“Women in the World of Media” a Documentary

In November I wrote a post  about a little documentary film I was working on, that I would be entering into the Girls Impact the World Film Fest scholarship competition, and now (drum roll please)… I'M PROUD TO ANNOUNCE the premiere of  my short documentary “Women in the World of Media”!!!

Not only do I hope to win this competition but I also hope that this video has an impact, no matter how modest, in bringing about a change. That is where YOU come in! I NEED YOUR HELP TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE!  Every share makes another aware! So WATCH IT, LIKE, COMMENT and most importantly…SHARE to vote for my video! It’s up to us to be the change!!!

Watch the video below and/or GO TO THIS LINK bit.ly/SHARETWEET to watch and VOTE by sharing and tweeting!

Film Synopsis: The Media influences the way our society views women and how women view themselves. Before starting on this documentary I hadn't been aware of  just how great this  influence was and  I realized that most women are unaware as well. In this documentary I uncover the truth about the portrayal of women in the media,  ask real women how they are affected by this portrayal and, most importantly, reveal how our society can take steps to better represent women as leaders, cultivators, and innovators.  It's up to us  women  to take back control, come forward, and bring about change so that we are being heard and represented honestly. I had a blast making this film! Special thanks to all of those  who participated or contributed something in making it, couldn't have done it without you!!! We are going to make a difference, if you have ant questions or want to know what more you can do to help, leave a comment. xoxo -Summer

Click here to view my previous post on Girls Impact the World.

Tugged, Drowned, and Resurrected by Banks

Sometime you hear a song and you just know that it’s going to be a hit. Something about it tugs you into the depths of the sea, drowns you in its melodies, and then resurrects you in a nebulous but pleasant state of mind. Do you know that feeling?
 
Well, when I first heard the artist Banks single “Warm Water” that’s what happened. I was like “who is this person, where did she come from, is she an alien?”
 
Banks is relatively new to the scene, she first released her music early this year, her first EP  titled “London” was released in September. Make no mistake she’s an upcoming artist that’s blowing up - but quietly. Watch carefully because one day you’ll just see her name *appear* on the charts.
 
She’s been compared to Lana Del Rey, but along with being an alternative artist her music has a very clear but ambient sound, with touches of electronic and soul  creating a sound that is new, fresh, and addicting.
Check out her 2013 EP "London”, make sure to listen to the track that's getting all the hype called "Warm Water", and don't forget get her first single “Fall Over” which I love.





BE TUGGED, DROWNED, AND RESURRECTED BY BANKS! - Remember her. Got it? Good. You will thank me. ;)

Girls Impact the World

A few weeks ago I started on a documentary. I am entering it in the Girls Impact the World Film Festival held by an amazing organization called Connecther, which works to raise awareness about issues facing women today such as education, domestic violence, health care, sex trafficking, and many other topics.
 
To be honest, when I started this project I was only thinking about how much fun I would have interviewing and editing. I imagined the cheesy smile I would have on my face when I walked away with the grand cash prize. But as I sat into the project and started researching, I began to see that these issues are real and affect us women everyday more than we are aware. This project became something more.
 
Media: the shows, movies and YouTube videos you watch, music you listen to, games you play, magazines you read; it’s everywhere. If you’re an average person you consume 10hrs of media a day (yeah right, it’s more than that if you carry around your smart phone). In consuming this amount we have come to a time when we are no longer influencing the media, the media is influencing, shaping, and distorting our perceptions of the world.
 
This is when I asked myself – how am I represented in the media, how are women represented in the media? I looked around and absolutely hated what I saw and so my video topic “women and girls in media” was born.
 

“Today 78% of women by the age of 17 are unhappy with their bodies”

Do you realize that 100% of women you see in the media are fake! Look, I am not over exaggerating, if you flip through any magazine the women are stick skinny – but curvy. They are smiling – without smile lines. The only ads I could find that showed untouched/normal looking women were the Dove’s Campaign for Real Women ads and a Clarisonic skin care ad that proudly stated “non-retouched image” at the bottom.
 
