“Slapsgiving”: How I Met Your Mother

How I Met Your Mother has such an interesting trajectory when it comes to fan reception and its legacy. Yes, the finale left a lot to be desired and it essentially undid a great deal of character progression that took place over the nine seasons leading up to it. But the one thing the finale couldn’t take away from was the hilarious and long standing Slap Bet between Marshall and Barney. 

It starts as a bet on what Robin’s secret is and eventually balloons into one of the most loved and entertaining recurring gags on the show. In “Slapsgiving,” the usual HIMYM hijinks occur, including Marshall’s countdown to an impending slap that he’s going to give Barney. It’s the perfect mix of anticipation, mind games, and playful threatening. It also ends with a beautiful piano performance that punctuates the throughline perfectly. 

You can watch How I Met Your Mother on Netflix. 

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

Is it really a holiday celebration if you don’t watch a Charlie Brown special? This one centers on the Charlie Brown torn between his upcoming Thanksgiving dinner with his grandmother at her house and between Peppermint Patty who invited herself to Thanksgiving dinner with Charlie Brown as her father is currently out of town. 

The special has that comforting and familiar Peanuts charm to it, with the calming music and the animation that so many are familiar with, ultimately giving the most important message: Thanksgiving isn’t just a holiday for blood relatives; family encompasses all of the people we care about and who cares about us. 

You can watch A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving on Apple TV and Amazon Prime. 

Succession: “I Went to Market”

If there’s one thing HBO’s Succession is known for, it’s the contentious, yet often times hilarious, way that the Roys get along as a family. This Thanksgiving episode encapsulates that perfectly. There’s the usual sniping and plotting that this family gets up to and a guest appearance by the very talented James Cromwell as Logan’s estranged brother. Though there aren’t the usual warm and fuzzy feelings in this Thanksgiving special, there’s still entertainment to be found. So whether you’re from the outside looking in or someone who can relate to the dysfunction of the Roy family, give it a watch. 

You can watch Succession on MAX. 

Bob’s Burgers: “Turkey in a Can”

There’s always some fun to be had when it comes to the Belcher family, so it’s no surprise that they can really make a meal out of a Thanksgiving special. This episode sees patriarch Bob trying to make the perfect roast turkey, something that has eluded him due to his turkey always mysteriously ending up in the toilet. He’s also struggling as a father who doesn’t want his daughter to grow up. It’s not surprising to think that a holiday all about family and thankfulness would bring out these feelings, but the way this manifests is both hilarious and heartwarming. 

You can watch Bob’s Burgers on Hulu and Disney+. 

Modern Family: “Three Turkeys”

Modern Family is a show about a multi-generational extended family that switches between three households. This means a lot of different relationship dynamics and all of the drama, tension, and laughs that come along with them. For instance, in the episode “Three Turkeys,” Phil and Luke are left in charge of cooking the most important part of the Thanksgiving meal while Glora and Jay look for some time away from the family, and Claire attempts to make a backup turkey in case Phil and Luke fail in their mission. It’s an episode about how easy it is to forget the most important part of Thanksgiving, being with the people you love. By the end, everyone remembers to not get lost in the details and appreciate spending time together. Though, the multiple turkey mishaps is also an important part of this episode, never forget that. 

You can watch Modern Family on Peacock. 

Hey Arnold!: “Arnold’s Thanksgiving”

Hey Arnold! is one of the first Nicktoons as well as one of the most beloved of its time. It’s a show about an elementary student, the titular Arnold, who lives in a boarding house with his grandparents and often finds himself being the confidant and voice of reason to the people around him. However, in the Thanksgiving episode Arnold doesn’t have a whole lot of optimism to go around. He’s frustrated with the chaos in his home with his eccentric grandmother celebrating the wrong holiday, though who wouldn’t want fireworks after a nice Thanksgiving meal? His classmate and secret admirer Helga is struggling to be thankful herself after being disregarded by her family all day in favor of heaping praise upon her older sister Olga. The two leave their houses and run into each other while going for walks to clear their heads. Deciding to find the perfect Thanksgiving elsewhere, they set off to their teacher Mr. Simmons’ house, only to discover he’s not having a very positive holiday either. 

Though things end of a nice note, it’s also a realistic look at how families are not perfect and sometimes you have to find the “perfect Thanksgiving” for you. 

You can watch Hey Arnold! on Paramount Plus. 

The post Thanksgiving Episodes We’re Thankful For appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.

But here, we want to focus on the melanated beauties: the innovators, streamers, developers, and players redefining what it means to show up boldly in the gaming world. These are the best Black female video game characters — who bring style, strategy, and unapologetic brilliance, proving that representation isn’t just important, it’s game-changing.

Lisa aka La Mariposa: Dead or Alive

Dr. Lisa Hamilton is one of the most versatile and acrobatic fighters in the Dead or Alive series. She’s also one of two Black characters, the other being Zack, and the only Black woman. She’s a former DOATEC scientist who’s known for working on both genetic projects, Project Alpha and Project Epsilon.

Lisa is also a celebrated and successful Luchadora under the name of La Mariposa. She began wrestling when her childhood friend, Tina Armstrong, convinced her to join the business. She uses the Baji Quan fighting style, and her moves are as flashy as her iconic Lucha costumes that she’s known for.

Lisa stands out in the character roster while being one of the more subdued as far as story goes. She’s someone who’s always working in the background of the overall narrative, but to the Black girls who love the Dead or Alive series, Lisa is nothing short of magic.

