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https://blacknerdproblems.com/blackmilk-clothing-review/

Australia-based BlackMilk Clothing is one of those brands that I’ve seen around for years, but I never actually got around to purchasing anything from them. It’s not that their stuff hasn’t been cute, I just didn’t necessarily see myself in their pieces – and as a certified THICCCums, shopping for clothes on the internet can sometimes be a frustrating experience.

But then BlackMilk went and released an Avatar: The Last Airbender collection and sent over a few pieces. Firstly – y’all know how heavily I fucks with Avatar (check the BNP YouTube playlists and enjoy). Also, nerd clothing for the freeeee? Yes. Absolutely – this is the dream! This is healing for my inner child! But while items from this collection are gifted, please trust that my review of them is 100% honest and the opinions shared here are my own. I also got to ask the BlackMilk Clothing team some questions about this collection, so we’ll get into that interview, too.  

The first piece I wore out into the real world was the Avatar Aang Giant Tee, which GLOWS IN THE DARK! I was pretty surprised at the quality of the material because I was expecting it to feel like the average tee: kinda thin, etc etc. Instead, the material was pretty heavy without being too hot and felt like quality, so I opted to wear it at this year’s Anime Expo (Avatar counts idc idc idc). I paired it with the Avatar State Satchel Backpack (on which Aang’s arrow also glows) and it! Was! Perfect! It’s slightly larger than the popular mini backpacks that are making their rounds in nerd communities but still smaller than a regular backpack, so I felt cute while being Batman-level ready with my convention essentials (you’ll never catch me slipping at a con, ever). 

The Jasmine Dragon Tea House Short Overalls.. fam. First of all, if it has anything to do with THE Dragon of the West, That Boy Uncle Iroh? I want it. Again, I was surprised at the quality of these overalls. I’m not gonna try to be clever and attempt to name the material they used, but it’s thick and a little stretchy and they used two layers of it. It made the overalls extremely comfortable to wear while still (gonna be super technical here) holding things down. Which is to say, I normally don’t wear overalls, but these ones were extremely flattering! The fabric is also printed with teapots (with the symbols of the four nations), dragons, jasmine blossoms, and Pai Sho tiles but the BEST part? If you don’t want to wear the straps of the overalls, the backside of the front panel has a teapot printed upside down on it. It’s super cute, and I respect tf out of a clever design. 

I haven’t worn the last two pieces they sent over out into the real world yet, but both of them are giving. The Earth Air Fire Water Sheer Midaxi Dress is definitely getting thrown into the rotation before this summer ends. I also really appreciate the detailed care instructions that they include since the dress uses a foil fabric to make all of the four nation symbols shiny and sparkly (which we love). If I was the modern Avatar I would definitely wear this dress to show that I’m fancy but still low-key and for the people (and for the record – I’d also be from the Water Tribe, gang gang). 

And the Masters Robe?! Do y’all remember those button-down anime shirts of, like, 2001? I’m pretty sure they were bootleg? Rurouni Kenshin was my favorite (they didn’t make Sailor Moon designs), and I wore that thing oversized and with pride. I’m just saying, we’ve come a long way. This robe is giving that same big nerd energy, and it’s taking me back in the best of ways! If you’re a fan of the Fire Nation (no judgment), you’ll especially love Ran and Shaw, the original Firebending masters, illustrated on the back – they’re as terrifying and beautiful as they were in the only episode we saw them. 

I really want y’all to get to know this brand better, so here’s that quick 7-question interview with BlackMilk’s team:

Describe this collection in five words. 

Colourful, fun, elemental, varied, unique! 

How did the designers let ATLA and LoK inspire this collection?

It was honestly a very natural process, because we love making gear that is bold, colourful and tells a story – which is everything that ATLA and LoK do best. We also took a lot of inspiration from the different bending elements and the four different nations in the Avatar universe – the symbols and motifs of these were perfect for creating some of our more subtle designs and our custom designer fabric pieces. 

What would you say is the signature piece of this collection? 