As obvious as it may seem that these images are false, in the moment when women are flipping through these magazine pages they can’t help but compare themselves to these images. This is why today 78% of women by the age of 17 are unhappy with their bodies and 90% of all eating disorders are suffered by women. Something needs to change.
 

“The media doesn’t focus on the big speech she gave or the big difference she’s making - oh noooo - they are only concerned about how big her tits looked!”

But this issue of Media, it doesn’t just stop at body image. I watched a documentary called Miss Representation and  I was woken up to the fact that the  media really undermines us women. Women are portrayed as the ditz, bombshell, damsel, or bitch. We are sexualized and objectified, and the few times women are the protagonist or leader they are stone hearted and cold. And have you noticed that when a woman becomes a leader in our society, the media doesn’t focus on the big speech she gave or the big difference she’s making - oh noooo - they are only concerned about how big her tits looked, what she is wearing, what her hair is like, and how good her fashion consciousness is. 

How does this affect the everyday woman? Well from an early age we watch things like The Little Mermaid where Ariel, who is really little (probably a size 000) swims around showing her cleavage in her seashell bra. How about Cinderella, she’s a girl that’s chasing her dreams (except her only goal in life to marry the prince). I’m not trying to hate. I love these movies. However, my point is we girls are conditioned from early on to value prettiness, sexiness, and pleasing others over being a leader, being independent, and reaching our own goals.
 

“Media can be an instrument of change”

As a girl who wants to impact the world, through this video competition I will be working to produce a documentary featuring empowering women and discussing how women are misrepresented in the media. But most importantly I want to make people aware of ways in which our society can work to represent women as we truly are! Katie Couric said “media can be an instrument of change” and it can if we take back control and be the change. 

My documentary will be released here in a couple of weeks! When it is, do your part to make a difference by sharing - every share makes another aware! Also what should I title my video? If you have any ideas leave a comment!
 
For more info on this competition and women in media check out:
www.connecther.org
www.film.missrepresentation.org

A Lesson in Flying High

What do you do when someone takes their own life? How do you react when someone who once roamed the same hallways and went through the same day  is no longer there? I didn't know Alexis, but how is it that I was living my life as someone else's life was getting so bad that they went and ended it?

I want to say sorry, I wish so much that I could have been there, I wish I could have held your hand, I wish I could have cried with you through your pain, instead of through your passing.
 
It was all too surreal. Around me people were feeling pain and loss, but I didn't know how to face it. I couldn't feel. I didn't know what to feel. For a couple days I pretended it hadn't happened. But at some point I completely came undone.
 
I learned that the right response isn't to pretend it didn't happen; it is to prevent something like this from happening again. 

A very brave girl I know taught me this. She stood in front of a room full of people and told us Alexis’s story and with strength and courage she told us her own story too. In those five minutes that she spoke she changed me, she made me realize that the kid with the smile isn't  always the happiest. I cried because I wished  I would have known before. Alexis was gone, but the girl who had a similar story was standing before me and changing my life,  and in seeing how far she'd come, I realized that it's never too late.  From now on I'll be there, I'll listen, and I'll hold even the person that appears to be smiling, because you just never know what someone is going through.

If everyone took the time to look beyond themselves and make the life of someone else a little better we could save so many lives.

    Appreciate the people who are in our lives,
    Be there for them not only at their highest points, but also at their lowest times,
    Tell someone who can get them help,
    and Love them even on the days you think they don't deserve it,
    because that day could make all the difference.

These are the lessons I've learned from Alexis.

Loss can sometimes teach us more than life. I've changed and grown through this along with so many others. I would really like to hear what you have to say, share what you’ve learned and  how you’ve changed  by commenting on this post. It's up to each of us as individuals to prevent things like this from happening again.

Thanks and with love, Summer 

October Life

This October I have been on the go non-stop! So, yeah… sorry I haven’t posted in a while! These past few weeks have had me running faster and longer than Forest Gump (!!!), and I’m finally starting to slow down.

