Calm you shall keep and carry on you will

Alb | Napoli, Italy | Comparative Lit at FU Berlin| *German Studies* | studyblr | lit- and langblr | arts&humanities | Goodreads

[stevebucky-deactivated20221119]

HUGE list of free (!!) books by black authors and revolutionaries. includes writings by toni morrison, james baldwin, assata shakur, angela davis, malcolm x, audre lorde and frantz fanon. 

[philosophyblr]

AFRICAN & BLACK PHILOSOPHY: Getting Started

Hello everyone! As many of us who study philosophy in some form are likely aware, people of color, especially black philosophers, are radically underrepresented in the field (composing only 1.32% of all philosophers in the US). In order to combat such marginalization, and in attempt to help amplify black voices within the field of philosophy, I have complied a series and links & information here for learning more about African/black philosophy, especially within the US. Please feel free to add to this post if you feel that anything is missing, esp if ur a black person!

Overview:

According to Wikipedia.org: “African philosophy is the philosophical discourse produced by indigenous Africans and their descendants, including African Americans. African philosophers may be found in the various academic fields of philosophy, such as metaphysics, epistemology, moral philosophy, and political philosophy. One particular subject that many African philosophers have written about is that on the subject of freedom and what it means to be free or to experience wholeness.”

Articles to start with: 

“What African Philosophy Can Teach You About the Good Life.”

“A truly African philosophy.”

“African Philosophy.”

“Descartes was wrong: ‘a person is a person through other persons.’” 

“Does Western Philosophy Have Egyptian Roots?” 

“What You Should Know About Contemporary African Philosophy.” 

“Philosophy in Africa - A Case of Epistemic Injustice in the Academy.” 

“The African Enlightenment.”

“The Radical Philosophy of Egypt.” 

“The first God.” 

“African Philosophy Is More Than You Think It Is.” 

And some introductory texts:

Barry Hallen, A Short History of African Philosophy. Bloomington and Indianapolis: Indiana University Press (2009).

Samuel Oluoch Himbo, An Introduction to African Philosophy. Lanham et al.: Rowman and Littlefield (1998). 

Dismas Masolo, African Philosophy in Search of Identity. Bloomington and Indianapolis: Indiana University Press (1994).

Kwasi Wiredu, A Companion to African Philosophy. Malden, Oxford, Victoria: Blackwell Publishing (2004). (PDF version linked here.)

Key essays:

“The Struggle for Reason in Africa” by Mogobe Ramose in The African Philosophy Reader eds. P.H. Coestzee & A.P.J. Roux

“Appeal,” David Walker 

“What to the Slave is the 4th of July?”, Frederick Douglass

“Ain’t I a Woman?”, Sojourner Truth 

“The Black Woman’s role in the Community of Slaves,” Angela Davis

The Souls of Black Folk by W.E.B. DuBois (first chapter esp.)

“A Problem of Biography in African Thought” & “What Does It Mean to Be a Problem?” by Lewis Gordon in Existentia Africana 

“Racism and Feminism,” by bell hooks in the PDF linked here

“Recognizing Racism in the Era of Neoliberalism,” Angela Davis

“Nonviolence and Racial Justice,” Martin Luther King, Jr. 

“The Ballot or the Bullet,” Malcolm X

“The Uses of Anger: Women Responding to Racism,” Audre Lorde

“Whiteness as Property,” Cheryl Harris

Important contemporary black philosophers:

Cornel West (political philosophy, philosophy of religion, ethics, race, democracy, liberation theology)

Angela Davis (also a writer and social activist & just a general badass, really worth knowing about regardless of whether or not you have an interest in philosophy)

bell hooks (race, capitalism, sexuality & gender through a postmodern perspective)

Lewis Gordon (Africana philosophy, black existentialism, phenomenology)

Kwame Anthony Appiah (probabilistic semantics, political theory, moral theory, intellectual history, race and identity theory)

Patricia Hill Collins (sociology of knowledge, race, class, gender studies)

John H. McWhorter (linguistics) 

George Yancy (Critical philosophy of race, critical whiteness studies, African philosophy, philosophy of the body)

Kwassi Wiredu (African philosophy)

Franz Fanon (20th century Marxism, psychoanalysis, colonialism)

Online podcasts, blogs, & videos:

Podcast on Africana philosophy (the website linked here also contains several useful links and resources for further reading)

Youtube series on African Philosophy

Award-winning blog run by a Nigerian-Finnish woman which “connects feminism with critical reflections on contemporary culture from an Africa-centred perspective.”

