"In their eagerness to display dazzling empathy and solidarity, they only muddied the current conversation about race."

Writes Robin Givhan in "Congress’s kente cloth spectacle was a mess of contradictions" (WaPo).

A brief history of kente cloth would emphasize that it is the pride of Ghana, where it originated, and it is typically worn on special occasions....

[The Justice in Policing Act of 2020 isn't] “black” legislation. No one, whatever their race or ethnicity, should want inhumane police officers roaming through their city....

The stoles read as a vague and confused declaration by lawmakers that they stood together out of respect for the African-ness of their fellow citizens. What they needed to emphasize with their stagecraft is that this is a particularly American issue — a defect woven into our own country’s fabric.

"I have never felt desired. My past boyfriends never made me feel desired. None of them."

"And it’s a big thing in my life that I feel I have never been physically desired by somebody. So I dress the way I dress as I don’t like to think of you guys – I mean anyone, everyone – judging it, or the size of it.... And sometimes I feel trapped by this persona that I have created, because sometimes I think people view me not as a woman.... But my body is mine and yours is yours. Our own bodies are kind of the only real things which are truly ours. I get to see it and get to show it when I want to.... All I ever wanted was a boyfriend. Any time when it was rainy or cloudy, all I would wish is I was with some boy. That was my thing. Whenever we were somewhere nice, a beach or a balcony with a sunset, I would never be able to enjoy the experience as I just used to wish I was with some boy....  I have never felt powerful in a relationship. I did once and, guess what, I took advantage of that person’s kindness. I wasn’t used to it. It’s been months and I am not attracted to people any more."

Said the big pop star Billie Ellish, quoted in "Billie Eilish: Confessions of a Teenage Superstar" (GQ). She's 17. CORRECTION: She's 18.

"He stopped all conventional advertising of his apparel and devoted his entire ad budget to public service announcements...."

"The second campaign urged people to vote by showing footage of Hitler and suggesting that voting was the way 'to keep fools like these out of our government.'"

From "Herb Goldsmith, the Man Behind the Members Only Jacket, Dies at 92/An aggressive marketer, he used celebrities to promote his brand. Frank Sinatra, Johnny Carson and two presidents wore his jackets" (NYT).

On a trip to Germany in 1978, he saw a jacket with epaulets and a Nehru collar. Using a shiny chintz fabric from Japan, he designed his own version of it, with a slim fit, knitted ribbing at the waist and cuffs, and a strap at the collar. He offered it in a rainbow of colors, though he was colorblind, with a discreet “Members Only” tag stitched below the breast pocket....

“Our philosophy was to associate the brand name with a company that cared about critical issues,” Mr. Goldsmith wrote. “The results proved that we were right.”

How to Sing Like a Pro

Amateur singers may improve the quality of their voices and their styles. They may also be able to learn how to sing like a pro especially if they really love to sing whenever they are given the opportunity to do so. Some may naturally have the raw talent for singing but even those who do not have may still improve and sing like professionals do. They also need to have the confidence in doing what they love most-singing. In order for others to believe that they have the voice of a good singer, individuals must believe in themselves first. Being confident also means singing out loud and clearly. They may also take the lead and sing the melody when they are singing with a group of people.

Those who would like to sing like a pro need to practice regularly. They need to strengthen the muscles that they need to produce the correct sounds and for them to reach a wider range. They may take voice lessons from professional voice instructors to improve the quality of their singing. Individuals also need to learn how to breathe through their diaphragm while singing. They have to open their mouths wide and pronounce the words especially the vowels clearly. It is important that the people as the audience are able to understand the lyrics of the song as they enjoy the tune and the melody.

While singing, individuals have to learn how to relax so that they may produce better sounds. They can do this by stretching the muscles on their faces and exercise their jaws and vocal chords. Individuals may also take deep breaths and exhale properly as this would enable them to relax as well. They have to keep themselves in proper posture but not too stiff and tensed. If they are able to relieve themselves of the unnecessary tension, they may be able to sing like a pro while enjoying the best thing that they do.

Singers also have to take care of their voices and to keep their throat clean. They may do this by drinking lots of water and eating the right diet that will help them to be healthy. They have to keep their bodies strong as they need sufficient energy especially whenever they are performing and whenever they practice their singing as well. These are some of the ways that individuals may consider if they would like to learn how to sing like a pro.

