January 2022 Wrap-Up: A Lack of Five-Stars, Drunk Hamsters, and A Project Finally Completed
I know it looks like I read basically nothing this month, but that’s not true! I finished three books! They were just all very meh. 😩 Yeah, 2022 is not off to the best start in terms of reading. But it is a big month for my essay writing!
What I’ve Enjoyed
Articles
In This Prison, COVID Patients are Housed with Inmates on Suicide Watch
A horrifying but eye-opening look into how both mental health crises and the COVID-19 pandemic are mishandled in prisons.
What’s the Mandatory Deduction for Being Black at the Olympics?
I had never considered the role systemic racism played in sports competition before, but after reading this, it’s obvious that it’s a rampant problem. Figure skaters who were technically more skilled than their competition received consistently lower scores, advertisements for massive televised sporting events like the Olympics focus almost exclusively on white athletes, and countries with a predominantly non-white population see far fewer Olympic medals than countries like the United States.
You Have No Idea How Hard It Is To Get A Hamster Drunk
And now for something completely different!
People do a lot of weird stuff in the name of science. In this case, trying to get hamsters drunk. It’s an interesting and weird little weird – definitely worth five minutes of your time. The only downside is there are no cute pictures or videos of tipsy hamsters wobbling around.
Other
The Legend of Vox Machina
When I tell you I have been waiting years for this show, I’m not exaggerating. I’ve been hype ever since the Kickstarter was announced. Now that the first three episodes are finally out in the world, I can safely say it does not disappoint. Seeing these characters come to life is WILD, and I’m so stoked for the Critical Role cast that they were able to do this – and excited for what this means for the future of animation and television. And, you know, wondering if we might see other campaigns animated if this does well. 👀
What I’ve Created
Articles
“I don’t really think he counts as a guy.” Queerness in the House of Night
I originally published this to Vocal in 2020, but I’m sharing it again for two reasons. One, I’m still extremely proud of it and want more people to read it. And two, it’s the first in a series of essays that I’ve been working on for years, and I intend to share links to all of them, too. Being able to apply my degree in sociology and Native Studies (as well as my personal perspectives and experiences) to critical analysis of the harm done by a popular book series has been a very important and fulfilling process for me, and I hope I’m able to leave an impact on anyone who reads these essays.
The other essays that came out this month are:
•Part honey, part whore: Sex Shaming and Internalized Misogyny in the House of Night [Part 1]
•She chose vengeance and anger: Sex Shaming and Internalized Misogyny in the House of Night [Part 2]
•”My own Nubian princess.” Blackness, Exotification, and Dehumanization in the House of Night
•Ancient tribal blood and the heartbeat of outsiders: Mystification, Appropriation, and Indigenous Representation in the House of Night
As always, if you’ve enjoyed these essays and other work I’ve shared on Medium, please consider following me over there. I’m currently sitting at 30 followers, and if I can get to 100 I’ll be eligible for the Medium Partner Program. Sharing my work is also a great way to show your support!
And that about wraps things up. While the books I read were certainly disappointing, the month wasn’t a total waste. Plus, there are plenty of other books I’m looking forward to reading throughout the year. Fingers crossed February brings me a five-star!
If you want to see my somewhat more sporadic updates throughout the month, check me out on Twitter and Instagram, where I’m @rachaellawrites
What I’ve Enjoyed
Articles
In This Prison, COVID Patients are Housed with Inmates on Suicide Watch
A horrifying but eye-opening look into how both mental health crises and the COVID-19 pandemic are mishandled in prisons.
What’s the Mandatory Deduction for Being Black at the Olympics?
I had never considered the role systemic racism played in sports competition before, but after reading this, it’s obvious that it’s a rampant problem. Figure skaters who were technically more skilled than their competition received consistently lower scores, advertisements for massive televised sporting events like the Olympics focus almost exclusively on white athletes, and countries with a predominantly non-white population see far fewer Olympic medals than countries like the United States.
You Have No Idea How Hard It Is To Get A Hamster Drunk
And now for something completely different!
People do a lot of weird stuff in the name of science. In this case, trying to get hamsters drunk. It’s an interesting and weird little weird – definitely worth five minutes of your time. The only downside is there are no cute pictures or videos of tipsy hamsters wobbling around.
Other
The Legend of Vox Machina
When I tell you I have been waiting years for this show, I’m not exaggerating. I’ve been hype ever since the Kickstarter was announced. Now that the first three episodes are finally out in the world, I can safely say it does not disappoint. Seeing these characters come to life is WILD, and I’m so stoked for the Critical Role cast that they were able to do this – and excited for what this means for the future of animation and television. And, you know, wondering if we might see other campaigns animated if this does well. 👀
What I’ve Created
Articles
“I don’t really think he counts as a guy.” Queerness in the House of Night
I originally published this to Vocal in 2020, but I’m sharing it again for two reasons. One, I’m still extremely proud of it and want more people to read it. And two, it’s the first in a series of essays that I’ve been working on for years, and I intend to share links to all of them, too. Being able to apply my degree in sociology and Native Studies (as well as my personal perspectives and experiences) to critical analysis of the harm done by a popular book series has been a very important and fulfilling process for me, and I hope I’m able to leave an impact on anyone who reads these essays.
The other essays that came out this month are:
•Part honey, part whore: Sex Shaming and Internalized Misogyny in the House of Night [Part 1]
•She chose vengeance and anger: Sex Shaming and Internalized Misogyny in the House of Night [Part 2]
•”My own Nubian princess.” Blackness, Exotification, and Dehumanization in the House of Night
•Ancient tribal blood and the heartbeat of outsiders: Mystification, Appropriation, and Indigenous Representation in the House of Night
As always, if you’ve enjoyed these essays and other work I’ve shared on Medium, please consider following me over there. I’m currently sitting at 30 followers, and if I can get to 100 I’ll be eligible for the Medium Partner Program. Sharing my work is also a great way to show your support!
And that about wraps things up. While the books I read were certainly disappointing, the month wasn’t a total waste. Plus, there are plenty of other books I’m looking forward to reading throughout the year. Fingers crossed February brings me a five-star!
If you want to see my somewhat more sporadic updates throughout the month, check me out on Twitter and Instagram, where I’m @rachaellawrites
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