Jade: Mortal Kombat

When you think of Black women in video games, it’s hard not to have Jade come to the forefront of your mind. She’s not only an icon in the Black gamers community, but she’s also an icon of gaming to begin with.

Introduced as a secret character in Mortal Kombat II, Jade has made her mark in the MK series. She’s not only an amazing fighter and strong woman, but she’s also the general of the Edenian Royal Army and the best friend of a fellow iconic character, Princess Kitana. The two have been friends since childhood, and for Edenians, that’s no small feat since their lifespans can stretch to be thousands of years.

In fact, most of Jade’s motivations stem from her wanting to protect her best friend. She’s as loyal as she is powerful. At one point, she even borrowed her weapons from Kitana’s lead. She used steel fans in her first appearance in MK II. Since then she’s switched to her large magical steel bōstaff that she uses to spear and subdue her opponents, along with her bladed boomerangs, named razorangs.

Outside of the games, Jade is a popular cosplay for wearing around Halloween time and to conventions. She even represented Mortal Kombat in G4’s Video Game Vixens, a special focused on the sexiest characters in video games. Looking at the roster of Mortal Kombat, that’s quite a feat. Overall, Jade means a lot to the Black girls who play Mortal Kombat, and she’s quite the representative for dark-skinned women. This is why her return in Mortal Kombat II was met with such excitement when the initial trailer for her dropped.

Clementine: The Walking Dead Video Games

If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like for a child to grow up during a zombie apocalypse, pick up the entire TWD game series and play through all four main seasons. In the first episode of Season 1, we’re introduced to a little girl by the name of Clementine. She’s the character who sticks around for the entire series.

Clementine starts off as an innocent 8-year-old who the player has to protect through the main character of Season 1, Lee. By the end, not only has Lee created a bond with Clementine but the player has, too. In the spirit of not spoiling the end to Season 1, let’s just say, when Clementine is faced with the last choice of the season it’s not just her who’s in tears.

Throughout the rest of the seasons, we pick up with Clementine through different stages of her life, from a strong but naive 9- to 11-year-old in Season 2 all the way until Season 4 when we pick up with Clementine at the end of her teenage years where she’s a hardened but still loving young woman. 

Seeing Clementine journey from where we first meet her to where we can end our journey with her at the end of Season 4, it’s no wonder that fans of the series can’t help but have a soft spot in their hearts for her.

Karui: Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm series

Though the Naruto fighting games include characters from the popular anime, it’s still never a crime to show some love to these characters as far as their depictions in these games go. We’re here to show some love to Karui, a dark-skinned woman from Kumogakure, the village hidden in the clouds.

Karui can come off a bit hot-headed at times, with one famous scene being of her punching Naruto in the face repeatedly until dragged away from him — something that sticks in the heads of series fans. She’s also known as the woman who stole the heart of Choji Akimichi, a feat worth mentioning as Choji is one of the most pure-hearted individuals of the series.

Karui made her video game debut in Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 and brought along her great sword skills, also known as Kenjutsu, with her. She highly skilled with her chosen weapon, having been trained in the art by the Raikage himself, Killer Bee. She’s also able to use lightning release. This makes her a very capable and skilled fighter.

As far as how Karui handles while playing as her, she handles very well, with her sword fighting lending itself well to quick attacks and slashes. For those who are drawn to a quicker playstyle, it’s worth it to give Karui a try and see how she feels.

These characters remind us gaming is diverse, dynamic, and (sometimes) undeniably Black. As the industry continues to evolve, one thing is clear: the game hits differently when Black women lead the way.

The post 4 of the Best Black Female Video Game Characters appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.

Dr. Kananga aka Mr. Big: Live and Let Die

Say hello to the first black Bond villain. Portrayed by American actor Yaphet Kotto, Mr. Big was a businessman through and through. Between his restaurant chain in New York, being the head of one of the most vicious gangs in Harlem, and being the de facto dictator of a Caribbean island, you’d think this man would have more than his hands full. But no, he’s a master plate spinner and a criminal mastermind. He also has one of the most disturbing endings in the franchise, and as they say: if you’re going to leave, leave in style. You can see Mr. Big in Live and Let Die on MGM+. 

Erik Killmonger: Black Panther

What’s better than a pure evil villain — a villain whose descent into evil was marked by an event completely out of their control. Erik does some heinous things over the course of Black Panther, but the scary thing is as an audience member it’s not that hard to understand why he is the way he is, especially so when we’re given a proper backstory for his intense anger at T’Challa. It doesn’t make all of the atrocities he’s committed acceptable, but on a certain level, fans can at the least see where Erik is coming from. You can see Black Panther on Disney+. 

Candyman: Candyman (1992)

This is a villain so frightening, so sinister, that it’s dangerous just to speak his name aloud. So let’s keep utterances of his formal title to a minimum. He who must not be named is a horror movie icon, and the title is well earned. The one whose name must never be spoken is a vengeful spirit that thrives off of the legend of his existence and the faith of those who would deny his power. Being haunted and destroyed by a ghoul that gets more powerful when you speak his name is a ghoul worth his salt, or more fittingly, his honey. Yes, Daniel Robitaille uses powers such as hivemind and mind control to have others do his bidding. So not only will he take you out, but he just might use you as his own personal puppet to perform violent acts on his behalf. You can shiver in fright while watching Candyman on Peacock. 

