It's Mother's Day 2024, and we (still) don't understand boundaries between teachers and students.
A few thoughts, content recommendations, and more on this week's trending topics (the Met Gala of course), as well as quotes from friends on how to get out of a creative rut.
I made this Sunday my bitch. This newsletter was 85% done by noon today, I walked 4 miles, made a bouquet and banana bread for my mom. I saved the last 15% of the letter for later in the day because my best ideas come after I’ve lived a bit and my skin has been kissed by the sun. Today’s acts of living felt good.
And some good news before we dive in? I have a lot to be grateful for. I was published in Teen Vogue, where I wrote an op-ed about Hulu's imperfect but important Black Twitter documentary.
The Teacher Who Filmed His Students Was Fired
There is a discourse on the internet about a charter school teacher who filmed his female students taking down his hair. See the video below.
I'm not a teacher and don't often work with or interact with children. I'm always appalled at the amount of people with or attempting to have a platform that revolves around their relationships with minors, parents included.
Even if it's consensual, it feels exploitative. I've had great teachers—teachers who friended me on Facebook years after I was their student, teachers to whom I talked through friendship drama and showed my favorite songs—still, those relationships always had "no gos" and firm boundaries.
One of my favorite creators, @prettyweirdg0rl, made a TikTok about the incident, groomers, and predatory behavior.
I'm only 25, but I remember we couldn't even go behind a teacher's desk, and sometimes, I didn't know their first names until years after they taught me.
Earlier this week, I tweeted about the incident. Teachers are supposed to be instrumental in a child's development. I don't see how this activity aids that development, but I do see how it's grooming them for inappropriate and servitude-like relationships with older men.
Drake & Kendrick (Derogatory)
Drake and Kendrick's discourse needs to end this week. Monday was the Met Gala, and honestly, even with sprinkles of new developments, I thought the internet, whether those just in on the jokes or serious fans who feel emotional stakes in this, would be tired.
Baltimore-based writer, journalist, and the founder of True Laurels, Lawrence Burney, wrote about their beef and what it really means for the stop rap stars.
Here’s a quote:
“For one, it says Kendrick and Drake are each, in their own way, determined if not desperate to fortify their respective legacies before it’s too late. In the next few years, they’ll both be 40, their tenure as pop-culture priorities behind them. You get the sense that their refusal to lose is tied to a midlife-crisis-informed, legacy-driven paranoia; Kendrick just seemed more willing to go the extra mile to secure a victory, regardless of how damaging it could be.”
I've surprised myself by not caring as much as I typically would about this beef. But I have enjoyed many of the Tiktok'sTikToks and remixes of "Not Like Us," and some pretty good music writing has come out of it. Some of them are linked below.
Rolling Stone's Andre Gee discusses why Kendrick Lamar came out on top and highlights how, jab after jab, the flinging insults canceled each other out, with the pot repeatedly calling the kettle black.
“Their attacks canceled each other out in significant ways. Both appear to be off about their sensational paternal accusations, both men were in unfavorable record deals to start their career, and neither of them have much room to talk about how the other regards women.”
Shamira Ibrahim writes for Refinery29:
“Both men are trading in moral inconsistency... It ultimately becomes irrelevant whether the artists committed the alleged acts of violence or not, because what is ultimately revealed is that the trauma the women around them have experienced is accepted, until it’s time for a rap battle.”
And, of course, there’s a tech angle, as explored by Dominic-Madori Davis and Amanda Silberling.
I also appreciated this TikTok from @saakamalik on Kendrick and his side of the beef threatened by the ease with which Drake navigates his masculinity.
There was lots of fashion talk this week.
I share an aggregate take on the Met Gala every year on my Instagram story. This year's gala failed me. There were many beautiful gowns, and I mean that literally and in the Aretha Franklin sense.
Here is a take of mine that’s staying with me.
Here are some of my favorites.
Here are some of the costumes that missed the mark. Yes, Doja Cat's look, despite its potential reference, could have hit better for me.
The theme was "Garden of Time," based on J.G. Ballard's 1962 short story about the relativity of time, the importance of living in the present, and the transient nature of power and ambition. I wanted to see decay and excess, fragile and dainty looks, not just predictable florals and big dresses.
You can read the full story here.
There was not a single look spectacular enough to be talked about for years to come. However, I thoroughly enjoyed almost all of the guests who showed up in H&M. They are pictured below, and here’s an article on why the fast fashion brand has a presence on the carpet.
Mindy Kaling's dress was beautiful, but I think the look wore her. The Met Gala has become a stage for large statement dresses (thanks to Rihanna?), but not all are automatically worth praise. I'm speaking to you, Cardi B.
I've been following Recho Omondi's podcast, ‘The Cutting Room Floor,’ for about four years now. If you're an outsider of the fashion world looking to understand the context of styling, brand building, fashion blogging/reporting, etc. better, this is the show for you.
In this week's episode, she talked to everyone's favorite Stylist, Law Roach, and the conversation was refreshing from their dissenting opinions, learning more about Law, his family, his upbringing, and the decisions he and Zendaya are making in their working relationship.
Law was also on the Fashion Radio podcast this week.
