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The CW has graduated high school in Beverly Hills and is entering the halls of Black excellence at Bringston University in Atlanta. This fictional HBCU appears in the All American spin-off show All American: Homecoming brought to us by showrunner/executive producer Nkechi Okoro Carroll.
Attending an HBCU has the benefit of a guaranteed environment where Black students are no longer in the minority. It’s a place that puts Black students on center stage as they come into their own. Or as Olivia Baker (Samantha Logan) from All American explains: it’s “a college where I don’t have to explain or defend who I am.”
The highly-anticipated All American: Homecoming is a sports drama with a story that revolves around Simone (Geffri Maya, All American), a hopeful tennis player, and Damon (Peyton Alex Smith, Legacies), who gave up a fast track to the MLB for higher education (and freedom from his overprotective mother). High school may have been drama with a capital “D,” but Bringston promises you haven’t seen anything yet.
Simone comes to Bringston with no connection to her old life except for her aunt, Dr. Amara Patterson (Kelly Jenrette, Manhunt). Amara is a journalism professor at Bringston who’s never been afraid of a little controversy. No sports drama would be complete without a rival, and Thea (Camille Hyde, Katy Keene) delivers on that for Simone. Keisha (Netta Walker, Come as You Are) and Nate (Rhoyle Ivy King, The Sex Lives of College Girls) are ready to help Simone navigate Bringston.
Damon is navigating a life he never planned for with help from his childhood friend and now teammate, JR (Sylvester Powell, Five Points). JR has his hands full between helping Damon go from star player to one of the team, all while trying to solve his own mystery. Marcus Turner (Cory Hardrict, The Outpost) balances his new job as head coach after a cheating scandal cost his team several star players.
When first meeting Simone in the second season of All American, I remember thinking, “This is the worst way you could ever introduce a character.” After Simone reveals that, out of fear, she lied about the paternity of her pregnancy, it puts her in an unfavorable light. That, was a premature judgment as we see her character more fleshed out. I forgot these were writers I could trust based on how much I enjoyed All American to that point. We get to know how intelligent she is, how much she cares about the people around her, and the lengths she’ll go to help her friends. She went from announcing her pregnancy after a one-night stand to seeking the love and approval of family to becoming a person pursuing her own goals.
Towards the end of All American’s third season, viewers get introduced to Bringston University. The school highlights diversity not just in terms of the number of people of color, but the personalities within those groups. Simone is lost after being denied admission at Princeton University, but at Bringston she finds a sense of fulfillment that she attributes to being surrounded by her own people. She gladly makes Bringston her choice. All American: Homecoming brings heart and drama to every episode.
From Episode 1, “Start Over,” we see Simone saying goodbye to Beverly Hills as she checks into her dorm. Damon escapes his last press conference and is eager to start training with the weight of saving the baseball program heavy on his shoulders. Both of our freshmen find themselves unprepared for life at Bringston. Amara is dealing with the aftermath of a scandal and Marcus is finding his way from assistant coach to head coach and hopefully out of his predecessor’s legacy.
Through the next four episodes (“Under Pressure,” “Love and War,” and “If Only You Knew”) we watch the students as they make and lose new friends and foes. Transition is always tough, and this remains true for Simone and Damon. They both make some bad calls and are confront new challenges they have no choice but to meet. But with the help of their newly chosen family, they are one step closer to owning their place in continuing the legacy of this illustrious HBCU.
Their’s aren’t the only journeys we follow. Of course, there’s Amara and Coach Marcus, but we also meet Keisha (Simone’s guide during the All American backdoor pilot) and Nate. Nate is a free spirit who is nice and helpful to Simone, though he’s not afraid to define his boundaries. He’s such a fun character who provides a little much-needed comedic relief, and if you’re not careful, you just might learn something from him along the way. Keisha has to choose between upholding her family legacy or following her heart. It’s a relatable journey and one that gives her a lot of heart.
Trying to battle everything on your own is a recipe for disaster. Our students bond together to help one another through their treacherous first few weeks. They help each other find their stride and inch closer to their goals.
However, it’s not all roses and sunshine. All American: Homecoming has its fair share of villains. Simon bumps heads almost immediately with another student Thea. and while she does throw the occasional crumbs of respect, Simone has a lot of ground to tread to ensure her team is at peace. The issue of teamwork is a throughline for many of the characters as Damon tries to heal team morale in questionable ways. All American: Homecoming doesn’t shy away from timely topics.
It’s an interesting concept to give a character who only arrived in the third season their own spinoff. All American: Homecoming does well to create a new drama with a familiar feel.
All American: Homecoming is a dynamic show full of sexy college adventures. A measure of success of a spin-off is its ability to stand on its own, and this show has proven that it can do so from the first episode. I am happy to see that there is more than one queer character on this show. I was particularly charmed by King’s work, and I hope to see them join the main cast soon.
