Welcome to my blog!
It’s a compilation of my writing and photos and any other topic I feel the need to discuss, that might pique my interest.
I’m just an introvert existing in an extroverted world
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Stepping into another world through the lens of Ian Williams
Do you ever feel disoriented in a world that is supposed to have enough room for everyone to roam around freely? Have you ever thought to stop and think about why that is something that a lot of people of colour deal with – especially a black man living in North America? That’s how Ian Williams and so many of others feel in his newest book, Disorientation: Being Black in the World. Taking inspiration from James Baldwin, Williams culminates a series of essays of his time being black and being constantly told that he wouldn’t amount to much, dealing with negative connotations of why a black man is incapable of doing and being great in a world that isn’t catered to them. He tells the many stories of black men and women who find it difficult to navigate in an unfair world full of prejudice, racism, and injustice; learning how to deal with something completely out of their control on a daily basis.
A few years ago, Ian Williams discovered that he had a disadvantage at societal norms as any other man with lighter skin than him had. He had to grasp onto the understanding that as a black man he would face discrimination and disdain from not only his peers but from the media as well – putting into perspective the life he was given and how easily it could be taken from him.
At the age of six, a teacher told Williams that he shouldn’t attempt to play the French horn because the mouthpiece was too small for him; at 11 years old, he vividly remembers the feeling of unease that by being black he was somehow different from his classmates. “If you constantly learn about your race in these negative kinds of context, you’re constantly off balance for the rest of your life, always pointing back to that experience.”
It’s one of the first of countless incidents where Williams was subjected to racism – often coming in the form of a small comments, gestures or looks. His ability to remember every fleeting moment of racism he endured at the hands of his peers, changed Williams’s trajectory in life, leading him to recite every story into a short novel where he recounts the memories of being black in the world.
Williams, an award-winning novelist and poet and an associate professor in the Faculty of Arts & Science’s Department of English captures how these experiences have shaped his life and his state of mind.
Some of the book’s essays are analytical and theoretical like the ten characterists of institutional whiteness; and blame culture – or how we are tangible to change when no one feels responsible for the systemic structures of the past. Most essays of more personal show William’s course through the world and the different receptions to his blackness.
Disorientation: Being Black in the World is an excellent way to get into the head of a black person from someone who has experienced more than what many others have and will ever deal with. It lets you as an outsider into the world problems Williams and countless others have faced in a way to deal with marginalization and prejudice.
Lorraine from Goodreads raves, “Ian Williams is a thought-provoking writer. This book has stayed with me for several days.” Carla Lisette rates the book five stars, “this is such an incredibly vulnerable honesty. There were several points in the book where I felt the author had explored and picked to understand more about his natural response to trauma in such insightful ways that I responded instantly with a visceral emotion…Ian has done incredible truthful and insightful work. Such a valuable read.” (Goodreads)
Ian Williams is an accomplished author, receiving many accolades that showcase his craft in a way many others in his field have yet to accomplish. He can easily put a story of trauma and heartbreak into a captivating series, leaving the reader wanting more.
You won’t regret picking up the book; it’s something you won’t be able to put down.
Excerpt from Disorientation: Being Black in the World
“In a culture that demands statements from corporations and pressures individuals to lay their politics bare on inhospitable platforms, many of us have had to rethink how we translate our personal, inarticulate convictions for public inspection. These public declarations are difficult for people who are inclined to privacy and even more complicated if you’re Black. As a Black person, one grows wary of the discrepancy between what people claim to believe and how they actually respond to one’s existence. By the time you reach middle age, quite battered by the accumulation of false claims, you find it hard to trust and forgive, to accept a hopeful prognosis because of promise.”
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“New Amsterdam’s Turn of Events: Season 2 Premiere Review”
New Amsterdam has always found the beauty in showing the struggles people face not only in the medical field but in their daily lives. This is shown in the season 2 premiere, “Your Turn,” refocusing on the tragedy that happened during the finale of season 1.
New Amsterdam is a medical drama that focuses on Max Goodwin, the new Medical Director at the hospital, which also happens to be the first public hospital in America that is underfunded. It follows the lives of Dr. Helen Sharpe, Dr. Max Goodwin, Dr. Floyd Reynolds, Dr.Lauren Bloom and Iggy Frome; how they navigate the different departments of the hospital and the relationships they build during the day. The main relationship is between Max and Helen, “Sharpwin,” that comes across as platonic but also romantic at times, despite Max being married. They are the “will they – won’t they” of the medical drama TV world and in New Amsterdam. The rest of the relationships are formed through working together as doctors in order to treat the patients they encounter daily.
The one thing that gravitated me towards this show was the relationship between Max and Helen and how they were initially written as co-workers instead of potential lovers. Their love for one another, whether as confidants, lovers, co-workers, or friends, created for a healthy dynamic between two characters. The compassion that is shown in the show adds another factor into my reasonings for watching New Amsterdam.
After the fateful crash, New Amsterdam and their staff try to move on the from the tragic event leaping between present day (a three month jump forward) and the past – day of the crash – through the traumatized flashbacks of Max Goodwin (Ryan Eggold). In his quest to find some clarity and resolution to the sudden death of his wife Georgia and the newfound parenting of his baby Luna three months after; Max must face the tragic truth of his partner. In a way of coping with his loss, Max finds himself right back into his daily work life with Luna on his hip.
The opening scene begins with Max and Georgia in bed singing to baby Luna before viewers are taken to the hospital where Max is greeted by an enthusiastic Iggy Frome (Tyler Labine) and Floyd Reynolds (Jocko Sims). It was as if nothing had happened three months prior and a life wasn’t taken from Max.
The show encompasses the reality of everyday lives and how humans can struggle but find ways in dealing with it; in Max’s case, burying deep inside until he’s forced to openly come to terms with his decisions. Last season Max not only struggled with his health, being diagnosed with cancer, and the rocky relationship between him and a very pregnant Georgia. Having to fix a very underfunded hospital was another battle Max was facing.
The foreshadowing that was portrayed throughout the 40-minute episode, gave the audience a glimpse into who was likely knocking on deaths door. How it delayed certain characters arc, which was shown to lead the audience in a different direction. How Georgia was unable to care for her child and having Max carry the baby to a germ-ridden hospital instead of caring for it herself. The conversation Max and Georgia had right before we learn of her death
“Georgia: Long day?
Max: They’re all long days.
Georgia: Your turn.
Max: It’s always my turn”
Max’s inability to communicate his feelings with others was also a recurring theme in this episode, especially when it came to his deputy medical director and confidant, Dr.Helen Sharpe (Freema Agyeman). His failure to speak to Helen directly caused a rift in their relationship, having Max tune her out for the remainder of the episode. The death of Georgia and the absence of Helen for the last three months causes Max to feel alone, when the two women he depended on the most were no longer around to comfort him.
The show does a beautiful job in showcasing the aftermath of a tragedy and how it can affect one person more than another.
Although the episode was great, it fell a little flat on the depiction on its other characters and how they dealt with the crash, especially considering that two EMT drivers were killed at the scene. Max may be the main character but showing the others in a state of distress and how they dealt with loss would have been nice to see as well.
Overall, I would rate this episode 8.5/10, hitting the right notes when it comes to grievance and tragedy.