Destination Peach

Where Reality and Inspiration Meet

Chi-City

chicago2

Photo by Chris Knight

This past weekend  I went to see the movie Chi-Raq by Spike Lee. On the faith of being a Chicago native and the allure of the movie title, I felt it was only right to see a movie about the city I love so much. When it comes to creative expression I am all about supporting independent artists. Lee has been known for independently creating his own lane in the film industry. Keeping that in mind, I knew that Lee wouldn’t disappoint and would over deliver on the issues currently plaguing a beautiful city.

Now, if I could visually describe the movie…it would be a modern day version of Do The Right Thing with a hint of School Daze. There were parts of the movie that were authentically impactful, while there were parts of the movie that made me say really?

Lee was right on target with addressing the gang and gun violence in Chicago. Lets be honest, too many innocent lives in Chicago are being taken by random acts of violence. Solutions are needed!!! However, understanding the day-to-day reality of most people living in Chicago, unfortunately the movie (for me) did not capture what the Chicago culture truly embodies. I was expecting more. WAKE UP was the whole premise of the movie, as it is in most of Lee’s films. Hopefully the movie will WAKE UP and inspire other people to make films about Chicago that truly represents.

Until next time…

-Peach

#UglyTruth

being mary jane

Lasts week’s episode of TV show Being Mary Jane was intense. In fact, I think the word intense does even begin to describe how impactful and riveting the show was. There were so many eye opening/jaw dropping moments in episode three that definitely left me in tears towards the end of the show. The discussion of suicide, depression, sexual abuse, and being a strong black woman was a story plot that needed to be told on prime time TV.

Many people can say what the want about Mary Jane waiting until the eulogy speech to drop a major bomb, but sometimes there is no correct way/moment to say whats real…you just have to go for it! From episode three, a lot of thoughts resurfaced in my mind about past experiences, and things that I am currently working on. As a result, this is what I took away from the show…

  1. We are all pretending to be okay and were truly not okay.
  2. Black women don’t have to be strong all the time.
  3. Learn to be more truthful with people.
  4. Be willing to live your truth.
  5. Love people no matter what their truth is.
  6. It is okay to be vulnerable.

On that note, all I can say is that the writer of Being Mary Jane Mara Brock Akil inspired a lot of viewers to get real with themselves and start living their #uglytruth.

Until next time…

-Peach

Podcasts are Life

When it comes to any day of the week, Thursday is the day I look forward to the most. Its just something about Thursday that gives me an un-explainable inner joy…Maybe its the thought of knowing that Friday is close, the excitement in watching Shonda Rhimes slay TV, and most importantly my favorite podcasts are released on Thursdays.

Like a kid on Christmas, every Thursday after work I run to make car just to listen to podcasts. Podcasts help me to tune out all of my stress, laugh, and truly be entertained.

I have many podcasts that I enjoy, if I were to list them all this post would be extremely long but, to keep it short and sweet here is list of my top three favorite Podcasts.

  1. The Read: Hosts Kid Fury and Crissle are hilarious and witty when it comes to discussing epic moments in pop culture.the read
  2. Lip Service: Radio host Angela Yee and her fellow podcast co-hosts colorfully chat about the female experience in today’s society. The topics can get a bit risque, but its all in good reason.lipservice
  3. The Brilliant Idiots: The title of the podcast cast is very explanatory. Hosts Charlamagne Tha God and Andrew Schulz provide a brilliant and sometimes ignorant perspective on weekly current events.brilliant

Well there you have it, my top three favorite podcasts. If you have any suggestions on podcasts I should listen too, please leave a comment below.

Until next time…

– Peach