#ella global community

[useless-catalanfacts]

I think it’s time to address the Mallorca lesbians comment, isn’t it?

If you’re not from a Catalan-speaking country, you won’t have heard about this, but people in Mallorca (Balearic Islands) are mad, and rightfully so.

This week was the beginning of Palma Pride Week, an event (named in English, of course) that is pretty much the textbook definition of the capitalist party Pride event. It’s held in Palma, which is Mallorca’s capital city, and organized by the association Ella Global Community.

The inauguration speech was given by Kristin Hansen (president of Ella Global Community), who has been living in the island for 15 years but was unable to give the speech in the island’s language (Catalan), because she has never bothered to learn it.

In the speech (in Spanish), she said that Pride is a good opportunity not only for LGBTI people to attend to it, but also “people from the countryside who have never seen a lesbian. They will come and say, ‘Look! A lesbian is just like any other person’. It’s important because you go 15 kilometres inside the island and the mentality changes.”

Of course, Mallorcan people have felt deeply insulted with this ignorant and prejudiced statement.

Legislation and the social normalization of LGBTQIA+ rights has been way more advanced in Mallorca than in Germany (where Kristin Hansen is originary from) for decades, and in the island there has been a grassroots LGBTQIA+ movement for longer than she has lived here. And this movement was born from the Mallorcan people, in all the island, and not from rich tourists nor only in the capital. The organization Ben Amics has been working since 1994. Same-sex marriage has been legal in the Balearic Islands since 2001, while in Germany it was only legalized in 2017.

The matter is easy: everyone wants to live in paradise, so many people from Northern Europe move to beautiful Mallorca or other sunny Mediterranean places; but nobody wants to live with its people. Hansen has showed absolute ignorance and disrespect towards Mallorcan people, accusing them falsely and acting like we need them Germans or Central/Northern Europeans to save us and bring us to progress. Well, that’s false. Mallorcans are way ahead of Germany when it comes to LGBTQIA+ rights, and they don’t go around saying “those backwards people from Hünstetten and Waltershausen will see a lesbian for the first time thanks to us!”

There are lesbians everywhere. And there are gay, trans, bi, ace, aro, intersex, questioning and queer people everywhere. But there are also self-centered and ignorant people everywhere. The Palma City Hall should not have left the organization of an event like this one to someone with this prejudiced mindset.

Mallorcan organizations are asking Ella Global Community to apologize for her words and to change the objectives of Palma Pride Week. Because, right now, this is how Kristen Hansen described the event: "We will position Mallorca as an LGBTQI destination. It's a business opportunity: LGBT tourism spends much more money than the average tourist, about 180,000 million dollars, and it's an interesting, learned, and pleasant tourism."

Exactly one day after the Federació d'Entitats Veïnals de Palma (Federation of Neighbour Associations of Palma) met with the city hall to demand measures against the massification of tourism and the gentrification it brings, Hansen said that they expect Pride Week will bring between 7,000 and 10,000 tourists to the Sa Feixina neighborhood in one week. She added "Then these people will come here and buy apartments. We make a living from tourism, from real estate, from ships", as if it were a good thing.

Palma Pride Week's programme is centered on conferences about entrepreneurship, yoga, and "soul worshipping" to make the collective visible and to make Palma "the cosmopolitan city we want it to become". No, Palma is a city where local people can barely afford to continue to live in, where massive tourism doesn't let them live their lives.

The interests shown by Ella Global Community and its wealthy members are aligned with the interests of rich owners who are making life hell for the inhabitants of the island. They don't represent the interests of Mallorcan LGBTQIA+ people. In their objective of creating a paradise for rich LGBT tourists, they are kicking out local people, including local LGBTQIA+ people.

Ben Amics organizes a Pride month too, this year titled "30 years of fight: rights and resilience", with a programme that actually aims to fight, raise awareness and discuss gender and sexual diversity and dissidence. Created by Mallorcan LGBTQIA+ people answering to their needs. If you are going to support a Pride event in Mallorca, be it this one.

[ladypeonies]

This is a huge accomplishment.

In the entertainment industry, it’s about Acting-Business and I don’t pay that much attention to the business side of it (brand deals, ads, etc.) even if I find it interesting. But this is a huge accomplishment. It was clearly coming when they flew him for Piaget 150th anniversary and all the posts they made about him.

European brands are usually more cautious than their American counterparts for instance when choosing global ambassadors so this is a bold choice, in my opinion. Bold because Apo has fans globally but isn’t globally known yet, do you get my meaning? And it also shows their trust in Apo. Ella Richards, Lee Junho are safe choices.

Apo is the choice coming from the heart, they saw his personality, his uniqueness, he looks like himself and nobody else, he follows the trends that suits him and this is basically what Piaget represents as well.

This kind of deal doesn’t happen without the brand studying and following closely the celebrity. They noticed how he conducted himself, the fact that he was scandals free, etc. And of course, because it’s about business, they paid attention to his fanbase and their support.

That’s why you shouldn’t pay attention to haters, they don’t matter, brands don’t care about them. They can say whatever they want, brands look at the reputation, the love, unconditional support a celebrity has. They know Apo’s fans would show up for him, will hype and trend everything he does. They also trust the fact that their association with him will make him bigger than he already is. The news will be in entertainment, and business platforms and people would wonder who the heck is this talented, charming, beautiful man from Thailand.

You bet I’m proud. Also. I don’t forget that this man with a darker skin from Thailand has just been named the global ambassador for one of the most luxurious and famous brands in the world. And I hope he is an inspiration for every single dark-skinned young girl and boy in Thailand not to change themselves to fit in the industry but to know they can thrive as well because they’re damn beautiful.

"“Its an honour to have Apo be a part of this new creative dynamism…,he has this trailblazing attitude that inspires everyone around him & creates new light. One that never fades” Piaget Global director of communications and image.

[spockvarietyhour]

Mass extinction is just the starting point for Fallout, which was developed for TV by Westworld creators (and husband and wife) Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy. After the incendiary mushroom clouds, the story flashes forward 219 years. How did humanity fair over those blighted two centuries? Lucy, one of the lead characters (played by Yellowjackets star Ella Purnell), has no clue. She has lived her entire life inside a subterranean vault, where every need and want has been satisfied while generations and generations await the day when it is safe to surface. When a crisis forces Lucy to venture above on a rescue mission, she finds that the planet above remains a hellscape crawling with giant insects, voracious mutant animal “abominations,” and a human population of sunbaked miscreants who make the manners, morals, and hygiene of the gunslinging Old West look like Downton Abbey. “The games are about the culture of division and haves and have-nots that, unfortunately, have only gotten more and more acute in this country and around the world over the last decades,” Nolan tells Vanity Fair for this exclusive first look. Lucy is nice, but Lucy is naive. In the Fallout universe, the human beings fortunate enough to ride out the apocalypse in underground communities only had that option available to them because they had money. Forcing doe-eyed Lucy out into this sadistic, Darwinian remnant of civilization opens the door for Fallout to engage in some social satire as well as action and adventure. Like HBO’s hit The Last of Us, which was also adapted from a blockbuster video game, the end of the world offers a rich opportunity to comment on the real one.

[brian-in-finance]

Instagram

Ella Glendinning Savanah Leaf Nadira Murray

BFI and CHANEL Filmmaker Awards announces the winners for 2023

Tilda Swinton, Savanah Leaf, Nadira Murray, Ben Roberts and Ella Glendinning at the BFI and CHANEL Filmmaker Awards 2023. Courtesy of Oliver Holms

The winners of the second annual BFI and CHANEL Filmmaker Awards were announced (Thursday), celebrating the creative audacity of three emerging UK filmmakers:

writer/director Ella Glendinning (director and cast of Is There Anybody Out There?)

writer/director/producer Savanah Leaf (writer/director of Earth Mama)

producer Nadira Murray (Winners)

Since 2022, CHANEL has partnered with the BFI and together they have created the Filmmaker Awards. The awards build on the House’s century of cultural patronage to inspire creativity, advance the new and the next, activate history to define the future, and supports the BFI’s mission to back the next generation of UK independent filmmaking talent.

These awards celebrate creative audacity and provide winning filmmakers with financial support of £20,000 each, allowing them to expand their practice and explore new ideas, cultivate co-creation and knowledge exchange, and widen the representation of voices in today’s cultural community.

The winners of the 2023 awards were selected by this year’s jury: Tilda Swinton, Academy Award winner, BFI Fellow and Global CHANEL Ambassador, Edward Enninful OBE, Editor-in-Chief, British Vogue and European Editorial Director, Vogue; Marie-Louise Khondji, producer and founder of Le Cinéma Club and Ben Roberts, BFI Chief Executive.

British Film Institute

Instagram

Instagram

Remember these “amazing new and audacious filmmakers?”

[dotty-literati]

So one fun thing you’re able to do is check the archives of newish Tumblr users and pinpoint a specific Twitter Event that caused them to join. For your convenience, I've compiled a timeline of notable Twitter Events.

2022

Elon plans to buy Twitter

- April 4: Musk formally discloses a 9.2% stake in Twitter

- April 14: Musk offers to buy Twitter for $44 billion

- April 25: Twitter accepts the offer

- July 8: Musk withdraws offer citing issues with spam bots

- July 12: Twitter sues Musk to enforce the deal

- July 29: Musk countersues

- October 4: Musk revives the original deal to avoid a trial

- October 26: Musk carries a bathroom sink into Twitter HQ

- October 27: The acquisition is complete & Twitter goes private

Mass layoffs and resignations

- October 27: Musk fires several key Twitter executives

- November 4: Twitter lays off half of its employees

- November 4: Twitter decimates its communications department

- November 10: Security, privacy, & compliance leaders resign

- November 15: Musk fires employees who criticized him on Slack

- November 17: Hundreds of Twitter’s remaining staff resign

- February 2023: Twitter lays off 10% of its remaining employees

Twitter banlist updates

- November 18: Andrew Tate and Jordan Peterson unban

- November 19: Donald Trump unban

- November 20: Kanye West unban

- November 21: Marjorie Taylor Greene unban

- November 24: General amnesty for past banned accounts

Blue check mark arc

- October 30: Musk announces monthly verification subscription

- November 9: Twitter launches verification subscription

- November 11: Twitter suspends verification subscription

- December 12: Twitter relaunches verification subscription

- December 12: Twitter announces removal of legacy verification

2023

Blue check mark arc (continued)

- March 23: All accounts must pay for verification starting April 1

- Late March: Celebrities and organizations refuse to pay

- April 11: 4/20 is the final date for removing legacy verification

- April 20: Musk reveals he pays for certain people’s verification

- April 22: W/o legacy, verified becomes status symbol for losers

- April 23: Accounts with 1+ mil followers receive free verification

Spring cleaning

- May 8: Twitter plans to remove accounts inactive for 30+ days

- May 11: Musk announces he's stepping down as Twitter CEO

- June 1: Ella Irwin, head of trust and safety, resigns

- June 4: Linda Yaccarino becomes Twitter's new CEO

Summertime madness

- June 30: Twitter requires users log in to see tweets/profiles

- July 1: Twitter limits the number of daily tweets users can read

- July 5: Users are now able to see tweets without logging in

- July 23: Twitter rebrands to X

- July 26: Brands must buy ads or lose X verification

- July 28: X opens ad revenue sharing for verified creators globally

- August 2: X Blue users can now hide their check marks

- August 18: Musk says "Block is going to be deleted as a 'feature'"

- Sep. 2: X will limit poll voting to verified users

- Sep. 4: Musk threatens to sue ADL for alleged ad revenue loss

Fall

- Oct. 9: X Blue users can limit replies to verified accounts

Winter

- Nov 29: Elon Musk tells advertisers: ‘Go fuck yourself’

Miscellaneous Events (mostly Twitter)

- January 10: Musk’s net worth dropped $182 billion in 2022

- January 10: Algorithmic “For You” page is now the default

- January 24: Users can now set chronologic timeline as default

- February 1: Twitter moves to discontinue free access to API

- March 26: Twitter reports parts of its source code leaked

- March 27: “For You” page will only show verified accounts

- March 27: Only verified accounts will be able to vote in polls

- March 29: Twitter introduces three tier system for API access

- April 3: Musk changes Twitter logo to Doge

- April 20: SpaceX Starship launch concludes with explosive finish

- May 12: Tesla recalls 1.1 mil cars in China citing safety concerns

2024

TBD

ye

[migratingisaright]

ROSE

-¿Quién eres? ¿Desde dónde y hacia dónde migraste?

