It’s time for another run down on current events. What’s on our mind and what might be on yours. Maybe you’ll learn something, or simply absorb our glorious and objectively true opinions.
The DNC: A Breath of Fresh Air
Bet you never could’ve guessed we’d be talking about this. But come ON, how could we not talk about the pure fucking joy that exuded from this convention? We didn’t realize just how much we missed the Obamas until they once again blew us away with their charm and wit. The newfound energy behind not only the campaign but the democratic party as a whole is contagious. The race is tight, but polls are showing some progress following the convention. There is hope, and the DNC made it palpable. By the way, register to vote right fucking now. If you don’t, you’re part of the problem.
It Ends with Villianizing Women
The uproar surrounding the ‘It Ends with Us’ movie adaptation has been impossible to ignore. From direction to production to press, people are voicing their discontent. Ironically, one primary villain has emerged in the story, Blake Lively. As you encounter carefully selected clips and theories, we encourage you to think critically. The public will always find a way to villainize or victimize the woman in the story, whether on the screen or in florals on the red carpet. Are we applying the same level of scrutiny to all involved parties, regardless of gender? It’s crucial to form opinions based on comprehensive information, not just trending narratives – and for the love of god, don’t dislike her just because TikTok served you a carefully curated narrative about her.
Virality Can Do Great Things
Very demure, very mindful, very over it (trademark pending, apparently). However you feel about this latest trend, it’s changed the life of the creator behind it, and it’s pretty damn heartwarming. The creator responsible, Jools Lebron, recently shared that her recent fame has been able to change her housing situation, not just for herself but for her best friend, who was in an unsafe situation. We love a good reminder that behind some trends is a human whose life just got a lot better because of it. And if we do find said trend annoying, knowing that Jools is safe makes it just a little more tolerable.
ArtPrize, of Course
We blinked, and here it is. Starting on the 13th, Grand Rapids is hosting one of our favorite events of the year—the ArtPrize. For us natives, it gets a little annoying when things are busier than usual, but it’s also cool to see our city thrive. There’s going to be art highlighting sustainability, live art, and even a film festival. Since it goes until the 28th, you literally have no excuse not to come and support your community and artists.
Sabrina Carpenter is Killing It
If you’ve just recently been hearing about Sabrina Carpenter, you’re not alone. Her recent stardom isn’t out of the blue, though. She’s been laying the groundwork for many years. The recent release of Short n’ Sweet, her sixth album, has been met with rave reviews. This seems to be the last push she needed to enter the mainstream, competing more directly with top artists and becoming a household name. And dare we say, this might contribute to an all-female Billboard top 10. We’re only five songs away, so go stream women artists on repeat.
As we navigate this complex, ever-changing media landscape together, remember: staying informed is more than just knowing what’s happening. It’s about understanding the ‘why’ behind the ‘what’, and using that understanding to make a difference.
Keep reading, keep questioning, and keep engaging. And, of course, stay tuned to 8THIRTYFOUR for more insights, analysis, and maybe a dash of irreverence. Because in our world, being informed isn’t just smart – it’s essential.
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