January 2022 Edition

Culture & News

China: Portrait of a People

China has a vast amount of land and people. The nation has 56 recognized ethnic groups, modern cities, and rural landscapes. View images of this nation in the book: China: Portrait of a People by Tom Carter (2008 & 2012, 637 pages). The photography reveals the author’s primary eye for rural life and how he captures the heart and soul of everyday people. China has both modern and traditional aspects which are lovely contrasted in the book. There are images of skyscrapers, hipsters, and pink-light districts. In contrast, to tribal clothing, Buddhist monks, the Terracotta Army, shufa (calligraphy), and Kung Fu schools.    

There is a beautiful photograph of illuminating red-orange lanterns for the Chinese New Year. The photographer-author writes: “During Chinese New Year, half of Beijing’s population return to their home provinces, leaving the locals to turn the empty streets into a fireworks war zone” (p. 35). This visual feast for the eyes continues as the author takes us on a tour of 33 regions (provinces) from the North, East, South, Central, and West.

The province of Liaoning provides an image of a 90-year old woman on a red tapestry blanket. She is the last of the “Lotus Feet.” The author writes: “When she was seven, her feet were broken, reshaped…foot binding was practiced from AD 900, before being outlawed in 1911 by the new Republic of China” (p. 61). In this same province are images of roller-blading, a beach wedding, and a Female Mounted Police Unit.

This lovely collection of photography is a great overview of China and her people. The short historical notes and author commentary help set the cultural mood. A good coffee table art book or give as a special gift!          

💖Purchase/Read Book Synopsis here

NBC News: China warns U.S. will “pay” for Olympics Diplomatic Boycott

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/china-warns-us-will-pay-olympics-diplomatic-boycott-rcna7837

Film/Art/Literature News

The Runaway Avocado

Rhea G. Madison is a 10 year old child author from the U.S. Virgin Islands. She recently published her second book, The Runaway Avocado, that features an avocado afraid of becoming guacamole. Learn more about this talented young lady by reading the article below.

Meet the 10-Year Old Author Who Just Published Her 2nd Children's Book

Business/Non-Profit News

The Virginia Black Lifestyle Magazine

Ms. Cydny A. Neville, an English teacher, is launching a magazine that celebrates the accomplishments of African-Americans in Virginia. The Virginia Black Lifestyle Magazine seeks to counter “false narratives about Black lives.”

Black News.com: English Teacher Launches Magazine to Celebrate Black Virginians

https://www.blacknews.com/news/cydny-neville-english-teaching-virginia-black-lifestyle-magazine/

Book Review

The Manchurian President  

Aaron Klein, an American reporter in Jerusalem, began investigating Barack Obama due to what he considered puff pieces by media watchdogs. He wanted more meat. After two years of research, the result was a book: The Manchurian President: Barack Obama’s Ties to Communists, Socialists and Other Anti-American Extremists (2010, 339 pages). He asserts of the book: “It is not a work of opinion…”(p. xii). And to his credit the facts presented can be verified through various mainstream media outlets. Although, this book is over ten years old, it is still very relevant for today’s socio-political climate.

The author writes of Obama’s Alinsky-style training and his association with Bill Ayers of the Weather Underground, a group labeled by the FBI as a domestic terrorism group. There is more on other Obama associates, colleagues, and affiliated organizations. Too numerous to give details, but suffice to say, it is well researched information. Klein writes of Manning Marble’s comments published in the Socialist Review (2008): “A lot of the people working with him [Obama] are, indeed, socialists with backgrounds in the Communist Party or as independent Marxists…” (p. 86-87). The writing includes prominent persons such as: David Axelrod, Van Jones, Minister Louis Farrakhan, and Anita Moncrief. The author also points out when information is not found. He writes: “The authors of this book found no evidence whatsoever indicating that Obama is today a Muslim” (p. 41). The reader is also introduced to the concept of “Astroturf.” It is defined as an “apparently grassroots-based citizen groups or coalitions that are primarily conceived, created, and/or funded by corporations, industry trade associations, political interests, or public relation firms…” (p. 264).

The book does have a right wing-political lens, but it is well-written and informative. Admittedly, these are some very interesting friendships and/or associations for a presidential candidate. Regardless of your political leanings, right, left, or neither, this is a good book to read. Then decide for yourself, if this is a case of ships passing in the night or strange bedfellows.    

💖Purchase/Read the Book Synopsis here 

💖Watch Author Aaron Klein C-Span Book TV interview-Short Clip (2010) here

C-SPAN: Aaron Klein Book Discussion: The Manchurian President (2010, includes full video interview)

https://www.c-span.org/person/?9273054/AaronKlein

NPR: Obama’s Links to Ex-Radical Examined (2008)

https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=95442902

Wall Street Journal: An Acorn Whistleblower Testifies in Court (2008, features Anita Moncrief)

https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB122533169940482893

MSNBC: The Political Perks of being “The First Gay President” (2014)

https://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/the-political-perks-being-the-first-gay-president-msna362636

Financial Times: Barack Obama leaves complicated legacy for Black America (2017)

https://www.ft.com/content/d61e47be-d9b1-11e6-944b-e7eb37a6aa8e

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