Other links & resources:

Journal on African Philosophy

Wikipedia page, which includes a list of African philosophers

History of African Philosophy

Online bibliography on African Philosophy

25 Black Scholars You Should Know

The Collegium of Black Women Philosophers

[nealc25]

Hello! Does someone have experience with the Goethe Zertifikat C2 and would be so nice to tell me about it? How difficult was the exam and how (and how long) did you study for it? Some tips for prep work? 

Vielen Dank und Lg!

[al-mayriti]

The other day I learned on Twitter about a girl that was nearlly named after the river on her town. So, reblog with what your name would be if it was based on the river on your town (or the closest river)

[little-clown-boy]

Avon I think (which literally just means river lmao)

[themanicnami]

well if its the river I’m closest to now it would be Willamette.

if its the river closest to where I was born and all that it’d be Snake. I’d rather Snake out of the two choices 

[the-great--escapist]

Salt ^·^

[densoro]

Cottonwood

[contemplatingchicken]

If it's the creek running through the town where I grew up, it would have been Willow (acceptable). If we’re splitting hairs about what is and isn’t a river, it would have been Boyer (less so.)

If it’s the river closest to where I was BORN: Mississippi (hilarious). 

[seldnei]

There are a lot of creeks in my hometown (Gottfried being the big one), but for rivers I think it would have been either Myakka or Peace.

[taibhsearachd]

...I think just Kansas. That is... not a good name.

[knitmeapony]

Saginaw or Tittabawassee.  I expect the latter would have gotten me some shit in elementary school.

[angiethewitch]

afon gwyrfai

[balladblood]

From where I was born and grew up: Taff. From where I live now: Sirhowy

[commonorgarden]

For my hometown: Yare. Which is honestly a great name.

For my current town: Great Ouse. Which is still an absolutely incredible name but perhaps not for a human baby.

[nealc25]

I live by the sea and not by a river. My name would be Tyrrhenian, which is not such a great name for a person. But it’s a fabulous name for a sea goddess. I wish I were a sea goddess called TYRRHENIA.

[nealc25]

Quarantine tag game

Tagged by the lovely @ohmyphd​! Here’s how my Quarantine looks like:

1. Are you staying home from work/school? Yes, since the 9th of March.

2. If you’re staying home, who’s there with you? My parents and my sister, since I went back to Naples.

3. Do you have pets to keep you company? No. But as soon as it gets warmer I’ll have a basil plant I can hug. 

4. Who do you miss the most? My aunt and my friends. The fact, that they are spread between Italy and Germany doesn’t help.

5. When was the last time you left your home? Two weeks ago, when was my turn to take out the trash.

6. What was the last thing you bought? Books! Still ordering online. I’m waiting for an amazing German Literature by Anna Chiarloni, yum.

7. Is quarantine driving you insane or are you finally relaxed? At the beginning it was highly affecting my mood, now I’m cooping with it. I’m still somehow upset, since I miss the library so much.

8. Are you a homebody?  Somehow. But I can be very social, if I’m in the mood. 

9. What movies have you watched recently? Mmm I’m afraid, I haven’t watched a whole movie since months (apart from some rewatching). But yesterday I watched the end of “The young Marx” by Raul Peck. A great Film. 

10. An event that you were looking forward to that got cancelled?  Celebrating the Pesach Seder with my Uncle, then Easter with the reunited family in the country house. I was also thinking on throwing a little graduate party but it’s all postponed.