Recho has been featured in Teen Vogue, Fashionista, and Into The Gloss. I've linked articles from the respective publications if you want to learn more about her. She was also a guest on Deep Read with Phoebe Lovatt recently, where she talked about visibility, why her podcast is behind a paywall and some self-help books she read to "reset" her life, which I found insightful as a producer/creator and someone trying to get her life together.
Some Tips on Moving Through a Creative Rut
Since January, my personal and creative life has felt partially incipient and partially like gum stuck to the bottom of a shoe: sticky and scraping. With the passing of my grandmother, navigating through a breakup, and wrestling with the mixed emotions of closing a chapter on the East Coast, my perception of myself and my creative efforts have felt heavy.
To reframe this negativity bias, shake me out of a persona and creative rut, and embrace a new chapter, I started The Artist's Way, as recommended by my cousin. This self-help book guides readers through a 12-week process to regain a creative identity.
Although I haven’t been consistent with the book, I have kept up with two of its primary practices.
The first is “The Morning Pages,” where I write three pages of longhand, stream-of-consciousness content each morning. Initially, I struggled to find direction, as there was no specific prompt or prescribed approach. However, after sticking with this routine for about four to five weeks, I've discovered some limiting beliefs about how I approach the day and the obstacles that hinder my productivity.
Julia Cameron, the author of The Artist Way, says: “Morning Pages provoke, clarify, comfort, cajole, prioritize and synchronize the day at hand.”
The second practice is a weekly artist's date that The Artist Way recommends. They're a simple, “once-weekly, festive, solo expedition to explore something that interests you.” This week, I went to the flower shop, handpicked my stems, and made an arrangement. In the past, I've taken a dance class and put together a date night outfit at my favorite consignment store…wishful thinking.
My friends also had some thoughts on how to get out of a creative rut, and here they are.
Wongo Okon
Wongo Okon is a music journalist based in Providence, Rhode Island. He is currently the SEO Manager and an R&B writer. at UPROXX
“To get out of a creative rut I usually walk away from what I’m doing and go find something else to whether it be go out with friends, a bike ride, watch a show, or go to the gym. I just let go of the task. These ruts are usually caused by thinking too hard for too long, so I gotta walk away, distract my brain, and almost trick it into giving me what I need. Think of it as me distracting the bullsh*t and filtering it out for the good to come through.”
“Part of my inspiration comes from reading the work of my colleagues who I also view as my friends. Seeing the likes of you Ellice, Jordan Rose, Armon Sadler, Njera Perkins, J’na Jefferson and others as well as OGs like Andre Gee, Yoh, and Craig Jenkins continuously work on their craft is always inspiring to me. Additionally, and this has been the case over the last six months, spending time in NY has been inspiring for me. Even if it’s a day, I usually come back motivated to do any and everything.”
Alexis Williams
Alexis is a producer for "It's Been a Minute" at NPR.
I was recently told by my coworker that I'm the "touching grass" advocate on our team, and while most of the time I say the phrase to be funny, I do think it's helpful to get the creative juices flowing. Creation, invention, and ideation - don't happen in a vacuum. And beating yourself up for not having the "right" idea or that big "Aha!" moment won't help either.
When I feel stuck or lost, I turn outward. I seek out what's in my head in real life (aka "touching grass"). I immerse myself in the art and creation of others. Watching new films, shows, plays, reading new books, going to museum exhibitions, even going on a walk - all those things give me the ability to see how far my imagination can go.
Think of it as sampling in music - some of our best songs and albums are from people who used what they loved, watched, listened to, etc., to make their best work.
I think we sometimes fool ourselves into believing that we must have all the answers all the time and that we must have the most original, unique, mind-blowing ideas. And sometimes, we strike gold! But not all of the time. I feel like most of the time, the "big" moments are in the mundane, the routine, the "I don't know". Most of us are amalgamations of what we've experienced, seen, watched, eaten, loved, and so on. Why wouldn't that be true for your creativity?
Kaya Benitez
Kaya Benitez is the Director of Social Media & Digital Marketing at Aseye Studio
“For me, a creative rut often stems not from a lack of ideas, but from analysis paralysis and inaction. It feels like a blockage in my subconscious, leaving me stuck. I believe many ambitious individuals experience this, grappling with fear and self-doubt. To break free, I try to do something physical. By focusing on the present moment, I gain perspective and can let go of my overthinking, allowing me to take on creative projects without the emotional baggage.
Also! I’m inspired by new people, places, and perspectives. I also find that immersing yourself in a good book can unveil entirely new worlds. There are signs and sources of inspiration everywhere if you’re listening.”
Finally, here’s a word from this week’s podcast guest, Frederick Scott, who I talked to about his namesake brand, his Philly favorites (separate newsletter incoming), and how, when approaching his brand and creativity, he doesn't t try to look too far outside himself, designing pieces he’d probably find in his closet.
His mantra?
"You Design Yourself.” Frederick remains steadfast in his belief that every individual possesses the power to carve their own path in life.
That’s all for today, folks.
If you have any news, trends, or phenomenona that you think I write about or want to chat, email me: ellisellice@gmail.com.