The Prowler: Spider-Man: Across The Spiderverse

No one is prepared to learn that one of the people they love most in the world is a supervillain. It’s no surprise that it came as a world-shaking shock to Miles that his Uncle Aaron is not only a villain but the henchman to Kingpin. Aaron starts the movie as Miles’s uncle and mentor, but later on we learn that Aaron has always been the more rebellious between him and his brother. It was this rebellious streak and Jefferson’s decision to join law enforcement that drove a wedge between the brothers. Getting to see the contrast between Aaron as the supportive uncle and Prowler the villain is something that gave Into the Spiderverse it’s emotional core. The loss of Aaron is the driving point that inspires Miles to continue his role as Spiderman and keep working to be better not just for the city but for Miles himself. You can see Aaron’s story unfold in full on Hulu or Sling TV. 

Akasha: The Queen of the Damned

Hot take? The Queen of the Damned is not as bad as people make it out to be. Yes, it has it’s sticking points that are plain to see while watching the movie, but it’s not an outright disaster as many reviewers have tried to paint it out to be over the years. Aaliyah was able to perfectly capture the sultry and sensual aura of the ancient vampire with ease, mainly as that was a facet of Aaliyah herself that she tapped into with her music and her videos. The Great Mother is herself the first vampire in existence; all vampires we meet in The Vampire Chronicles are her descendants. What makes Akasha such an iconic villain? She’s not in it for the thrill or the desire to cause chaos. She just needs to sustain herself, nothing personal about it. There’s something interesting about seeing someone exist solely for themselves, unattached from morality and empathy. Akasha is described as the one true monster because she doesn’t acknowledge or see herself as a monster. It’s not personal, it’s just a need to feed and create more fledglings. You can watch The Queen of the Damned on Hulu. 

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Haruhi Tamaki — Ouran High School Host Club

Tamaki and Haruhi have a bizarre meeting. Tamaki thought Haruhi was a boy at first and Haruhi thought Tamaki was a bit dense. But, after Tamaki finds out that Haruhi is a girl and welcomes her into the Host Club, the real fun begins. Tamaki and Haruhi are simultaneously two of the smartest people but with a net zero of self awareness. Haruhi doesn’t see herself for the awe-inspiring person she is. Tamaki, for all of his empathetic care towards others, can pinpoint every other person’s wants and desires but can’t pick out his feelings, even if they were laminated and hung up on the wall.

For most of the series, Haruhi and Tamaki tip toe and tap dance around their romantic affection for each other and call it everything but that. Everybody else can see it, including the other Host Club members, but the two of them are oblivious. If you like the trope of two people with the worst case of crush blindness, this is the pairing for you. 

Tenma and Harima — School Rumble

It’s an entire anime based on misunderstandings, with one of the most upbeat and catchy themes in all of anime. Let’s break down this tangled web of romance. Tenma is in love with Karasuma, Harima is in love with Tenma, and Karasuma is incredibly hard to read. But he seems fond of Tenma. That has to count for something, right? Harima is the real kicker here, though. He falls in love with Tenma after saving her from being attacked by a group of thugs in an alley and watches over her after the fact.

But she mistakenly thought he was a creep and runs away from him. So Harima grows out his hair and wears a pair of dark shades to conceal his identity from his Tenma. He watches her from afar as he tries to get his life in order so he’ll be worthy of her love. Meanwhile, Tenma not only has no idea that Harima is the guy who watched over her after her attack, but she thinks Harima has a crush on her best friend Eri. Over the course of the two seasons, we watch Harima work on himself and even start his own manga, all to try and make himself more worthy of asking out Tenma. It’s a heartwarming character arc, and one worth watching. 

Panty and Brief — Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt

Make sure the kids are out the room for this one. Panty & Stocking is an anime full of foul language, sex, and violence. So it’s understandable that a relationship packed with yearning and even a rather cute payoff is hard to imagine. But it’s there, it is. Brief is smitten with Panty from the second he lays eyes on her and even begins helping with her and Stocking’s demon extermination. Panty swings between annoyance at Brief’s presence and being impressed at his quick thinking and resourcefulness. It isn’t until things go absolutely wrong for Panty that she and Brief’s relationship shifts from unrequited to mutual. But when it happens, it’s hard not to be happy for Brief that all his dorky dreams have come true. Hopefully in Season 2 we’ll see a continuation of these two and their romance. 

Sousake and Kaname — Full Metal Panic!

If you’re a fan of The Bodyguard, this pairing is right up your alley. Sousuke is a soldier who’s tasked with protecting Kaname as she’s a Whispered. This is a special person who has an intuitive knowledge of math, science, and engineering, among other things. Because of this, Sergeant Sousuke Sagara enrolls in Jindai High to be by Kaname’s side 24 hours a day, literally. This annoys Kaname because she’s used to being independent, and having a boy around her who is overzealous in his job of bodyguard can be tiring. At one point, Sousuke is described as being Kaname’s rabid guard dog. An apt title indeed.

This leads to numerous funny moments, but it also leads to some heartwarming and even romantic moments. The two become so close that when it’s revealed that they in fact have feelings for one another, it doesn’t come off forced or cliche. We the audience get four seasons to watch their relationship bloom. It’s so gradual that those moments when their affections shine through feel like a reward for everything they’ve been through. 

The post Anime Couples for Fans Who Love a Bit of Yearning  appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.

