to be a poor third world country,…

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Music

Roadtrip Playlist

Over the weekend, I took a road trip with one of my friends from Montreal to New Hampshire. For anyone unfamiliar with their North American geography, that is a six-hour car ride, not including bathroom breaks. That is a long time to be stuck in a car for anyone. So, what do you do to make the time pass faster. If you’re with someone else, there’s always the option of books or magazines, but as someone who is prone to motion sickness I tend to avoid reading in cars. Instead, I prefer audiobooks. But as we all know, sometimes the…

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Reflections

“Call Me By Your Name”: Film & Book Comparison

A book and film comparison of the critically lauded story, “Call Me By Your Name.”

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Reflections

Black History Month Reading List

Black History Month is upon us once again! For those who are unaware, Black History Month is an annual celebration of the achievements of African Americans and a recognition of the central role of Black people in the history of the United States. This tradition spread to Canada shortly after its conception in the US in 1926, though at that time it was merely a week-long event, expanding to a month in 1976. Unfortunately, this month it is not met with enough attention as it should be. As argued each year, Black History should not be a topic left to…

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