11. What’s the worst thing that you’ve had to cancel? My Plans of researching for a phd. I’m trying to do it from home, but I NEED A LIBRARY GOSH!

12. What’s the best thing you’ve had to cancel? Mmmh nothing particularly. 

13. Do you have any new hobbies? I’m trying a fitness app just for a change, near my yoga practice. 

14. What are you out of? Meeting people, doing things outside, also... did I mention the library, yet?

15. What music are you listening to? A lot of Neal Young, lately. And some Anton Weber, but in small doses. 

16. What shows are you watching? I recently finished watching The Handmaid’s Tale, forced by my radical feminist mother. We also watched Unorthodox, nice one. We’re probably going to try also “shtisel”, just to stay on topic.  

17. What are you reading? Loot of things, in particularly “This Side of Paradise” by F.S.Fitzgerald, “Althenopis” by Fabrizia Ramondino and Cesare Segre’s “Anthology of modern and contemporary italian poetry”. 

18. What are you doing of self-care? Whenever I can, I read outside the balcony and sunbathe.

19. Are you exercising? I was consistently doing more workouts but since 10 days I’ve skipped my yoga practice and doing just a small workout session. I intend to do more.  

20. How’s your toilet paper supply? Always lacking...we need supplies! 

21. Have you made any changes to your hair during quarantine? They are growing so wild, they are awfully messy but I’m happy that nobody can see me. I already intended to let them grow. Positive sides of quarantine.

I’m tagging: @surfrookie,  @northerndownpour182, @mychemicalclaudia, @ilastudies, @the-literaryowl.

[post--grad]

here is a list of questions i have already answered about graduate school!! 

please check it before you send me a question about graduate school :) :) i hope it’s useful! xo // updated 02.2020

basic info

what is the PhD and what can you do with it? (+) 

what does a literature PhD entail?

should i do a PhD if i have to pay tuition?

is the degree worth it?

does it look bad to take time off between degrees?

what was your timeline like? 

what’s the difference between a terminal MA and a PhD? (+)

does getting an MA first help you get into a PhD program?

is it okay to just try grad school out? 

application process

how can i prepare for applying early in my undergrad career? (+) (+)

where should i start looking for programs?

should i choose a program based on rank or fit? (+)

how can i find lower-profile programs doing cool stuff?

how many programs should i apply to?

parts of the application

advice on the writing sample

advice on the GRE (+)

how should i ask for letters of recommendation?

how should i write a statement of purpose? (+)

how do i demonstrate my “ability to excel”?

how should i address mental health/family/personal issues that impacted my grades?

should i send in extra materials?

grad school application spreadsheet

how should i email potential advisors? (+) (+)

how can i survive the waiting period? (+)

how should i prepare for an interview or phone call? (+)

what should i ask at open house?

what should i do if i don’t think i can afford my grad school tuition?

what should i do the summer before i start my program?

seminars/coursework

how should i plan for grad seminar presentations? (+)

what should i bring with me to seminars?

what are grad seminars like?

how can i get better at speaking during seminars?

what do you mean grades don’t matter

reading

what should i have read before i start my lit grad program?

how much reading should i expect?

how can i read a lot without getting overwhelmed? (+)

how can i read efficiently? (+) (+)

quals-specific reading advice

how should i take notes on critical articles?

writing

how do i write a lit review?

how do i write an indicative bibliography?

how do i choose a dissertation topic? (+)

how do i plan for a long research paper?

how do i balance all the different kinds of writing i have to do?

money & living

how can i find housing before i move?

how do finances work in grad school?

what is adjuncting and why does it suck?

how can i budget while on a stipend?

should i work while in grad school? (+)

what’s important to a research assistant application?

i’m running out of funding / i’m off normative time

fellowship, postdocs, & job stuff

which websites post US fellowship/postdoc/job ads?

