Friends,
If anyone needed an excuse to cop an extra pint of Milk & Cookies or Cherry Garcia, here you go.
Let’s get to it.
Social Media Use in a Time of Uprising
Last Tuesday, I, like many reading this I can safely assume, woke up to a flood of black squares like the one above on my social media feeds. There was clearly a big push around posting these squares, along with either a #BlackoutTuesday hashtag, a message of support for protests against racial inequality, or no message at all. The squares were being spread widely by friends, celebrities, and companies alike.
Upon seeing these images in my most-visited social media channels of choice, I was confused. Where did these squares come from? Was there some new movement that people knew about that I should have been aware of? Who started it, and what was the purpose?
My confusion quickly transformed into anxiety. I felt panic over these expressions that I was not well informed on. Did I have to immediately post this black square along with a message of support? Who of my friends were posting it, and why? Would I be seen as unsupportive of the movement or even as an asshole for not posting the black square to my profile?
These anxieties became paralyzing. I began analyzing my social media use and wondering if I was doing enough to broadcast my support for Black Lives Matter causes. I doubted my commitment to heightening my awareness of inequities in my life and dedication toward lessening such inequities. More importantly, the anxiety I was feeling became unproductive. Instead of educating myself, seeking out a diverse range of opinions on present day issues, and reflecting on how to help, I was panicking about my social media use. That type of stress was so counterproductive to achieving any meaningful outcomes. I ended up deciding to self impose a social media ban and did not open Twitter or Instagram for the next 24 hours.
It’s been pretty well documented at this point, but it turns out that Blackout Tuesday was initially a music industry idea that took on a life of its own. The original idea encouraged music industry executives as well as artists to press pause on commercial business and promotional output to collectively listen to Black voices and protest racism and police brutality. Somehow, momentum around this idea spread to others who decided to show support with the black squares. Ultimately, it was all done with good intentions to show solidarity.
The social media anxieties in this day and age are real though. At the present time, there is more excitement for and commitment toward effecting real change on any number of social issues, at least among the millennial and Gen Z cohorts. This enthusiasm has given way to heightened emotions, which in turn leads to a range of unforeseen side effects. One such externality is the policing of social media. There are more voices than ever calling out people’s use of social media, claiming that there are right and wrong ways to show and demonstrate support for the causes of the era. Similarly, it’s become en vogue to criticize those whose public displays have nothing to do with social issues. There’s a time and a place for your boozy brunch photos, Karen, and the time sure ain’t now.
Maybe that’s a good thing. Certainly, it’s a good time to check people on their privilege and confront them when they are broadcasting information that isn’t helpful. And, (kindly) informing people that their messages are incorrect or in certain cases hurtful is definitely a good way to foster growth and maturation for all. When the social media noise in my world got too loud, I took a break. As we all know, that can be a great answer in a lot of cases. Everyone could stand to make a concerted effort to cut social media from their lives from time to time.
I just worry if the social media energy and critical policing might go too far. Sometimes, those whose energies are forcefully directed toward positive causes can push people away who aren’t as outwardly committed or publicly outspoken as they are. I would hate for people who are trying to better themselves to get intimidated into inaction because they feel like their voices or efforts aren’t being appreciated.
Ultimately, everybody’s response is going to be different. For some (like me) the productive answer might be to take a break and reset then come back with a renewed spirit. For others, it’ll be to view everything, broadcast everyone, share everything. And that’s cool! I’d just preach that everyone recognize the anxiety that using social media and being online can create right now and be mindful of how to take proactive steps to turn that anxiety into productive action instead of inaction.
Dios mío, that got a little serious. Thanks for tuning in to my TED talk.
Joe’s Resource Corner
I thought I’d share some things that have proved useful, informational, and inspirational over the past week. I’m not trying to get too preachy with this - just hoping to spread the word and keep my energy directed in a positive way.
Read
1) This blog post from my friend Justyn. Justyn is a good friend of mine who has a similar story to me - we went to the same high school (go Cubs), worked at LinkedIn, and have now left tech sales behind to pursue more creative outlets. But our stories are not the same. I found his blog about being Black in America right now to be very powerful.
2) Kareem Abdul’s Jabbar’s LATimes op-ed. Kareem writes extremely articulately about what’s driven people to protest so forcefully. His piece is concise, to the point, and consequential.
Watch
1) 13th. Available on Netflix, Ava DuVernay’s 2016 documentary chronicles a history of inequality in America, through the lens of mass incarceration in the country. Featuring analysis from experts such as Angela Davis, Van Jones, and Michelle Alexander, the movie powerfully documents the literally criminal treatment of Black people in the time since slavery was abolished.
2) Just Mercy. This 2019 film featuring Michael B. Jordan and Jamie Foxx centers on one man’s efforts to disrupt the criminal justice system, particularly through reversing unlawful convictions and getting undeserving inmates of off death row. Jordan plays Bryan Stevenson, the founder of the newly-famous Equal Justice Initiative, and Foxx plays one of Stevenson’s most gripping clients. This movie was based on Stevenson’s incredible 2014 book of the same name and is currently streaming for free on Amazon.
3) Trevor Noah. I’ve found Trevor Noah’s output during this time to be incredibly well-directed. As a familiar personality, his soliloquies provide a relatable face who also provides thoughtful and historically considered commentary. The first lengthy video he shot is provided below. I’ve linked to another one here.