Are you one of those who is wishing to have a good voice but don't have an idea on how to improve your singing voice? Of course, you are seeking for the best advice or singing tips to improve your singing in order to boost your talent. Learn how to sing easily can be possible through seeking the best singing lessons tips. This is your only and best way to have that beautiful voice you are wishing for.

Recommendations on Purchasing Music Supplies

Buying the right music supplies can be challenging. The number of music gear on the market can be overwhelming and difficult to go through. Especially for first timers, it is hard to evaluate which brands and models will give the right sound quality. You may find it difficult to differentiate the slightest discrepancies in sound quality.

Here are some pointers to help you avoid problems when buying music equipment.

Do Not Rush

You may never find the right things if you make hasty decisions. Refrain from making mistakes and take your time before you actually invest in a range of music supplies. Finding the right music equipment is important because you will use these for years to come. Likewise, they also come expensive. You cannot constantly splurge on music equipment to trade what you wrong for new ones.

Investing more time guarantees finding the appropriate items. Researching for all possible options increases your chances of buying products satisfying you for a long time. It is an old shopping cliché that when impulsiveness strikes, you likely regret your purchase in the end. Do not make the same mistake with something as expensive as music devices. Take your time. Do your homework and look for as many suppliers and products as you can. This will save you from future grief.

Know What You Need

From stage monitors to composition software, music equipment does not come in one-size fits all. Music devices have their specific use and outcome. If you want to produce a certain sound quality, you have to buy accurate equipment. For simple house recording, you can skip 24-track recording program and stick to less advanced products. Nonetheless, for local band recordings and similar projects, go beyond the 8-channel interface. You will simply outgrow the equipment putting your money to waste.

Check if your computer can accommodate the software you want. You may need to buy computer hardware to make your program work. Ask the following things when deciding on what you need:

- Is the amp sufficient for your prefer range of tone and music? Is it sufficient for what clients want?

- Do you want a flexible virtual instrument rig or stable keyboard workstation?

As much as possible, you should figure out your present and future needs before searching for music equipment. This will take you far in your music investment.

Differentiate Important Features

Manufacturers usually highlight impressive specs. Do not fall for what they put out as amazing features. Most of the time, it is not about the specs. Research about music device functions important for producing sound qualities. Focus more on the functionalities of equipment than on additional features. This saves you from paying for something you do not need.

Simple Tips to Improve Your Nature Filmmaking

With recent advances in technology, the average person now has access to affordable digital equipment that can produce imagery on par with the most stunning commercially produced films. While digital video cameras are capable of capturing beautiful images, users need to know how to use them properly for the best results. While anybody can point a camera at a nature scene to capture great footage, nature filmmaking is not always that simple. The best filmmakers have great equipment, but they also know how to film nature so that the footage turns out spectacular more often than not. Not everyone was born with filmmaking talent, but there are some things that you can do to improve your nature filmmaking.

Perhaps the most important attribute of a skilled nature filmmaker is patience. Filmmaking in the natural world is much like hunting. Hunters are known to sit quietly and patiently in one spot for hours at a time in order to capture their quarry. Filmmakers should be prepared to do the same thing. The great thing about shooting in the digital format is that you do not need to be concerned about preserving film. As long as you have hard drive or SD card space, you can keep the camera rolling while you wait for something magical to happen. However, you do not want to spend more time than necessary editing, so try to run the camera judiciously. If you find a great location known for the presence of wildlife, you might spend a fruitless day in the woods waiting for something to happen, but your patience may also pay off with some exciting footage of wildlife.

Sometimes you simply want to capture a beautiful natural scene in a panoramic video. Panoramic videos are terrific for offering viewers a fully immersive experience. Unfortunately, many amateur nature filmmakers fail to capture panoramas properly. The most common mistake is moving the camera too quickly. While filming, you should always move the camera as slowly as you can, then try to move it even more slowly. While doing this, the lack of speed can seem excruciating, but you will end up with a much steadier shot, and a more organic-looking video of a natural scene.

If you are like many people who have begun a digital filmmaking hobby, you have probably captured some wonderful footage thus far. Thanks to the latest technology, even amateurs are capable of filming professional-looking nature films, but there is always room for improvement. If you are serious about improving your nature filmmaking, you should remember to be patient and work more slowly. Even if you feel like you know how to film nature effectively, these simple tips will improve your work significantly.