CV writing tips

how do dissertation fellowships work? (+)

tips for grant, award, & fellowship applications

should i share my materials with others?

how does the academic hiring process work?

how do i keep track of all my applications?

how do i think up a second project when i’m not even done with my dissertation?

job materials masterpost

skype interview-specific tips

job talks

negotiating (+)

general tips (+)

what’s up with the professor is in?

how do i stay motivated while getting buried in rejection letters?

misc

will grad school make my mental health issues worse? (+) 

how do i survive conferences (abroad)?

how should i deal with burnout? (+)

secret labor

i think i want to quit

my advisor is ghosting me

how do i work with no structured schedule?

how do i get enough sleep?

how do i balance my work & my teaching?

how can i beat imposter syndrome? (+) (+)

how can i excel in grad school?

[post--grad]

good morning friends, this list has been updated with asks from the past seven months–this is likely the last update that i’ll make to this list.

[nealc25]

20, 21

Thank you for your question, dear anon! 20. a skill you’ve picked up in the past few years

Can we turn this question into “what skill would you like to develop?”  The answer would be “Self-confidence”, asap and once for all, please Apart from jokes, many, I believe. The German Years were challenging and thought me a lot. I learned German to a proficiency level. I learned how to carry on a life on my own (not only the household but also mental independence). I learned to be grateful for positive moments and to be resilient (still, a lot to learn though).

   21a youtube video you find useful, entertaining or relaxing

Youtube is a curious place where you can find incredible little pearls like:

1- A film of Eisenstein Notes to Marx´s Capital in pure expressionistic style: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXG9mtY3aHY  (very useful, entertaining and relaxing, especially the signature tune. In German with Portuguese Subs.) 2 - Corona-Virus Songs in Italian: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ht5AUgfgwgc in German: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGm39_LFcPs Could you recommend a Corona-Virus Song in English? Let´s make it a joke…stay healthy! 

[damienhaaas]

[nealc25]

5, 7, 11 🌸

Thank you for asking! *.*

5 -  5 tv shows that cheer you up

I’m not a big fan of tv shows and if I don’t have a particular interest in the story or the setting I don’t keep watching them. And on my experience, those I found interesting are not much cheerful or particularly good for the humor. But I can tell 5 tv shows that made me have a laugh:

1. Big Bang Theory. I recommend seeing it whit a physicist. He will probably complain against inaccuracies and will confirm the hard fight between theoretical and experimental physicists, all of which is hilarious.

2.Shameless (the American version). I love the tragicomical spirit of this tv show, its light and humorous way, to tell the story of a chaotic family with big social issues (poverty, alcoholism, illegal acts, crimes). Also, just the soundtrack would cheer anyone up.

3. Good Girls Revolt. It takes place in New York in the Sixties and tells the stories of some young women working at a weekly magazine and trying to build themselves a journalist carrier in a male-dominated field. Historic, not romanticized but very self-empowering.

4.A Bold Type. A younger and contemporary version of “Good Girls Revolt”, but sillier. Very entertaining though.

5.Catastrophe. This shows tells a lot about relationships, with family and partners, with friends or supposed friends, with colleagues and acquaintances. It can be funny, surreal, hilarious, dramatic, sad and sweet, all in one episode.

7 - Your favorite Board Game

Trivial Pursuit and any Board Games dealing with general knowledge questions, even though I’m not that good at it (the important thing is taking part).

11 - a tip or hack you’ve learned that makes cleaning or tidying easier

Three Tips:

1. Turn the music on and move your body when you do the cleaning. It’s a great break from sitting and it refreshes the mind.

2.prepare all in advance and be methodic. It speeds all up. For Example, to clean the floor, first, tidy up the room and free it from objects (chairs, power strips, chargers, magazines, books, clothes, etc.). Then you sweep and vacuum cleaner and you wash it with detergent and water. Before actually starting with the cleaning be sure to have all ready and at hand. Keep your tools on the doorstep and move from one side to another, coming back to the door. If you follow a line you’ll speed everything up and won’t do double work.