Michiko Malandro — Michiko to Hatchin

There’s something so enthralling about a rough-around-the-edges woman with a soft side. Michiko has not had the easiest life between growing up in an orphanage and having quite a few run-ins with the law. But she’s always maintained a protective and caring spirit about herself. After she fell in love with Hiroshi Morenos, something that was not intended, the two begin dating. One day, though, a bus that Hiroshi was supposedly on explodes, seemingly killing him.

When her first appearance shows her breaking out of prison to find Hiroshi’s daughter Hana, we instantly know she’s not like other Black characters we’ve seen in anime. She’s fierce, complicated, and unrelenting — making her one of the best Black anime characters of all time.

Michiko is heartbroken and ends up getting arrested, where she runs into a former friend, Atsuko. It’s there that Atsuko taunts Michiko with a photo of Hiroshi’s daughter Hana and how he’s alive and has moved on without her. This sets Michiko on a mission of her own to not only find Hana but see for herself if the love of her life really is alive and had moved on. 

She would of course have to wait for that as she was still in prison. Twelve years later, Michiko breaks out, and this sets our main story in motion. Can Michiko heal from her years of tangling with law enforcement? Can she be a proper guardian to Hana? Is Hiroshi really alive or was Atusko just trying to get a rise out of Michiko? You can watch Michiko to Hatchin on Crunchyroll. 

Yoruichi Shihouin — Bleach

Whether in cat or woman form, Yoruichi is one interesting Shinigami. Her mature and calming presence makes her enthralling to watch. However, on occasion she’s not above showing her playful side. This is especially true when it comes to teasing the men around her, specifically Ichigo. The scenes of Yoruichi having her fun with Ichigo at the hot springs is one of the funniest scenes in Bleach, which is really saying something. 

A literal game-changer in combat, Yoruichi is elegance and mystery personified. She’s powerful, playful, and unpredictable — whether she’s rocking her human form or transforming into a cat (complete with a masculine voice). Her first appearance in Bleach set her up as a true peer to the strongest Shinigami, and she continues to prove why she’s one of the most memorable women in anime.

With her ability to teach Ichigo and others in the midst of high-stakes tournament battles and her sly sense of humor, Yoruichi embodies why we stan Black girl representation in shōnen. She’ll always be a highlight for fans watching on Hulu.

It’s still not known how exactly Yoruichi acquired her cat form, but she seems to be the only Shinigami we meet with this exact power, making her for a versatile and interesting character. This is doubly intriguing as her cat form has a masculine voice that her woman form doesn’t have. This makes for a funny reveal when a character sees her transform for the first time. You can see everyone’s favorite feline Shinigami on Hulu. 

Coffee — Cowboy Bebop

It’s a shame we didn’t see more of Coffee on Cowboy Bebop. She was not only a bounty hunter with a cool car, but she had a distinct look as well. The silhouette of the large fro and the skin tight clothing brings to mind the ’70s Blaxploitation era, one that has had its fair share of scrutiny but love and acclaim among the Black community as well. In fact Coffee’s inspiration was none other Pam Grier herself in the movie Coffy. 

Though she only had her first appearance in the episode “Mushroom Samba,” she left a lasting impression. With her fro, her retro ride, and her relentless bounty-hunting spirit, she’s a Black girl character who deserved more.

We meet Coffee as she asking around about a man by the name of Domino Walker. Domino had a big bounty on his head, and who can blame Coffee for wanting to get her hands on that prize pool? She crosses path with everyone’s favorite Bebop duo, Ed and Ein, who are trying to find some food to bring back to the ship. In exchange for a watermelon purchase, she asks the watermelon seller to help her in her pursuit of information.

Her brief adventure — from running into Ed and Ein to chasing down criminals on top of trains — shows how anime has always pulled from different cultural mediums to create unforgettable moments. Coffee proves you don’t need 100 episodes to stand tall among the best Black anime characters of all time.

This sets off a chain of events in which Coffee ends up with Ed and Ein in the trunk of her car and her getting arrested for kidnapping. Then she becomes one of the people chasing after Domino as he runs across the top of a train, Coffee in her car of course. Thanks to Shaft falling into her car, she crashes but does survive. You can see Coffee’s brief time on Cowboy Bebop in the hilarious episode “Mushroom Samba” on Netflix. 

Karui — Naruto/Boruto: Naruto the Next Generations

Karui is another character that we really could use more of. She’s the wife of resident foodie and sweetheart Choji Akimichi and the mother of their daughter Chocho. Though Karui currently lives in the Leaf Village with her family, she’s originally from the Hidden Cloud Village, home to the bombastic and talented Killer B. Karui is headstrong, devoted, and fiercely protective of the Raikage, the aforementioned Killer B. She yells at Team Kakashi for letting Sasuke get away with attacking B and even lets out her anger on Naruto for doing so, though it’s later said by her teammate Omoi that she feels bad about it afterward. This shows that she’s not a fan of her temper. 

Karui may not have been given the same spotlight as characters like Casca (Berserk) or Canary (Hunter x Hunter), but her presence matters. She adds depth to the anime industry’s tapestry of Black female anime characters, standing proudly among the ranks of Sister Krone (The Promised Neverland), Miyuki Ayukawa (Basquash!), and Atsuko Jackson (Michiko & Hatchin).

Later on she falls in love with Choji and the two get married, even having a daughter by the name of ChoCho, who is a perfect mix of her parents in both looks and personality. We can see that in the new era, Karui is more laid back and relaxed in contrast to her temperament during the war. She even questions if ChoCho requires training as they are in a time of peace.