Soy un escritor de graffiti venezolano, soy de la familia Caribes, CMS y 031. Migre de Venezuela a Europa.

-Who are you? From where and where did you migrate?

I am a Venezuelan graffiti writer, I am from the Caribes, CMS and 031 family. Migrate from Venezuela to Europe.

-¿Qué es la migración para ti?

La migración es un fenómeno natural en el ser humano, si no fuese a el poder movernos la sociedad no hubiese evolucionado, es decir que uno quiera moverse hace que uno conozca otras cosas y busque otras cosas, por eso para mí la migración es trascender.

-What is migration for you?

Migration is a natural phenomenon in human beings, if we were not able to move, society would not have evolved, meaning that one wants to move makes one know other things and look for other things, that is why for me migration is transcending.

-Relata la experiencia más difícil en tu vida migrante.

Muchas han sido difíciles, entre ellas el alejarte de tu familia, tus amigos tu tierra. Pero en general creo que algo nos sucede a todos y es lo de no entender quién eres en este proceso, porque cuando empiezas siendo migrante no tienes tantos referentes aparte que es un proceso personal y el solo hacerlo y pasar el proceso es cuando vas entendiendo quién eres.

Pero en general uno atraviesa cosas comunes dentro de lo malo, como racismo, xenofobia etc pero creo que esas cosas son inevitables que te sucedan.

-Relate the most difficult experience in your migrant life.

Many have been difficult, among them moving away from your family, your friends, your land. But in general I think that something happens to all of us and that is not understanding who you are in this process, because when you start as a migrant you don't have many references apart from the fact that it is a personal process and just doing it and going through the process is when you begin to understand who are you. But in general one goes through common things that are bad, such as racism, xenophobia, etc. but I think that those things are inevitable that they happen to you.

-Relata la experiencia más hermosa en tu vida migrante.

El poder conocer tantos destinos, el migrar me ha dado la experiencia más grande que es una empatía más global, y pensar que la comunidad migrante y el fenómeno migrante es lo que hace que las culturas sean tan enriquecedoras, para ser puntual mi experiencia más hermosa es entender lo amplio que puede ser los comportamientos de la gente y de esa forma me di cuenta que no tenía que aspirar algo que no soy.

-Tell about the most beautiful experience in your migrant life.

Being able to visit so many destinations, migrating has given me the greatest experience, which is a more global empathy, and to think that the migrant community and the migrant phenomenon is what makes cultures so enriching, to be specific, my most beautiful experience It is understanding how broad people's behaviors can be and in that way I realized that I did not have to aspire to something that I am not.

-¿Qué extrañas de tu lugar de origen?

Principalmente la comida, y el clima. Pero me sucede eso ya con otros sitios también no solo con Caracas, ya cuando eres migrante logras hacer hogar en varios sitios.

-What do you miss about your place of origin?

Mainly the food, and the weather. But that happens to me with other places as well, not just with Caracas, when you are a migrant you manage to make a home in several places.

- ¿Qué mensaje le dejarías a la gente que piensa en migrar o está en ello, y que hoy lee tus palabras?

Hay que tener paciencia, y darse cuenta que hemos vivido una mentira basada en el eurocentrismo, que muchas veces las cosas que tenemos en casa son mucho más increíbles de lo que imaginamos. Pero para darte cuenta de esto es necesario migrar y asi valorar tu posición y perspectiva.

- What message would you leave for people who are thinking about migrating or are doing so, and who read your words today?

We have to be patient, and realize that we have lived a lie based on Eurocentrism, that many times the things we have at home are much more incredible than we imagine. But to realize this it is necessary to migrate and thus value your position and perspective.

[mariacallous]

Yesterday night, what’s left of the Trust and Safety team at X (formerly Twitter) announced the measures it was taking to try and curb the virulent spread of disinformation around the Israel-Hamas war on its platform.

The statement, issued three days after the conflict began, reads: “As the events continue to unfold rapidly, a cross-company leadership group has assessed this moment as a crisis requiring the highest level of response.”

One person who does not appear to be part of this crisis team is X owner Elon Musk.

Instead of tackling the dangerous disinformation problem on his platform, Musk instead spent yesterday night into this morning continuing to spread disinformation about the conflict, conversing with a known QAnon promoter, boosting anti-Muslim conspiracy theories, and laughing at a video detailing how transphobic content on X can get you new followers.

Musk also promoted a new feature that allows X Premium subscribers to see only replies from other people willing to pay $8 a month, which Musk said would “help a lot with spam bots” on the platform—an issue Musk previously claimed he had already all but eradicated.

“​​If successful, X will evolve to be the collective consciousness of humanity or, more accurately, the human-machine collective,” Musk posted in reply to a follower who said he was doing a great job running the company.

Meanwhile, disinformation about the conflict in the Middle East continues to rage on the platform, driven primarily by verified accounts.

Yesterday evening, X’s Trust and Safety team, which is currently leaderless after Ella Irwin resigned in June, wrote on X that it had “removed newly created Hamas-affiliated accounts” and was working with the Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism (GIFCT), an industry body that helps coordinate content moderation across social media platforms, to “try and prevent terrorist content from being distributed online.”

The Safety team’s statement also lauded the user-generated Community Notes system and said new accounts were being enrolled to address the flood of disinformation on the platform. The Safety team also revealed that it had removed “several hundreds accounts for attempting to manipulate trending topics.”

Since Musk took control of the platform just under a year ago, he has restructured it to encourage engagement over everything else. As a result, accounts that subscribe to X Premium now have a monetary incentive to post content that is engaging regardless of how truthful it is. This was highlighted clearly on yesterday night when, at the same time as the Safety team posted its update, a new viral piece of disinformation was spreading unchecked on X.

Sulaiman Ahmed, a self-described investigative journalist, posted the false claim that the Church of Saint Porphyrius in Gaza City, one of the oldest churches in the world, was destroyed by an Israeli bomb. The post received over 1 million views in the span of three hours.

Ahmed is a subscriber to X Premium, which means his posts are given priority in search results and newsfeeds over other users, and he also allows followers to subscribe to his content directly through X, allowing him to profit from increased engagement with his content.

Yesterday evening, the church posted an update on Facebook dismissing the claim, adding that it was taking in refugees left homeless following Israel’s bombing campaign in retaliation to the Hamas attack that began on Saturday morning.

Despite the church’s rebuttal—and Ahmed himself subsequently admitting that the church was untouched—the disinformation spread far and wide on X. WIRED conducted a search for the “Saint Porphyrius Orthodox Church” on X this morning and found that Ahmed’s original false post was the third result. Multiple other posts from verified users all repeating the lie were also promoted at the top of the results, none of which had Community Notes attached to them.

Eliot Higgins, founder of investigative journalist outlet Bellingcat, pointed out that the false information was being shared by a wide variety of accounts, all of which had one thing in common: a subscription to X Premium.

“If Musk hadn't made it so hard to research disinformation on his website, this case would be a good way to show the growing overlap of the pro-Assad, the pro-Putin, and the US alt-right griftospheres,” Higgins wrote on X, adding: “Musk hasn't given the voiceless a voice, he's just dragged us all down into the swamp, and the only people who truly benefit are shameless grifters.”

[csykora]

on your final note on that impeccable roller skating analysis: could you expand on australia being beloved by the hockey world, for a new aussie hockey fan? i know a little of the players who've made it to the nhl from here, but beyond that and the fact that we have our own tiny hockey ecosystem, i haven't really seen any other discussions! and certainly none on our reputation among the global community (but it is wonderful to know that hockey cares about us, ty <3)

Of course! Like every other league, Australian ice hockey has been affected by the pandemic, so I have to admit that talk about it on tumblr has probably died down. (I’m also really not a reliable source on what is and isn’t popular on hockey tumblr, so I may be speaking more on what I see in the sports dork community.) But when Australia is playing I’ve always seen a lot of positivity from the stats side as well as general goodwill from North American fans on here.

Largely because your national jersey is, and has always been, gorgeous.

But Australia is also pretty consistently competitive in D2 international tournaments. (Discussion of those might be more on twitter and reddit than here?) 

As that jersey suggests, there’s a lot of history to the program, which is closely tied to the history of UK ice hockey and Western Canadian hockey. Hockey historians have done some good writing about that—I especially enjoy icelegendsaustralia.

[The Aussie national team snuggling in a hotel hallway in the 1990s]

In between international events, you’re most likely to find woho fans and sled/para folks talking about day-to-day Australian league stuff. In the mid 2010s there was a lot of appreciation for the Australian hockey community because they seem to share a lot of the best parts of the North American woho community at the time. The stories I hear coming out of Australia suggest that because it’s a smaller, less-discussed league, the players and fans who are in it tend to have a real enthusiasm and inclusive attitude.

While I’m sure there’s bias, there’s less of a chasm between the resources that players on competitive men’s and women’s teams, and the smaller pool means more integrated noncompetitive teams. The women’s teams are strong and trans athletes like Ella Licari (goalie for Syndey) have been playing for years, as well as the LGBTQ+ Harbor Lights team who started during the pandemic. Sled hockey has been growing really fast there too (it’s often big in places where standup hockey isn’t, just because sled hockey is such a unique sport for people with mobility disabilities). So there has been discussion about how the seemingly very positive growth of the game in Australia can be a model for programs in other communities.

