3 minute read

A reminder for me and for you: What's meant to be yours in this life, will find a way in. Be open. Be curious. Be receptive. And trust that, in some inexplicable way, things inevitably work out just how they're meant to — and the things that aren't, you'll realize today or on some idle Tuesday five years from now, they never actually bore your name. And thank goodness they didn't. Embracing possibilities, especially those we can't picture yet, is frightening. But like any good story, you're not meant to know the ending every step of the way. So stop trying to skip chapters, stop trying to rewrite what isn't meant for you.

Hope you're all having a wonderful weekend!

ONE // The opposite of toxic positivity

“Tragic optimism” is the search for meaning during the inevitable tragedies of human existence, and is better for us than avoiding darkness and trying to “stay positive.”

TWO // This is what's missing in fashion's inclusivity movement

"Despite fashion’s rallying cries for inclusion, our understanding is pretty limited: We apply it to race, gender, sexuality, age, size, and religion, but rarely to one’s abilities."

THREE // Miracle Man

A heartfelt and honest essay from Onyi about a past abusive relationship and her journey toward healing, self-discovery and, above all, self-love. I will add a trigger warning for upsetting and violent scenarios.

FOUR // Beyoncé, Jay-Z and the latest Tiffany's campaign

Everything about this campaign, especially the $2 million donation to HBCUs, had me clapping. What are your thoughts?

FIVE // 'Never call me your drummer again'

That one time, Rolling Stones, drummer Charlie Watts, punched Mick Jagger.

SIX // Black women don't need to be thin and they don't need your approval

Body shaming Lizzo highlights society's attempts to define femininity through Eurocentric standards.

SEVEN // Anger and helplessness as Afghan women try to escape

"Two decades of fighting in Afghanistan have brought a handful of themes to the fore for Americans. Chief among them: the progress Afghan women and girls made in society after years of Taliban rule banned them from public life." 

EIGHT // 3 things making me smile

The new "Spencer" trailer has just dropped — and I'm dying to know what you all think!

Fran Lebowitz: 'If people disagree with me, so what'

Please put CODA on your watch list ASAP. A beautiful story about a young girl, the only hearing member of her family, and her pursuit of singing.

Lia Cohen dress (gifted)

Photography
Allie Provost