You can see Karui in the 4th Great Shinobi War arc in Naruto on Netflix and as a mother on Boruto on Crunchyroll. 

The post Black Women Anime Characters to Fall in Love With appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.

One important tool is womanism. Though it may sound like another way to say feminism, it’s a little different. And it’s important to know the difference to serve ourselves and our communities better. 

Let’s start by defining what each of these movements are and where they began. 

Feminism

The feminism that originated in the ancient world and coalesced in 18th-century Europe and has become known as “protofeminism.” Of course, there’s pushback on that term as some consider it as a way to box in the movement and ignore a nonlinear history that feminism seems to have. The feminist movement that many are familiar with began in the 1920s, spearheaded by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony. This is known as first-wave feminism and is the foundation that many current feminist circles pull references from and are a direct line of. This movement sought to seek political and social equality among women and men, specifically as it pertains to voting rights in the United States. 

A big criticism of first-wave feminism is that it totally lacked intersectionality, a concept introduced in the late 20th century by legal scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw. The early feminist movement pushed women of color and queer women to the back and advocated almost exclusively for white women’s voting rights. Although there was a related push to abolish slavery in the United States, the differences in how Black women were advocated for as compared to their white counterparts left a bad taste in the mouths of many non-white women at the time. Criticisms of that problem persist to this day. 

Womanism

If feminism is a foundation for social and political advancement, womanism is the house that is built on top of that foundation. Womanism as a term and movement originates from the 1983 book by African American author Alice Walker titled In Search of Our Mothers’ Gardens. Through Walker’s writings, the womanist movement is defined as something that seeks to offer a more intersectional and encompassing movement that doesn’t ignore the specific plights of Black women and other minority women as opposed to it’s first-wave predecessor. 

Womanism as a movement seeks to be a much more intersectional and inclusive movement, one that acknowledges and works to dismantle the hardships of women whose issues differ from their cis white counterparts. This is something that is still a prominent subject today, even more so as we seek to deconstruct and address the internal misogyny that comes from growing up in a patriarchal society as well as a racist society, a homophobic society, and a transphobic society. 

The TERF Issue

The acronym TERF stands for: Trans Exclusionary Radical Feminist. It’s a group characterized by the exclusion and hostility towards transgender people, especially as it pertains to trans women in the greater scope of feminism and the feminist movement. Because TERFs do not see trans women as women, they do not see the point in fighting for them the same as they do cis women and are actively against the betterment of trans women’s lives in society. Recently, you’d see the term TERF being used to describe Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, who’s come under fire for her blatant and open transphobia, donations to anti-trans organizations, and dangerous rhetoric against trans women. 

As one might guess, TERFs and their ideology are not normally welcome in the intersectional friendly spaces that womanism usually fosters. In fact, there is a clear line in the sand in the different sides on the issue. The saying and call to action “trans women are women” is often used as a way to fight back against the TERF ideology and let trans women know that their fight is also important to many in the womanism and even feminism movement. 

What Is the Best Way to Get Active?

While being an involved and active participant may seem like a daunting task, there’s no action too small to begin with. If you’re not sure where to start, you can educate yourself on issues pertaining to women not only in the United States but in other places as well. There are plenty of women on YouTube who make long-form content to give you some insight and viewpoints that you may not have thought of before. There’s Olurinatti, who speaks on many issues, but many of her videos cover issues like domestic violence, legal disparities that Black women face, and things like being proactive when it comes to voting. There’s also Intelexual Media, which covers things through a historical documentary lens. Many videos cover what it was like for women during specific times in American history throughout the decades, even having an entire video looking at the treatment of women during Freaknik. 

You can also donate to organizations that aid women in need. Firstly, there’s WRRAP, standing for Women’s Reproductive Rights Assistance Project. This nonprofit aids women in receiving financial aid for reproductive health assistance such as safe, legal abortions, contraceptives, and a safe nonjudgmental space to explore those options. They take donations and also accept volunteers. There’s even a program to send letters to clinics or women to give someone a show of support and understanding. 

While feminism has been a great beginning point and stepping stone in the betterment of womankind, it’s not a perfect movement and its history paints that picture very clearly. Womanism was built with forward momentum in mind and an understanding that different women have different needs and it’s okay to acknowledge that. White women, Black women, queer and trans women all face different kinds of bigotry. In a time where women are being attacked from all sides, it’s important to work together and support each other with the best tools possible. Intersectionality is one of the most important. 

The post Womanism vs. Feminism: What’s the Difference? appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.

Marie Laveau, American Horror Story

Make no mistake, Marie Laveau is a real person and a NOLA legend. But, we’re specifically speaking about Marie’s portrayal in American Horror Story by the amazing and astronomically talented Angela Bassett. She’s not known as the Voodoo Queen for nothing. Marie is a powerful voodoo practitioner whose powers rival that of the Supreme. From the moment Marie is onscreen, it’s hard not to be captivated. She’s headstrong, she knows what she wants, and she keeps her coven of witches in check. She’s also not one to bite her tongue when it comes to bigotry. When she found out what Delphine LaLaurie was doing to her lover Bastien, Marie wasted no time in making a plan of revenge and ensuring that Delphine is to suffer for all eternity. Revenge may not be the most moral of actions, but it’s hard not to cheer for Marie in this instance. 