[pret-a-porture]

Introduction: Fashion and Globalization

Throughout time, humanity has changed and adapted as a response to all things big and small; The significance of dress to humans means fashion follows. While it's impossible to determine all of the influences fashion has been shaped by throughout its history, it's clear that culture is the most recognizable and influential. Enter globalization; a concept that both unifies and divides culturally, but how is that possible?

Consider the two opposing views on globalization

 Globalization is important in understanding people of different cultures through exposure allowing for “better understanding of foreign values and attitudes. Less stereotyping and fewer misconceptions about other people and cultures”("Globalization Pros and Cons") Still, the loss and exploitation of cultures around us and power imbalance among nations is undeniably a problem due to globalization. ”The loss of traditions associated with globalization is cultural imperialism. For example, the Maasai, an ethnic group in East Africa, are historically pastoral and semi-nomadic. Throughout the past century, many Maasai have transitioned to farming or other occupations besides their traditional lifestyle.”(Garbuio) Perhaps we should aim to find a middle ground; to share cultures worldwide but with emphasis on respect towards the separate origins of the practices, art, and characteristics being shared. This means respecting the sacristy of certain practices towards a culture and knowing when and if participation would be respectful.

Globalization and Cultural Authentication

With an understanding in mind of globalization and its effects on culture comes the question of its relation to cultural authentication. While it’s arguable cultural authentication promotes globalization, a bigger case can be made for globalization’s prompting of cultural authentication. As we globalize, our lines of communication grow faster and more efficiently, allowing contact between people of cultures who wouldn’t have been able to interact with one another prior.  “As more cultures have cross-cultural contact, people begin to change aspects of their cultures by incorporating aspects of different cultures they come into contact with.”(Elder).  An example of this is globalization through immigration and economics between China and Africa. “As the Chinese population in Africa continues to increase along with China’s large economic involvement in Africa’s economy, local African dress styles are absorbing elements of Chinese culture to produce a novel and individualistic Sino-African look”(Liu). 

Studying Globalized fashion

Knowing the advantages and disadvantages of globalization culturally, we can see advantages and setbacks of studying fashion through a global lens. There's benefit in studying cultural fashion on a global scale; it allows a better understanding of our textile, silhouette origins, and pattern usage in conjunction with culture. If respected, diversity can be incorporated into fashion, concerns arise when little care is taken to credit the origins. “The ministry said the companies had taken inspiration from designs created in the south-western state of Oaxaca and called for benefits to be awarded to the communities behind them.”(Marriott). There’s incredible beauty in sharing our ways of life with each other, but we can’t lose sight of the history and significance of our original cultures. Through acknowledgment we find respect, and it is through respect that humanity may continue to grow.

Sources Cited

Elder, Abbey K., et al. “Culture.” Dress Appearance and Diversity in US Society, 1 Aug. 2020, iastate.pressbooks.pub/dressappearancediversity/chapter/culture/#:~:text=As%20more%20cultures%20have%20cross,referred%20to%20as%20cultural%20authentication.

Garbuio, Caleb, and Ella Adams. “Opinion: Big Business Is Killing Cultures.” The Appalachian, 12 Feb. 2021, theappalachianonline.com/opinion-big-business-is-killing-cultures/#:~:text=The%20loss%20of%20traditions%20associated,occupations%20besides%20their%20traditional%20lifestyle.

“Globalization Pros and Cons: Economic, Cultural, Political.” Netivist.Org, netivist.org/debate/globalization-pros-and-cons-economic-cultural-and-political. Accessed 5 June 2023.

Liu, Si Ting (Jess). “The Authentication of Chinese Culture in African Fashion.” Fashion History Timeline, 16 July 2021, fashionhistory.fitnyc.edu/chinese-culture-in-african-fashion/.

Marriott, Hannah. “Mexico Accuses Zara and Anthropologie of Cultural Appropriation.” The Guardian, 1 June 2021, www.theguardian.com/fashion/2021/jun/01/mexico-accuses-zara-and-anthropologie-of-cultural-appropriation.

[tech-known]

MEDIOS ELECTRONICOS Y SUS TIPOS

Desde la masificación de internet los medios electrónicos de comunicación han crecido y mejorado año tras año. Hoy en día una buena parte de la población mundial se comunica a través de mensajería de texto, correos electrónicos, blogs, videollamadas y un boom de redes sociales; son todos ejemplos de tipos de comunicación electrónica.

Con la expansión de los distintos tipos de comunicaciones electrónicas, es más fácil que nunca mantenerse en contacto permanente con amigos y familiares en cualquier parte del mundo.

¿Qué es la comunicación electrónica?

Consideramos a la comunicación electrónica como la que se desarrolla a través de un computador o dispositivos similares como tabletas, teléfonos celulares inteligentes, entre otros. Las comunicaciones electrónicas son parte de las comunicaciones de datos pues implican el intercambio de mensajes en entornos informáticos o virtuales.

Obedecen al carácter social del ser humano de la mano con la globalización y el avance tecnológico. Buena parte de los tipos de comunicaciones electrónicas ocupan el uso del internet.

Clasificación:

comunicación electrónica sincrónica como sinónimo para hablar de simultánea o coincidente en tiempo para los usuarios, ejemplo de ella las videollamadas o el chat.

comunicación electrónica asincrónica que no requiere que el emisor y receptor estén conectados al mismo tiempo, ejemplo de ellas el email, los blogs, los foros.

Tipos de comunicaciones electrónicas en la actualidad

Los blogs

El blogging es un tipo de comunicación electrónica asincrónica que consiste básicamente en un diario en línea, el cual te permite mantenerte actualizado en una temática específica o área de conocimiento en particular.

Los blogs pueden tener un fin académico, personal o de negocios.

Suelen actualizarse a menudo, en ocasiones, varias veces al día y pueden cubrir todos los aspectos de la vida de las personas.

Los intereses y temáticas pueden concentrarse en un área en específica

El email o correo electrónico

El correo electrónico o e-mail fue una de las primeras formas de comunicación electrónica que ha quedado un poco relegada ante el florecimiento de otros medios un tanto más sofisticado.

Son un ejemplo de comunicación electrónica asincrónica

Para enviar un correo electrónico, se necesita una cuenta de email activa como Gmail, Messenger, Outlook, Yahoo! u otros sitios de email gratuito

Los emails han reemplazado prácticamente a las cartas enviadas por correo, actuando como un canal comunicacional similar al correo tradicional.

Los foros

Otra herramienta de comunicación electrónica de tipo asincrónico que permite el intercambio de información entre varios usuarios y de estos con un moderador, quien puede incentivar un mayor debate, proponer nuevos temas de conversación o simplemente bloquear un usuario.

Las conversiones pueden tener lugar por un tiempo indeterminado, días, semanas e incluso años.

Contemplan a un importante número de usuarios y se apoyan en el uso de internet.

En la actualidad los foros operan como un servicio complementario de los Blogs, las páginas web e incluso las redes sociales

Mensajería SMS o Short Messaging Service

SMS siglas para el término en inglés Short Message Services o servicio de mensajes cortos es un servicio de comunicación analógica que se hizo popular con el uso de los teléfonos celulares.

Se le llama servicio de mensajes cortos, pues se trata de una cadena de letras, números o símbolos de no más de 160 caracteres.

Aunque sus orígenes se remontan hacia mediados de los años 80, su uso se popularizo con la red GSM de comunicaciones móviles (Global System for Mobile communications).

Se promueve como un servicio de la red GSM para telefonía móvil, aunque su uso se extendió a otras redes como la 4G, SMS de Android, internet y los teléfonos fijos.

Mensajería instantánea y el WhatsApp

La mensajería instantánea es un tipo de comunicación electrónica que se apoya en el uso de redes como el internet o las plataformas de datos móviles 3G, 4G, 4G LTE y posteriores.

Hablar de mensajería instantánea inmediatamente lleva a pensar en WhatsApp, aunque existen otros recursos como Telegram, Facebook Messenger y otras aplicaciones menos populares.

Los mensajes se envían de ida y vuelta al instante, en la forma de una conversación en curso.

Los chats

Los sitios web de salas de chat o las “cibercharlas” se popularizaron con la llegada del internet y con los años perdieron vigencia. Hoy en día los chats, son un medio complementario de otras formas de comunicación electrónica como la mensajería instantánea, las páginas web o las redes sociales.

Los chats o las charlas virtuales son un medio electrónico de comunicación sincrónica en el que dos o más usuarios conectados a la red conversan y comparten información.

Los chats pueden ser públicos o privados.

Los chats al igual que la mensajería instantánea, han promovido un alto nivel de informalidad en el lenguaje escrito

Los videochats y videollamadas

El chat de vídeo es una forma de conversación telefónica sofisticada, una comunicación sincrónica de alto nivel donde puedes escuchar y ver, literalmente, a las personas con quienes estás hablando.

La mayoría de las portátiles, tabletas y Smartphone tienen una webcam integrada, para los ordenadores de mesa, las cámaras web frecuentemente se son un dispositivo periférico de entrada que puede ser conectado bajo características plug & play.

Una conversación de vídeo se puede tener a través de programas externos, como Skype, Google Hangouts, Gmail

El chat de vídeo crea la ilusión de que la persona a quien le estás hablando está directamente en frente de ti

el chat de vídeo te permitirá hablar con cualquier persona en cualquier parte del mundo.

Las redes sociales

En la cúspide de los tipos de comunicaciones electrónicas junto a las videollamadas tenemos a las redes sociales. Las redes sociales permiten a las personas mantenerse en contacto entre sí a través de actualizaciones de estados, publicaciones, pines, fotos, comentarios y mensajes.

A través de sitios de redes sociales como Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest y MySpace, la gente puede ver lo que sus amigos están haciendo o pensando llevar a cabo en todo momento y comentar sobre sus actividades.

Casi todas ellas integran otras formas de comunicación como chats, videochats, foros y blogs.

[bethestaryouareradio]

Be the Star You Are!® Wins 2024 Nonprofit of the Year!

MIRACLE MOMENT®

“We do not need magic to transform our world. We carry all the power we need inside ourselves already.”~ J.K. Rowling

A MESSAGE from Founder/Executive Director, CYNTHIA BRIAN

As a steward of our beautiful earth and a gregarious gardener, April is a favorite month because it signals a time of awareness of the need to care for our planet. Earth Day is celebrated on April 22 and in 2022, two of our youth poets, Sharanya Roy, Ruhani Chhabra and I were chosen to participate in a global celebration that included the soon-to-be crowned King Charles! (Check out the videos at www.youtube.com/Bethestaryouare) That was thrilling.

This April, Be the Star You Are!® once again was surprised with an award. What exciting news it was to be notified by Katie Bidstrup, Executive Director of the Moraga Chamber of Commerce that out of 80 nominations, Be the Star You Are!® was the winner of the 2024 NonProfit of the Year and the Child Day School was the winner of Business of the Year. How marvelous that both entities empower excellence in youth! Thank you, Katie!

