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https://blacknerdproblems.com/the-low-low-woods-5-review/

Writer: Carmen Maria Machado / Artist: Dani Strips / Colorist: Tamra Bonvillain / DC Comics

Written by Carmen Maria Machado, The Low, Low Woods is a six-issue horror series that follows El and Octavia, two queer teenage girls of color who are navigating the regular pressures of the world as it relates to race, sexuality, identity, and expectations. But on top of that, they live in a town that is haunted as hell. 

The Low, Low Woods is part of Joe Hill’s horror imprint at DC Comics aptly titled Hill House. If you didn’t know he had his own imprint, now you do. Congratulations. Now get to reading.

I haven’t read any of the other titles yet, but if The Low, Low Woods is an indicator of the rest of the books under the imprint, I’m gonna have to rectify that.

The story follows El and Vee as they wake up in a movie theater almost certain that they are missing a chunk of their memory. They then have to navigate the multitude of things that could mean and how they can figure out what exactly happened to them. In their pursuit of that, the eerie and unsettling nature of their town Shudder-To-Think unfolds before our eyes. 

There are witches, men with no skin, women with sinkholes in their stomachs, and a conspiracy covered up by magic. It’s wild. 

This book is a slow burn horror story that grips you with its striking images from the first panel and doesn’t ever let you go.

Issue #5 is the second to last issue, and it sets us up perfectly for the finale as we finally get a lot the answers that we’ve been waiting for. And it leaves the perfect amount of room for the finale to explore what those answers mean for El and Octavia as they find out what happened to them specifically.

This issue follows the town witch, who is an old woman in a little girl’s body that has a lot to do with some of the weird things that happen in this town. Her story puts so much in perspective for El and Octavia. 

What I really like about this book, but this issue, in particular, is that it uses horrors elements to talk about important real-life topics like consent. It recontextualizes it in a beautiful way that only amplifies what it means in our world.

Dani and Bonvillain are on art and colors respectively, and their work does such a fantastic job of siphoning Machado’s poetic darkness into a visual representation that really leaves you as unsettled as you are intrigued. 

The second to last issue of The Low, Low Woods perfectly sets up a dramatic and dynamic ending for El and Octavia, as they’re finally going to be in a position to find out what the missing chunks of their memories are. 

10 Immortal Witches Out Of 10

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The post The Low, Low Woods #5 Review appeared first on Black Nerd Problems.

http://www.afronerd.com/2020/05/sundays-grindhouse-broadcast-btalk100.html

Hey folks!  Check out our latest episode of Afronerd Radio's The Grindhouse, airing every Sunday at 6pm eastern, courtesy of BTalk 100.  Join your resident AFROnerdist broadcasters as they journey to the unknown via a cavalcade of otherworldly topics such as: it looks like the Democratic presidential front runner, VP Joe Biden put his proverbial foot in his mouth (when has he not) regarding the black vote during an interview with noted political correspondent, "Charlamagne tha God" (hardy har har); Oh and some on twitter dared to liken "Charla" as the next James Baldwin (we're in severe trouble folks) scientists are walking back their predictions that the US could be COVID-19 free by September;  the UK Independent has an interesting piece on the coronavirus perhaps being indirectly responsible for the creation of new brilliant art; who knew that there's a censored version of Back to the Future II?;  and then there's that nursing home video......wow; oh Dburt's PSA regarding the efficacy of wearing a mask during this crisis; for a minute NASA had the world thinking that Earth 2 or the idea of a multiverse was real...not quite;  The Comic Beat provides a more obvious reason for the release of The Snyder Cut of The Justice League; and if the Snyder cut can get released, why not JLA animated? more from The Comic Beat regarding the survivability of the comic industry during and post COVID-19; is Tenet doing and telling too much in this latest trailer?; a new NY Times article highlights the evolving trend of placing black actresses as paramours in interracial romance films;  and lastly, in the world of video games, are VG programmers/manufacturers going to far with the ability to customize genitalia in the upcoming Cyberpunk 2077 game?  Call in LIVE at 1-508-645-0100.




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https://www.essence.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/stay-positive-practice-gratitude/

We are living through “unprecedented” times. 

In addition to depressing news shared each day relative to the global coronavirus outbreak, Black people are being mercilessly killed by overt racism and prejudice for simple luxuries such as running or breathing. This is all in addition to the stress and grind of work and day-to-day life. And baby, we are tired.

During a pandemic — or any time for that matter — it can be easy to forget all of life’s blessings and show your appreciation for what you do have. Especially when people that look like us are suffering each day.

