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By Jacob Lorinc Staff Reporter Sat., May 4, 2019 It’s perhaps the quintessential coming-of-age story for today’s America: a white supremacist teenager arrives at college steadfast in his racist beliefs, and emerges as a progressive determined to speak out against hate. It’s the story of Derek Black, a young man born into a family of self-avowed white nationalists who, until his college years, was thought to be the heir to the neo-fascist throne. The son of Don Black, a former grand wizard of the KKK, and godson of David Duke, one of America’s most notorious white supremacists, Black was raised to believe in his family’s ideology. He believed that IQ could be determined based on the colour of people’s skin, that immigrants were the product of a global Jewish conspiracy and that liberal policies at the state and federal level were slowly abetting a genocide of white people. At a young age he founded The Don and Derek Black … [Read more...] about Former white supremacist to share his story of transformation
Doctor inspirational stories
Thoughts on Marvel’s Avengers: Endgame
I cry in movies. Often, in fact. I was well prepared for Avengers: Endgame to bring me to tears. I was prepared for major character deaths and large, sweeping changes to the universe. I was not, however, prepared for the tears of joy that came before those somber moments. When I was a kid, I read Marvel comics monthly. I was in middle school when the original Civil War comics were being rolled out; Planet Hulk captivated me as a kid, and still remains my favorite Marvel storyline. But when I was growing up, comic books and superheroes were not exactly cool. Iron Man and The Dark Knight would work together to largely change that perception in the summer of 2008, but for the decade prior to that, I was actually picked on by other kids for reading my X-Men or Spider-Man comics during lunch or on the playground. I grew up during a time when people in Myanmar weren’t fans of comic characters. But things have since changed substantially. Now, we have massively … [Read more...] about Thoughts on Marvel’s Avengers: Endgame
John Singleton dead at 51
JOHN Singleton, director of the groundbreaking 1991 movie about US inner city life Boyz n the Hood, died Monday at the age of 51, his family announced, triggering a flood of tributes hailing him as an “inspiration.” Singleton had been placed in a medically-induced coma after suffering a stroke several weeks ago, and his family had earlier made known their intention to take the filmmaker off life support. “John passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family and friends,“ they said in a statement quoted by media including USA Today and NBC News. “Our hearts are heavier today... as we mourn this tremendous loss,“ said Directors Guild of America director Thomas Schlamme. Singleton directed Boyz n the Hood as a 22-year-old fresh out of film school. The flick described youth and violence in South Central Los Angeles, the bleak, gang-ridden neighborhood of his childhood. The movie won Singleton Oscar nominations as best director and best original … [Read more...] about John Singleton dead at 51
‘Boyz n the Hood’ director John Singleton dead at 51
NEW YORK: John Singleton, director of the groundbreaking 1991 movie about US inner city life "Boyz n the Hood," died Monday at the age of 51, his family announced, triggering a flood of tributes hailing him as an "inspiration." "Boyz n the Hood" -- which described the gang-ridden neighborhood of John Singleton's childhood and which he directed aged 22 -- won him an Oscar nod as best director, the first African American to achieve the distinction. Singleton had been placed in a medically-induced coma after suffering a stroke several weeks ago, and his family had earlier made known their intention to take the filmmaker off life support. "John passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family and friends," they said in a statement quoted by media including USA Today and NBC News. "Our hearts are heavier today... as we mourn this tremendous loss," said the president of the Directors Guild of America, Thomas Schlamme, reacting to the news. Singleton directed "Boyz n the Hood" as a … [Read more...] about ‘Boyz n the Hood’ director John Singleton dead at 51
How an independent, driven woman moulded Barbie’s fashion for the better
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By Katherine Rosman The New York Times Fri., April 26, 2019 LOS ANGELES—Carol Spencer, 86, may be the most influential fashion designer you’ve never heard of. In the mid 1960s, she made a red pencil skirt with a white sleeveless blouse that had red stitching and three red buttons down the front. Short white gloves came with it. Thousands sold. In the 1970s, well aware that the counterculture’s loosening dress code had made it to the mainstream, Spencer designed a red bandana halter maxi-dress and a matching leisure shirt for men. Those designs were popular, too. In the Nancy Reagan 1980s, Spencer aimed for high-end appeal, making a one-shouldered ball gown in blue jacquard with an organza flower at the nipped-in waist and a cape. One of Reagan’s go-to couturiers personally approved the gown to be sold under his name: “Oscar de la Renta for Barbie.” Spencer has made wedding dresses, saris, go-go boots and caftans. All in miniature. … [Read more...] about How an independent, driven woman moulded Barbie’s fashion for the better