At the awards reception on Saturday, April 13, volunteers, donors, supporters, friends, and family were honored by the Chamber Board, Mayor, Council Members, and County Supervisors. Teen volunteers introduced themselves and the programs that they were involved in. Two of our Express Yourself!® Teen Radio Hosts, Julia Howe and Sharanya Roy, gave heartfelt, emotional speeches about the profound and powerful impact that volunteering with Be the Star You Are!® had on their lives. I was so personally touched, that I was in tears.

People in attendance were also deeply moved. The positive comments about the teens were profuse and well-deserved. The Town Council stated, “Your selection as Moraga's 2024 Nonprofit of the Year is a very positive reflection on your critical positive contribution to our community.” 

Read Vera Kochan’s great article about the Business and Nonprofit of the Year: https://www.lamorindaweekly.com/archive/issue1804/Moragas-Business-and-Nonprofit-of-the-Year.html

As one supporter kindly wrote “Cynthia, it was a real pleasure to visit with your outstanding group. As we said to your crew on the way out, “we feel much better about the future of the United States.” You have a wonderful program.”  Yes, kudos to our well-spoken and amazing youth!

The future is bright because teens express themselves. Tune in to our teen radio broadcasts where teens talk and the world listens. 

We extend our thanks to the Moraga Chamber of Commerce, the Town Council of Moraga, and the Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County for bestowing Be the Star You Are!® with this tribute. Our appreciation to everyone who has donated and supported us over the years. After 25 years of service to our community, county, country, and world, we are pleased to be making a positive difference.

Most of all, I personally salute our volunteers who have the magic to transform the world. They do carry the power within! BRAVO!!!

We will continue to be conscientious caretakers of our Earth.

With gratitude to all for your support and love.

Cynthia Brian

Founder/Executive Director

Be the Star You Are!®

PO Box 376

Moraga, California 94556

In the photo L to R:  Keerthi Eranivan, Sharanya Roy, Julia Howe, Sean Kwok, Ella Kalpakjian, Cynthia Brian, Saanvi Phaneendra. Not pictured: Charvi Saxena

DONATE: https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504

WELCOME TO OUR TEEN VIDEOGRAPHER

Eleventh grader, Sean Kwok, volunteers as a videographer for Be The Star You Are!®, and has chosen the organization because it gives other youth like him a belief in positive media and literacy. His favorite pastimes are running track, doing sound for theatrical tech, and Youth & Government. He also loves filmmaking and hopes to pursue it as a major in college. He encourages others to take a look at the BTSYA website and look through all the great ways people can find the great messages and programs that Be the Star You Are!® has created!

Check out the videos Sean has created for BTSYA with more to come.

About Books:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8vZsv5bl_g

About Radio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkXbSdyQ1hw&t=3s

BE KIND TO OUR ENVIRONMENT

by Karen Kitchel

We all have a role to play in preserving our environment for future generations.  While many corporations are dealing with long-term sustainability, there are simple things we can do that will have an impact on everyone’s tomorrow.  Pick one of the following to do today to be kind to our environment.

Alternatives to Driving

·       Walk or ride a bike·       Carpool or use public transportation·       Save gas by watching your speed (Note:  speeding reduces mileage by up to 33%)·       Combine errands to make fewer trips

Home Energy Savers

·       Turn off lights when you leave the room·       Reduce drafts with caulk, insulation, or weather stripping·       Look for energy-efficient appliances when replacing old ones

Other Ways To Save Our Planet

·       Eat locally-produced food·       Recycle items you no longer use·       Use cloth napkins at home instead of paperReduce paper consumption by using technology with less printing of documents or using both.

Karen Kitchel is the Kindness Coordinator volunteer with BTSYA. She purchased the book, No Barnyard Bullies, as a gift for every kindergarten student where she is a volunteer teacher. www.scatteringkindness.com

PRESALES FOR NEW CHILDREN’S BOOK

The third book in the children’s picture book series Stella Bella’s Barnyard Adventure is Books in the Barnyard: Oh Deer!, a delightful tale based on the true story of a baby fawn who is rescued by children and shares a secret superpower. Proceeds from the sale of the book will benefit Be the Star You Are!® charity.  While the book is being published, presale orders are discounted through May 20th. The regular price is $14.95 but the presale price is only $11.95. Buy your copies now, ask for autographs,  and reap the extra rewards. Visit https://www.CynthiaBrian.com/online-store.

INSPIRING BOOK PACKAGES

Are you looking for first-edition book packages as keepsakes or gifts?  Be the Star You Are!® offers our special book package containing six books in our most popular two series for adults, teens, and children.

The total donation is $125 for the six books including tax and shipping. Visit https://www.bethestaryouare.org/book-gift for order information.

Looking for other great books, CDs, or movies by your favorite authors? Check out BTSYA’s Amazon Store: http://www.amazon.com/shops/be_the_star_you_are_charity

FREE DEBATE PROGRAM FOR K-12 WITH ELOQUENCE ACADEMY

Be the Star You Are!® is excited to announce a new program in collaboration with the Eloquence Academy for a FREE debate program for students. Keerthi Eranivan, our talented debate volunteer, is the BTSYA chairperson, who will spearhead our partnership in this new program.  Eloquence is sustained by a strong belief in our mission and the power of speech and debate. Otherwise known as forensics, debate is a popular extracurricular activity in MS and HS nationwide, as well as in undergraduate, graduate, and other post-secondary organizations. Beyond the technical aspects of competition, debaters are known to enter the workforce with edges over others: increased communication skills, increased confidence, higher SAT scores (both on the math and reading section of the standardized tests), a higher GPA, and a better chance of attending and graduating from college. This program collaboration aims to offer debate programs to students aged K-12  providing the opportunity to experience the activity and supplement their academic and developmental growth. For information visit https://www.bethestaryouare.org/programs

For more information about Eloquence Academy visit www.eloquenceacademy.org and Instagram: @eloquenceacadem

Keerthi chairs the Eloquence Debate Partnership with Be the Star You Are!®

SPRING SHIFT

by Britney Phan

I shift and the environment shifts with me. The beginning of spring signals new opportunities for growth as I look for ways to reinvent myself. The changing of the leaves and the blossoming of the flowers; animals, once hibernating, emerging from their caves—all these serve to remind me of the fact that, not unlike the perpetual shift of the seasons, personal growth is also a cyclical and continuous process.

If we are products of our environment, then it stands to reason we should also protect it. Our environment plays a direct role in the shaping of our identities. I have personally experienced the calming effects of nature myself while taking a stroll through the park after a particularly dreary day; in that sense, taking care of the environment is an act of gratitude for all the ways the Earth has helped and shaped us. If not for us, then our responsibility to the environment should come from the need to take care of it for future generations: after all, how can our children appreciate the beauty of sitting beneath a tree if there are no trees left for them to enjoy?

Britney Phan with her family above is a volunteer writer with BTSYA and an undergraduate student at Fordham University, where she intends to major in English. Her interests include writing, reading, and spending time with her sister.

TWENTY FIVE YEARS OF POSITIVE RESULTS

With no paid staff and all volunteers, since receiving our 501c3 status in 1999, Be the Star You Are! has:

*Served 558,927 individuals and families 

*Donated to 118 organizations 

*Logged 770,999 volunteer hours and growing

*Distributed $2.1 million plus in resources

*Collected and donated 1575 pairs of shoes to women in poverty around the globe.

*Broadcast 2700 unique hours of positive programming through radio broadcasts.

*Published 7 signature award-winning books, Be the Star You Are!® 99 Gifts, Be the Star You Are!® for Teens, Be the Star You Are!® Millennials to Boomers, No Barnyard Bullies, Family Forever, Books in the Barnyard: Oh Deer!, and Miracle Moments®,

*Written and published over 2530 book reviews in collaboration with The Reading Tub and Express Yourself!™ Creative Community.

*Interviewed over 2500 authors, experts, and celebrities.

*Honored by the California Assembly at 20 years of community service. 

*Nominated for the California Governor’s and First Lady’s Service Awards

*2024 Nonprofit of the Year awarded by Moraga Chamber of Commerce out of 80 nominations.

*Honored with five-star ratings as a Top Rated Non-Profit by GuideStar and Great Non Profits for the Women’s Empowerment, Arts and Culture, and the Arts Appreciation Campaigns since 2010.

“Dignity is not built on possessing honors, but on the awareness that you deserve them.”~ Aristotle

Be the Star You Are!® encourages and supports its volunteers to GROW people.

DONATE @ PAYPAL

DONATE @ GIVE BUTTER

[yo-sostenible]

Un estudio pionero liderado por el CSIC analiza la exposición de los hábitats europeos al impacto de 94 especies de animales y plantas invasoras e identifica regiones críticas para la conservación El coipu, ‘Myocastor coypus’, es una de las especies invasoras estudiadas. / Matthieu Berroneau Un estudio internacional, publicado en Nature Communications, alerta sobre los riesgos que suponen las especies invasoras para la provisión de servicios de los ecosistemas en toda Europa. Por primera vez se ha realizado un análisis espacial exhaustivo sobre la exposición de los hábitats europeos a la invasión, lo que ha permitido identificar regiones críticas para la conservación de servicios vitales para el medioambiente, la salud y el bienestar de la sociedad. El trabajo está liderado por el Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología (IPE-CSIC), del Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), y cuenta con la participación de científicos de nueve centros internacionales. La investigación se ha centrado en evaluar los riesgos actuales y potenciales que plantean 94 especies invasoras -32 plantas terrestres, 29 animales terrestres, 20 animales de agua dulce y 13 plantas de agua dulce-, todas ellas incluidas en la Lista Europea de Especies Invasoras preocupantes para la Unión y el Catálogo Español de Especies Exóticas Invasoras. Algunos ejemplos bien conocidos en España incluyen la avispa asiática, la rana toro, el jacinto de agua, el visón americano, la polilla del boj o la hierba de la Pampa. Para evaluar dichos riesgos se ha utilizado la información más reciente sobre la presencia de estas especies, junto con modelos estadísticos que predicen su expansión futura, para evaluar la exposición presente y futura de siete servicios ecosistémicos clave: mantenimiento del hábitat, retención de nitrógeno, la retención del suelo, el control de inundaciones, la provisión de cultivos y madera, y el turismo al aire libre. “Este listado incluye especies no-nativas con impacto adverso demostrado sobre la biodiversidad y que, por lo tanto, constituyen una prioridad en su gestión”, explica Belinda Gallardo, científica titular del IPE-CSIC e investigadora principal del estudio. “La regulación europea exige a los estados miembros desarrollar planes de gestión adecuados al nivel de invasión y vulnerabilidad de cada estado”, añade. Una amenaza creciente El estudio prevé un aumento promedio del 77% en las áreas susceptibles de ser afectadas por especies invasoras en toda Europa, lo que subraya la creciente amenaza que suponen. Además, el trabajo identifica regiones específicas que combinan un alto riesgo de invasión con una alta provisión de servicios ecosistémicos. Estas regiones, que cubren entre el 0% y el 13% de la superficie de Europa dependiendo del servicio analizado, se señalan como prioridades para la conservación. La investigación destaca una mayor vulnerabilidad en servicios como la retención de nitrógeno y la provisión de cultivos, frecuentemente ubicados en áreas que sufren el impacto de actividades humanas, donde la introducción de especies invasoras es más probable. Este es el caso de plantas acuáticas como el camalote, la cola de zorro y la lechuga de agua, las cuales forman densas colonias que afectan a la depuración y explotación del agua precisamente en las zonas agrícolas y urbanas que más lo necesitan del centro y sur Europa. Y animales como el coipu, el mapache o el coati, afectan a la producción de alimentos en Centroeuropa además de ofrecer un reservorio de enfermedades que afectan a la salud humana. Si no se toman medidas por parte de los respectivos estados, señalan los científicos, las zonas ricas en biodiversidad y servicios ecosistémicos podrían volverse aún más vulnerables a medida que las especies invasoras se expandan y lleguen otras nuevas, tendencia que se verá intensificada por el cambio climático y el aumento del comercio y turismo global. “Observamos una clara discrepancia entre las áreas más expuestas a la invas...