All American: Homecoming premieres on the CW on Monday, February 21, 2022 (9 pm ET/PT). Like my girl Keisha says, tune in for the fun of a “beautifully melanated HBCU experience.”
The CW has graduated high school in Beverly Hills and is entering the halls of Black excellence at Bringston University in Atlanta. This fictional HBCU appears in the All American spin-off show All American: Homecoming brought to us by showrunner/executive producer Nkechi Okoro Carroll.
Attending an HBCU has the benefit of a guaranteed environment where Black students are no longer in the minority. It’s a place that puts Black students on center stage as they come into their own. Or as Olivia Baker (Samantha Logan) from All American explains: it’s “a college where I don’t have to explain or defend who I am.”
The highly-anticipated All American: Homecoming is a sports drama with a story that revolves around Simone (Geffri Maya, All American), a hopeful tennis player, and Damon (Peyton Alex Smith, Legacies), who gave up a fast track to the MLB for higher education (and freedom from his overprotective mother). High school may have been drama with a capital “D,” but Bringston promises you haven’t seen anything yet.
Simone comes to Bringston with no connection to her old life except for her aunt, Dr. Amara Patterson (Kelly Jenrette, Manhunt). Amara is a journalism professor at Bringston who’s never been afraid of a little controversy. No sports drama would be complete without a rival, and Thea (Camille Hyde, Katy Keene) delivers on that for Simone. Keisha (Netta Walker, Come as You Are) and Nate (Rhoyle Ivy King, The Sex Lives of College Girls) are ready to help Simone navigate Bringston.
Damon is navigating a life he never planned for with help from his childhood friend and now teammate, JR (Sylvester Powell, Five Points). JR has his hands full between helping Damon go from star player to one of the team, all while trying to solve his own mystery. Marcus Turner (Cory Hardrict, The Outpost) balances his new job as head coach after a cheating scandal cost his team several star players.
When first meeting Simone in the second season of All American, I remember thinking, “This is the worst way you could ever introduce a character.” After Simone reveals that, out of fear, she lied about the paternity of her pregnancy, it puts her in an unfavorable light. That, was a premature judgment as we see her character more fleshed out. I forgot these were writers I could trust based on how much I enjoyed All American to that point. We get to know how intelligent she is, how much she cares about the people around her, and the lengths she’ll go to help her friends. She went from announcing her pregnancy after a one-night stand to seeking the love and approval of family to becoming a person pursuing her own goals.
Towards the end of All American’s third season, viewers get introduced to Bringston University. The school highlights diversity not just in terms of the number of people of color, but the personalities within those groups. Simone is lost after being denied admission at Princeton University, but at Bringston she finds a sense of fulfillment that she attributes to being surrounded by her own people. She gladly makes Bringston her choice. All American: Homecoming brings heart and drama to every episode.
From Episode 1, “Start Over,” we see Simone saying goodbye to Beverly Hills as she checks into her dorm. Damon escapes his last press conference and is eager to start training with the weight of saving the baseball program heavy on his shoulders. Both of our freshmen find themselves unprepared for life at Bringston. Amara is dealing with the aftermath of a scandal and Marcus is finding his way from assistant coach to head coach and hopefully out of his predecessor’s legacy.
Through the next four episodes (“Under Pressure,” “Love and War,” and “If Only You Knew”) we watch the students as they make and lose new friends and foes. Transition is always tough, and this remains true for Simone and Damon. They both make some bad calls and are confront new challenges they have no choice but to meet. But with the help of their newly chosen family, they are one step closer to owning their place in continuing the legacy of this illustrious HBCU.
Their’s aren’t the only journeys we follow. Of course, there’s Amara and Coach Marcus, but we also meet Keisha (Simone’s guide during the All American backdoor pilot) and Nate. Nate is a free spirit who is nice and helpful to Simone, though he’s not afraid to define his boundaries. He’s such a fun character who provides a little much-needed comedic relief, and if you’re not careful, you just might learn something from him along the way. Keisha has to choose between upholding her family legacy or following her heart. It’s a relatable journey and one that gives her a lot of heart.
Trying to battle everything on your own is a recipe for disaster. Our students bond together to help one another through their treacherous first few weeks. They help each other find their stride and inch closer to their goals.
However, it’s not all roses and sunshine. All American: Homecoming has its fair share of villains. Simon bumps heads almost immediately with another student Thea. and while she does throw the occasional crumbs of respect, Simone has a lot of ground to tread to ensure her team is at peace. The issue of teamwork is a throughline for many of the characters as Damon tries to heal team morale in questionable ways. All American: Homecoming doesn’t shy away from timely topics.
It’s an interesting concept to give a character who only arrived in the third season their own spinoff. All American: Homecoming does well to create a new drama with a familiar feel.