This month has been off the charts. I’ve had demands thrown at me from all aspects of my life; school, work, family, and friends. On top of all that, this month was PSAT testing and Homecoming. And I still had to find  time to check my Instagram and watch the latest on Vine (an essential part of the day)!  You must understand I was running on only 5hrs of sleep a night, caffeine was fueling my veins. But I’m sure I was not the only one. This is the average life of a high-schooler, we are the ones that made “the struggle”, “real”. So Moms’ and Dads’ cut us a brake and stop complaining because at least you are bringing back the money after your long day...AM I RIGH!?!?

I’m just glad to say I have  made it through this month alive.  As this October comes to an end, I am kicking it back , eating lots Halloween candy, and just having fun. And here’ s how…

7 Things to do this Halloween Season!

1. Cuddle up in front of a bonfire with the best. (Don't  forget marshmallows)

 @12katelyn1

2. Go to a party and dance like no one is watching

@dizzyizzy1

3. Support your schools football team go full out! (paint your face, make shirts, sit in the crazy part of the stands) 

@kimbaaaa__

4. Make a Halloween costume and trick-or-treat (your never to old)

@helenahjoerringgaard

5. Host a Scary movie marathon!!!

6. Go out and listen to a local band

@xozoeraexo

7. Scream your way through a haunted house (don’t be stupid and drop your phone in there…like I did)

@maddiegriffin101010

…

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!! XOXO

Americanah

 I am currently reading the novel Americanah by the amazing author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. I am late with this post considering all the hype about it happened over the summer, but I figured its never to late for a good read!

Americanah is about my parents. Well, not specifically my parents but about the story of their generation; the groups of young middle class  Nigerians who migrated to the U.S and England years ago. This description sounds like some historical novel about the struggle to reach the American dream - boring! But I assure you Americanah is NOT that kind of novel.

This book is based upon the two determined, impatient, hilarious characters Ifemelu and Obinze. They  fall in love, are ripped apart by the distance of the Atlantic Ocean and have to learn to navigate in their new lives in the complex American  culture.

When reading book, I find myself  ringing with laughter and blinking back tears because I can related to so many of the the issues that are discussed throughout the novel. Such as one of the main points - being "Non-American Black" in America. For some of my white friends at at this point your saying "What?

If you don't know what it is to be Non-American Black then you NEED to read this book, it will enlighten you! Because yes, there is an actual difference between being Black (African America) and being Black (someone that is African living in America, like my parents). In fact there is a 3rd degree of "blackness" which I fall under and that is made up of  kids that are Black but with Non-American Black parents...CONFUSED YET?!?! Well,  this novel really gets into the grits, grind, politics, culture, and diplomacy, of this phenomenon.

To get an idea of how amazing this novel is here is a hilarious excerpt from Americanah, I about died from laughter when I read this:

“Dear Non-American Black, when you make the choice to come to America, you become black. Stop arguing. Stop saying I'm Jamaican or I'm Ghanaian. America doesn't care…So you’re black, baby. And here is the deal with becoming black: You must show that you are offended when such words as “watermelon” or “tar baby” are used in jokes, even if you don’t know what the hell is being talked about…You must nod back when a black person nods at you in a heavily white area. It is called the black nod…If you are a woman, please don’t speak your mind as you are use to doing in your country. Because in America, strong-minded black woman are SCARY. And if you are a man, be hyper-mellow, never get to excited or someone will worry that you’re about to pull a gun. ” ― Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Americanah

READ THIS BOOK.Write the title and authors name down right now, now, now. I grantee you, that after reading this you will see the world in a new way… you may even understand where I’m coming form a little bit better!

