harsh digs

reviews and practically nonsense

[practicallynonsensical]

"Justice, enacted not these human laws"

📖

I feel like every few months, I get on an app to talk about my undying love for Antigone. Here we are again, this time to gush over poet Anne Carson's compassionate and emotional translation.

Antigo nick is a thought-provoking and poetic retelling of Sophocles' classic tragedy. With gut-wrenching lines like, "You ask would I have done it for a husband or a child my answer is no I would not. A husband or a child can be replaced but who can grow me a new brother."

Like I'm ripping my hair out? screaming??? Rotting. That was her brother. She would do it again.

The narrative follows Antigone, the daughter of Oedipus, as she defies societal norms by burying her brother Polyneices against the orders of King Creon. Through this retelling, Carson delves into themes of identity, morality, and the conflict between personal convictions and governmental authority.

I am deeply moved by Carson's translation and believe she deserves recognition as one of the most esteemed translators in the literary world.

In real life, we can draw parallels to Antigone's unwavering commitment to her beliefs. Despite her sister's disagreement, Antigone remained steadfast in her actions, choosing to defy oppressive systems and laws in pursuit of what she believed to be just.

Books like "Antigonick" challenge us to draw our own conclusions and perhaps even take action based on our newfound insights. It shows us the power of grace and understanding to the people but shows the strength of defiance to unjust leaders, systems, and laws. That neutrality is usually just cowardice or compliance.

❤️ 📖

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[practicallynonsensical]

"If one is not safe in a hospital, when one is already sick and afraid, where is one safe? If children are not safe playing in their schoolyards, where are they safe?"

🖤

In 2006, Alice Walker embarked on a journey to Rwanda, Congo, and Palestine. The atrocities she witnessed during her travels were beyond comprehension, but led her to "overcome" that speechlessness to share the stories of Congolese and Palestinian women. It is disheartening to see that things have only deteriorated since then. Each passing day brings more devastation as these genocides continue to ravage their respective societies.

Walker's reflections stem from a place of profound curiosity and empathy. She has a deep love for humanity and a fervent desire for people to acknowledge the harsh realities and take action. Her book, although it was published in 2009, has hope etched in every page amidst the darkness. It serves as a poignant reminder that the struggle for liberation is arduous and fraught with challenges, but it is imperative to remain steadfast and resolute in our efforts. We persevere with unwavering determination and unwavering hearts.

❤️

Quick rant: a week ago, someone close to me asked me to tone down my political posts on social media for fear of backlash. The answer was no, obviously, because i am okay with my digital footprint. i am okay with my political and other actions online and offline. Does your silence and inaction feel right?

So, this is a call in to people in my life to not look away. Be curious. Read about things you do not understand. Take action in whatever capacity you can.

I never want to lose my compassion, rage, or belief that the world can be a better place regardless of my age.

I hope to always prioritize living to minimizing harm and remain open to understanding others.

We are all here on this earth.

📚

If you are interested in learning and taking action, please check the links in my bio for information and links on Congo, Sudan, Palestine, MMIW, Stop Cop City and other intersectional movements around the world.

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[practicallynonsensical]

"Names have power when you acknowledge them."

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My rating starred: Instant Classic | Love | 💫Like💫 | Indifferent | Not For Me

💙

Sistah Samurai by Tatiana Obey was a quick read and a good time.

I enjoyed how the main character in the book goes from humor to fear to action to anger and back again. The righteous anger of our Sistah Samurai is so powerful, and you can really see why she hesitates. Watching her navigate through those emotions to seek revenge and complete her mission is truly affirming.

It was great to see a focus on Black Womanhood, especially as a Black woman who loves swords and martial arts.

One small thing I felt was that the storytelling and point of view seem geared towards a young adult audience, even though the book isn't YA or NA. Which is fine, but based on the marketing and description, I was expecting a darker storyline with older protagonists.

Alsooo

I loved the Say Her Name themes and memoriam in the book. Black Lives Matter and Black Women Matter, always. And with the rise of Cop Cities and increased police violence in the US, we need to stay grounded in our collective strength. Behind all the statistics are real people with dreams and loved ones who deserve to live.

📚

If you want to learn more about Stop Cop City, please follow @stopcopcity. I also have their website linked in my bio.

🩶

See you!

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[practicallynonsensical]

"She is girl. She is gravel. She is grabbed. She is grabbed like handfuls of gravel. Gravel grated by water. Her village is full of gravel fields. It is 1950. She is girl. She is grabbed. She is not my grandmother, though my grandmother is girl. My grandmother's father closes the gates. Against American soldiers, though they jump over stone walls. To a girl who is not my grandmother. The girl is gravel grabbed. Her language is gravel because it means nothing. Hands full of girl. Fields full of gravel. Korea is gravel and graces. Girl is girl and she will never be a grandmother. She will be girl, girl is gravel and history will skip her like stone over water. Oh girl, oh glory. Girl.

