Hello friends! Another week slides past and here in Wales in terms of lockdown, it feels like nothing much is changing at all. Yet change is in the air as we see protests across the world – we must keep doing the work. Here is this week’s Sunday Stories and what I have been up to over the last seven days.
Reading
I’m not sure if you’ve felt the same, but this week started as a bit of a reading slump for me. I had zero motivation to pick up my book which felt quite strange. However, I started Queenie by Candie Carty-Williams on Friday and that has reinvigorated my reading energy. I am absolutely loving it so far! To the point where I’m writing this post to say how much I’m enjoying it as quickly as I can, so I can get back to reading it.
Watching
My boyfriend is much more of TV/film buff than I and so he always introduces me to people and shows to watch. In particular, he introduced me to a lot of stand-up comedy. This week we watched Dave Chappelle’s Netflix special 8:46 in which he discusses the killing of George Floyd and police brutality. It’s filmed in front of a socially distanced audience and, as Chappelle notes himself, it’s not really funny at all. Rather, it’s an incredibly powerful, incensed and emotive set that I implore you to watch.
Listening
I’ve continued my learning this week with podcasts. Firstly I listened to Race Wasn’t An Issue To Him, Which Was An Issue To Me from the Modern Love podcast. In this Lorraine Toussaint reads an essay by Kim McLarin where she talks about how the impact of failing to acknowledge and grapple with race, in relationships and wider society.
This morning on my walk I also listened to Brené with Ibram X. Kendi on How to Be an Antiracist on Unlocking Us with Brené Brown. I haven’t been able to get hand my hands on this book and I will order it as soon as I can, so in the meantime, I have found this podcast incredibly informative and enlightening. The conversation is primarily about Kendi’s book and he breaks down issues with empathy and intelligence. I found it very humbling and I’m glad I listened to it.
Other small but not insignificant things that I have been grateful for this week: Friday night calls with my girls (who I miss very much), a delivery of cold coffee from Hardlines (Cardiff dwellers, check them out) and receiving some of my first book mail to consider for review.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this Sunday Stories post – let me know how your week has been or what you’ve been up to in the comments.
