Strands of Genius: Cancel Culture, A New Renaissance for Black Art, The Case for Future Nostalgia

Guest curated by Megan Tuck

Jan 28, 2021

:: A BIT MORE ABOUT GUEST CURATOR, MEGAN TUCK ::

LOCATION: Los Angeles
PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT: The Bliss Group

By day, I'm a long time PR pro with The Bliss Group; leader for 600 & Rising, the advocacy group devoted to uplifting Black talent in advertising and PR; and Board member for SisterMentors, a nonprofit devoted to helping women of color access higher education. By night, I'm a film lover, a wannabe artist and a pet parent to a lovingly stubborn bunny named Bishop. Always, I am a proud Black woman that loves to talk about being Black.

Editor’s Note (Genius Steals Team): This edition of Strands is the first of our partnership with 600 & Rising, an advocacy group for Black talent in advertising and PR. We’re proud of this newsletter, but we want to continue to learn and grow ourselves — and part of that means acknowledging our own inherent biases, and taking action to challenge them. We believe that there’s huge value in listening to and learning from underrepresented voices, and we’re striving for the spaces we create to be welcoming for all, to honor individual experiences as well as shared experiences.

Each month, we’ll be handing the newsletter over to 600 & Rising — and each guest curator will receive a lifetime scholarship to the School of Stolen Genius. A huge thanks to Megan for an awesome inaugural edition — some especially great content today! We hope that over time we can expand on this collaboration, as we remain committed to supporting Black talent both in terms of opportunity creation, as well as fighting for pay equity. As always, our inbox (and ears) are open, if you have thoughts on how we can be better allies.

:: THE LINKS ::

IS IT REALLY “CANCEL CULTURE” OR JUST CAPITALISM?

The concept of a free market fundamentally includes space for consumers to choose to spend their dollars with businesses that align with their values - and for consumers to share their opinions on businesses that don't. Is that what "cancel culture" is? Who actually benefits from using that language? "Cancel culture has brought up an important debate over how we weigh and challenge ideas in a new world where everyone has a microphone. That debate is far from settled." Tod Perry explains. (Good)

A NEW RENAISSANCE FOR BLACK ART

Azia Javier, an executive at Roc Nation/Tidal, was inspired by the country's current reckoning for racial justice to create A3 Magazine, a new venture highlighting Black creatives, artists and visionaries. In an interview published by Buzzfeed's Pia Peterson, Azia says, "This Black creative community, we’ve always been there, but now they are feeling strongly about their voice and are coming into their own." (Buzzfeed News)

THE CASE FOR FUTURE NOSTALGIA

Understandably, we are living in a period of intense nostalgia, as we reflect on the things that brought us joy pre-pandemic. However, is nostalgia good or bad for mindfulness? Despite the temporary relief that nostalgia brings us, can heavy reflection actually harm our daily mental health? Noel Hunter, PsyD, notes that a healthier route includes a balance of past and future nostalgia - memories we are creating in the present. (Elemental)

Looking for more from Megan Tuck? Those enrolled in The School of Stolen Genius will receive a deep dive from her in their inbox shortly! You can access all our expert interviews for SOSG here.

:: AND NOW… SOME FAST FAVORITES ::

:: Game :: Spades (Big joker, little joker, two of diamonds, two of spades... #ifyouknowyouknow)

:: City :: Phuket, Thailand

:: Book :: Wild Seed by Octavia Butler

:: Podcast :: The Connect by The Ringer

:: Album :: Saturn by Nao

:: I’M SPEAKING ::

I just loved this image because sometimes we just need to do something we like!

All Black Lives Matter. And remember to listen to (and pay) Black women. We be knowing.

Megan Tuck

Megan.L.Tuck@gmail.com

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