'An Ordinary Misfortune' from A Cruelty Special To Our Species by Emily Jungmin Yoon

Cover designed by Suet Yee Chong

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My rating starred: 💫Instant Classic💫 | Love | Like | Indifferent | Not For Me

📚

Emily Jungmin Yoon weaves together the stories of "comfort women" who were forced into sexual labor in Japanese-occupied territories during World War II, with the experiences of the modern diaspora. Through her poetry, Yoon provides us with stories and real pain behind the history, shedding light on the resilience and survival of these women under the oppressive weight of violence and imperialism.

Her collection, #acrueltyspecialtoourspecies, is a powerful and captivating exploration of these themes and stuns on every page.

❤️

📖

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[practicallynonsensical]

Dear/Lovely supporter🌷

I hope you're well😃. I'm doctor Mohammed Aldeeb,a medical doctor from gaza🇵🇸🕊🍉 , my family and I have faced a devastating loss😓; our home and my workplace at the hospital have been destroyed😢💔. We are in dire need of assistance to rebuild our lives🥺🙏❤.

I've started a fundraising campaign and urgently need your help to spread it to the world💚🤍.

Reblogging our story on your platforms would greatly increase our reach🥺🙏🇵🇸🖤.

Please know that our campaign is verified😁by @el-shab-hussein @90-ghost @nabulsi @mangocheesecakes,

and all funds will go directly to our recovery efforts💞.

Thank you for your support during this challenging time🙏🇵🇸.

Best regards,

Dr.mohammed aldeeb from gaza.

I am so sorry that this happening. Of course, I can share! ❤️ Wishing you and your family safety and the best in your recovery efforts.

[petrowriting]

this year while we all celebrate pride month and celebrate ourselves as well as those who came before us and paved the way for us to do so, we must also think of those in gaza, queer or not, who live every day under a brutal occupation and don’t have that same privilege. happy pride, and may we see a free palestine in this lifetime.

[cinematv]

INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE (2.01) “WHAT CAN THE DAMNED REALLY SAY TO THE DAMNED”

[practicallynonsensical]

Please help support Joslin, a final-year medical student, an activist, and researcher evacuate her family of 7 from Gaza.

Donate to Save LIFE & FUTURE of a medical student&her family, organized by Mariam Mansour

Hello, I am Joslin, a final-year medical student, an activist, and … Mariam Mansour needs your support for Save LIFE & FUTURE of a medical

[artfilmfan]

[artfilmfan]

Israelism (Erin Axelman & Sam Eilertsen, 2023)

[practicallynonsensical]

Hi! Please help us raise funds for Dr. Ahmed and his wife, Dr. Besan, so they can safely travel to Egypt. These two amazing doctors were recently married and were working hard at their dentist office until it was sadly destroyed by the IOF. They, just like all Palestinians, deserve to live a life filled with dignity, safety, and happiness.

You can help us provide them with that safety by sharing, donating, or boosting this link:

Donate to HELP 2 Gazan Doctors..., organized by Mohammed N M Eid

HELP 2 Gazan Doctors... Hello everyone, My name is Mohammed and I am helping my dear friend D… Mohammed N M Eid needs your support for HELP

❤️

[practicallynonsensical]

Please help support Joslin, a final-year medical student, an activist, and researcher evacuate her family of 7 from Gaza.

Donate to Save LIFE & FUTURE of a medical student&her family, organized by Mariam Mansour

Hello, I am Joslin, a final-year medical student, an activist, and … Mariam Mansour needs your support for Save LIFE & FUTURE of a medical

[thevisualaftermath]

Book Giveaway For Gaza

It has been years since I've used this account, but I met so many kind people using it that I know it was important to share HERE, too. (missed ya'll!)

I am working with a few "book creators" on Instagram for a "book giveaway for Gaza" where people can enter a few books and bookish items to win. To enter, you just have to send proof of a $10 or more donation to a family or organization from the Operation Olive Branch list to the host via a form. 

We are hoping to help families get closer to their goals, whether it is for shelter, food, medical supplies or evacuation.

For the 4 books I donated (you will see those labeled krix.ko on IG), I ask that folks donate to one of the two campaigns below. These are two Palestinian families that I have gotten to know, and they have been unable to contact organizers like OOB for aid. 

