M U S E group: The blog

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I, Too, Am Harvard - Opinion

This quote taken from an article posted in Harvard's newspaper, The Crimson, triggered a host of effects from minorities on the campus. Now, don't get me wrong, I agree that the term minority can be taken on a per person basis. If you're short in a room full of tall people, you're the minority. Red haired in this world of brunettes and blondes, you're a minority.Deeper skin in America, you're a minority. But although I see Ms. Siskind's point, I agree with the students on Harvard's campus that took offense.

The response from the article written caused a series of photos on Tumblr that is part of a larger movement that all began with a play written by Harvard's very own Kimiko Matsudo-Lawrence. 

Matsuda-Lawrence and other members of the Kuumba Singers of Harvard College, Harvard’s oldest existing black organization, came up with the idea last year around spring break. She conducted 40 interviews with black students on campus for an independent study last semester; those interviews are the basis of the play, called I, Too, Am Harvard.

Although I haven't personally experienced any grandeur acts of racism on my own campus, I can relate to the black students getting constantly told how white they REALLY are because of articulation or being well read.

No. I'm REALLY black. My parents just raised me right and I speak like I've read a book before.

The series is a  way for Matsuda-Lawrence, as well as other students on the Harvard campus, to promote institutional change so that the black students can feel like they actually belong. So they can feel like Harvard is theirs.

The series of photos and captions of what people actually have the nerve to say may shock you, but when going through the photos, I've heard more than one on multiple occasions. 

The I, Too, Am Harvard play premieres March 7. Check out the promo trailer in the meantime.

Written by: Anesa Marie

Source: BUZZFEED

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Beyonce x "Partition"

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BOWTIES ARE THE NEW BLACK

Not Your Basic Bowtie

Billie Jean Bowties & Designs FW13 from Isaiah Headen on Vimeo.

Her FW13 promo video gives a retro look and feeling to the designs she creates. Billie Jean Bowties and Designs is an African print inspired  accessory/clothing line that ranges from jumbo bowties to your average size bowtie - with a twist of course.

Honestly, I hope that these accessories encourage people to get dressed up - something I also miss from the older days. Not only does Billie Jean Bowties and Designs offer pre-made designs, you can also inquire about custom designs.

All bowties are available for purchase at billiejeanbowties.com . 

By: Anesa Marie for MUSEgroup

[allmymetaphors]

Leaving is not enough. You must stay gone. Train your heart like a dog. Change the locks even on the house he’s never visited. You lucky, lucky girl. You have an apartment just your size. A bathtub full of tea. A heart the size of Arizona, but not nearly so arid. Don’t wish away your cracked past, your crooked toes, your problems are papier mache puppets you made or bought because the vendor at the market was so compelling you just had to have them. You had to have him. And you did. And now you pull down the bridge between your houses, you make him call before he visits, you take a lover for granted, you take a lover who looks at you like maybe you are magic. Make the first bottle you consume in this place a relic. Place it on whatever altar you fashion with a knife and five cranberries. Don’t lose too much weight. Stupid girls are always trying to disappear as revenge. And you are not stupid. You loved a man with more hands than a parade of beggars, and here you stand. Heart like a four-poster bed. Heart like a canvas. Heart leaking something so strong they can smell it in the street.

Frida Kahlo   (via ulitsa-ss)

[cpajoanna-deactivated20160505]

[inkskinned]