3. Break the cleaning in small chunks and do something little every day. Sweep the kitchen floor every day after meals and wash the bathroom 2-3 times per week. Do a cleaning plan and stick to it and you won’t need to waste too much time into cleaning and tidying.      

[nealc25]

Hi, I love your blog. I wonder if you know one book of reference to learn the meaning of Carpe diem, Locus ameous, Deux ex machine, etc. Thank youuu!!!

I’m so sorry I overlooked that! Unfortunately, I couldn’t recommend any book of reference to learn Latin phrases but I found some lists for a first check out:  http://www.sabi.co.uk/Notes/miscPhrases.html .

http://www.jambell.com/latin/Latin_phrases.pdf .

For a paper support, I believe everything from the Oxford University Press should suit. Thank you for asking and for your nice words!!!  

[serotoninsuggestion]

a soft, stay at home ask game

send me some numbers and i’ll share my answers to the below! 💐🌻

your favourite playlist (made by yourself or someone else)

how many houseplants in your room, and what kinds are they?

your favourite “grounding” activity (anything that involves using the hands/doesn’t involve “spacing out” or escapism - something like gardening, knitting, dancing, cooking)

an account on social media whose posts make you smile

5 tv shows that cheer you up

how you get relaxed when you’re struggling to sleep

your favourite board game

if you were going to write a non-fiction book on any topic, what would it be?

a quote that you would consider getting tattooed or putting in a frame

something you’ve created in the last year that you’re proud of (a playlist, a piece of art, some writing, a craft hobby, a social media account, etc)

a tip or hack you’ve learned that makes cleaning or tidying easier

if you could make a candle that smelt like anything, what would you pick?

the last so-bad-it’s-good joke you heard

an artist (of any kind) whose work you look forward to seeing

the last tv episode that made you laugh out loud

how you wake your body up when it’s feeling tired, achy or needs a stretch

a bath, shower, beauty or toiletry product that makes you feel revived, or that you always re-order when it’s running out

a book series you can always escape in

the sport or exercise you enjoy the most, and what’s helped you get better at it

a skill you’ve picked up in the past few years

a youtube video you find useful, entertaining or relaxing

if you were going to dye your hair any colour of the rainbow, what would you choose?

the book you just finished and what you thought (no spoilers!)

describe the most wacky, weird and wonderful at-home outfit you’ve put together

a game you’re playing that takes your mind off things

the film you watched most recently that you could watch again and again

your favourite flavour and brand of tea

a good-will story you’ve heard on the news that’s made you feel hopeful

a favourite easy recipe: 5 ingredients or less, or takes less than 30 min to make

a song that makes you want to have a boogie round your bedroom

[philolight-deactivated20220717]

Providing it has already been a month staying at home… go ahead.

[nealc25]

[Before starting] 23.10.2019 // at the local Stadtsbibliothek, working on the end of Benveniste- Chapter. It was very delicate to find a good conclusion and I also had very little time to work on it. This week is kind of hectic, the semester is starting, so now I have to manage work, college&personal life and I needed to do some planning: 

1. I´m trying to get into a French course but it´s not working. I showed up at any possibly available course but at FU everything is fully booked and at HU I´m not priority beeing an FU Student. If I'm not set up by the end of the week, I´ll wait till November and start French outside of the uni, in a Volkshochschule.

2. My parents are visiting in less than a week. And they are staying for almost a week. I´m happy to see them but there could have been better moments for that. Anyway, with some good planning, I´ll manage to get done as much work as I can this week so that I can spend some relaxed family time.  3. I´m applying for an Internship as a Volunteer in the coolest Literaturhaus in Berlin (LCB). It should start in January 2020, a full-time and 14-months job. I was on doubt, if I shouldn’t apply for something full-time since I´m still enrolled at Uni (but maybe it could not be a problem?). Anyway, if I get the job, I could really think of dropping Uni or asking just for 2 hours on Thursday free to attend the only Seminar I really want to keep. Drücke mir die Daumen / Wish me good luck. 4. I´m starting a translation-course with the contemporary poet Uljana Wolf. I wrote on her, sent her my work, applied and got in. She is great and I can´t wait. *updates soon*    

[After the conclusions]

24.10.2019 // Now I just need to write the FAZIT / Summary of the Chapter. Today’s Task.  

