Hello hello,
Happy Fall! I hope everyone is settling into a tolerable routine with school and work. We probably all thought we’d be back to some semblance of normal by now, but instead, it seems the only constant is uncertainty. Workplaces are postponing return-to-work strategies, business travel is back on hold, and schools are hoping for minimal Covid-related disruptions. Humans aren’t built for this sustained uncertainty, and Amy Cuddy recently wrote an article about ‘pandemic flux syndrome’ which really resonated with me : Why this stage of the pandemic makes us so anxious – The Washington Post
My newest obsession is the new Cinderella movie that’s out on Amazon prime video now! To be honest, I was hesitant to have the boys watch it because of the old-fashion story line. In fact, my oldest has to read (aka be read to) for 30 minutes every day for school, and he recently selected an old Cinderella book we had lying around. Half way through the book, I stopped reading and told him I didn’t really like the story or agree with the gender stereotypes… I physically put the book in the trash while asking him to pick something else. He just stared at me and obliged… (I’m sure I’m messing my kids up to some extent with my antics, but I also heard they don’t remember much before 7 so I like to think I’m still operating in a test environment…. right? The scary part is that production release is a few months away…)
BUT, to my delight, the new Cinderella has been re-written! It’s SO good – and I want to outline all the positive changes the movie creators have made, but I also don’t want to spoil it for anyone! IMO, it’s the perfect version to show all little kids but especially little boys!
And don’t even get me started on the three part series Malcolm Gladwell did in this season of revisionist history about The Little Mermaid! He explores just how insane the story is if you really think about it, and he partners with a screenwriter, Brit Marling, to re-write the ending. Their rendition of the story is beautiful, and I hope they can convince Disney to incorporate their edits as part of the upcoming live-action version! (Don’t hold your breath…) Find the series here: Little Mermaid Part 1: The Golden Contract – Pushkin, Little Mermaid Part 2: The Fairytale Twist – Pushkin, Little Mermaid Part 3: Honestly Ever After – Pushkin
Lastly, Tarana Burke’s memoir Unbound: My Story of Liberation and the Birth of the Me Too Movement was just released, and I can’t put it down. It’s such an important book. Pick it up if you’re on the market for a new book.
Be well,
Jessica