When you are hurting, there will always be people who find a way to make it about themselves. If you break your wrist, they’ll complain about a sprained ankle. If you are sad, they’re sadder. If you’re asking for help, they’ll demand more attention. Here is a fact: I was in a hospital and sobbing into my palms when a woman approached me and asked why I was making so much noise and I managed to stutter that my best friend shot himself in the head and now he was 100% certified dead and she made this little grunt and had the nerve to tell me, “Well now you made me sad.” When you get angry, there are going to be people who ask you to shut up and sit down, and they’re not going to do it nicely. Theirs are the faces that turn bright red before you have a chance to finish your sentence. They won’t ask you to explain yourself. They’ll be mad that you’re mad and that will be their whole reason alone. Here is a fact: I was in an alleyway a few weeks ago, stroking my friend’s back as she vomited fourteen tequila shots. “I hate men,” she wheezed as her sides heaved, “I hate all of them.” I braided her hair so it wouldn’t get caught in the mess. I didn’t correct her and reply that she does in fact love her father and her little brother too, that there are strangers she has yet to meet that will be better for her than any of her shitty ex-boyfriends, that half of our group of friends identifies as male - I could hear each of her bruises in those words and I didn’t ask her to soften the blow when she was trying to buff them out of her skin. She doesn’t hate all men. She never did. She had the misfortune to be overheard by a drunk guy in an ill-fitting suit, a boy trying to look like a man and leering down my dress as he stormed towards us. “Fuck you, lady,” he said, “Fuck you. Not all men are evil, you know.” “Thanks,” I told him dryly, pulling on her hand, trying to get her inside again, “See you.” He followed us. Wouldn’t stop shouting. How dare she get mad. How dare she was hurting. “It’s hard for me too!” he yowled after us. “With fuckers like you, how’s a guy supposed to live?” Here’s a fact: my father is Cuban and my genes repeat his. Once one of my teachers looked at my heritage and said, “Your skin doesn’t look dirty enough to be a Mexican.” When my cheeks grew pink and my tongue dried up, someone else in the classroom stood up. “You can’t say that,” he said, “That’s fucking racist. We could report you for that.” Our teacher turned vicious. “You wanna fail this class? Go ahead. Report me. I was joking. It’s my word against yours. I hate kids like you. You think you’ve got all the power - you don’t. I do.” Later that kid and I became close friends and we skipped class to do anything else and the two of us were lying on our backs staring up at the sky and as we talked about that moment, he sighed, “I hate white people.” His girlfriend is white and so is his mom. I reached out until my fingers were resting in the warmth of his palm. He spoke up each time our teacher said something shitty. He failed the class. I stayed silent. I got the A but I wish that I didn’t. Here is a fact: I think gender is a social construct and people that want to tell others what defines it just haven’t done their homework. I personally happen to have the luck of the draw and am the same gender as my sex, which basically just means society leaves me alone about this one particular thing. Until I met Alex, who said he hated cis people. My throat closed up. I’m not good at confrontation. I avoided him because I didn’t want to bother him. One day I was going on a walk and I found him behind our school, bleeding out of the side of his mouth. The only thing I really know is how to patch people up. He winced when the antibacterial cream went across his new wounds. “I hate cis people,” he said weakly. I looked at him and pushed his hair back from his head. “I understand why you do.” Here is a fact: anger is a secondary emotion. Anger is how people stop themselves from hurting. Anger is how people stop themselves by empathizing. It is easy for the drunken man to be mad at my friend. If he says “Hey, fuck you, lady,” he doesn’t have to worry about what’s so wrong about men. It’s easy for my teacher to fail the kids who speak up. If we’re just smart-ass students, it’s not his fault we fuck up. It’s easy for me to hate Alex for labeling me as dangerous when I’ve never hurt someone a day in my life. But I’m safe in my skin and his life is at risk just by going to the bathroom. I understand why he says things like that. I finally do. There’s a difference between the spread of hatred and the frustration of people who are hurting. The thing is, when you are broken, there will always be someone who says “I’m worse, stop talking.” There will always be people who are mad you’re trying to steal the attention. There will always be people who get mad at the same time as you do - they hate being challenged. It changes the rules. I say I hate all Mondays but my sister was born on one and she’s the greatest joy I have ever known. I say I hate brown but it’s really just the word and how it turns your mouth down - the colour is my hair and my eyes and my favorite sweater. I say I hate pineapple but I still try it again every Easter, just to see if it stings less this year. It’s okay to be sad when you hear someone generalize a group you’re in. But instead of assuming they’re evil and filled with hatred, maybe ask them why they think that way - who knows, you might just end up with a new and kind friend.