But lack of positivity can wreak havoc on your mental and emotional wellbeing — eventually leading to more turmoil. So when you’re struggling to stay positive, it’s important to remember that a life well lived is one of gratitude and thankfulness. To help  improve your outlook, Talkspace Therapist Ashley Ertel, LCSW, BCD offers 7 ways to have more gratitude in your daily life. 

Try getting into a gratitude routine.

Gratitude is a skill, and it’s something that you have to practice in order to make it a regular habit. Research has shown that the more we appreciate, the happier we are. But finding time to feel gratitude is a challenging thing. “Being intentional rather than reactive can set you up for success when times are especially hard,” says Ertel. “Try using a gratitude journal (or really just a note in your phone if that is what you have available) where you write down at least 1 thing during the day you are thankful for. Eventually, it gets easier—especially if it is a habit.”

An act of kindness.

The world needs more gratitude and kindness — especially now. When you’re being kind to others, you’re not the only one who’s giving away something. In fact, you are getting a lot, if not more, in return. According to Ertel, “Even a small gesture like sending a funny gif to brighten someone else’s day can boomerang back in a positive way.”

Connect with nature. 

There’s something special about being outdoors and connecting with Mother Nature. Not to mention, being in nature helps reduce stress, anxiety, and worry while increasing our ability to focus. So it’s only right that this should be part of our gratitude practice. Ertel says it’s as simple as “going on a walk or a jog or sitting by a lake.” Really anything outside can help shift energy and connect to something outside our own mind.

Find opportunity.

There’s opportunity everywhere — you just have to be open to finding it. Ertel reads her son the book, What to Do with a Problem, and it ends with the statement that “each problem is an opportunity.” “Is there another way to see your problem?” she asks.

Positive affirmations. 

If you’re familiar with the “Law of Attraction” then you know that life responds to what you pay attention to. So the more you say it, the more you speak life into existence. Ertel suggests, “Strategically placing affirmations around your home, car, or in your phone can be great pick-me-ups.”

Meditative reflection. 

“This can be powerful when conjuring up gratitude is difficult,” says Ertel. “Utilize an expert online to help guide you to a better place. My favorite meditation has been the Self-Compassion Meditation.”

Avoid unnecessary negativity. 

Honey, this is probably the most important thing to recognize. Negative or unwanted thoughts (and people) can prevent you from enjoying experiences, distract you from focusing on what’s important, and drain your energy. “Avoid negative people, places, and things as much as possible,” says Ertel.” No news reports and spending hours scrolling through various reports on updated COVID-19 numbers. This only serves to further your compassion fatigue and makes it more difficult to connect with things you love and hold dear.”

The post Struggling To Stay Positive? Here Are A Few Ideas To Practice Gratitude appeared first on Essence.

http://www.afronerd.com/2020/05/broadcast-blast-mid-week-in-review.html

Cheers, to our avid and faithful listenership who have followed us to our new home, BTalk 100.  Check out a new installment of The Mid Week in Review as engineered by the mighty Afronerd Radio Steam Engine airing this Wednesday at 8pm eastern.  Join your friendly neighborhood (and possibly birding) AFROnerdist broadcasters as they discuss the following hot topics:  we discuss the videos that shook the world-the unfortunate death (Eric Garner 2.0?) of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers and the "Karen" moment involving avid Central Park birder and former Marvel Comics editor, Christian Cooper (and his equally blerdic sister, Melody Cooper of the Omni comic) who were bird watching in Central Park when all hell broke loose; and in more racial strife, comedian/talk show host, Jimmy Fallon is apologizing for a 20 year old SNL skit pertaining to his blackface impersonation of Chris Rock; and then there's hip hop artist, Doja Cat's internalized/externalized racial battle being played out on social media; interesting....Gayle King gets emotional about the recent spate of black men being endangered due to the current racial zeitgeist; a recent Comicbook.com piece posits that there might be more reboots to come based on the success of the Snyder Cut fan movement; just what's with the Shaun King allegations regarding his Frederick Douglass reboot of The North Star according to the Daily Beast?;  we never did speak about the Cyberpunk 2077 upcoming video game and it's genitalia customization feature (here we go); ok, so is Mike Tyson really going to step back into the ring?  And apparently, Mad Magazine didn't go away and is available via subscription (who knew?); a Variety magazine article about how hip hop mogul Russell Simmons; accusers (per the On The Record doc) believe that the music industry will never have its #Metoo moment (or a #blacktoo version according to Dburt); Call live-#508-645-0100.




AFTER CLICKING ON THE LINK,  FEEL FREE TO FILL OUT THE LISTENER FORM OR PRESS "NO THANKS" TO GO DIRECTLY TO AFRONERD RADIO!!!
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