American Fiction (Film) Review - Get Ready to Laugh, Cry and Think

 

                                           American Fiction movie poster courtesy of Wikipedia

American Fiction is a movie directed by Cord Jefferson, who also wrote the screenplay, which is based on the book Erasure by Percival Everett. 

 Per the MGM website, 

        "AMERICAN FICTION is Cord Jefferson's hilarious directorial debut, which confronts our culture’s obsession with reducing people to outrageous stereotypes. Jeffrey Wright stars as Monk, a frustrated novelist who’s fed up with the establishment profiting from “Black” entertainment that relies on tired and offensive tropes. To prove his point, Monk uses a pen name to write an outlandish “Black” book of his own, a book that propels him to the heart of hypocrisy and the madness he claims to disdain."

Let's discuss....

The Hero's Journey of the Meek Female Archetype: The Color Purple Film (1985)

                                       The Color Purple Poster released by John Alvin courtesy of Wikipedia

                                                                                 

(Warning-this blog includes movie spoilers.)

Happy New Year 2024!

The Color Purple by Alice Walker was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and the National Book Award for Fiction in 1983. The book is very popular, as well as controversial, and is the foundation for a dramatic film and musicals.  I saw the 1985 film starring Whoopi Goldberg, Danny Glover and Oprah Winfrey, which was directed by Steven Spielberg and written by Menno Meyjes, as a teenager. Recently, I saw the new 2023 musical film starring Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks and Fantasia Barrino. After watching the new film, I was inspired to take another look at the 1985 film, which is now a classic.  Paraphrasing philosopher Heraclitus, No man, or woman, ever steps in the same river twice, for its not the same river and he, or she, is not the same person. As an adult, I have a different take of the story. I understand the critics who feel that the film has a negative portrayal of an African-American man, which is true. On the contrary, advocates believe that the film is not a reflection of all African-American men and is mainly a film about redemption and reconciliation, which is also true. Just like beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, the meaning of a story is in the eyes of the viewer. The themes of The Color Purple (1985) include the consequences of economic deprivation on society and illustrates the hero's journey of the meek female archetype. Let's discuss....

A Must See Film: Two Distant Strangers by Travon Free

 

Two Distant Strangers is a 2020 Academy Award winning short film written by Travon Free.  As of June 2023, the film is streaming on Netflix.  Even though the running time is only 32 minutes long, the short film tells a fully developed story and leaves a lasting impact for days after viewing. Two Distant Strangers explores relatable themes about power, free will, control, déjà vu, police brutality and racism. Why are these types of stories important and need to be seen?  In his article, How Stories Change the Brain, Paul Zak states “…stories are an effective way to transmit important information and values from one individual community to the next.”  Let’s discuss….

March is Women's History Month

(2023)

In the United States, March is a month designated to celebrate the contributions of women in society. Historically, women were not given the same privileges and benefits as men. For an example, it was not until the passing of the Nineteenth Amendment in 1920 that women had the right to vote.  The Equal Opportunity Act of 1972 prohibits employment discrimination against women, and other minorities.  However, according to the Pew Research organization in 2022, women earned on an average 82% of what men earned. Women continue to make inroads into traditionally male dominated careers such as accounting, engineering and actuarial science, even though most leadership positions in these careers are still held by men. We have come a long way, but we still have a long way to go. Let's discuss...

Dr. Benjamin Elijah Mays: Born to Rebel and Be a Hero

Morehouse College’s A Candle in the Dark Gala is an annual fundraiser for Morehouse College, a private historical black men’s liberal arts college in Atlanta, Georgia, whose mission is to “develop men with disciplined minds who will lead lives of leadership and service.” At the Gala, the Bennie Awards, named in honor of Dr. Benjamin Elijah Mays, were presented to distinguished alumni. Dr. Benjamin Elijah Mays (August 1, 1894-March 28, 1984) served as the sixth president of Morehouse College from 1940-1967.  Dr. Mays was also a Baptist Minister, a civil rights leader, and a trusted advisor to presidents John F. Kennedy, Lyndon Baines Johnson and Jimmy Carter. How did the son of former slaves rise above challenges to become a revered leader and scholar? Dr. Mays' successful life was primarily due to prayer, dedication and elements of the Hero’s Journey.  Let’s discuss…

Phases and Stages: A Look At Erik Erikson's Eight Stages of Psychosocial Development - Part One

                                                                      

Courtesy of Chegg Stages of Psychosocial Development

Happy Spring! Nature has a recurring cycle of four seasons - winter, spring, summer and fall.  As such, in my community, now is the time to plant seeds for a fall harvest, watch flowers bloom, and enjoy summer weather in a few months.  Gardening is a step-by-step process. First you till the soil, then you plant the seeds, water the seeds and hope for the best. Some seeds grow only in specific climates.  Gardening is sowing and reaping; Everything happens in stages. Likewise, human personality development progresses in stages, as well according to some theories.  Recently, I researched Erik Erikson's Eight Stages of Psychosocial Development which broadened my outlook.  Let's discuss…..

