The Noir Narrative

“Young Girls” by Marcel Proust and “What I wanted, What I got” by Rachel Kushner are gentle reflections of childhood centered around societal acceptance, and the ultimate arrival at self-actualization. In both accounts, the speaker longs for acceptance from peers, and this is tied heavily to the way they look. While fashion should mostly be about self-expression, throughout history it has primarily served as a social identifier. Thus, leading to the adverse effect of conformity rather than embracing what is meant to be a deeply individualized practice. Recounting these childhood experiences from adulthood, the speakers have come to value this individualized approach and use memory as a framework to understand how desire shapes identity. Early memories of exclusion can illuminate how societal pressure and socio-economic structures influence childhood development, more specifically, self-esteem and identity formation. Although most parents desire to rear well-rounded children, circumst...

For as long as I could remember, I was a radical. My libra scales always tipped in favor of fairness and equality, and I fought tooth and nail to be treated the same way everyone else was. I questioned the unquestionable, raising hell with each inquiry, and although my mama warned me that curiosity killed the cat, she conveniently forgot that satisfaction brought it back. So I fought til I was satisfied. With every boundary I crossed and every limit I pushed, I sought the resuscitation, that energetic life-force of knowing. My teenage years are marked by weeks-long arguments with my mama about everything and nothing at all. My defiance, her rigidity, my non-compliance, and her anger surrounding it. The two of us, ever oscillating in a dance mirroring the irresistible force paradox. I wasn't willing to allow myself to succumb to mindless obedience, no matter who the authoritarian was.  Now that I'm grown, I'm finding that life is trying to beat that out of me. Literally forc...

  I’ll admit it—I was influenced. When filmmaking powerhouse Ryan Coogler dropped his latest movie, Sinners , the buzz was immediate. Alongside a chorus of praise came a wave of book recommendations inspired by the film's release. My timeline quickly filled with posts from book lovers and content creators suggesting what to read if you enjoyed Sinners —a mix of classics and fresh, contemporary picks. One recommendation stood out above the rest: Ring Shout by author and historian P. Djèlí Clark. The moment I read the synopsis, I practically dislocated my shoulder rushing to download it. Two days and a binge-read later, I can confidently say: I loved every page. This book starts with a bang—literally. We meet our trio staked out atop a building, watching a 1922 KKK rally in Macon, Georgia, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. What follows is a high-stakes showdown between three gun-slinging, magic sword-wielding heroines and a monstrous entity known as a Ku Klux—creatures that ...

As spring’s rain clouds begin to clear and the sun makes its long-awaited return, there’s nothing I enjoy more than soaking up the warmth with a good book in hand. With its mix of lively late nights and slow, easy mornings, summer carries a rhythm that feels made for poetry. There’s something about the season—the stillness, the spontaneity, the space to breathe—that makes poetry hit just right. Here’s a list of my favorite poetry collections that capture everything I love about summer: Each of these books offers something a little different, so whether you're looking to sink into your feelings, escape into language, or simply savor a few quiet moments between plans, these poems are made for summer reading. Let them find you where you are, whether it's beachside, bedside, or somewhere in between. 1. Black Girl, Call Home by Jasmine Mans   There’s something deeply nostalgic about the way Jasmine Mans pours her heart onto the page in this collection. It’s no surprise Black Girl,...