Donate
Equal Justice Initiative. The organization mentioned above on which Just Mercy is based, I’ve found EJI’s cause to be particularly inspiring and have been compelled to support it!
Closing Some Loops
This is a thing that I haven’t done before but have wanted to do for some time. So let’s do it. Let’s revisit some old Digesta topics and see where things stand now. Let’s tie up some loose ends. Let’s channel our inner-Kondo and tidy up.
1) Alison Roman
In Digesta 49, I wrote about Alison Roman’s ascent in the cooking world and how she made it happen.
In writing the piece, I chose to focus more on her rise to stardom than on her much-publicized dustup with Chrissy Teigen and Marie Kondo. Maybe I should have focused more on the latter; just days after writing the piece, Roman’s column was temporarily suspended by the New York Times.
I get the pushback after her insensitive comments about Teigen and Kondo, but damn! Cancel culture really has come hard for this one. Just this week, in fact, there’s been more - she was accused by a reporter of “dressing like a Chola” in a Halloween costume from 2008 that she claims was her attempt at an Amy Winehouse costume.
Very few of us are having outstanding 2020’s, and Roman certainly has had a rough go of it lately.
If you want to switch up the baking routine this weekend, here’s her famous “Cookies” recipe. Maybe we’ll help her turn the tide with some clicks.
2) Tiger King
In Digesta 46, I wrote about Netflix’s hit COVID-19 lockdown docuseries, Tiger King, and its questionable status as a pure documentary.
In the weeks since Tiger King aired, it’s been announced that there are not one but two Tiger King dramatizations planned. One will feature Nicolas Cage and center on Joe Exotic. The other will feature Kate McKinnon and focus more fully on Carole Baskin, Exotic’s nemesis.
All of this news leads to my question: are people actually excited for these adaptations? When Netflix released the postscript episode to its series, a “where are they now” interview-based special, I got bored of it within 5 minutes. I had seen what I wanted to see in the Tiger King universe; I didn’t need more. In much the same way, so many of the details of the show are stranger than fiction - do we really need a couple fictional shows to go deeper into that world?
Here’s a picture of Rob Lowe as Joe Exotic. Maybe we’ll hear about his adaptation soon.
3) Some Good News
In Digesta 46, I wrote about John Krasinski’s “Some Good News,” a low budget faux-news show that aimed to deliver exclusively good news during tense times. Two weeks ago and a few episodes of the show later, Krasinski ended up selling “Some Good News” to ViacomCBS after a “massive bidding war” for an undisclosed sum. While fans have criticized Jim from The Office of selling out, Krasinski maintains that the show would be unsustainable for him to continue once his professional duties returned in full force. A partnership with a big corporation does enable the good news to continue in a more consistent fashion. What do we think, y’all? Did our man let us down?
ICYMI, here’s Krasinski’s last “Some Good News” episode before he went and betrayed us all jk:
4) Drake
In Digesta 47, I wrote about Drake’s “Toosie Slide” and took a pretty firm stance - I think the song is bad and that the dance is dumb. I stand by these beliefs to this day!
Apparently, music fans around the world either have not read or do not agree with my opinion…not sure which it is. “Toosie Slide” debuted at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remains on the chart at #6 as of today’s writing. TikTok videos featuring the song have been viewed over 3 billion times. I am in pain.
Drake, meanwhile, released a mixtape of songs titled Dark Lane Demo Tapes a couple weeks later, and “Toosie Slide” appeared on the tracklist. He has also mentioned that his next studio album will be dropping later this summer.
Drake will be in our lives for a really long time. Drake will be in our lives forever. Drake will never leave. So it goes.
Anyways, here’s a Rihanna track featuring Drake from 2010 that I really like:
5) Bonus! Plastic wrap!!!
Here’s a little bonus section for you. In Digesta 50, my main dislike of the week was plastic wrap. It stinks, and I will fight anyone who thinks otherwise.
Luckily, Digesta reader Erminia provided a hot tip for ya boy. Beeswax wraps are the new wave, y’all. We’re leaving plastic wrap behind.
Erminia adds that you should try and get them from a small handmade producer instead of from Amazon. I fux with that type of message.
Three Song Recommendations from Your Old Mate
1) CHIKA - SONGS ABOUT YOU
I actually mentioned CHIKA in my Drake piece a few weeks ago, but it’s time for y’all to really start paying attention. My girl has BARS. If you haven’t watched the Tiny Desk yet, I’ll forgive you, but it’s about damn time. As far as her recorded tracks go, “SONGS ABOUT YOU” is my personal favorite from her debut EP from earlier this year. But the whole thing pops. Give it a listen!
2) Parcels - Lightenup
Y’all. You really don’t know just how obsessed I’ve been with Parcels this week. I actually recommended a Parcels track waaaaaaayyy back in my second newsletter, so hopefully you’ve been bumping “Tieduprightnow” for some time now. If not, it’s time to get on the wagon. They recently released a full live studio session that is absolutely engrossing - I’ve watched it all the way through each night this week. Here’s the jam of theirs that’s currently doing it for me the most, “Lightenup.”
3) Lil Uzi Vert - The Way Life Goes feat. Oh Wonder
Lil Uzi is making waves with a massive double album this year, but we’re throwing it back to a jam of his from 2017 with this one. I somehow missed the boat on this jam when it came out, but it’s a banger! Solid summer tune.
Share the digest one time if you feel so inclined. See y’all soon.
Joey