A Poem Analysis: Songs for the People by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper

 

                                       Frances Ellen Watkins Harper - Courtesy of Wikipedia

Poems express the trials and triumphs of the human condition with picturesque imagery, relatable metaphors, intense emotions, melodic rhythms and sounds. My love for poetry began in elementary school. I fondly remember reciting and performing the narrative poem, "In the Morning"by Paul Laurence Dunbar for an elementary assembly program about the Harlem Renaissance. Memorizing all 108 lines of The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe was challenging for a 7th grader, but I still remember some of the lines today. As an adult, I enjoy the poetry of Maya Angelou, Langston Hughes, Lucille Clifton, among other poets. You will regularly find me reading original poems at open mics and virtual poetry readings. Recently, I discovered the poet Frances Ellen Watkins Harper (1825-1911) when I did a random #poetry search on Facebook. In 1859, Ms. Harper's The Two Offers was published in the Anglo-African Magazine, which is believed to be the first short-story ever published by an African-American writer.  Known as the "Mother of African-American Journalism," Ms. Harper was a prolific writer, abolitionist and speaker. Her poetic topics include slavery, religion, civil rights and peace.  Let's discuss Ms. Harper's beautiful poem, "Songs for the People"...

What is Trauma? An Overview of Waking The Tiger: Healing Trauma by Peter A. Levine with Ann Frederick

Knowledge is power. When I started Synchronicity Revealed-Inspired Writings, my purpose was to share and inspire.  Thanks for going on this journey with me. After three years, my mission continues, even though my topics have expanded beyond analyzing the Hero's Journey and the philosophies of Carl Jung to include book reviews. Recently, I pondered on the impact of trauma on the human experience. At the library, I discovered Waking The Tiger: Healing Trauma by Dr. Peter A. Levine with Ann Frederick, which describes trauma from a mental and physical perspective. Let's discuss…

The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene: An Overview

In a previous post, "Lessons Learned from Little Red Riding Hood and Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs", we discussed Little Red Riding Hood, a fairy tale about a cunning wolf and a naïve young girl.  Unfortunately, this story is not just a children's cautionary tale.  It is not uncommon for adults to be conned, manipulated or lied to for various reasons. After experiencing a perplexing social interaction, a relative suggested I read The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene. The book can make you laugh, cry and seriously be concerned about the state of humanity. However, it is worth a read.  In the Acknowledgements section of the book, Robert Greene says,

"Finally, to those people in my life who have so skillfully used the game of power to manipulate, torture, and cause me pain over the years, I bear you no grudges and I thank you for supplying me with inspiration for The 48 Laws of Power."

Let's discuss….

2021: Hope for a New Year!

 

Happy New Year from Synchronicity Revealed-Inspired Writings!  

2020 was a challenging year. The COVID-19 pandemic brought a wave of despair across the world. Millions have died, lost jobs, family and health due to this pandemic. As the earth begins another revolution around the sun, we are faced with a new year and attitude. I have chosen to be hopeful for a fruitful new year! Let's discuss...

5 YouTube Book Vloggers You Need to Know

My love for books began in childhood. Our neighborhood had a library within walking distance from my home. During the summer, the library was my weekly hotspot. Checking out as many books as you can carry for free was perfect. The library offered a summer reading program. Read 20 or more books and you were rewarded with a free McDonald's cheeseburger coupon. Check! I usually read 100 or more books each summer. I still have my reading certificates.  Fun times. As an adult, I read as many books as my time allows. I aim to read a book a month, even though I usually come up short due to work and other responsibilities. Since my time is limited, I often seek out book recommendations to increase my chances of choosing interesting books. Yes, I have started books that I could not finish. Reading book reviews is one way at getting a preview of a book before investing a lot of time. There are 5 YouTube Book Bloggers that are interesting and worth checking out.  Let's discuss…

What I Learned About Life During the COVID-19 Pandemic – Part I

 

In December 2019, I attended a vision board party.  I gathered magazines, pictures, a poster, scissors, glue and hope to create an exciting vision board for 2020.  My plans included travel, spending time with family and friends, yoga and exercise, cooking and enjoying life.  My 2020 vision board is still in my bedroom. I look at it occasionally reminiscing on what could have been.  Surely, I am not the only person whose 2020 turned inside out. The unfortunate reality is the COVID-19 global pandemic altered everybody's plans. Sadly, people perished, illness abound, businesses closed for good and the tragedies continue. We are still in the middle of the storm even as people are inoculated with the new vaccine. For over nine months, I have been sequestered in my home. My limited social contact with people, outside of my household, is through Zoom meetings, phone calls and social media. Life continues, albeit with new constraints.  Traditionally, in December, I review my previous year and ponder on my growth, lessons learned and change. This year is no different. Living during the COVID-19 global pandemic taught me new facts of life. Let's discuss…

Make it POP! The Power of Practice

 

Lena loves music. She hopes to join a community orchestra. How will Lena manifest her goals? 