By telling the oppressed that their anger is unjustified, you allow the oppression to continue. I know it’s hard to stay calm. I know it’s scary. But you’re coming from the safe place and they aren’t. Just please … Try to be more understanding. /// r.i.d (via inkskinned)

[xmirblood-deactivated20150109]

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[kushandwizdom]

[perceiving-change]

Let go of the things which fuel the mind. You don’t need them. Give your mind a break.

jaymur (via perceiving-change)

[billidollarbaby]

Pharrell Announces ‘G I R L’ Album, Reveals Cover & Release Date

Pre-order G I R L the new album from Pharrell Williams at iTunes

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FASHION FOR LESS STILL = FASHION

By: Kourtney "Honey" Lawson

You heard right, less than 20 dollars gave her the start to a new wardrobe if she wanted. Not to mention how adorably fashion forward each individual piece shined. Whats her strategy? Thought you'd never ask, but prepare for the truth.

Thrifting is her calling. She is like a thrift shopping guru. $10 dollar can get you through date night, girls night out, and a little "twerking" in the club.

As women we have a huge advantage over our partnering gender. We can mix and match and go cheap while still managing to make a hot statement in the streets. I've been taught that the key to shopping for less is to shop for what you already have. Check your closet before a day of shopping and go from there. While you're out, piece items together with what you have waiting in your closet and that will enhance your wardrobe. You'll save money while shopping because you wont be just shopping for an occasion, you will be setting your closet up for a wide range of selections. Times are rough, ESPECIALLY for a broke college student. I've found that thrifting can tickle my fancy more than leaving the store with a bag or two. Id rather leave with three or four bags of designer, unique, and distinctive items.

Everything can be new and fresh for the fashionistas who are daring and willing. Do it cheaply. It's not a sin to pay $2 for a item never seen before, and in most cases, may not even have the tags off. Balling on a budget can be a girls best friend with out the consequences of having the "perfect outfit" and not having enough for dinner.

Ladies look cute and treat yourself but do not cheat yourself.

[oliviaodiweillustration]

KING KENDRICK

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A CONVERSATION WITH...

Many people know her because of her captivating photos, concepts, and, of course, personality. Arianna started her craft of photography while in college and since then has taken it to whole new levels. She is the amazing and humble founder of ariannaelizabeth.com where she hosts many vibrant pages of her own photography. MUSE group caught up with the photo guru to see what's in her toolkit and where her beautiful concepts come from.

MUSE: How are you doing today?

Arianna: I'm doing very well, thank you! :)

How long did it take you before you knew you wanted to do photography as more than a hobby?

I was a sophomore in college when I decided that I wanted to genuinely purse photography as a career and not just a hobby, so from the start of college, it took me a year. I was extremely nervous changing my major from business administration to fine arts, but I also knew my work ethic and my drive for what I want so I faced my decision head on and ever since then I have been so thankful that I changed my major when I did. 

When you look back through photos you’ve taken, what do they say about you?

Looking back at the photos I've taken, I feel like my photos reflect my maturity as an artist and throughout my college career. My first photos consisted more of what most photographers start out with which is anything they can snap a photo of. But now looking at my final photo series for my senior exhibition which was a human trafficking series, you can see how I have been working also on reflecting large scale, real world problems that need to be brought to the light. 

Who's your favorite photographer?

Oh goodness... this may be the hardest question to answer! Although there are MANY photographers that I admire such as the famous Photographers Annie Leibovitz, Amber Gray, and Mario Testino, I would have to say that I have truly been inspired by Photographer Lara Jade on so many levels when it comes to my photography! She is a British fashion photographer currently residing in New York with absolutely stunning, vintage and couture fashion inspired work. 

What’s the hardest thing you’ve had to learn about photography?

The hardest thing I've had to learn about photography would be lighting. Lighting in a photograph is absolutely EVERYTHING and it takes a lot of practice to discover the infinite ways to beautifully light an image whether it be naturally, through your digital darkroom (Photoshop) or with a combination of both!

Do you have a defined photography style?

My style of photography is fashion and editorial photography. I of course venture out every now and then and experiment with other styles, but fashion/editorial photography is my forte. 

Did you evolve into this style or has it always been in your comfort zone?

 Honestly fashion/editorial photography has always been the style of photography that I was most interested in. While in school, I did take different photography courses which pushed me to attempt other styles and yes, I did find them interesting, but my first love was definitely fashion/editorial photography. I feel like I can make the strongest statements and expand my creativity the most with that style.

If you had to pick, who is your favorite style icon of all time?

