Book of D: What's the Matter with Ye (and Adidas)

That's a substantive question, D! Really, what the fuck is the matter with Ye (the not-so-great artist formerly known as Kanye West)? His antics these past years have been atrocious - at best. West's social media fanbase has paved the way for his narcissism because, since joining Twitter, West has racked up nearly 10 million followers. I would say that most of the so-called fans are probably following him just for his ridiculous rants, but that is no reason to follow an ignoramus like West. But, his fanbase is not alone in the culpability of giving West a break. The bulk of the shame goes to retail powerhouse Adidas who merely states that their business relationship with West is "under review." Their response about cutting ties with West is all of bullshit based. Adidas, you know what West has said and done and how he has been subversive . . . so, why are you still giving him a get-out-of-jail card? Adidas, you really need to hurry up and cut ties with this odious person. What more proof do you need, Adidas, to rid yourself of such a negative alliance; your current stance is kind of defeatist. West has not only bashed slaves by saying that slavery was a choice, but he has walloped modern-day movements such as Black Lives Matter by antagonistically wearing the provacative "White Lives Matter" shirts. 

West has also created a lot of controversy and indignation amoung the philosemitism idealogues and Jewish community with his antisemeitc fulminations. Surely a company like Adidas can do better by partnering up with a more "woke" celebrity. Is this negativity really the kind of promotion and history Adidas wants to create for itself? And shame on anyone who stands behind the idea that West's mental health is the cause for his cynical rants and exploits. Mental health does not work like this. For the most part, mental health affects a person in such a manner that he usually just becomes diffident and introverted. Mental health issues do not obstruct a person in such a manner that he becomes outspoken and cruel en masse like West has done. As a counselor, I am not saying that West's battle with bipolar disorder is not real, but I am saying that he needs to acquiesce that he has a mental ailment and get the rest and help required for proper management of said disease. And, Ye, man, stop being so cruel to others and start utilizing some long-overdue self-respect. No one can make you out to be a joke; you have done that . . . all . . . by . . . yourself.

RE: Kanye West Escapes #314389 By NEM0 on May 17, 2018

Book of D: Logophiles and Bibliophiles Are US

In all honesty, my readers or reader 😁, words are truly beautiful - as are books. I have always had a lisp. I remember attending elementary and being bullied because of my lisp. Never mind the fact that my lisp was a direct result of having been born with a cleft-palate defect. My lisp often dictated the kind of day I was going to have. If I had to talk a lot, my lisp would get further impeded by a stutter. That freaking stutter still stifles me to this day. Because I hated talking aloud or making speeches to large crowds, writing and reading became my world. I could go a few days without reading, but my mood would be hindered something awful if I went more than one day without writing. I am not the best writer in the world, but I have won a few essay competitions and always did really well on essays and research papers while an undergrad and grad student. One of my graduate professors would often praise my writing and ask if he could use my essays and research papers as an example for his grad students to use. The professor is known for his difficult expectations as far as grading goes. I had him as an undergrad for psychology courses, and as a graduate student, I had the prof for COUN 6372 Counseling Theory, COUN 6373 Career Dev. & Counseling, and COUN 6387 Pharmacology. All are very structured with finite meaning and terminology. I received an A+ in all his classes, respectively, my grades were 98.90, 98.64, and 96.34. I took Statistics with him, too, as an undergrad and received a grade of 103.85 (his extra credit was not easy to obtain, but I did it). I did well as a non-traditional student; most of the group work and assignments saw other students wanting me on their team because they knew I would be dedicated, hardworking, and serious. Plus. it is a known fact that older students tend to care more about a good GPA and making good grades. I relished my time as a student. I loved the many hours of reading, writing, and researching that was required - if you wanted good grades. None of it really scared me because I never lacked in self-assurance when it pertained to reading and writing. But, when it came to speech courses and public speaking, I suddenly got all stupified and I usually stumbled. I am not as scared or tortured these days of public speaking especially because my current job often mandates that I conduct presentations to large groups of students and their parents. Plus, the countless times I had to student-teach and lecture during grad school helped me to become a better and more calm speaker. Still, I prefer to write. My dream job was to be a writer for Saturday Night Live (SNL). I know it is very competitive to be a writer for shows like SNL and other Hollywood based shows, but I really think I could have succeeded at it. I would have even loved my own syndicated (or not syndicated) column like the one Carrie Bradshaw has on Sex and the City. While I do regret never having pursued life as a professional writer, I still find great pleasure in writing. Whether I write for myself or provide content writing, I love it. Maybe one day I will become the next Stephen King, Anne Rice (rest in peace), or J. K. Rowling, but for now, I will bask in the beauty within the writing realm and spew out written words, my own or those learned from reading the hundreds of books that took me on no expense vacations. I will keep dreaming up words and using them in proper context (or not), and I will appreciate my love of everything reading and writing because as long as I have the ability and adoration for the both, I am rich.