She’s also a tragic figure, as she herself is stuck in a cycle of constant emotional pain. When she was scared of the idea of death after becoming pregnant by Bastien, Papa Legba appears to Marie and offers her immortality in exchange for her soul and a service to be done for him once a year. Marie wasn’t aware that the service was the deliverance of an innocent soul to Papa Legba. This includes the soul of her infant daughter. This left Marie with immense trauma and pain, along with guilt over making the deal in the first place. You can watch American Horror Story on Hulu. 

Rochelle Zimmerman, The Craft

Rochelle is proof that when you choose to be racist, the karma tends to come back around. Rochelle was many a young Black girl’s introduction to the existence of Black witches. She’s someone who could be seen as a bit of a follower towards the end of the movie, but for most of the film, Rochelle is really only focused on getting her racist swim team bully, Laura, to leave her alone. After Laura responds in one of the worst ways to Rochelle’s inquiry about the tension that’s always coloring their interactions, it’s more than easy to root for any revenge that Rochelle doles out. 

It’s not Laura that audiences feel bad for when all her hair starts falling out, it’s Rochelle. She reached a point of no return with her powers, and it’s sad to watch her wonder if it was all worth it. It kind of was, but even when we’re in the right, sometimes going just as low as your adversary can take its toll. And it really took it’s toll on Rochelle. She turns on her friend Sarah and spends an entire night torturing her on the orders of her friend Nancy. But once Sarah is able to tap into her natural powers and show Rochelle the future that awaits her if she continues down this path, Rochelle snaps out of it. Rochelle is someone with a good heart who falls into a bad mindset once she fully unlocks her powers. She also has the cutest outfit in the famous slow-mo walk scene. You can watch The Craft on Peacock. 

Prudence Blackwood, The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina

It’s hard to talk about the one, the only, Prudence Blackwood and not talk about the looks. The looks, the looks, the looks. This girl comes on the scene and the whole room stops. If there’s one thing Prudence is going to do, it’s serve a stunning aesthetic. She’s also a talented and gifted witch, whose character evolves from a spoiled bully along with her two sisters to a multi-layered hero who comes in clutch a few times. 

Not to mention her relationship with Sabrina’s cousin Ambrose, one that goes through it’s ups and downs — going from casual hookups to absolutely hating each other, to being committed partners. They had many fans hoping that they would make it to the end of the show. That didn’t happen due to a very emotional and angry Prudence breaking up with Ambrose over him not allowing her to kill her deceitful and abusive father. 

It should also be noted that Prudence’s look and even her walk were specially put together by the amazing Tati Gabrielle. She based Prudence’s walk on Eartha Kitt and her portrayal of Catwoman. Tati would also sit in her trailer and do her own finger waves for Prudence’s signature hairstyle. That’s both amazing and a sign of needing more onset hairstylists who know how to handle thicker coil-y hair. You can watch The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina on Netflix. 

Jennifer Kale, Agatha All Along

If there’s one thing Jen knows how to do, it’s stay off the radar. Sure, Doctor Strange can sling mystical shields and summon dimensional portals, but Kale’s power set is more like the magical equivalent of, “Oh, you’ve never heard of this spell? It’s super niche.” Like any self-respecting sorceress, Jen can toss around your classic magical spells: telekinesis, mind manipulation, reality warping — because who doesn’t want the power to rearrange their furniture with a flick of the wrist? It’s all in a day’s work for her, though she’s probably not as dramatic about it as Agatha, who definitely adds flair to every spell. (It’s called panache, darling.)

Alexandra Fielding and Camryn Barnes , Twitches 

Tia and Tamera Mowry were already considered icons for Black girls before they took on the roles of Alexandra and Camryn. But, this foray into the world of magic cemented their status as Disney icons and brought us two powerful witches born on Halloween night. Alexandra and Camryn were born in the magical dimension of Coventry to their mother Miranda.

Named after the Olympian twins of Apollo and Artemis, the gods of the sun and moon, the two are sent to the non-magical realm and adopted to two different families. Thus growing up separated from each other. Cue twin magic when the two meet by chance after their 21st birthday and find that not only do they have a twin, but magical powers as well. Of course the movie has themes of self discovery and family, but there’s also the themes of sisterhood and teamwork. As powerful as they are alone, they are even more powerful together. You can watch Twitches and Twitches Too on Disney+. 

Bonnie Bennett, The Vampire Diaries

Fans have called for Justice for Bonnie Bennett for a long time. Since the show was on the air the calls for justice have only died down a bit since The Vampire Diaries ended. Played by the talented Kat Graham, Bonnie is not only a powerful witch but a witch that sought to perfect her craft and be responsible with her power. After finding out that she can wield magic, she goes to her grandmother for help in honing her skills.

Unfortunately, her grandmother died before she could truly help Bonnie. Although that didn’t stop her from getting in tune with her powers and making a big come back after taking some time for herself. Bonnie had amazing potential and an actress to bring the magic to life but her potential was squandered and Bonnie was reduced to a sidekick. But that didn’t stop fans from finding and connecting with her in spite of what the show gave us. 

If some of these witches are already familiar to you, the under-the-radar webseries MisSpelled may be something worth uncovering. Murder, mystery and magic collide in this series about a coven of clueless witches.

Did we miss a favorite from the list? Let us know on social media!

