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Thursday, June 30, 2016
Wednesday, June 29, 2016
Chloe Moretz Wanted Plastic Surgery at 16
Chloe Moretz recently opened up about having wanted to have plastic surgery in the past, when she was 16. Whilst most of us agree that there has never been anything wrong with her, she said she wanted to have multiple procedures done.
The culture of unhealthy and stupid 'beauty standards' really does affect everyone. And it's still being upheld everywhere, despite some people paying lip service to changing things (heard it all before, even ten years ago).
Sadly, big media is never likely to change much in this respect, I've seen enough to know not to expect more of them. However, we can help change things, if only a bit, and if only bit by bit. It is up to independent writers, journalists and advocates like us to challenge these unhealthy ideas, and it's the only hope we have.
Download the full song here.
The culture of unhealthy and stupid 'beauty standards' really does affect everyone. And it's still being upheld everywhere, despite some people paying lip service to changing things (heard it all before, even ten years ago).
Sadly, big media is never likely to change much in this respect, I've seen enough to know not to expect more of them. However, we can help change things, if only a bit, and if only bit by bit. It is up to independent writers, journalists and advocates like us to challenge these unhealthy ideas, and it's the only hope we have.
Download the full song here.
Tuesday, June 28, 2016
Wholesome Music of the Month: Lauren Alaina - Like My Mother Does
Whatever else you may like, we all need a dose of wholesome music in our lives, just like how we all need wholesome healthy food. It's good for your life, I promise.
It's not new, but it's still great, as always.
Check it out:
It's not new, but it's still great, as always.
Check it out:
Sunday, June 26, 2016
Tuesday, June 21, 2016
Thursday, June 16, 2016
Why I DON'T Want to be Meghan Trainor, thank you
So Meghan Trainor's new song is all about telling us that we would want to be her, (instead of being ourselves).
What a rubbish idea! It's important that we all be true to ourselves, and never copy anyone else or wish we were anyone else.
Frankly, I'm disappointed, Meghan. You have always been about empowerment of people, and acceptance of who they are. And now you want people to envy you, be like you? I hope you're not turning into another celebrity with a big ego.
What a rubbish idea! It's important that we all be true to ourselves, and never copy anyone else or wish we were anyone else.
Frankly, I'm disappointed, Meghan. You have always been about empowerment of people, and acceptance of who they are. And now you want people to envy you, be like you? I hope you're not turning into another celebrity with a big ego.
Wednesday, June 15, 2016
Thursday, June 9, 2016
Lessons for Social Justice: Political Correctness and the Rise of Donald Trump
Donald Trump may just be the most divisive presidential candidate in our times. Countless number of celebrities have spoken about him recently, some very strongly (Jennifer Lawrence comes to mind here). Whilst he would not have my vote if I could vote in the US, and many of my friends outrightly hate him (I would not go that far), I am indeed interested in his growing appeal to so many people out there.
And so I did my research. What I found was that a substantial portion of his supporters support him mainly because he is anti political correctness. Whilst I would think that's an inadequate reason to support someone to be the president, I understand their frustrations. I have personally had my fair share of frustrations with the increasing political correctness in our culture, for example as a staunch supporter of marriage equality who really couldn't agree with some of the ways fellow equality supporters have automatically labelled as homophobic those who don't agree with us (I believe they have an equal right of conscience), or as a dedicated feminist who nevertheless couldn't bring herself to agree with affirmative action. And it's not just conservatives who are concerned about political correctness anymore. Even Barack Obama, the most progressive US President in history, has spoken out against political correctness. The fact is that political correctness operates to deny people of their freedom of speech and conscience, and this is simply illiberal and unacceptable.
Real social justice is also harmed by political correctness. It means that we don't have the opportunity to discuss issues important to each of us. Free speech has always been the friend of the oppressed in history, from women denied even the right to vote, to LGBT people whose stories were shut out by the mainstream, to scientists whose new discoveries challenged the establishment at the time. History has shown clearly that we cannot give up, or compromise even a tiny bit, on the sanctity of free speech. So whether we like or hate Donald Trump, whether we are progressive, liberal, moderate or conservative, I believe we should all unite to defeat political correctness, once and for all.