Successful people believe in the power of practice. If you want to be successful in anything, you must invest in your abilities with practice. What is practice? Let's discuss…

What is Ho'oponopono? The Hawaiian Forgiveness Ritual for Peace

My copy of Ho'oponopono, The Hawaiian forgiveness ritual as the key to your life's fulfillment 

by Ulrich E. Dupree

Dear Readers: I hope you are well. Since mid-March 2020, I spend my days sequestered in my home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. My heart goes out to anyone who has experienced illness and/or discomfort during this time. May we all soon recover.

Tm.

As a result of social distancing, I challenged myself to reflect on my life, choices and circumstances.  During the Road of Trials, the hero spends time alone in a mountain, underwater or well.  This period of isolation is a chance for internal reflection and renewal. As I contemplated on my life, I recognized choices that I am proud of and situations that I wish I handled differently.  These experiences were opportunities for growth. I still have more to learn. While it is healthy to reflect on our lives, it is also important to practice self-compassion. Last month, coincidentally, I was introduced to a Hawaiian forgiveness ritual known as Ho’oponopono.  What is Ho’oponopono?  Let’s discuss….

Lessons Learned from Little Red Riding Hood and Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

Fairy tales are written for children, and cherished by adults. The stories are like flower seeds which bloom in our unconscious as we mature. As a child, I read Little Red Riding Hood, a famous folktale. I thought the story was cute and entertaining. Recently, I revisited the story and uncovered a cautionary tale about the dangers of naivete. Folktales reveal insight about human nature so we will recognize these behavioral tendencies in ourselves and others.  This knowledge helps us wake up, and educate our wants to desire goodness for ourselves and humanity. Let’s discuss….

Ruminating: Why we can't stop thinking about negative thoughts?

Last night, I watched New Year’s Eve festivities on television. At midnight, the revelers cheered on the hope and possibilities of a new year. January 1 on the calendar is a sign of a new beginning. At the same time, it’s possible for our bodies to live in the present moment while our minds are in a different time zone. The past and the present can emotionally coexist. Last year was full of new beginnings and endings of my various stories. Some of them happy, while others were heartbreaking.  As I reflect on an eventful 2019, I thought about an ancient story about looking backwards. When leaving a city, Lot and his family were told, “look not behind thee…But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.” Perhaps, this story warns us of the consequences of constantly ruminating about the past.  Let’s discuss….

We Are Both Right?! - An Overview of Holding the Tension of the Opposites

In a previous post, we discussed ways to walk away from relationships gracefully. However, sometimes completely cutting off ties with our opposition is not an option. We are all unique individuals with specific personalities, ideas, complexes and tendencies: Introversion vs Extroversion; Liberal vs Conservative; Warm vs Cold. Relationships require flexibility and compromise. How do we manage our emotions when we are faced to consider ideas different from our own? Carl Jung and Analytical Psychology provide insight on this conundrum through a concept known as “Holding the tension of the opposites.” Let's discuss....

The Elixer, Boon: The Hero's Journey and Sulwe by Lupita Nyong'o

Actress Lupita Nyong'o holds Sulwe, her bestselling children's picture book

In The Hero With A Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell, the acquisition of the boon, or elixir, culminates an episode of the Hero’s Journey.  Campbell explains on page 211, “The boon that he brings restores the world (elixir)." An elixir is a “medicine with the power to cure all ills.”  The boon, or knowledge, is the gift the hero earns for having the courage to undertake and complete the journey, but it belongs to the world. Like the sun shares its light with everyone, we are to share our wisdom, or boon, with others. Academy Award Winning Actress Lupita Nyong’o recently published a children’s picture book, Sulwe, about lessons she learned about beauty and self-respect. Lupita’s elixir speaks to the voices of many who felt unheard until now. Sulwe is a New York Times bestseller. Let’s discuss…..

"What You Resist, Persists" by Carl Jung, A Perspective

Recently, my friend Jean caught a debilitating cold. Per doctor’s orders, she was placed on bed rest for several days. Eventually, she recovered. Jean may catch another cold, but probably not the exact same one she just experienced. Why? Because her body is now immune to the particular virus that caused her cold.  Jean’s cold inspired me to reflect on a popular quote by Carl Jung, “What you resist, persists.” Let’s discuss….

This Jungian Life: A Podcast You Should Know

My friend Mae habitually procrastinates. If Mae has a Friday deadline to complete a task, she will start working on Thursday night. At one time in your life, you probably experienced procrastination directly or indirectly. What causes the propensity to put off into the future, what can be completed in the present?  Is it due to a lack of self-control? Laziness? Not caring? Apathy? As I pondered these questions, I coincidentally discovered This Jungian Life, a podcast which brings a psychological perspective to important issues in life, according to their introduction. From their episode on procrastination, I learned about causes for the tendency to procrastinate, and strategies used to overcome the habit. Let’s talk about it…