[whatsonmedia]

Thursday Thrill: Top Festivals & Film Picks for a Thrilling Weekend

Escape the ordinary and dive into electrifying festivals or a captivating film. This weekend offers something for every taste, from adrenaline-pumping dance music in Japan to a humorous British mystery. Simple Things Festival 23 – 29 Feb It is the Simple Things festival's 10th year. Returning after a four-year break festival goer old and new will be treated to some big celebrations across the seven days that this southern festival is offering in Bristol's music primetime mecca. The contemporary music and culture event is something for everyone bringing the Bristol’s community together and its visitors from across the UK to enjoy all that's available. With individual day and night time programs featuring innovative eclectic and groundbreaking names cutting through the music industry.  Taking place at some of Bristol's standout and most loved venues across the city Bristol Beacon area.  It's going to be a fun-packed weeklong production featuring local heroes, cutting-edge artists, festival newbies, and of course golden oldies. Including a one-of-a-kind closing party from standout artist Fever Ray. The festival features a big line-up including Butch Kassidy, Jessica Winter, CASisDEAD, Flowdan, Giant Swan, Nkisi, Gilla Band, Space Afrika, Max Cooper, Paranoid London, Free Love, The Bug Club plus more Tickets & more info Snow Machine Japan 26 Feb – 2 Mar This weekend the international festival raising eyebrows taking festival-goers to the Eastern hemisphere to the wonderful country of Japan. However, this festival lures its party-loving dance music people for four full-on days of the best dance music on the Apres. Given most of apres festivals I usually list take place in France. Snow Machine is something a little different for anyone up for a global adventure.  By day party people can take in all the sights of Hakuba Valley having their best dance-off, Apres style on the atmospheric mountain stages which host a line-up of the finest DJs.   Moving the party on to dusk where the main arena comes alive for one hell of a rave on the backdrop of magnificent surroundings of the slopes.   This festival delivers on a global scale! Incorporating travel, a ski trip, and a rave all rolled into one.  And if you've never been to Japan on the slopes this is the ultimate once-in-a-lifetime experience not to be missed! Hosting homegrown global alist DJs including Claptone, Nina Kraviz, Denis Sulta, Todd Terje Dj Set, Diplo, Sneaky Sound System, George Fitzgerald Dj Set, Illy, Blusher, Ewan Mcvicar, Bob Moses Club Set, Hilltop Hoods, Jimi the Kween, Busy P, Lime Cordiale, Marc Rebillet, Risa Taniguchi, Satoshi Tomiie, Shinichi Osawa, Sideboob Tickets & more info Moovin n Groovin 23 Feb After a few successful intimate warehouse & terrace parties, this month Moovin & Groovin is hosting its humble and full-throttle party this time taking over the loft space at one of Birmingham's primetime clubbing hotspots, Lab11 in Digbeth. This is where your weekend begins!  Reminding its devoted clubbers of just how dam fine the smaller warehouse loft parties are.  Iconic of the original house party! With DJs playing the finest dancefloor fillers across the House music genre from 90's house & garage, oldskool disco & classic deep house all night long.  Dig out your best dancing shoes for the hottest dancefloor in the city. Tickets are limited for this event, it's not all about bringing in a big crowd or hosting famous DJs! Moovin n Groovin is all about creating the best vibes. Expect a night of heavy beats and a packed dancefloor the line-up features Dan Schofield, George Abraham, Ella Knight, Lewis Carroll, Don't Be Shy, and maybe a few surprises. Tickets & more info LoveJuice - Road To Ibiza Rocks Launch Party 23 Feb There is no better way than to get ready for the summer season in Ibiza with one massive all-night party in one of the longest-running clubs in London. Ministry of Sound opened its doors in 1991 with inspiration from house music clubs in New York City. It was the first club to dedicate its sound to house music.  Hosting some of the biggest and most famous clubbing brands in history.  Always pulling in the max capacity crowds and the most famous DJs flying in from all over the globe to sell out events. As the weekend is cookin' up a dance music storm LoveJuice takes over the reign, with the Road To Ibiza Rocks launch party. Giving all its clubbers a taste of what's to come this summer in Ibiza. Ibiza Rocks has been one of the big success stories of Ibiza sellout weekly parties and hosting weekly residences drawing in a crowd. There is no better place to host their parties, it's a combination made of the house music gods. With a line-up that's fire this weekend, MOS is the place to live your clubbing dreams. The line-up features Sammy Porter, George Mensah, Secondcity, Beyond Chicago, Patrick Nazemi, Charlotte Van de Peer, JAYDAA, Annabel Stop It, Tilli Murphy, Sonny Kane, Brian Smith, Charlie Webb, Macy Lancaster, Maxwell and more. Tickets & more info Wicked Little Letters 23 Feb Fancy catching a film this weekend. The Odean cinema has a cracking new film showing this weekend, across the UK, for all the lovers of the big screen. Starring lead roles from Olivia Colman and Jessie Buckley. It's a bit of a whodunit – but the question is who sent the letters. Taking place in the 1920 era, when curtain twitching was a thing. Incoming (Olivia Coleman) spinster Edith Swan is the ultimate curtain twitcher. Who starts to receive obscene letters in her doormat. Getting the community in a frenzy trying to establish the culprit of such offensive doings. Pointing the finger towards (Jessie Buckley) Rose Gooding. Never one to spoil a good plot that is as much as I'm going to give away. But after a hard week at work and in-need-of some downtime, it's a film I would highly recommend for the weekend ahead! Have you checked the weather? Let's face it - going to the cinema today is a full-on experience. From the mega surround sound, reclining chairs, a bar, and food it's perfect for a date night, a night out with the girls, or going solo. Already receiving rave reviews, lots of people are talking about this fabulous British Comedy. It's the perfect thing to get you out of the indoors for some for feel good laughter, helping to forget the miserable UK weather outside. Tickets & more info Read the full article

[goteambrooklyn]

Barbie Commitment to Black Representation | Mattel

Barbie Commitment to Black Representation | Mattel (archive.is)

"Celebrating Black Representation

While great strides have been made in our product and content over the past few years, there is more to be done.

Product

Today one in five dolls developed by the brand is Black. We’ve committed to working with our retail partners to ensure that diversity is represented everywhere you find our products.

People

We are elevating existing Black voices on our team and continuing to build and grow an organization that truly represents the diverse world we live in. We know this takes time, so in the interim, we have been bringing in more Black consultants who will advise on product, content, and programming.

Marketing

Across our marketing and advertising, we have been highlighting more images of diverse dolls and talent and working with more Black vendors and partners.

Spotlighting Black Role Models

Through our global platform, we remain dedicated to honoring real-life female role models and amplifying their stories to inspire girls. We’re proud to celebrate the many Black trailblazers as Barbie Role Models. Women previously honored include Ibtihaj Muhammad, Rosa Parks, Ella Fitzgerald, Gabby Douglas, Katherine Johnson, and Ida B. Wells. Our newest honoree is Bessie Coleman. Going forward, we pledge that more than 50% of our future Role Models honored will be Black, indigenous, or women of color.

Partnering with Save The Music

The Barbie Dream Gap Project is partnering with Save The Music Foundation to fund musical instruments and education for Brooklyn based students in Black communities."

[movie-downloader]

J. Robert Oppenheimer: Architect of the Atomic Age

J. Robert Oppenheimer, often referred to as the "father of the atomic bomb," was a brilliant physicist, visionary leader, and a complex figure whose life and contributions left an indelible mark on society. Born on April 22, 1904, in New York City, Oppenheimer's journey unfolded against the backdrop of the tumultuous 20th century, encompassing pivotal moments in science, politics, and global affairs. This article delves into the multifaceted life of J. Robert Oppenheimer, exploring his early years, academic achievements, government projects, societal impact, and the cinematic portrayal of his life in the movie "Oppenheimer."

Early Life and Education

Oppenheimer came from a wealthy and cultured family. His father, Julius Oppenheimer, was a prosperous textile importer, while his mother, Ella Friedman, was a painter. Raised in an intellectually stimulating environment, Oppenheimer displayed early signs of prodigious intelligence. He attended the Ethical Culture School in New York City, where he excelled in academics and developed an interest in literature and languages.

In 1921, at the age of 17, Oppenheimer entered Harvard University, where he pursued a degree in chemistry. His academic prowess and passion for learning were evident, leading to a swift graduation in just three years. After completing his undergraduate studies, Oppenheimer embarked on a journey to Europe, immersing himself in the intellectual vibrancy of renowned academic centers, such as the University of Cambridge and the University of Göttingen.

At Göttingen, Oppenheimer delved into theoretical physics, studying under luminaries like Max Born and Niels Bohr. These experiences profoundly influenced his scientific outlook and set the stage for his future contributions to the field.

Academic Achievements and Professional Career

Oppenheimer's return to the United States marked the beginning of an illustrious academic career. He earned his Ph.D. in theoretical physics from the University of Göttingen in 1927 and quickly gained recognition for his groundbreaking research. His work on quantum mechanics and electrodynamics earned him a faculty position at the University of California, Berkeley, where he became a charismatic and influential professor.

In the early 1930s, Oppenheimer made significant contributions to theoretical physics, particularly in the area of quantum electrodynamics. His research and lectures garnered attention, establishing him as a leading figure in the scientific community. However, as the political climate shifted with the rise of fascism in Europe, Oppenheimer, like many intellectuals of his time, became increasingly aware of the potential threats to global peace.

World War II and the Manhattan Project

The outbreak of World War II thrust the world into a maelstrom of conflict, prompting scientific minds to confront the ethical implications of their work. In 1942, Oppenheimer received a pivotal invitation that would alter the course of his life – he was appointed as the scientific director of the Manhattan Project, the clandestine U.S. research and development project tasked with developing the atomic bomb.