There are a lot of stand-out pieces, but the whole team – and our customers – really fell in love with the two robes: the Team Avatar Robe, and The Masters Robe. The artwork on these is so incredibly vibrant, and just unapologetically there for the fans. 

Some of the illest pieces are also sold out – will the people get another chance to cop these?! 

We never say never! There’s always a chance that we will bring back sold-out pieces in the future if demand is high enough. 

The streets need a part 2 – will BlackMilk do another Avatar collab in the future? 

We don’t have any current plans to do so, but we loved working with Nickelodeon and had a great response to this collection – so it’s always a possibility! 

A lot of our audience is being exposed to BlackMilk for the first time, what should they know about your brand? 

Once you get started, the BlackMilk addiction is real – sorry not sorry! 

What future nerdy collaborations can we look forward to from BlackMilk? 

There isn’t a lot we can give away at the moment, but we definitely have some brand new licensed collabs on the horizon…

And that’s it! All in all, I think that this collection – and this brand – are definitely worth your attention and your coin. The 30+ pieces for this collaboration cover a spectrum of styles and aesthetics and range from subtle nerdetry to BLATANT GEEKINESS, and I love it. I personally will be keeping my fingers crossed for a restock on the Kyoshi Warriors jacket and the Appa overalls, and I’m already hype for whatever collaboration BlackMilk Clothing will be releasing next.

Cop pieces from the collection for yourself: Here

See the Avatar x BlackMilk lookbook (it’s giving artsy):

Avatar – The Last Airbender 2

And keep an eye on BNP social media – as well as my own (@tiffiestarchild) – because you’ll definitely see me in these pieces. Until next time, fam! 

Cover image via BlackMilk Clothing site

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The post BlackMilk Clothing Collab with Avatar is Snatching Lewks appeared first on Black Nerd Problems.

https://blackgirlnerds.com/how-abortion-affects-higher-education/

The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey cases that defined abortion as a constitutional right will negatively affect college women’s ability to attend and finish college in the upcoming years. Research shows that women from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are more likely than other students to take breaks from school, or leave altogether, to care for their children.

The truth is that abortion is a higher-ed issue. Most abortions in the United States are provided to women in their 20s, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Women aged 20-24 accounted for 28 percent of abortions, while those aged 25-29 accounted for 29 percent.

Students go to college for many different reasons: to improve their employment opportunities, earn more money, and obtain a good job. The right to choose affects educational outcomes. The ability to choose when to have a family also plays a major role in a college student’s future. In one survey, 20% of abortion patients said pregnancy would negatively affect their education, career, or other goals.

Students, in general, are struggling due to the Covid pandemic. They are submitting sub-standard work, missing class, and many are homeless. As an educator, I communicate with students every day who are navigating college life with anxiety and worry. I see disconnection, exhaustion, and defeat. For some, the struggles are temporary. But mental health struggles can be long-lasting and even life-threatening.

At this point, it’s unclear how the Supreme Court’s decision will show up. It’s safe to say that most states will severely restrict abortion, as we see it starting to happen already. In the upcoming months, 22 states are poised to ban abortion. Confusion over what is permitted will continue to leave college students unsure about what to do if a condom breaks or they forget to take a birth control pill.

The decision is disturbing, even for those who are against abortion but still feel that a woman has authority over her own body. I suppose politicians and activists just hope that college students will have less sex but that is ridiculous. The mental health consequences of attending college in a state limited or with no abortion access can be devastating. How do we know? Because we can study the history of past abortion restrictions and the mental-health fallout they caused.

The American Psychological Association says, “…people who are denied abortions are more likely to experience higher levels of anxiety, lower life satisfaction, and lower self-esteem compared with those who can obtain abortions.” We know that abortion targets our most vulnerable — students of color, first-generation students, and students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. They are the ones who will have fewer resources if they need contraception and abortions.

The cruelest part of the abortion bans is towards victims of rape. It’s detestable and heart-wrenching to think about a woman being forced to carry a child that is a result of such a heinous act. Although some states that ban abortions include exceptions for rape and incest, these exceptions are difficult to use.

