it's okay to say nothing.
on being quiet when you don't have all the facts + reads & vibes for your weekend
And we’re back at it again in a brand new year! Happy 2023 friend! I hope that you had a great time celebrating and that all of the “circling back at the top of the year” hasn’t taken you out this week. Let’s jump right in.
thoughts at large.
One thing I wish we could have left in 2022 is people talking about what they don’t know about. It’s absolutely annoying and often dangerous.
Let’s take for example this week’s big news story: NFL player Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field during Monday Night Football, and immediately the discourse online was that he died on live TV. As of yesterday - the man is in ICU and is making progress toward recovery. Do you see why this could be a problem? People coming up with their own theories and running wild with them could cause unnecessary panic and trauma for all of the parties involved.
While we’re on this topic, I made a Tik Tok about why the broadcast kept going after the Hamlin injury. You can check it out below.
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How can I put this kindly? Sometimes, you should just be silent. Isn’t that what Jill Scott said?
In an age when you can get canceled for not saying anything about cultural issues, you’re going to have to take a bold stance when you don’t have all of the facts available. Be a revolutionary. It won’t take much. Just… stop talking, or typing.
It's important to be quiet when you don't know all the facts because speaking without having all the information can lead to misunderstandings and incorrect conclusions. It can also spread misinformation, which can cause harm or confusion. By waiting until you have all the necessary information, you can ensure that you are accurately representing the situation and not contributing to any problems. Additionally, being quiet allows you to listen and learn from others, which can help you gain a better understanding of the situation. I can’t believe I even have to say this, but I’ve learned, that common sense is never really common.
It's not necessary to have an opinion on every topic because it's literally impossible to know everything about every subject. I know social media makes it seem like you should have something to say about everything, but you really, truly should just stop.
There may be many topics you have little or no knowledge about, and it would not be helpful or informed to share an opinion on them. It's also okay to not have an opinion on a subject because you may simply be neutral or unsure about it. That’s a natural thing, and it should be respected. Don’t let peer pressure catch you out on a limb that you can’t crawl back from. Just, stop talking. It may be counter-cultural, but you’re already different anyway. Let it rock.
It's okay not to have an opinion on every topic. It's more important to be informed and thoughtful about the opinions you do hold. Let’s do better together in 2023.
reads & vibes.
Ginny & Georgia is back for a second season on Netflix. If you haven’t watched the first season, I’d recommend it - it’s got the right mix of angst, laughter, and suspense.
Y’all, why is Kenya Barris obsessed with interracial relationships, and mixed-race people? Think about it, what show has he developed that hasn’t had that as a central storyline? Black-Ish, Mixed-Ish, BlackAF? That doesn’t seem, suspicious to you? I’m joking, but not really.
The trailer for his latest project, You People is out now. The film stars Julia Louis Dreyfus, Eddie Murphy, Nia Long, Jonah Hill and Lauren London (who I’m super excited to see in a comedy.) This could go one of two ways - super cringe, or very funny. I’m hoping for the latter while preparing for the former. The movie is on Netflix on January 27th, and apparently, it’s doing a limited run in theaters the week before. Watch the trailer below:
Well, family, that’s all for this week - let’s circle back next week once we’re all acclimated to the new year, and can finally write the date without forgetting that it’s 2023.
TTYL!