[dukeofbookingham-deactivated202]

Hi, Duke. So, I'm writing a literary analysis and I'm fairly new to this, I am actually a biology major, but I decided to take a course on Western Literature for fun. I am kind of having a hard time with what percentage of the text should be my own words and how much of it should be taken from other sources. Sorry if this question is stupid, but I really have no clue and I know you always say to talk to profs, but I'm in a whole separate department and can't reach him rn.

So, don’t think of it in terms of percentages. I get this kind of question a lot and nobody ever likes the answer, because it’s always some version of “It depends.” My students always ask how many paragraphs a paper should be and I always ask them in reply, “How many do you need?” Basically, you can’t quantify literary analysis. There is no perfect quotient of materials. You have to feel it out. Your particular question is particularly hard to answer because I don’t know what the parameters of the paper are, and not all literary analysis is alike. However, here’s what I would suggest (besides talking to your prof, which you should absolutely do): don’t think of it as some percentage your words and some percentage someone else’s (the author or a critic or whomever). Instead, think of other people’s words as evidence you use to support your thesis. You’re trying to persuade a reader that your interpretation is the right one. What quotes are going to help you prove that point? Who else’s scholarship informs or supports yours, and how? Reference other writers as much as you need to to make your case, but keep your ideas about the text at the center, because that’s probably what your prof cares most about. Here’s the catch: you need to explain how the evidence you’re presenting supports whatever point you’re making. You can’t just throw quotes around and assume your reader will make the connection. Say what you want to say, offer the evidence to back it up, and then explain how that evidence proves you right.

[nealc25]

18.10.2019// 47/100 pages - Almost ending the Benveniste Chapter. I’m super excited because I found a link to connect Benveniste and Kristeva and It feels so good. Also I had a couple of ideas and insights I’m proud of and I’m very satisfied with my writing. Just today I had to stop the writing to read some stuff about Derrida, to check my knowledge and integrate a footnote. The only bad news is the planning: I was hoping to finish this chapter for the end of this week but since on Sunday I’m going on a trip with some friends I doubt I’ll be done by tomorrow. It’s allright, not so bad, anyway.

[nealc25]

9.10.2019// Working on the Benveniste Part, trying to cut on repeats and redundancies. This chapter style is totally different from the Jakobson Chapter. Benveniste´s writing is quite rhetoric and as I wrote this part I  hadn´t realized how badly I was imitating his style, trying to explain his theory. This may also depend on the language. French, Italian and sometimes German can be very elaborated and redundant while academic English is more essential. And Jakobson´s was a translation from English, Benveniste´s from French.  After lecturing this I need to turn on Kristeva and write Rinck asap. If this week I´m not done with both, I´ll just leave them to the end.  Prioritize, Prioritize, Prioritize. 

[nealc25]

1.10.2019// completing the first chapters on Jakobsons “Grammar of Poetry and Poetry of Grammar”. After these 16 pages I still have 16 pages on Benveniste I wrote between June and July and about 15 on Kristeva, but I have to adjust a lot and rewrite some parts ( and possibly fuse them together ). I also have another 18 pages chapter ready about personal pronouns and philosophy, but still not a word about Rinck. Anyway, I don’t want to think about page numbers or measure the time. I’m beeing very productive, which is very satisfying and I need a positive attitude about this.

[nealc25]

16.09.2019// back from the Summer School in Cracow, back to my Master Thesis. After the summer break, I’ve been feeling very productive, I’m writing regularly in the library, about seven hours a day, six days a week. I’m not rushing or cramming, I also take my time. I don’t write after dinner, I regularly go out for concerts, drinks, theatre, cinema ( also because after getting my master degree I won’t have any student discount for cultural activities). Actually, I’m enjoying this Masterarbeit thing a lot.