In many cases, it will be easier for women who seek to terminate a pregnancy resulting from rape to travel to another state than to jump through the hurdles they’ll face in their home state. For example, in Utah, a rape victim must file a police report to begin to make use of the exception. Yet most rape victims never go to the police. They have a good reason not to.

Oftentimes in higher education, I frequently hear from other professors that “we aren’t therapists.” But student mental health, in my opinion, is our responsibility no matter how much some bark otherwise. We are often their first line of defense against challenges. No, we are not therapists. But we have students who need support, and faculty should want their students to feel comfortable coming to them. I make it known that students can approach me for help. If I don’t have the information, I’ll find someone who does.

For many college students, the right to reproductive autonomy depends on where they attend school.For women of color, the schools they are considering must be schools that are in states that provide opportunities to access abortion if they need to and, more importantly, access to reproductive health care.

The overall effect on college enrollment will probably not be that noticeable. I think it has more to do with how states will react to the ruling and the message it gives to students. There is something to be said about living in a state that doesn’t believe you are an autonomous human being with the power to make decisions about yourself. This is the factor that weighs heavily on many college students.

At this moment, students can advocate for their campus health centers to provide family services. Students can also petition their school to voice its support of reproductive choice.

It’s going to be important that students also think beyond the campus. Because most colleges do not provide abortion services, students seek medical care in their community. Students can get involved with local organizations that provide support and resources for people who do not have access. Students choosing out-of-state colleges can avoid states that restrict abortion rights.

Unfortunately, the people most impacted by abortion restrictions often don’t have the privilege of choosing where they live. By getting involved on campus and in their communities, college students can work towards protecting their rights and the rights of others.

https://blackgirlnerds.com/another-new-teaser-for-the-the-lord-of-the-rings-the-rings-of-power-has-arrived/

Prime Video’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power brings to screens for the very first time the heroic legends of the fabled Second Age of Middle-earth’s history. This epic drama is set thousands of years before the events of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, and will take viewers back to an era in which great powers were forged, kingdoms rose to glory and fell to ruin, unlikely heroes were tested, hope hung by the finest of threads, and the greatest villain that ever flowed from Tolkien’s pen threatened to cover all the world in darkness.

Beginning in a time of relative peace, the series follows an ensemble cast of characters, both familiar and new, as they confront the long-feared re-emergence of evil to Middle-earth. From the darkest depths of the Misty Mountains, to the majestic forests of the elf-capital of Lindon, to the breathtaking island kingdom of Númenor, to the furthest reaches of the map, these kingdoms and characters will carve out legacies that live on long after they are gone.

New series premieres September 2nd.

https://blacknerdproblems.com/writer-leon-langford-shines-in-debut-ya-sci-fi-novel-starlion-thieves-of-the-red-night/

*Writer’s Note: The contributor of this piece knows the book’s author but is committed to giving a fair and honest book review. Because in this economy, ain’t nobody got time (or money) for anything less.

Buffy. The Charmed Ones. The little wizard boy written by that transphobic British lady. Who doesn’t love a good “Chosen One” story? You know the ones where an average Joe or Jane discovers that they’re actually a superpowered do-gooder destined to save the world? The trope of the reluctant hero struggling to juggle their new responsibilities with the mundane life they took for granted is well worn territory. But what happens when our underdog hero isn’t reluctant or chosen, but embraces their role with confidence, hard work, and unabashed Blackness? That’s what screenwriter and author Leon Langford (Hot Seat, Kontaxt) delves into with his debut YA novel StarLion: Thieves of The Red Night.

A City in Crisis

Released in 2021, StarLion: Thieves of the Red Night follows the exploits of 14-year-old Jordan Harris, a Black American 8th grader living in an alternate version of Houston, TX. In this world superheroes exist thanks to some humans being imbued with a bit more “stardust” than the average person (we’re all made up of the stuff actually). Jordan has the gift of gravity manipulation. He can take invisible graviton particles (a real concept) and can manipulate them for a wide range of feats, from running alongside tall buildings, creating concussive blasts, and more.