All American: Homecoming is a dynamic show full of sexy college adventures. A measure of success of a spin-off is its ability to stand on its own, and this show has proven that it can do so from the first episode. I am happy to see that there is more than one queer character on this show. I was particularly charmed by King’s work, and I hope to see them join the main cast soon.
All American: Homecoming premieres on the CW on Monday, February 21, 2022 (9 pm ET/PT). Like my girl Keisha says, tune in for the fun of a “beautifully melanated HBCU experience.”
If you want a unique and personal keepsake of parenthood, breast milk jewelry is truly one-of-a-kind!
Many new parents want to hold on to every token of a cherished moment of parenthood. Some hold on to their baby’s first locks cut from their first haircut. Other parents may hold on to the first nail clipping or the remainder of their baby’s umbilical cord after it falls off. So, what about turning breast milk into a one-of-a-kind (OOAK) piece of jewelry? If you haven’t considered this option, you may want to. It’s been around for years and is becoming more and more common amongst modern moms.
You may be wondering how this is possible. There are breast milk jewelry kits you can order to make breast milk jewelry at home. So, this do-it-yourself (DIY) concept allows you to be in control, making this token of motherhood that much more potent and meaningful.
The DIY kits have step-by-step instructions, along with ways that you can contact the seller to ask specific questions while creating your masterpiece. However, each DIY kit is different from another. Some sellers have created their own method for the breast milk preservative and jewelry making process. In addition, some kits may include preservatives to help maintain the color of the breast milk. Other kits may involve freezing, boiling, or dehydrating the breast milk. Whichever method is used, after a period of time, the milk is ready to be poured or mixed to create a plaster-like solid. After that, the mixture’s shaped into your chosen jewelry setting. In the end, many of these final pieces are shaped like hearts, ovals, circles, or other shapes used by fine jewelry. However, keepsakes like these pack more meaning and symbolism.
Hey, real quick, want to make the nursing process much more comfortable? Check out our list of the best nursing pillows, loungers, and more! Or pop on over to our article about the best nursing chair for your baby’s room.
Okay then, let’s get crafting!
Breast Milk Jewelry: Necklaces
Keep your OOAK creation close to your heart with a beautiful necklace. If you have more than one child, perhaps you would be interested in creating a breast milk necklace to represent each child you spent precious time with during this intimate bonding experience. Necklaces can be worn alone or styled together using a variety of setting shapes and chain lengths.
Easily create a breast milk necklace in about thirty minutes with this DIY kit. Create two unique mementos with only two tablespoons of breast milk. Further, the kit comes with a beautiful “Mom” necklace you can wear alone or with your breast milk necklaces.
Choose from a variety of pendant and chain colors for this heart-shaped breast milk necklace. Decide between the following settings and chain colors: platinum, gunmetal, rose gold, or 18k gold. In addition, if you don’t have a breast milk preservation kit, one can be easily added to your purchase prior to check-out.
Milky Treasures Crown Necklace
With this kit from Milky Treaures, you can make up to twelve breast milk stones. Included in the kit: a sterling silver chain and setting, preservation powder, and a UV lamp to help protect the longevity of each of your stones. Further, add some extra décor to your stones, with the tiny gold flecks included in the kit. In addition, milk can be freshly pumped or frozen for up to five years.
The tree of life blooms from within this breast milk pendant. Choose from either a black cotton or stainless-steel chain when you order. In short, this pendant is sure to catch compliments whenever you wear it. Another bonus: this pendant is available in four different colors: silver, rose gold, gunmetal, or gold.
Love: the main ingredient to create that special bond between a mother and her baby. What better way to express your adoration for the special time you share with your baby than by creating a “Love” necklace to have and to hold? Furthermore, you can be creative by adding bits of glitter or ground flower into the breast milk pendant, complimenting the gold setting.
Breast Milk Jewelry: Rings
Whether you’re stroking your baby’s wispy hair aside from their sweet forehead or rubbing your baby’s back as they fall asleep snuggling against you as you rock back and forth in your nursing chair, your hands play a vital role in caring for your baby. So, smile and reflect on these precious memories as you gaze upon your hand adorned with a breast milk ring.
Reminiscent of a Victorian era, this teardrop ring is made of sterling silver with white gold and cubic zirconia. Interested in purchasing a 10k/14k gold ring, made with real diamonds? Simply contact the seller and make the request. In addition, these breast milk rings come as a DIY kit, so you can create your very own OOAK piece to wear for many years to come.
Available in whole sizes, this ring is elegant in that it perfectly cradles the oval resin of breast milk. This art deco styled ring comes in three types of metal. Either the silver featured here, or in rose gold, or in classic gold. In short, you’ll look elegant wearing this as a stand-alone piece, or as a compliment to your other jewelry.