And so I did my research. What I found was that a substantial portion of his supporters support him mainly because he is anti political correctness. Whilst I would think that's an inadequate reason to support someone to be the president, I understand their frustrations. I have personally had my fair share of frustrations with the increasing political correctness in our culture, for example as a staunch supporter of marriage equality who really couldn't agree with some of the ways fellow equality supporters have automatically labelled as homophobic those who don't agree with us (I believe they have an equal right of conscience), or as a dedicated feminist who nevertheless couldn't bring herself to agree with affirmative action. And it's not just conservatives who are concerned about political correctness anymore. Even Barack Obama, the most progressive US President in history, has spoken out against political correctness. The fact is that political correctness operates to deny people of their freedom of speech and conscience, and this is simply illiberal and unacceptable.
Real social justice is also harmed by political correctness. It means that we don't have the opportunity to discuss issues important to each of us. Free speech has always been the friend of the oppressed in history, from women denied even the right to vote, to LGBT people whose stories were shut out by the mainstream, to scientists whose new discoveries challenged the establishment at the time. History has shown clearly that we cannot give up, or compromise even a tiny bit, on the sanctity of free speech. So whether we like or hate Donald Trump, whether we are progressive, liberal, moderate or conservative, I believe we should all unite to defeat political correctness, once and for all.
Monday, June 6, 2016
Why We Should Not Give Up on Feeling Special
Many people of our generation have been brought up by adults who tell us that we are special, and many of us have therefore felt that way throughout our earlier years. In fact, more people than ever before have grown up believing that they are destined to do something special in this world.
But living in this world is challenging. Coupled with a not-very-good economy and an epidemic of quarter life crises hitting our generation, there has recently been a backlash against this idea. Perhaps we should just aim to be 'average', like all those who came before us.
But that would be tragic, I believe. Everyone has something special to contribute, and it may not be apparent yet (especially for people in their teens, twenties and thirties), but one day you will see it, as long as you keep the faith. Even if all life has given you is lemons thus far, you have the responsibility to make your own unique lemonade from it. One day, it may be a best selling lemonade, after all.
When The World Doesn't Know You're Special
Download the full song here.
But living in this world is challenging. Coupled with a not-very-good economy and an epidemic of quarter life crises hitting our generation, there has recently been a backlash against this idea. Perhaps we should just aim to be 'average', like all those who came before us.
But that would be tragic, I believe. Everyone has something special to contribute, and it may not be apparent yet (especially for people in their teens, twenties and thirties), but one day you will see it, as long as you keep the faith. Even if all life has given you is lemons thus far, you have the responsibility to make your own unique lemonade from it. One day, it may be a best selling lemonade, after all.
When The World Doesn't Know You're Special
Download the full song here.
Thursday, June 2, 2016
We think Demi Lovato is Right to take a stand re North Carolina's Bathroom Laws
Demi Lovato has been a prominent voice indeed in the fight against North Carolina's stupid 'bathroom laws', which are currently opposed by the Obama administration. Not only has she cancelled her recent concerts in the state (i.e. putting her beliefs ahead of financial gain), she is also selling a new shirt supporting 'bathroom equality', one which she has worn recently in her shows. Some have questioned why she is taking such dramatic action.
(A bit of background here: North Carolina has proposed new laws rigidly stating that one cannot legally enter a bathroom for the opposite sex, which is clearly aimed at the transgender population. There is clearly no need for this type of laws, apart from making life hard for some people.)
We think it's important for us to stand up against the bullying of minorities, and it's even more important for people who have a large audience reach to do so. Nothing will change, if we all just stay silent or half-heartedly voice our opinions and do nothing else. Thanks to people like Demi, more people have learnt about this issue, and are pressuring states like NC not to proceed with such stupid actions. So good on you, Demi!
(A bit of background here: North Carolina has proposed new laws rigidly stating that one cannot legally enter a bathroom for the opposite sex, which is clearly aimed at the transgender population. There is clearly no need for this type of laws, apart from making life hard for some people.)
We think it's important for us to stand up against the bullying of minorities, and it's even more important for people who have a large audience reach to do so. Nothing will change, if we all just stay silent or half-heartedly voice our opinions and do nothing else. Thanks to people like Demi, more people have learnt about this issue, and are pressuring states like NC not to proceed with such stupid actions. So good on you, Demi!
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