True love is rebellion
what happens when you watch a romantic movie
Hi fam
First, please accept this peace offering 🤲🏾
Is it still safe to say happy new year 🎉
I feel like I ghosted on you for the month of January, it kinda felt like I took an unplanned hiatus or a long sick leave.
2021 started with a lot and I mean a lot! - I went back to school, started my exams, quit a job, took on a new role, buried my grandpa, and generally tried to not go under.
Am I excited for February? Well, with it being the month of love and all, I'm indifferent really. But do you know what gets me excited? It's easy...love…haha.
I started my February with a black mirror episode, "Hang the DJ" Season 4, Episode 4.
Not to give any spoilers - Little spoilers ahead 😉
This episode is about love, hopelessness, and how technology facilities love. Like all Black Mirror episodes, there is the element of unpredictability and a surprise flip script at the end. Above all, I loved the theme of choice in this episode.
Amy and Frank get to experience different partners for varying periods of time but still chose each other, even if it meant rebelling against the system. What mattered was that they chose each other every day.
Hang the DJ ended with one of those wtf endings and I was so fascinated that I googled reviews about it.
Love = rebellion
Reading this article and the author is of the view that Hang the DJ portrays that true love is rebellion. And I agree but not just for romantic relationships. I think about this in just about everything.
I think rebellion can stem from love. The way I see it you can be so in love with an idea, product, or your work to actually want to do things differently. How in love with yourself do you have to be to want to choose you anytime even if it is "unacceptable" to others.
On acceptance, I always think if I really love something, I do not care much if other people don't like it too. It's okay to have dislikes and likes, you don't have to apologize for it. As a people, we are obsessed with the idea of being liked by everyone, that we need safe spaces and acceptance; read permission to live our lives how we want.
And rebellion doesn't need to be loud sometimes. For example, a lot of unnecessary conversations can be eliminated if you love your life choices enough to not care if others think it isn't the status quo. This forces you to question your sense of self, to ask if you genuinely love this, made an informed choice or you were just being pressured to do this.
What do you genuinely love without having to explain to people why you love these choices?
What else am I loving? 👀
This documentary on the series finale for Modern Family. After The Office, Modern Family is easily my best TV series.
You will notice something shocking about Claire here.
It's super hilarious how the crew can't help but laugh while they film.
The synergy and flow this TV family has in real life is amazing.
You will see that Mitchell has the same mannerisms in Modern Family as in real life.
Intrigued that the team of writers crushed out 24 episodes each for 11 seasons without losing depth or context.
Old Nollywood Jim Iyke is a big mood. I love how well written and unforced his dialogue sounds in this scene. Edit: after writing this, Jim Iyke trended on Twitter for this video….well, good job, Jimmy 👏🏾
I read Chimamanda's story, Olikoye - a beautiful read btw - and I went down this rabbit hole and stumbled on this documentary on how vaccines saved millions of babies in Nigeria by Olikoye Ransome Kuti.
This Igbo podcast, 'Ije Love' by Ucheoma. First, Ucheoma has an amazing voice that flows like fresh palm wine and Igbo words roll off her tongue smoothly. My highlight was hearing her describe a man as a tall glass of wine in Igbo. A great listen if you ask me + she has English subtitles too!
Been obsessed with Emmanuel Quartey's blog; it reads like a warm letter the postman delivers to your house on Saturdays. A small list of good webcomics is my fav. I like A Softer World comic the most, it's a pleasant mix of sad and funny.
The Office, Season 6, Episode 7.
This documentary on Fela will open you up to how Fela became Fela. He didn’t just start out making all those songs we loved, it took failing, relearning, rigorous rehearsing, and recreating himself.
💅🏼PSA: When I started this newsletter, one of the things I wanted to do was share stuff I'm curious about. I will be doing more of that in my subsequent emails.
If you really loved this one, please share it with your friends and everyone you know 😊
For making it to the end of this email, here's something for you.