If looking for a dainty ring, the eternity band is small yet packed with charm. Includes everything needed to create an OOAK breast milk eternity ring. The kit itself comes with mixing cups, a spatula, solvents, preservatives, and easy to understand directions. Express delivery is available, if you need this in a hurry, whether it be for a baby shower gift or to wear for an up-and-coming event.
Whether you have one or more babies, these stackable birthstone and breast milk rings are ideal for those who want something small yet fashionable. An array of ring sizes and colors are available. In addition, you choose which birthstone and setting color you want, ultimately complimenting your very own breast milk resins. However, the resin kits are not included. So, be sure to purchase a resin kit too!
Your baby is your sunshine. All the more reason to celebrate the bond between a mother and her baby with a sunburst ring. Dazzling cubic zirconia around the breast milk stone will sparkle as bright as your love for your little one. Certainly, this ring will catch the eye of many, giving you the opportunity to wax poetic about all the memorable times you’ve had with your baby.
Additional Jewelry Masterpieces
Breast milk can be preserved and used for many other things, besides necklaces or rings. Consider creating a pair of OOAK breast milk earrings or a bracelet. Both items perfectly reminding you of the treasured time spent bonding with your baby, providing the ultimate in love and care.
Add color to your breast milk resin through shimmers, flakes, birthstone inspired pigments. Included with the stud earrings is a kit with everything you need to turn your breast milk into stunning pieces of jewelry that will go with any outfit. Comes in either rose gold, gold, or silver ,and all are stainless steel.
Instead of purchasing flowers that will only last for days, treat yourself to a pair of sunflower earrings that surround a breast milk resin made by you. These are solid, Victorian-style, sterling silver earrings made with cubic zirconia. Included with the kit is everything needed to make these decorative earrings. Further, the shop’s newly improved preservative prevents breast milk from bubbling, creating smooth resin stones that should fit snugly within the earring settings.
Enjoy a fun and quick project that will last for years, by creating a keepsake breast milk bracelet. Included with this is everything needed to create an OOAK silver bracelet. This bracelet’s a great way to commemorate the time spent breastfeeding your baby. Similar to creating other breast milk jewelry, the milk can be dehydrated or mixed with preservatives.
Already have a bracelet and want to add on an addition charm or bead? Create your own using breast milk! This fits on any modern-day charm or Pandora bracelet thanks to the European Murano-style bead. Express your own quirkiness by combining sprinkles, glitter, or flecks of gold into the mixture using the included kit.
The post Breast Milk Jewelry: a One-of-a-Kind Keepsake appeared first on Geek Baby Clothes.
Sifu is about the pursuit of a moment. For its nameless protagonist, that moment is the vengeance that lies at the end of a road paved with bodies. For the player, that moment can come in a number of forms throughout the game – parrying and weaving between attacks, firing off a vicious-looking combo, or downing an especially tough enemy.
Specifically, it’s the moment when all of the mechanics that developer Sloclap has meticulously fitted together click for the player. Here, the combat system from games like the Batman Arkham series has been honed to produce choreographed fight scenes. Players will be required to juggle combat inputs to gain experience and score to unlock more skills.
Much like actual fight scene choreography, however, Sifu’s moments of mastery require time. Visually illustrating this is the game’s other main mechanic: the Death Counter system. Any character in Sifu is capable of laying out the unwary player, so deaths can quickly stack up. The player can immediately rise again from being struck down, but at the cost of their own life span.
As the character visibly ages from their 20’s into their 70’s, each decade before death holds the promise of dealing and absorbing more damage. The Structure meter is this in microcosm. Echoing the Sekiro’s ‘poise’ mechanic, Structure keeps track of how long your blocking ability can hold out under an onslaught of enemy attacks.
These distinctive choices separate Sifu from its roguelite contemporaries. Unfortunately, the quest for vengeance isn’t the only thing wearing on the player character. As exciting as the promise of playing the hallway fight from Oldboy can be, the white elephant in the room needs to be discussed.
Sloclap is a white French game studio, publishing a game that centers Asians without any direct input from the culture they’ve chosen to represent. What’s more unsurprising is how consistently the appropriation of culture as costume keeps happening. Biomutant’s (2021) Orientalism, Ghost of Tsushima’s (2020) cherry-picking appropriation – the list continues.
Sure, Sloclap may not have Sucker Punch money, but the Chinese aspects of Sifu makes it feel like getting a tattoo in a language you can’t read…or Gordon Ramsey being a little enthusiastic about opening a Chinese restaurant. For a game so good at asking its players to do better, surely its developers can take their own advice?
8 Fists of Fury
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The post ‘Sifu’ Gets the Slow Clap (And a Side-Eye…) appeared first on Black Nerd Problems.