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Cannon Films’ Spider-Man

The history of Spider-Man in film is so interesting and tumultuous, all of which you can follow along with in Vice’s docuseries Icons Unearthed: Spider-Man. But let’s talk specifically about the saga involving Cannon Films and their take on the web slinger. Strap in, because this is a roller coaster.

After the underwhelming turnout for Superman III, studios became apprehensive about greenlighting more superhero/comic movies. This meant that any comic book movies that were greenlit had a lot riding on them. It was a make or break period and the odds were slim.

In comes Cannon Films. The rights to the Spider-Man property had expired and were no longer owned by Roger Corman (again, watch the Vice docuseries for the specifics on that). Marvel then optioned the film rights to Cannon for a cool $225,000, something that would be considered a steal in today’s market of superhero excellence. But, back then this was considered a gamble. The caveat to this is that the rights were to revert to Marvel if no Spider-Man film was made by 1990. 

The first script was a complete misunderstanding of the character, more akin to The Fly than the Spider-Man that we all know and love. It had Peter Parker being subjected to cruel experiments and him having to fight his way through a laboratory against other mutants. Oh, and he was also a giant tarantula monster. So there’s that. Interesting concept, would work as a great horror film, but not a Spider-Man film.

Stan Lee over at Marvel hated it and promptly ordered a new script and concept, understandably so. The second script had Peter Parker as a college student who is studying under Dr. Octavius (also known as Doc Ock). Peter is transformed into Spider-Man through the same accident that turns Otto into Doc Ock. This involved a lot of science like anti-gravity and electromagnetic effects, something that could work but doesn’t really hit on the usual themes of responsibility and family that Spider-Man usually does. After one more rewrite, storyboarding, and a planned budget in the $15 to $20 million ballpark, the film was then sold to 21st Century. Ads were made, the film was talked about at the Cannes Film Festival in 1989, and a start date was even announced. Unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to be. After a tentative production deal, the project simply fizzled out. 

Nick Fury

Before Samuel L. Jackson became the one true Nick Fury, there was plans to bring the character to the big screen in 2006. Andrew W. Marlowe was brought on the write the script, this being before his hit show Castle premiered in 2009. The film was going to be based on Jim Steranko’s series Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. The series of comic books covers Nick Fury’s adventures and missions as one of S.H.I.E.L.D.’s top agents and a member of the Howling Commandos. It also introduced Nick’s primary love interest in Contessa, his second-in-command. Interesting enough, this is where readers became acquainted with the villain organization known as Hydra. 

As this concept was constructed before the talented Samuel L. Jackson was brought on as Nick Fury, this wasn’t made for that version of the character. However, Marlowe said that the script could be tweaked to fit Jackson’s portrayal if need be. The project has not been spoken of since, so it’s safe to say that it’s dead in the water. 

Big Hero 6 Sequel

Can you believe we almost got a Big Hero 6 sequel? The animated movie has received praise for it’s portrayal of grief and healing, along with the effects of what the absence of healing does to a person. There have also been talks that Big Hero 6 deserved the same amount of love that Frozen received, but there’s no reason to pit two amazing films against each other. Big Hero 6 isn’t a musical and that contributed a lot to Frozen’s success. 

Anyway, the sequel film was asked about to Don Hall and Chris Williams who were the creatives behind the original film, their sentiments being that they love those characters and would love to revisit that story. We would get two follow ups in the form of Big Hero 6: The Series and Baymax! Both aired on Disney XD and Disney Channel. 

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What Is AI “Art”?

If you’ve ever seen a picture, usually an anime-style picture where the fingers look weird or the words on the signs and objects look a bit like wobbly gibberish, well, that was an AI-generated picture. AI, by the way, stands for artificial intelligence. You can find them all over the internet at this point. Artificial intelligence has been around for decades. Starting in the 1960s, this specific field of computer science has sought to maximize the learning capabilities of computers in order to complete specific tasks, such as setting calendars, creating lists, web search optimization, etc. Or in this case, unfortunately, create comics. 

Why Is AI Art an Issue?

So what’s the big deal? The issue is that it’s not just people using AI generators for cute little projects. People and companies are bypassing actual artists, writers, and even actors in favor of using AI. This is a huge downside to artificial intelligence. As it has the ability to push actual people out of their fields of work. In the past year there have been three, count em’, three different workers strikes where the main crux was the use of AI to replace real people: the WGA strike, the SAG-AFTRA strike, and now a strike in the gaming industry. 

Another issue is that AI art generates compiling the work of actual artists. It’s stealing composites from different artists’ work to create these images. So not only is AI putting real artists out of work, but it’s stealing from these same artists to do so. Not to mention the practice of unauthorized use of certain actors’ likenesses that AI has begun doing, ranging from using voice actors’, well, voices without their permission to creating fake videos using the faces and bodies of public figures. It’s not only predatory but frightening. 

Colin Kaepernick and His Use of AI

Recently Colin announced that he raised $4 million to fund a company called Lumi. This company will make it “easier” for people to create the comics that they want to make without the help of a team, using generative AI. Yes, you read that right. Instead of using that $4 million to give comics creators the ability to pay a team, Colin opted to cut artists out of the deal entirely. And if we look at the two sections above this one, it becomes clear why this is such a hot-button issue. 

Colin is known for two things: being a quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers and being an outspoken activist. But it seems as if his activism does not stretch to artists and creatives, leaving many people to express anger and disappointment over this business move. But also they’re questioning how Kaepernick could get this wrong. So very, very wrong. 

