At least now it’s finally Black Women’s History Month. Also, I saw a Bluebird! March is already better.
Really glad there were some bright moments during the Oscars, although I would have loved a performance by Kendrick & SZA (pronounced “scisszz-errr”). That might have been too much for them, though, since they were determined to give Gaga the Oscar for Best Guaranteed Oscar (close call, with Glenn Close in the house–I would not want to be at the after-party with her after that upset). All hail the Queen, Ruth E. Carter, First of Her Name, Winner of Oscar(s), Designer of Costumes, Outfitter of Malcolm X, Styler of B.A.P.S., The Un-Slept-On, Heir to the Vibranium Throne. Long may she reign!
But the winner of the night, in my heart, was Hannah Beachler: founder of Wakanda, who won for Best Production Design. Peep this acceptance speech.
Soon, I’ll be adding the images above to my presentation Watching Wakanda, on the reception of Black Panther. I’m discussing this in two weeks at Rutgers as part of the Global Africa, Migration, Literature, and the Arts symposium hosted by the Department of African, Middle Eastern, and South Asian Languages and Literatures.
In other news, Fans of Color/Fandoms of Color, the special issue of Transformative Works & Cultures journal that Abigail De Kosnik and I co-edited, is coming soon! So soon. It’s so good, y’all. The authors are 🔥🔥🔥.
Later this Spring, I’m looking forward to Queers & Comics 2019. More on that to follow, including how you can support the effort.