Janelle Monae's Album Release: The Electric Lady

The Electric Lady by savainfinite on Polyvore

I am a huge fan of Janelle Monàe so I was more than ecstatic to find out that she would be releasing her second full-length  album on  September 10th titled The Electric Lady. Janelle likes to give a good surprise, so she's keeping information about this release hush-hush, but  a single was released called " Q.U.E.E.N." featuring  Erika Badu - another artist that I love! I also listened to a bit of the song "Dance Apocalyptic" from the album. Just the title of that song alone is enough for me to love it, but it's also has that very funky, fantasy, electric sound which Janelle is known for. 

If your a fan like me, you should know that she is a starting a national tour Sept. 13th. I'm going to  be looking at tickets (super hype)! I'm sure more information will be revealed leading up to the release, until then we'll be excitedly waiting.

One more thing, don't forget to check back soon I'll be doing a post on this fall's music line up. 

Recap of Summer 2013

Labor day is here!!! So, I now must accept that this summer is coming to an end. It’s been such a wonderful summer  in the most simple way. I really had what you might call a “classic summer” a mix of lazy days, family reunions, road trips, volunteering, beach days, and (the best part) time to myself!

Each year I write a list of all the things that I want to accomplish during the summer , and this year I actually did most of the things on my list. Starting a blog was one of my top priorities , and look at how far I’ve come with that!

…

Now that’s summer is over, I’m starting to think about plans for this school year – collage searching, SATs, scholarships, school work, extra curricular activates and lets see if I can squeeze my social life in their too!

I  also have big plans for SAVA (a few improvements and interesting new features will be added)  but that is under raps for now. Anyways, I hope you had had a wonderful summer!

Summer 2013 you treated me well, I will miss you!

Hello School Dayz!

Today some of you may have spent your day out with friends, at the beach, or maybe watching TV – NOT ME! Today was my first day back in school.  I am very sad my summer  is over but on the bright side ,  it does feel good to be going back to school as a Junior (whoop whoop)! No longer am I fresh-meat, or a socially lost sophomore, I’m an upperclassman  and I am totally in this I-don’t-give-a-sh**-I’m-a-Junior chill mode (ha-ha)!

Anyway, today went very well, it was great to see all my friends beautiful faces! And of course I had to take first day pictures for you! So here I am with my minimal-vintage-chillax-Jr.-dopeness.

Hip-Hop Turns 40

Hip-hop has left a legacy that seems to be growing with time. Throughout this month people have been celebrating Hip-Hop’s 40th birthday.

 

Grandmaster Flash

Everyone knows the names of the most well known Hip-Hop artists of today: Jay-Z, Kanye, Lil Wayne, Eminem, Drake and Niki Minaj, just to name a few. But to truly celebrate I wanted to have a full understanding of what Hip-Hop was before the money, glamour, bitches and pimps . So I went back to the days when Hip Hop was born.

“Let’s take it back (to the beginning). The August 11, 1973 rec room party in the Bronx is undeniably one of the  most famous parties in Hip-Hop’s history. Thrown by a father of Hip-Hop, DJ Kool Herc, it was here that Herc experimented with “the breaks” in records, elongating portions of them after noticing that dancers would choose certain points in a record to flock to the floor.” – pbs.org

But before that night, parties were bumping with the funky sounds of Motown. James Brown’s music used what would become an influential sound called “break beat”, a new dance style of “popping and locking” was being introduced and artists were using spoken word in their songs.”
 
Around the time of DJ Kool Hurc’s party in 73’, young Kurtis Blow, DJ Afrika Bambaata, and Grandmaster Flash spread the Hip-Hops sound of breaking and scratching throughout the streets. By the late 80’s Hip-Hop was no longer just a music style, it was an innovative life style.
 

The original flyer for what became the birth of hip-hop. - Upnorthrips

One by one, boundaries were being broken. Kurtis Blow becomes the first rapper signed to a major record label deal , The Sugar Hill Gang’s “Rapper’s Delight” is one of the first Hip-Hop singles to land on the Top 40 Charts, Salt n’ Pepa becomes the first well known female rap group, mainstream media gets its first taste of hip- hop on "Yo! MTV Raps.", and in 88’ DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince win the first ever Rap Grammy Award.