The Manhattan Project brought together some of the brightest scientific minds of the era, with Oppenheimer at the helm. His leadership style was a combination of intellectual rigor, vision, and an ability to foster collaboration. Under his guidance, the project progressed at an unprecedented pace, culminating in the successful testing of the first atomic bomb on July 16, 1945, in the New Mexico desert. The bomb's destructive power was a harbinger of a new era and raised profound moral questions about the use of such weaponry.

Impact on Society and Ethical Dilemmas

Oppenheimer's role in the creation of the atomic bomb bestowed upon him a unique place in history. The unprecedented destruction wreaked upon Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945 ushered in the nuclear age, reshaping geopolitics and international relations. The ethical dilemmas faced by scientists involved in the Manhattan Project, including Oppenheimer, reverberated through the post-war era.

After witnessing the devastation wrought by the bombs, Oppenheimer, despite his pivotal role, expressed deep ambivalence about the use of nuclear weapons. His famous quote, drawn from the Bhagavad Gita, captures the conflicting emotions he experienced: "Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds." This profound reflection encapsulates the weight of responsibility that Oppenheimer grappled with throughout his life.

In the post-war period, Oppenheimer became an advocate for international control of nuclear weapons and a proponent of arms control. His efforts to promote responsible stewardship of atomic energy reflected a commitment to prevent the further escalation of the Cold War arms race. However, his stance incurred the suspicion of government officials during the fervor of McCarthyism, leading to a tumultuous chapter in his life.

McCarthyism and Struggles

The post-war era witnessed the rise of McCarthyism, an era characterized by intense anti-communist sentiments and the stifling of dissent. Oppenheimer's earlier associations with left-leaning individuals and his advocacy for international cooperation in atomic energy made him a target of suspicion. In 1954, Oppenheimer faced a security hearing, accused of having communist sympathies and being a security risk.

The proceedings were highly publicized and underscored the political climate of paranoia and fear. Despite testimonies from prominent scientists attesting to Oppenheimer's loyalty, the Atomic Energy Commission stripped him of his security clearance. The decision marked a personal and professional nadir for Oppenheimer, as he faced ostracism from government service and endured a period of public disgrace.

Later Years and Legacy

In the aftermath of the security hearing, Oppenheimer retreated from the public eye. He returned to academia, accepting a position at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, where he continued his research in theoretical physics. Despite the controversies that marked his later years, Oppenheimer's contributions to science were acknowledged, and he received several awards and honors, including the Enrico Fermi Award in 1963.

J. Robert Oppenheimer passed away on February 18, 1967, leaving behind a complex legacy. His life and career continue to be the subject of historical scrutiny and debate, with scholars and biographers examining the nuances of his character, choices, and impact on the course of history.

Oppenheimer in Cinema: Exploring the Movie "Oppenheimer"

The cinematic portrayal of historical figures often serves as a lens through which audiences engage with the complexities of their lives. In 1980, director Christopher Munger released the television movie "Oppenheimer," with actor Sam Waterston portraying the titular character. The film attempted to capture the essence of Oppenheimer's life, focusing on key events such as his leadership of the Manhattan Project and the subsequent security hearing.

While "Oppenheimer" provides a dramatized narrative of the physicist's life, it inevitably takes creative liberties to condense a complex and multifaceted story into a manageable cinematic format. The movie navigates the ethical dilemmas faced by Oppenheimer and the moral implications of his contributions to the atomic bomb. However, the cinematic rendition necessarily simplifies certain aspects and overlooks the intricacies of historical events.

Analyzing the Accuracy of "Oppenheimer"

As with any historical drama, accuracy becomes a point of contention. The movie "Oppenheimer" is no exception, and scholars and historians have scrutinized its portrayal of key events and characters. While the film captures the broad strokes of Oppenheimer's life, it inevitably compresses timelines, amalgamates characters, and embellishes certain aspects for dramatic effect.

One notable element is the film's depiction of Oppenheimer's emotional turmoil after witnessing the first successful test of the atomic bomb. While Oppenheimer did express deep moral and philosophical concerns about the bomb, the film amplifies his internal struggles for cinematic impact. Additionally, the portrayal of the security hearing, while conveying the tension and paranoia of the McCarthy era, simplifies the complex political and personal dynamics at play.

Despite these artistic liberties, "Oppenheimer" serves as a valuable entry point for audiences interested in exploring the life and legacy of this enigmatic figure. The film's narrative, anchored by Sam Waterston's compelling performance, captures the essence of Oppenheimer's brilliance, complexities, and the moral quandaries that defined his existence.

Conclusion

J. Robert Oppenheimer's life unfolds as a tapestry of brilliance, ethical dilemmas, and societal impact. From his early academic achievements to his pivotal role in the creation of the atomic bomb and the subsequent controversies that marked his later years, Oppenheimer's journey encapsulates the challenges faced by those at the intersection of science, politics, and morality.

The legacy of J. Robert Oppenheimer is as complex as the man himself. His contributions to science and the development of nuclear weapons, while undeniably transformative, remain shrouded in ethical ambiguity. The moral quandaries he grappled with throughout his life, from the creation of the bomb to the challenges of the McCarthy era, reflect the profound responsibility borne by those who push the boundaries of scientific discovery.

The cinematic portrayal of Oppenheimer in the movie "Oppenheimer" adds another layer to the exploration of his life. While the film takes creative liberties for dramatic effect, it serves as a gateway for audiences to delve into the complexities of his character and the historical events that defined his era.

As we reflect on the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer, we are confronted with questions that transcend the boundaries of science and history. How do we reconcile the brilliance of a mind that unlocked the secrets of the atom with the devastating consequences of that knowledge? How do we navigate the moral landscapes that shape the choices of individuals who, in their pursuit of knowledge, alter the course of history?

In grappling with these questions, we not only honor the memory of J. Robert Oppenheimer but also engage in a broader dialogue about the intersections of science, ethics, and the enduring impact of human choices on the world stage.

[83liss]

Siempre Fuiste Tú (17/25)

Babba

El comedor se encontraba recién abastecido, y los brillantes platos de porcelana, los cubiertos de plata y las copas despejadas esperaban al desayuno. Los criados circulaban por el espacio, preparando el servicio de la mañana. El aroma del café se mezclaba con el de los panes recién hechos y los pasteles recién horneados. Una mesa ovalada, cubierta por un mantel blanco impecable, esperaba por la familia real. Los manteles y servilletas estaban almidonados y en perfectas condiciones. Las cubiertas de plata relucían bajo la luz del amanecer, y los cristales tintineaban con un sonido suave y dulce. El comedor estaba listo para el desayuno de la mañana.

Se había hecho habitual para T’Challa que al bajar encontrase al rey desayunando junto a Everett en medio de una conversación amena, y a veces hasta tomados de las manos. Le daba gusto por ambos hombres. Sin lugar a dudas el amor hacia maravillas en las personas.

Le dio un beso a su papi como cada mañana e inclino suavemente la cabeza ante su padre. Sabía que el rey esperaba un trato más afectuoso como el que tenía con el resto de la familia, pero realmente no lograba demostrarlo. Habían pasado demasiadas cosas entre ellos como para enterrarlas en solo un par de meses, y agradecía que no le presionase. James le había dicho que Everett tenía mucho que ver en eso

Se sentó en su lugar e iba tomar una tostada mientras le servían su café, cuando una palmada sobre su mano lo detuvo, por lo cual miro al hombre que tenía justo en frente.

¿Por qué me pegas? – pregunto sorprendido mientras Ramonda entraba saludando

¿Eso son los modales que te he ensañado? – dijo Everett – alteza buenos días

Debería dejar de decirme alteza, mi señor – dijo la mujer sonriendo mientras se sentaba – le recuerdo que el consorte real ahora es usted, no yo

Y ni pienses en renunciar – dijo Shuri entrando con su ya característica alegría para saludar a su madre con un beso – porque se vuelve amargado de nuevo – señalando a su padre –, y nadie lo va aguantar – y le dio un beso en la mejilla a Everett que sonreía

Siéntate – le ordenó su babba intentando no sonreír mientras ella le daba un beso en la mejilla

¿T’Challa que te dije de los modales? – dijo Everett dándole nuevamente una palmada en la mano

¡Tengo hambre! – protesto el príncipe – ¡además te recuerdo que ya no soy un…! – pero ante la mirada de su papi decidió guardar silencio mientras escuchaba la risa suave de su hermana, por lo que la miro mal

Esto se ve… – dijo Shuri intentando tomar algo de la mesa pero la fuente se deslizó fuera de su alcance – pero que…

Princesa – dijo Everett – primero se debe dar las gracias a Bast y Sekhmet. Por favor dele el ejemplo a su hermano mayor, a ver si aprende a comportarse – y Shuri miro sonriendo mal a su hermano que miraba mal al hombre blanco

Por supuesto, papi – dijo la chica

Traidora – dijo T’Challa por lo bajo

Yo si se comportarme – dijo Shuri y sonrió con malicia

Entonces di la oración en voz alta – dijo su madre

¿Qué? – dijo la chica sorprendida – ¿Cómo que en voz alta?

Para que la aprenda tu hermano – dijo el rey mientras T’Challa reía por lo bajo

Te escucho, hermanita – dijo el príncipe –. Prometo ser un buen alumno

¡No recuerdo la oración! – protesto la chica mientras todos reían

Todos ya se habían ido a realizar sus diferentes actividades cuando James bajo al comedor ayudado por una de las doras. La familia real y sus médicos de cabecera ya le habían dicho que debía restringir un poco sus actividades en esta etapa del embarazo, algo que no le había hecho mucha gracia en su momento, pero sin lugar a dudas lo agradecía infinitamente en las últimas semanas.

Sus pies estaban siempre hinchados, le dolía la espalda, su vejiga parecía haber empezado un apasionado romance con el inodoro, por lo que no podían pasar más de diez minutos sin visitarse. Si lograba dormir una hora ininterrumpida era un auténtico milagro.

Desayunaba escuchando algo de Elvis Presley, T’Challa solía llamarlo anticuado pero le encantaba, incluso podía bailarlo muy bien. Claro, si no tenía ocho meses y una semana de embarazo encima. Después del desayunar se dirigió a su oficina, siempre custodiado por Nakia, su guardia personal.

