Quickies
Quickies: White Privilege, Love Actually, and Why You Don’t Need a “Boosted” Immune System
- The Problem With Praising Famous Scientists – “Role models portrayed as superhuman don’t always motivate students—instead, they risk discouraging kids who feel they can’t live up to the lofty standards.”
- Today the Sun Stands Still – The Winter Solstice was yesterday, technically, but you should still read this article all about it by Phil Plait.
- The Whiteness Project: Facing Race In A Changing America – ‘It is not typical for white people to think about their race,’ says Catherine Orr, who teaches critical identity studies at Beloit College in Wisconsin. She says that many white people who don’t feel privileged struggle against the notion that race gives them an inherent advantage. ‘I think white folks are terribly invested in our own innocence,’ she points out. ‘We don’t want to think about how what we have is related to what other people don’t have.’ “
- Love Actually Is the Least Romantic Film of All Time – I have no idea, I just don’t like the guy who holds up the cards. I think he’s creepy.
- Fashion And Feminism: Taja Lindley Of Colored Girls Hustle – “Colored Girls Hustle creates and sells handmade adornment that affirms our bodies and encourages us to be our boldest selves. They invigorate and nurture creative practice and self-expression, and they amplify women of color artists, entrepeneurs, healers, and activists who hustle hard for their communities. Also, they are fly as hell. Check ‘em out!”
- Something to Sneeze At – “Natural remedies that claim to “boost your immune system” don’t work, and it’s a good thing they don’t. […] So, the next time you feel a cold coming on, maybe what you really want is just a little teensy bit of innate immune suppression, not an immunity boost. Over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen and antihistamines should help you feel better.” Forward this to the people who still take Airborne or other supplements to “boost immunity”!
If you really want a Richard Curtis holiday classic, I would go with Blackadder’s Christmas Carol.
I really want to see the Black Mirror Christmas special! One thing I love about British TV is all of the Christmas specials (although it doesn’t make up for the short seasons).
I have it on DVD, happy to lend it to you any time.
“Boosted” immune system, eh? I wonder if they’ll recommend that for someone with lupus. >:-(