In this world, supes aren’t only enhanced humans, but they are revenue generators a la Homelander and The Seven team on Amazon’s anti-hero franchise The Boys. Like those employed by Vaught International, the major players in Langford’s universe also have toy lines, brand deals, and all the celebrity trappings a capitalistic society has to offer. But in StarLion, supes are united a shared banner much different that good ol’ American greenbacks. They’re united by collective trauma and grief.  

Ten years prior to the start of the story, a villain of unimaginable power overwhelmed Houston in a cataclysmic event dubbed “The Green Night.” The epic battle royale left multiple heroes and hundreds of average Houstonians dead, including Jordan’s parents. Now raised by his older sister Khadijah, Jordan channels his grief by fighting crime as Houston’s version of a friendly, neighborhood Spiderman. But in the restrictive new world order that followed “The Green Night,” bureaucracy reigns supreme and vigilantism is a criminal offense. For Jordan, that means hiding the extent of his powers while simultaneously fighting crime in secret defiance of his sister.

A Hero Rises…and Stumbles

Unlike Jordan, some of the superpowered choose to live ordinary lives, while others use their powers for villainy. Then there are those who attend special academies to become licensed heroes. Think X-Men meets Hogwarts, with just a tiny pinch of Euphoria (minus the drugs). When Jordan’s vigilantism catches up with him, he’s made an offer he can’t refuse: Go to jail or infiltrate one of these academies to root out an evil plot whose roots go far deeper than Jordan’s handlers realize. It’s life and death stakes on a grand scale, amplified by the most dangerous environment imaginable. High school.

Despite being a sci-fi coming of age tale, StarLion shines brightest when looking into the machinations of a non-traditional Black family in crisis. Jordan is a teenager testing his limits while coping with a unique set of identity issues. Meanwhile, his sister Khadijah navigates life as a young woman forced into a sort of single motherhood. Khadijah’s job as a cop further stokes her fears over Jordan encountering police, mimicking similar fears Black mothers have in real life. That stress is compounded by the earthshaking family secrets she’s been forced to carry as the head of their household. Author Leon Langford does a thoughtful, if all too brief, look into how this grieving family holds it together in a world drowned in chaos. These dynamics will undoubtedly be explored further down in the StarLion series as Langford builds upon the story’s emotional center.

A Distraction or Two

However, while StarLion embraces the idea of being special without being “chosen,” it contradicts itself with an overreliance on familial legacy for supporting characters. The story repeatedly reminds us which students are related to academy staff or descended from the “gods” of ancient civilizations. After a while, the endless references to Zeus and the Greek Olympians becomes repetitive, especially in a book where the main protagonist is Black American. Even Jordan suffers a bit from these contradictions but thankfully not by much.

Another misstep in StarLion lies not in its prose, but in its audiobook currently on Audible. Voiced by actor VonDexter Montegut II, the Audible version is an equally, if not more exciting read than the standard book thanks to Montegut’s nuanced portrayal of Jordan. But there are a handful of technical errors where a sentence may be repeated, or a revised take is played after the original one. These errors in editing are few but noticeable. Hopefully, they will be corrected with updates to the audiobook and/or as the series progresses with future books.

Achievements Abound

But despite its few missteps, StarLion still has plenty of achievements. Its examination of systemic racism, privilege, and genocide through the lens of non-traditional heroes is both clever and heartbreaking. Considering the real life whitewashing of basic history in our own reality, these undercover lessons in StarLion couldn’t be more relevant.

Finally, Langford manages to introduce his StarLion world with a level of writing that is both age appropriate and sharp. He doesn’t talk down to the primary 14-year-old+ audience, and the book manages to tackle other relevant social issues in a ways that are easily digestible for readers of all ages, without beating the reader over the head.

StarLion: Thieves of the Red Night is a delightful, fun, and at times emotional read and an excellent entry into what is sure to be an exciting book series. With his debut novel, writer Leon Langford crafts a lead protagonist who is exciting, flawed, and inspiring. It’s an excellent summertime read for young teens and adults alike.

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The post Writer Leon Langford shines in debut YA sci-fi novel ‘StarLion: Thieves of the Red Night’ appeared first on Black Nerd Problems.