Goodbye, Beauty and the Beast
My childhood was very shaped by Disney. During the ‘90s, Disney had an incredible boom in animated movies. “Beauty and the Beast” was released and became an instant classic. It seemed like I watched “Beauty and the Beast” over and over again. I loved Belle’s beauty and independence, her kind heart, brave nature and ability to love the Beast beyond his physical appearance. Despite later seeing some connections to subtle racism within the plot of the movie, my childhood innocence took the meaning of the movie to be inspired and lovely, affirming women’s intelligence and the possibility of true love. In my four-year-old mind and for many years after, it really did seem like the most beautiful love story every told. The animation was incredible, too! I loved the detail in Mrs. Potts, Lumiere, Chip and Cogsworth. Perhaps it...
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This much I know is true: High and lifted up
My grandma came and visited my family one Easter weekend in elementary school. She flew all the way from Chicago, and even though we were devout sabbath observing Adventists, we spent all week including the previous Friday and Saturday making the house beautiful for my beautiful grandmother. Meeting her at the airport, we waited to see her come out of baggage claim and when her skinny happy face came through the automatic doors, a teary and face holding reunion happened instantly. On Friday night, I knocked on grandma’s door in the guest room, and followed by my brother, we crawled on the edge of the bed, giggling because we got to watch TV on the Sabbath, BET if I remember correctly, and because of the good and warm feeling of being close to someone we loved and admired. The...
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This Much I know is True: Black History Month, Again?!
I hate to say it, but I don’t like Black History Month. It makes me uncomfortable and it has for years. During the month of February, I see a lot of soulful tv commercials backed with cliché and contrived thumping beats. Families portrayed look unrealistically urban and suburban. These families are always making some healthy alternative soul food after yoga class while responding to a question, saying “mmhmm!” or “you know it girl!” It kills me. My memories of Black History Month at school are just as cringe worthy. Usually there would be an emphasis on the slavery unit. My teachers would talk about, you guessed it, the Underground Railroad—looking at me 70 percent of the class, especially when they talked about Harriet Tubman. At the end of class sometimes a teacher would hold me, asking me if I...
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“And they were Naked and Unashamed” explores nudity, the female experience and religion
Senior art major Timela Crutcher is completing her senior project, entitled, “And they were Naked and Unashamed.” Her project is a re-interpretation of the Genesis narrative, specifically the accounts of human nudity and the female experience within Genesis 2:25. “I am inspired by the female body. I like the way it looks,” Crutcher said. Her artwork focuses on the inherited attitudes regarding nudity and female sexuality, specifically within the context of religion. “The female body is both adored and regulated by culture and religion. I wanted to portray the beauty of nudity through my mind’s depiction of the Garden of Eden,” Crutcher said. “Before [Adam and Eve in the narrative] ate of the fruit, nudity was not looked down upon. They were naked before God and proud. I want to bring to light what so many people try to...
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This Much I Know is True: To Taste and be Happy
How beautiful it is to find and eat something delicious. Tasting and eating, drinking and savoring, enjoying food in any capacity is one of my favorite experiences as a human being. Whether it is cookie cake, pasta, chocolate ice cream, spanakopita or Thai iced tea– food and drink captivate me and have a real connection to my soul. As I am trying to determine where I will go and what I will be after my Maryville identity fades behind me, my favorite food and drink are helping. Like that Oreo milkshake I got at sonic last week that took me far back to my sophomore year. It was there in the parking lot over this creamy treat that I realized I made a new soul friend, Kristin, who would become like a sister to me for the next three...
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