Sin embargo a medio camino tuvo que detener debido a un fuerte dolor en el bajo vientre

¿Alteza? – dijo la morena preocupada

Estoy bien – respondió James apoyándose en ella – estoy bien. Solo… dame un minuto

¿Quiere descansar? – pregunto la mujer

No es necesario – dijo James cerrando los ojos para relajarse –. El príncipe o la princesa solo está un poco torpe para jugar hoy – y sonrió junto con la guardia

En la oficina lo esperaba una pila enorme de papeles que leer. Si bien le encantaba ayudar en la seguridad táctica del país, sentía que a veces exageraban con el papeleo. Cerca de las diez se levantó para ir por un poco de jugo. Nakia había ido a dejarle unos papeles a la reina que necesitaban ser firmados, por lo que lo alcanzaría seguramente a mitad de camino con su ya tradicional “alteza, debió esperarme”

Llego a la cocina y las encargadas le recordaron que bastaba con usar su brazalete y le podían llevar lo que él quisiese. Regresaba a su oficina cuando unas ganas enormes de ir al baño lo asaltaron. Apoyo su mano izquierda en una mesa que había en el pasillo y con la otra se masajeo el vientre. Sin embargo esta acción pareció tener el efecto contrario al deseado, ya que el feto solo se puso más intranquilo

Respiro hondo, tal y como le habían enseñado en sus clases prenatales

James, si te relajas, el bebé también lo hará y dejara de doler – se dijo a si mismo cerrando los ojos – eso es, amor – dijo hacia su vientre – dale un respiro a papi – y sonrió – ¿por qué…? – pero una corriente de dolor lo atravesó entero haciéndolo lanzar un grito desgarrador

James ¿Qué pasa? – dijo el rey acercándose lo más deprisa que pudo y abrazándolo por los hombros

¡Duele! – grito el embarazado en medio de otro grito – ¡duele mucho!

Tranquilo hijo, tranquilo – dijo T’Chaka mientras dirigía su vista al charco que había a los pies de su yerno –. ¡Okoye! Todo va estar bien ¡Okoye! rompiste fuente. El bebe va nacer. ¡Ayo!

¿Qué? – grito James aterrado – aun no es tiempo. ¡mi bebe! ¡ayúdelo, por favor, majestad! – suplico desesperado – por piedad, ayúdelo

Tranquilo – dijo el rey tratando de sonreír – todo va salir bien ¡Guardia! Respira ¿recuerdas tus ejercicios? – y James trato de controlar su respiración – ¡Okoye! ¡Necesito a alguien aquí ahora! – pero otra ráfaga de dolor hizo gritar nuevamente a James haciéndolo doblarse de dolor – ¡Maldición! – susurro sacándose el saco sin ningún tipo de protocolo y arrojó lejos – respira James, respira, que mi nieto ya viene – dijo antes de tomarlo en brazos para caminar lo más deprisa que podía

_____________

Su mañana estaba siendo tranquila. Durante el desayuno había bromeado con sus padres y con Shuri. En un rato le llamaría a James para saber cómo había amanecido. No le gustaba salir de palacio sin darle los buenos días, pero su esposo necesitaba descansar todo lo que pudiese.

El día anterior su padre le había pedido que inspeccionara personalmente el funcionamiento del tren en el que extraían el vibranium, por lo que lo más seguro era que no pudiese hablar con James hasta la hora del almuerzo. Lo bueno sería que después pasarían la tarde juntos, pues tenían la clase en su curso prenatal. Orden directa de su babba.

 Su babba. Mas de una vez se había descubierto a si mismo llamando al rey así en su fuero interno. Pero era algo que aún no lograba exteriorizar. Debía reconocer que el rey se estaba comportando muy bien, en especial con James. Había suavizado bastante su trato hacia el americano. Le tenía una gran paciencia con lo de las costumbres. Le daba su lugar como su consorte. E incluso cuando estaban frente a personas ajenas a la familia real, llamaba príncipe o alteza a James. No se parecía en nada al hombre con el que habían tratado la primera vez que habían visitado Wakanda.

Había sido James quien le había insinuado que ese cambio se lo debían a Everett. “El amor hace maravillas” le había dicho el ex sargento antes de robarle un beso para después ir a asaltar la cocina, donde los cocineros ya lo esperaban con su postre favorito

Salió de las profundidades del monte Kanda, y tanto su celular como su brazalete se activaron. Al parecer toda Wakanda intentaba localizarlo. Lo más curioso era los intercomunicadores de sus guardias también se dispararon y justo en ese momento aterrizaba ante ellos el The Royal Talon Flight para que segundos después dos Dora Milajes bajaran lo más rápido posible

Aneka ¿Qué pasa? – cuestionó T’Challa intrigado

Es el príncipe consorte, mi señor – respondió la mujer

¿Qué le paso a James? – siseo encarando a la mujer y no tenía ni rastro del hombre afable y educado que había sido hasta hacia cinco segundos

Prácticamente arranco la puerta de la entrada al área médica, mientras su padre se paseaba frente a la puerta de acceso a la puerta al quirófano. Camino directo hacia esta, dispuesto a entrar para estar junto a su esposo

No, no, no – dijo T’Chaka deteniéndolo – no puedes pasar, omo

¡Es mi familia la que está ahí adentro! – grito T’Challa intentando pasar – el hombre que amo y mi…

Lo sé, lo sé – dijo el rey deteniéndolo – ya lo están atendiendo

Esta sol… – dijo T’Challa desesperado

Tu papi, tu madre y tu hermana están allí – dijo T´Chaka agarrándolo suavemente del rostro – junto con el mejor cuerpo de medico de Wakanda. Estarán bien – sonrió al ver como las lágrimas se escapaban de los ojos de su hijo

Si algo les pasa, yo… – susurro el príncipe

Nada les va pasar a ninguno – dijo su padre – y nosotros nos vamos asegurar de eso

¿Cómo? – pregunto T’Challa mientras su padre le limpiaba una lagrima traicionera

Se lo pediremos juntos a Bast – dijo el anciano

No me moveré de aquí, hasta que lo vea – dijo T’Challa con determinación

Mírame – dijo su padre – ¡Ọmọ! – y lo obligo a mirarlo – si me memoria no me falla, James y tú decidieron que sería un nacimiento wakandiano tradicional – T’Challa iba a hablar pero desistió – vamos. Nuestras plegarias le ayudaran a mi yerno y a mi nieto – y lo encamino en sentido contrario – todo saldrá bien. Necesitan nuestros mejores pensamientos en estos momentos

Si algo les pasa… – susurro T’Challa

Nada les va pasar, Ọmọ mi – dijo el rey – vamos

 El templo de Bast, dentro del palacio y cerca de la zona médica, era una estructura baja y esbelta, decorada con figuras talladas en madera, que representaban a la diosa Bast. Las paredes eran de piedra ocre, y el suelo, de mármol gris. El interior del templo estaba en penumbra, y una gran columna central proyectaba una luz amarilla y dorada, que iluminaba las estatuas y las figuras talladas en las paredes. El aire estaba cargado de incienso, y una atmósfera de paz y espiritualidad se respiraba a cada paso. Sin embargo el altar de Bast dentro de palacio era imponente, en el que predominaba la figura de varios metros de una pantera

A pedido de su madre, James y él habían visitado el lugar hacia unos meses para pedir la bendición de la diosa. Incluso su esposo le había dicho que se sentía distinto tras el ritual al que se habían sometido con Zuri al frente.

Sin embargo ese día, T´Challa apoyo una rodilla en el suelo e inclino la cabeza mientras cerraba los ojos, intentando visualizar a su esposo con su hijo en brazos. Su padre estaba de pie a su lado, diciendo una oración en su idioma natal. Aun no lo hablaba correctamente, pero sabía que el mayor pedía por James y el bebe

Bast – suplico en silencio – te lo imploro. Cuídalos. Si algo les llega a pasar…

No supo que tiempo paso realmente, pero en algún momento Zuri se les había unido. Aun le causaba extrañeza la relación de sus padres. Seguían casados y el pueblo respetaba a su madre como su reina, pero todos sabían de la relación de su papi con el rey, y le daban su lugar como tal. Era como si Wakanda tuviese dos reinas y que eso les encantase a todos.

Zuri había empezado un canto suave que de cierta manera le reconfortaba el alma. Sin embargo la voz que lo hizo mirar hacia atrás fue una más gruesa. M’Baku estaba sentado dos bancas más atrás. Inclino la cabeza sutilmente hacia él en señal de respeto, y fijo la vista en la estatua de la diosa

T´Challa no supo realmente cuanto tiempo había pasado, pero no puedo evitar sobresaltarse cuando rato después la puerta del templo se abrió de par en par, dejando pasar al Okoye y Ayo, quienes hicieron el saludo tradicional

¡Larga vida al heredero! – dijo Okoye

¡Wakanda por Siempre! – respondió Ayo con la vista al frente

¿Qué…? – dijo el príncipe nervioso

¡Ve! – le susurro su padre y cuando lo miro tenía una sonrisa radiante – ¡Corre! – por lo que T’Challa no dudo y acelero a todo lo que su cuerpo le daba

¿no dijo que harían el ritual del heredero? – pregunto M’Baku

¡Maldición! – dijo el rey

La reina y el consorte lo van a matar – dijo el Zuri mirando por donde se había ido el menor

Diré que fue tu culpa. No pienso ser el único que duerma en un sofá – dijo T’Chaka ganándose una mala mirada de su amigo –. Ni me mires así, también te dijeron que lo detuvieras

Príncipe T’Challa, espere – grito Zuri

Omo, detente – grito el rey siguiendo a su hijo lo más rápido posible

Sentado en la cama con un pequeño lio de mantas, James no podía dejar de llorar en silencio sin importarle lo que pasara a su alrededor. Amaba a T’Challa. Eso jamás lo pondría en duda. Pero desde hacía cinco minutos, el ser más perfecto que existía ante sus ojos era esa pequeña criatura que tenía entre sus brazos

Hola – susurro acomodando la manta para que el rostro de su hijo quedase libre – soy yo, tu papi – y se limpió una lagrima sonriendo – eres mucho más hermoso de lo que me imagine – pero lo sobresalto cuando la puerta se abrió de golpe

¡James! – dijo T’Challa angustiado y avanzo hacia él lo más deprisa posible – ¡James!