 

40-years later you, me and the world are celebrating the artists, the innovation, the sensation and the music that is, Hip-Hop.

 
References: pbs.org, about.com, npr.org

Fashion So Dope You Can’t Cope

   Currently #Trending in Fashion by savainfinite created with Polyvore

 

Over the past couple of weeks I’ve had the opportunity to go shopping! I’ve hit a couple different malls, outlets, and stores looking for things for the new school year. I can’t help but notice that there are some items that can be found in almost every store. If you haven’t been out lately here is a first look at these items that I have seen “trending”. As they say some trends are hot while others are a big NOT! Let me know what you think, and for those of you that are trend setters - what styles will we be seeing in the near future?

1. Galaxy Pattern - Even more stars and planets this year! 

Purple dress
etsy.com
 
Hair bow
hottopic.com
 
2. Felines - lions, tigers, and kitties...everywhere! Oh My!

Emma Cook tiger print t shirt
net-a-porter.com
 
Forever 21 head wrap headband
forever21.comp
 
3. Crop Turtle Necks - they make your upper half look slim.

Crop top turtleneck
$12 - glamorous.com
 
5. Camouflage - don't expect to go unseen wearing this.

Camo jacket
$57 - aeropostale.com
 
6. Leggings - pick a color, pattern, or print...the choices are endless!

Stretch waist pants
$42 - pret-a-beaute.com
 
H M black legging
$15 - hm.com
 
7. Cheetah Print - Seriously how many revivals can one trend get?!

Gourmet leather shoes
urbanoutfitters.com
 
White hat
etsy.com


8. Bib Necklace - currently searching for one that will match every Outfit.

Gold necklace
$20 - newlook.com


9. Flower Crowns- bring out your inner flower child. 

Gardenhead flower headband
urbanoutfitters.com

The Unplugged Life

 

                                                                                                        Photo By Nyoin

                                            

Since Friday I've been unplugged. NO PHONE, NO COMPUTER,  NO BLOGGING, Nada. According to my mom I had become a little obsessed with the whole blogging thing, I was going to bed at 1 o'clock at the earliest, and I was becoming crabby. So, she made me quite cold turkey, told me to “relax”!
 
My time is over (I now have my phone and computer back) and I am glad to announce I have survived!
 
And not only did I survive, I feel good, rested, refreshed, centered. I have a new perspective on things. Next time I might even do the complete unplugged detoxification. By complete I mean no TV (I was "relaxing" by watching Netflix) and no cheats (I used the house phone to make calls)hehe!
 
For those of you reading this, you should try it before summer ends! You may find yourself connected in a whole other way ;)

Falling From the Nest

I walked out of my front door and “woomp” something falls out of a tree if front of me. “Oh my god…!!!!! Help someone help me…find a box, find a box…Mommmm!!! Is it dead, oh god I hope it’s not dead.”

This is how I freak out when birds fall out of a trees. “The thing looks deaf, dumb, and blind.” There's a  baby bird lying there, and I'm thinking, what the hell am I suppose to do?… “Mommmm!!!”. I find a box, some newspaper, waster, seeds, and gloves. At this point I feel better, I’m thinking “It’s cute…I’m going to save a bird today!…Daphne…I’ll call the little bird Daphne.”

Daphne is a female fledgling , a baby bird just beginning world exploration. Well , she didn’t get very far. And to think, she would have never made it if a guardian angle didn’t swoop in from above and save her (that would be me *wink wink*).   I was able to find out that that Daphne is ok (thank the lord for the internet!), she was just a brave little soul that wanted to take a risk and leave the nest early. I can just imagine little bird Daphne going around and asking “Are you my mother?” haha :)

So now what.
Well, Daphne is in my room chirping, pooping a lot, but doing well. I will probably release her or climb a ladder and find her nest, but I’m making sure she is nursed and fully recovered from that dramatic experience!