My favorite style icon currently is Miss Carmen Alexandra. She has such a casually eclectic style in my opinion! (If that makes sense haha) I go to her blog, carmenalexandra.com, all the time and find new ideas for my own wardrobe every time!I have a lot of respect for fellow entrepreneurs so when it comes to styling, her name was the first one that came to mind!

What are your top three pieces of your photography toolkit?

 My top three must haves when I shoot are my 85mm lens, my 18-300 mm lens, and my SB-910 flash

How do you come up with the ideas for your conceptual pieces?

 A lot of my ideas for my conceptual pieces actually come from everyday routines that you and I do. For example when I'm brushing my teeth or blowdrying my hair, I may think of a way to turn that average scenario into an interesting scene like I did with my Bookworm series. I also get ideas for my conceptual photos from combining multiple ideas from multiple other photographers to turn it into my own work!

I know you’re a busy woman. Do you have any projects that you’re currently working on and excited about?

Currently I have been extremely busy working because I have so many ideas that I have been dying to work on. I just got stuck for a moment because the ideas I have coming up require a good amount of financial assistance! However the next series I am getting together is going to be a couture/vintage inspired. I plan on going all out though with elaborate outfits, wigs, and makeup! Keep an eye out!

Word of advice for the photographer hopefuls out there?

My word of advice for those artists out there thinking about exploring photography would be that once you know that you genuinely want to pursue photography, don't be afraid to invest in it. So many photographers short change themselves by trying to find the cheapest equipment which never allows them to experiment and be as creative as their mind can take them. Also, from a business standpoint, something I have learned so well is that you HAVE to spend money to make money. So if you aren't like me burying yourself in the photography section at Barnes and Noble only to go purchase them on Amazon, check out Youtube and you will discover a world of FREE tutorials/knowledge!

Be sure to keep up with Arianna on her social sites:

ariannaelizabeth.com

IG: ariannaelizabeth

Facebook: Arianna Elizabeth

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ISAIAH RASHAD X CILVIA DEMO [album]

The EP consists of previously leaked tracks like "R.I.P. Kevin Miller", "Ronnie Drake", "Brad Jordan", and the "Shot You Down [remix]" featuring Schoolboy Q and jay Rock.

Isaiah has obviously been paying dues and putting in work because on top of the EP release, he's already dropped visuals for "Shot You Down" and "Soliloquy".

Here's the official cover art and tracklist, but go ahead on over to iTunes for your copy.

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The Atlanta based company is launching their online store Feb. 7 which means that people outside of Atlanta will now be able to have access to all of their products. 

Promotional photos feature the stunning Lia, the handsome Malcolm Sawyer, and indie rapper Zip K. Share the promotional photo with your friends on Instagram or Twitter, and tag Lyftd for your chance to get FREE Lyftd headwear. Be sure to check out the site livelifelyftd.com Feb. 7 for your gear!

Photo Credit: Michael Wright

Direction: Eurodoes.it 

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LYFTD CLOTHING DROPS LATE WINTER RELEASE

“Lyftd headwear is a dope way to keep your Brain Fly,” says Co-Founder Matt Burke, “No better place to wear the brain with wings than on your cranium.”  

On February 7, Lyftd Clothing Co. will re-launch their online store (livelifelyftd.com) for a Late Winter-Release, featuring branded headwear offered in different styles and colors. There is a lot of buzz surrounding this release because Lyftd headwear, which was once sold exclusively, will now be made available to everyone including Lyftd enthusiasts out of state.   

“People have been requesting for a while that we put products back on the site,” says Founder Malcolm Sawyer, “I’m excited to finally give the people what they want! Now people all over the nation can Get Lyftd and join the #LyftdCommunity!” 

A reward for being a valued member of the Lyftd Community, the brand has created a social media contest that is very simple. All you have to do is share the promotional photo with your friends on Instagram or Twitter, and tag Lyftd for your chance to get FREE Lyftd headwear.   

For more information, be sure to follow Lyftd on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Just search for "Lyftd".

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Zip K x “Chevy Hump”

[palatial-blue]

Ok ok at first the only reason this stood out was for the sisqo reference…..BUT NOW I CAN’T STOP LISTENING. LOL IT’S AWESOME