Here are the two families: 

JOSLIN and family of 7

Husband and Wife Dentists

The Giveaway has been extended and runs until June 3rd

The Host (bookish.millennial) explains this a lot better than I do, so please visit the below link. it will give you a full explanation and share all the links you need to enter.

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Please donate, share, and boost until we can reach our goal.

Liberation for all in our lifetime, from Hawai'i to Turtle Island to Congo to Sudan to Palestine.

Thank you all so much!

[practicallynonsensical]

Please help support Joslin, a final-year medical student, an activist, and researcher evacuate her family of 7 from Gaza.

Donate to Save LIFE & FUTURE of a medical student&her family, organized by Mariam Mansour

Hello, I am Joslin, a final-year medical student, an activist, and … Mariam Mansour needs your support for Save LIFE & FUTURE of a medical

[practicallynonsensical]

Hi! Please help us raise funds for Dr. Ahmed and his wife, Dr. Besan, so they can safely travel to Egypt. These two amazing doctors were recently married and were working hard at their dentist office until it was sadly destroyed by the IOF. They, just like all Palestinians, deserve to live a life filled with dignity, safety, and happiness.

You can help us provide them with that safety by sharing, donating, or boosting this link:

Donate to HELP 2 Gazan Doctors..., organized by Mohammed N M Eid

HELP 2 Gazan Doctors... Hello everyone, My name is Mohammed and I am helping my dear friend D… Mohammed N M Eid needs your support for HELP

❤️

[practicallynonsensical]

PRACTICALLY NONSENSICAL BOOK REVIEW

"I’d found the haven for my mind, body, and soul. Everyone needs such a place. Don’t reject the space you gravitate toward just because the windows aren’t stained glass and the congregation isn’t saved."

❤️

My rating starred: Instant Classic | Love | 💫Like💫 | Indifferent | Not For Me

💙

You can tell this was a passion project. This was a novel written with compassion, love, and an aim to tribute to those who have been lost and forgotten during the HIV/AIDS crisis of the 80s and today. Our main character, Trey, even volunteers with ACT UP and takes part in important historic moments of activism. The novel weaves in and out of true historical events while focusing on the failures of our government, the systems within and our constant search for belonging. My Government Means To Kill Me is a carefully crafted historical time capsule of humor, sorrow, resistance, and love. 

As a fly on the wall historical fiction novel/fictional memoir about a young Black gay man in NYC during the 80s this works well, but as a fleshed-out novel with characters that are more than footnotes and conveniences, it leaves a lot to be desired. But, a great read all and all! That ending. oof!

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#mygovernmentmeanstokillme #rasheednewsom #reading #fictionreader #bookish #bookreview #bookblogger #literature #bookphotography #readersofinstagram #novel #bookcommunity #booklove

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[practicallynonsensical]

PRACTICALLY NONSENSICAL BOOK REVIEW

💫Book Thoughts💫

"But, at the same time, I realize that my interest in this incident on the basis of a minor detail such as the date on which it occurred is a sign that I'll inevitably end up trespassing borders once again."

#MinorDetail by Palestinian author Adania Shibli and translated by Elisabeth Jaquette. Broken up in two parts. The first part recounts the horrific true story of the 1949 brutilization and murder of a Bedouin-Palestinian girl by Israeli soldiers and the second part is fictional following a neurodivergent woman who is investigating the atrocity. We see her reality living through the Israeli occupation of Palestine and the parasitic nature of colonialism. The novel ends as it begins.

"The echo of past atrocities can still be heard in the present."

The quote above from the novel perfectly encapsulates both parts of the novel. The past horrors echo in everything around us, in laws, in prejudices, and in media. Our duty is to learn from the past, not repeat it. And yet. And yet.

📚

"All this shows that I am lacking love. Definitely. But I have come to live the opposite and be the worst person of all: the most awkward, the most lacking in feeling."

#Weareallequallyfarfromlove by #AdaniaShibli and translated by Paul Starkey.

It is a lyrical novel of loneliness, alienation, and othering can lead to a skewed understanding of love. It shows relationships in an eerie light of duality. To want love but be so fearful of it. To fear what it means to be loved. To fear finding out you are unlovable.

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note:

Every day I read something and realize I do not know enough about the world. Upsetting and embarrassing, but it is also a reminder about how important it is to keep learning and connecting. Never stop educating yourself, sharing marginalized voices, volunteering/donating to mutual aid and contacting your representatives demanding action and humanity from them. For Palestine. For Congo. For Sudan. For marginalized folks at home and across the globe. For all oppressed people.

No votes for complicit 'leaders'. No business for complicit and harmful entities. Reject Colonialism. Liberation to all.

❤️

#bookrecs #palestinianbooks

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