It’s not too late to rectify the situation. If Kaepernick were to change the overall mission statement of this company, it would go a long way to removing the ill will. First, $4 million is a lot of money — more than most startups receive to cover operation costs and pay employees. So it’s not as if Lumi can’t supply comics creators with money to pay their artists. Second, drop the use of AI. AI is best used as an assistant, not a main creative component. Use AI for things like search engine optimization, not to steal from creatives and take jobs away from artists. 

Colin Kaepernick is human and that means he’s subject to human error and making mistakes. Yes, he’s a well-known activist and we expect better from him. This is why so many people are turned off by this business move. He should know better. After this large amount of criticism, hopefully he’s listening and can do better.

Generative AI has been a thorn in the side of many creatives over the last few years and they’re tired of fighting to not only be paid fairly but to be paid for their hard work period. Colin lost his spot in the NFL for speaking up for what’s right. He out of anyone should know the pain of having your job snatched out from under you. Right? 

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Eren Jaeger/All Titans: Attack on Titan

It’s actually sad to watch Eren’s evolution. He went from a bright-eyed and eager young soldier to a hardened vigilante with a one-track mind. You would’ve thought that the Eren at the beginning of the series and the one we see at the end are two different people. In a way, they are. You see, as the trauma began to pile up, something snapped in Eren and he needed every Titan gone. In a way, who could blame him? Losing his parents, watching his friends drop around him, discovering that he is the very thing he hates most in this world. Anyone’s psyche would snap.

But it’s not just that he hates Titans, oh no. It’s that Eren is appalled that everyone else isn’t at the level of “by any means necessary” that he is. Eren is so filled with hate that he taunts his grandfather for not being as big a hater as he is. That’s true dedication to the craft. You can watch Eren hone his mastery of hate in AOT on Crunchyroll. 

Sae Kashiwagi/Momo Adachi: Peach Girl

There seems to be a general consensus that Sae is one of the most annoying characters in all of Shojo. It’s not hard to see why. Throughout Peach Girl, Sae is not only a D1 hater, but a shameless manipulator and a bully. Sae is supposedly friends with the main protagonist Momo Adachi, but you’d never know that with the way that Sae tries to ruin Momo’s life at every turn. And for no reason! Well, not exactly no reason. Envy is a reason, it’s just not a good reason. From getting the entire school to bully and alienate Momo, to kissing Toji against his will, and even faking a pregnancy. Momo gives as good as she gets. Deflecting Sae’s antics at every turn. Sae may not make it onto many anime fans favorite character list, but she’s got a prime spot on this list. You can watch all of Sae’s pathetic antics on Crunchyroll. 

Sasuke Uchiha/Naruto Uzumaki: Naruto

Naruto is a good friend, point blank. Not many people would chase someone for years, forgive them for being a domestic terrorist, and let it slide that they almost annihilated their other best friend. But again, Naruto is a good friend who doesn’t give up on people he sees as worthy of being saved. Sasuke put Naruto (and Sakura) through hell. Between the constant jabs during training and betraying the Hidden Leaf in pursuit of power. Sasuke saw that Naruto had gained some expertise that he didn’t have, and it pushed him over the edge. Imagine being such a hater that you turn your back on your village. Sasuke almost lost his body to Orochimaru because Naruto bested him in a fight. Thankfully, the two have made up and are now back on track as friends. But the years of turmoil could cause an ulcer. You can watch these two go from rivals to best friends in Naruto and Naruto Shippuden on Crunchyroll. 

Inuyasha/Sesshomaru: Inuyasha

Ever since Cain and Abel, sibling rivalry has been the bane of many families’ existence. This family is no different. And like many siblings, the fighting is over a family heirloom. See, Sesshomaru has always looked down on Inuyasha because he’s not a full demon. Inuasha’s mother is human. So, you could say that Sesshomaru took it personally that their father left his legendary sword Tessaiga to Inuyasha and not him. So, when Sesshomaru comes across Inuyasha, he tries to threaten him into giving up the Tessaiga. But Inuyasha is one stubborn pup, and he’s not going down without a fight.

Not to mention, the two’s father Toga had the blade enchanted with a spell that burns pure demons who attempt to touch it. So, Sesshomaru is unable to wield the Tessaiga anyway. Inuyasha isn’t exactly warm and fuzzy towards Sesshomaru either, and will gladly trade barbs with his older brother when they see each other. They do eventually come to care about each other, but the journey there is long. To watch this journey, you can see Inuyasha on Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Crunchyroll. 

Prince Vegeta/Son Goku: Dragonball Z

While these two Saiyans don’t really need an introduction, let’s do it anyway. Goku and Vegeta are two of the most iconic characters in anime and their rivalry is just as iconic. Vegeta started out as a villain dead set on destroying Earth. Goku, as the planet’s sworn protector, was not letting that happen as long as there was breath in his body. So after a long and epic fight, Vegeta is defeated. However, instead of finishing him off once and for all, Goku spares the Saiyan prince. Thus began the Goku and Vegeta rivalry.

It’s actually sort of one-sided. Goku loves competition and fighting strong opponents, but he doesn’t fixate on their rivalry the way Vegeta does. See, Vegeta went as far as to let Babidi control his mind to become stronger than Goku. Vegeta put Earth, and his new family, in danger for a power boost. If that’s not elite hate, then what is? You can see these two Saiyan warriors go head to head in Dragonball Z on Crunchyroll. 

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