6/5/20: Recommended Issues of the Week

While the US continues to battle both the coronavirus pandemic and entrenched racism, here are a few issues from this week that may add some unique perspectives.  You’ll notice we also added word count and the anticipated reading time, as we received feedback from readers that that would be helpful. Thanks! Your feedback is always welcome and appreciated.

• The Coronavirus Pandemic Has Been Overshadowed, But We're Still At Risk. (In Speak Patrice Presents: Coronavirus News for Black Folks  by Patrice Peck on June 3, 2020). Patrice Peck is a Black independent journalist trying to “empower our community by sharing coronavirus (COVID-19) news and stories as they relate to the Black Diaspora.” Her writing brings both data-based awareness and emotional awareness to black people’s current experience with the coronavirus, around the globe. If you are searching for a way to learn more of the Black perspective than the oft-one-lensed mainstream media tends to offer, Patrice’s newsletter will serve you well. (3600 words ; ~13 min)

• History Repeats Itself. (In Pop Cultural Studies by Andrew Rainaldi on June 3, 2020). This is a quick dive into the systemic bias of the Academy Awards and leaves you wondering whether a racially “uncomfortable” or “challenging” movie can ever actually win. It’s worth reading if for no other reason than to force yourself to consider what “best” really means to yourself or others. (800 words; ~3 minutes) 

• Discourses With: Two Street Medics on the Front Lines. (in Discourse Blog by Jack Crosbie, on June 4, 2020). In this issue, the Discourse Blog offers a very enlightening first-hand account of what it’s like during the protests to be a “street medic”, people (trained or untrained) who help injured protesters when traditional medics can’t reach them. Through interviews with two street medics, you’ll learn more about their actual role, how people choose to participate in the protests as street medics, the type of injuries they’re seeing, and more. While the street medics’ stories are certainly personal and anecdotal, there’s undeniable power and learning in what they share. (1500 words; ~ 5½ minutes)

Hope you find these issues intriguing and perspective-enhancing.

If you’re interested in receiving more by those writers, you’re always welcome to subscribe to Speak Patrice Presents: Coronavirus News for Black Folks, Pop Cultural Studies, or Discourse Blog.

Also, if you have any issues to recommend, let us know at newsletters@narrowscale.com.