¡No, no, no! – dijeron al unisonó todos los que estaban en la sala mientras lo detenían

¡Quiero verlo! – exigía T´Challa – déjenme pasar

¿Dónde está tu babba? – pregunto Everett – debía haberte detenido

Perdón, perdón – dijo T’Chaka entrando justo a tiempo para detener a su hijo mientras el bebé amenazaba con empezar a llorar – se le escapó a Zuri – dijo y este negó desesperadamente ante la mirada molesta de Ramonda y la princesa

¿Majestad, está intentando mentirme? – dijo Everett alzando una ceja

Omo, calma – dijo el rey – cierra los ojos y respira hondo

Pero… – dijo T’Challa

Respira – dijo su padre y él se obligó a obedecer

¿estas listo, cariño? – le pregunto Ramonda a James y este asintió

Camina lentamente, pero con pasos decidido – le susurro el rey a su hijo mientras lo empujaba suavemente al notar que el príncipe estaba entrando en pánico – tranquilo, no tiembles

Mira, es babba – le susurro James sonriendo a su hijo – saludemos a babba – y le dio un beso

Despacio – susurro T´Chaka al príncipe

Mi señor – dijo James sonriendo mientras colocaba a su hijo en los brazos del moreno – he aquí su heredero

Azari – susurro T’Challa emocionado – hola. Soy babba. Soy babba – y con la mayor de las delicadezas le beso la frente del bebé que gorgoteo – es un placer conocerte… omo

Todos en la habitación estaban concentrados en la imagen que tenían en frente. Ramonda apoyo la cabeza en el hombro de Zuri que la abrazo por los hombros sonriendo ante lo absorto que estaba T’Challa con su bebe en brazos. Shuri sonrió y se abrazó a su padre, que la miro a los ojos antes de darle un beso en la frente. Segundos después el rey sintió como le tomaban la mano derecha

Después de todo, si tenemos el mismo nieto – dijo Everett

Y no tienes idea lo agradecido que estoy con Bast por eso – le susurro T’Chaka besándole los nudillos de la mano que tenían entrelazadas haciendo sonreír al ex agente

Fue Shuri la que les hizo un gesto para que salieran. La pequeña y nueva familia necesitaba unos minutos a solas antes que James descansase del parto. Todos asintieron prometiéndose luego volver para conocer y cargar a Azari. T’Chaka estaba siendo el último en salir cuando escucho la voz de su hijo que lo paralizo completamente

Babba espera – dijo el príncipe y cuando el mayor giro sintió como su hijo mayor se abalanzaba para abrazarlo – gracias. Yo no…

Sabía que tenía que contestar, decir algo. Su hijo lo esperaba. Pero no lograba encontrar su voz. Miro de reojo a Everett que sonrió asintiendo suavemente. No necesitaba que se lo dijeran en voz alta. Sabía lo que tenía que hacer. Abrazo a su hijo besándole el cabello

Ve – le susurro con un nudo en la garganta –. Hoy ese tu lugar – y T´Challa corrió al lado de su familia

T´Chaka dio un paso hacia atrás y cerró la puerta, dándole privacidad a la familia. Apoyo la frente en la puerta y cerró los ojos. Debía controlar sus emociones.

 Nuevamente una mano suave tomo la suya, y al levantar el rostro vio la sonrisa de su pareja.

¡Me dijo… baba! – susurro el rey – después de… veinte… años… T’Challa… por primera vez… me abrazo… y me dijo babba

¿Y sabes por qué? – pregunto Everett sonriendo pero el rey estaba demasiado afectado para contestar

Porque por primera vez – dijo Ramonda –, después de veinte años, te has comportado como su padre, como su babba

Te lo mereces – dijo Shuri dándole un beso en la mejilla y retirándose. Ramonda y Zuri hicieron una pequeña inclinación de cabeza y también se alejaron

Ven – dijo Everett volviendo a tomarle la mano y alejándose también pero en otra dirección – este es el hombre del que me enamore

El cielo de Birnin Zana estaba cubierto de nubes rosadas y amarillas, y el sol se deslizaba lentamente hacia el horizonte. La luz del sol se reflejaba en las aguas del río Zambezi, y la ciudad estaba bañada en una luz de oro y rosa. La brisa estaba cargada de humedad y un olor dulce a flores.

En el horizonte, las montañas se alzaban majestuosas, coronadas de nubes blancas. En la distancia, se podía escuchar el sonido de las campanas de una aldea cerca de Birnin Zana, anunciando el final del día.

En el jardín, las rosas de diferentes colores florecían en el aire primaveral, la hierba verde y el musgo brillaban en el sol. En los árboles, las ramas agitadas por la brisa, susurraban un himno a la vida, y las aves cantaban con alegría. Una paz absoluta reinaba en el jardín.

Desde el balcón de su oficina, T’Chaka no pudo evitar sonreír al ver a Shuri sentada en el pasto del jardín mostrándole a Zuri uno de sus nuevos inventos. Respiro hondo y bajo el rostro. Era él quien debería estar en el jardín pasando un rato agradable con la joven. Pero nunca fue un padre para ella, y ya era tarde como para cambiar. Zuri era buen hombre, un buen compañero para Ramonda y un extraordinario padre para su hija. Se merecía ese lugar

_______________

T’Chaka caminaba por un pasillo revisando su agenda electrónica. Toda la tarde había tenido reuniones con empresarios que querían vibranium. En los últimos años el material se había vuelto mucho más valioso para el mundo, lo cual derivaba en mayores ingresos económicos, lo cual a su vez significaba mayor desarrollo para el país

Iba realmente concentrado, cuando accidentalmente choco con una persona

Mil disculpa majestad – dijo Zuri inclinando la cabeza

No te preocupes Zuri – replico el rey sonriendo – fue mi culpa. Debería aprender a no revisar tanto mi manilla

¿Cómo va lo de la venta de vibranium? – pregunto el sacerdote

Maravilloso – dijo el rey – este mes exportaremos veinte por ciento mas

¿Me permite un atrevimiento majestad? – pregunto Zuri – debería estudiar un poco más sobre las propiedades del metal con el que negocia

¿estas poniendo en tela de juicio mi capacidad de líder? – siseo T’Chaka – conozco perfectamente el vibranium. Puedo recitarte al dedillo las…

El vibranium es un material caprichoso que cambia con los años – interrumpió Zuri – sin embargo, y si acepta mi consejo, si se desvía después de cada puesta de sol unos minutos hacia el área norte del jardín real, puede que consiga… algo de… asesoramiento… permiso majestad – y sin más siguió su camino

El rey solo pudo mirarlo curioso mientras el sacerdote continuaba su camino

En la noche, una luna llena iluminaba el jardín, y la luz dorada del sol se había convertido en una luz plácida y tenue. Las ramas de los árboles se recortaban contra el cielo, y una ráfaga de brisa otoñal agitaba las hojas. El jardín estaba silencioso, y la luna iluminaba el agua del riachuelo, que brillaba como un lago de plata.

Las flores del jardín parecían iluminadas por una luz mágica, como un sueño hecho realidad. Las rosas blancas parecían lámparas de luz plateada, y las rosas rojas se recortaban contra la oscuridad como pétalos de sangre. Las orquídeas brillaban como gemas preciosas, y las violetas parecían estrellas caídas del cielo.

Sentada en la hierba a los pies de un árbol, Shuri comía un pastelillo bañado en chocolate mientras leía concentrada un libro. Se veía hermosa. Vestía pantalones y una camiseta de algodón. Sus zapatillas estaban manchadas de tierra, y su cabello, recogido en una trenza, le colgaba por encima del hombro. Se veía relajada y tranquila, en paz con el mundo.

T’Chaka no pudo evitar sonreír ante el parecido de la chica con su madre a esa edad. Nunca había sentida atracción física o romántica por la mujer, pero tampoco podía negar su porte y belleza.

Se aclaro la garganta para hacer notar su presencia

Babba – dijo la chica tan alegre como siempre

¿Qué lees tan concentrada? – pregunto este sentándose a su lado

sobre el universo en expansión – dijo la chica – se cree que el universo empezó hace 13.800 millones de años como una partícula minúscula que, en un instante, se expandió de manera explosiva, creando las partículas elementales, las galaxias y todo lo que existe – dijo girándose para mirar a su padre mientras movía su manos sin parar –. Supuestamente el meteoritos que cayo hace cinco mil años en Wakanda es una de las rocas iniciales del big bang.

Fascinante – dijo mirándola extasiado, empezaba a entender las palabras de su amigo – explícame mas

Bueno – dijo ella acomodándose mejor – parece complicado pero no lo es. La cinética nos dice que los átomos…

Fueron largas horas que padre e hija hablaron de ciencia. Shuri ponía pasión en cada descripción moviendo sus manos sin parar, y por momentos ayudándose de su A.I. Cerca de la media noche, Shuri detuvo la conversación abruptamente y de un salto se puso de pie

Tienes razón, babba – dijo emocionada – ¡eres un genio!

¿lo soy? – pregunto el hombre sorprendido

¡Claro que sí! – dijo dándole un beso en la mejilla – tengo que comprobarlo ahora mismo

Ya es tarde – dijo T’Chaka sonriendo – ve a la cama

No voy a poder dormir – dijo ella – mañana te cuento los resultados

Entonces mañana te veo aquí después de la cena y me lo explicas detalladamente – sugirió su padre sonriendo

¡es una cita! – dijo Shuri antes de salir corriendo

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El día anterior había sido increíble, su primer nieto y ahora, para alegría de Shuri, segundo en la línea sucesoria había nacido, y si eso no bastaba T’Challa lo había abrazado y lo había llamado babba, y había descubierto lo fascinante que era Shuri. Casi no había podido dormir de la emoción, afortunadamente un dormido Everett le había advertido que o se volvía a dormir o se iba de la habitación. ¡seria el hombre más poderoso de la tierra, pero ni muerto renunciaba a dormir junto a ese hombre ni una sola noche! Por lo que abrazo al americano, quien acomodo la cabeza en su pecho, y se volvieron a dormir

Desayunaron entre risa y bromas, como ya era costumbre desde hacía varios meses, para que luego cada integrante de la familia se fuese a cumplir sus respectivas obligaciones. T´Chaka le robo un beso Everett y se fue a su despacho, tenía para leer una pila de papeles que topaba el techo, y si a eso le sumaba que T’Challa no iba ir a trabajar por esos días, su vida se iba a complicar aún mas

Revisaba un tratado sobre cooperación científica con la Unión Europea cuando llamaron suavemente a su puerta

Pase – dijo sin levantar la vista

¿molesto? – pregunto la mujer

Ramonda – dijo el rey poniéndose de pie – ¿paso algo? ¿James y Azari…?

Tranquilo, tranquilo – dijo la mujer sonriendo – deben estar descansando – por lo que T’Chaka exhalo – ¿imaginaste alguna vez estar tan preocupado por un extranjero… blanco… que no fuese Everett?

No – dijo el rey sonriendo – pero… me gusta. Me gusta… esta nueva…  dinámica… familiar – invitándola a sentarse

Es precisamente sobre eso que quiero hablar contigo – dijo Ramonda sentándose en el sofá –. El hombre no el rey. Yo sé que tienes un montón de responsabilidades, y a veces olvidas cosas, las pasas por alto

¿Que hice ahora? – dijo T’Chaka nervioso – lo que sea, te lo juro que lo remediare…

Es más bien… algo que… no has hecho – interrumpió la mujer –… y yo… decidí hacerlo… por ti – entregándole una carpeta

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El lugar estaba en silencio. Una suave brisa entraba por algún lugar. La incomodidad de un bebe se hizo sentir, por lo que la cama se movido. Un quejido se escuchó junto con sabanas moviéndose. Unas zapatillas siendo arrastradas y pasos

Hola – dijo James sonriendo tomando a su hijo en brazos – antes de nada, gracias por dejarme dormir. Lo necesitaba – y dándole un beso en la frente – ¿Cómo amaneció el bebé más hermoso de la tierra? ¿tienes hambre? – cuando volvió a la cama vio la nota sobre la mesita de noche –. Mira, babba nos dejó una nota. Dice “contare los segundos para volver con mis dos tesoros” ¿Qué te parece? Okey, okey, vamos a desayunar