The way this bird fell out of it’s nest, right there in front of me, the moment I opened the door;  I can’t help wonder if there is a message  I’m suppose to read into. You see Daphne and I have a lot in common, we are both at a point where we have to admit that soon it will be time to become more independent, experience life by living it,  leave the nest if you will. Daphne took the leap…and ended up falling…WHAT THE SACK IS THAT SUPPOSE TO MEAN?!?!?!

Here is Daphne!

In That Moment…

 

SHOW SOME LOVE!

The Sunflower Patch

When I’m not in the best of moods, I’ll sometimes stop everything and go outside and ride my bike. Something about riding always clears my mind. I only need to take a short ride around the neighborhood and I feel instant relief.  
Not too long ago I had one of those days, I just spontaneously dropped everything and left to ride my bike. It was evening, the warmth of the day was settling down, it was quiet and peaceful, and I was completely absorbed in the moment. I rode passed houses, immersed in the colors of the gardens and the movement of the lake behind them. As I approached the end of the street there it was a beautiful sunflower patch. It was just picturesque.


I’d seen this sunflower patch before, but this time I was going to enter it. There was a mailbox and a never ending pathway off to the right of the field. I rode my bike only a couple yards in so I wouldn’t be yelled at by any possessive owners. I then stopped my bike and just stood there taking it in, surrounded by sunflowers taller than me, I was alone. This was one of life’s moments.   



Before I left I quickly picked a baby sunflower put it in my bicycle basket and rode home, saying hello to a woman walking her dog on the way. This whole experience was about 10min but it made me feel as good as if I had been away for 60. As you can tell I really had a lot of fun on this mini adventure, it made me feel really good. :)   



Click the post to comment and share!!!

Temi DollFace

Temi DollFace is a singer, songwriter, visionary, and a Naija girl with serious talent! I discovered Temi DollFace a few weeks ago, when I watched the music video for her debut single “Pata Pata”, which can be loosely translated to mean “The relationship is over…completely”.

Her music is a mix of pop, soul, and afro-beat, it’s Like a Beyoncé’, Stevie Wonder, and Fela Kuti concoction, which she calls “Drama Soul” …and I love it. Not to mention the music video itself, that went full out with the whole vintage, retro, 1950’s American TV style, with a touch of West African culture and dance. It really is the cutest thing, but seriously, watch it for yourself! http://youtu.be/7EinxcEiDNU

TemiDollface is a Nigerian singer and songwriter based between London and Nigeria. For more on her, find her on: Twitter & Instagram: @Temidollface  Site: www.temimusic.com

What do you think? comment and share by clicking post title!

It’s Ok…

I am a person that is driven. There are things I want to do, places I want to go. I have this apt sense of the future, it’s what I live for, to reach my goals and dreams.

But there is a part of me, a gray area, an inner critic, the ego. I am my worst enemy, always telling me what to do, what not to say, telling me that I'm not doing enough, judging, comparing, and devouring the full potential that is me.

They say identifying your problem is the first step to recovery, which means I've started the processes of getting rid of this critic. It’s one of the main things that I've been working on in my life. Sometimes just as I feel like I'm growing and becoming more centered, I find myself thrown into a new situation where I am swallowed up, chewed and spit out – “two steps back” as they say.

This aspect that I'm trying to get rid of can be described and seen in so many ways. It’s the thing that keeps me from expressing, asking for what I want, loving another, saying what I need to say; it makes me self conscious, it causes fear,  it tells me I’m limited even though I know I’m infinite, it controls me.

But every time I have an experience where I am able to take control and silence my critic, I know that growth is happening. I build strength, confidence, like an immunity. Even writing this post proves to myself that I'm getting somewhere. I’ve had beautiful people in my life be my teachers; my parents, uncles and aunts, siblings, and friends. And I know with out a doubt I’ll be completely free to be fully me, in time.

I guess I'm just telling myself as well as others that may be going through this too, its ok. It takes time to fully understand yourself,  and find your own way, but know that in this moment you are what you are, and that ok.

 

Click post to share and comment!