Thing 1, a thing to watch.
To Watch: You Go Girl!
In the New Yorker: A Black Woman’s Spiritual Journey Up a Mountain, in “You Go Girl!”
In Shariffa Ali’s short film, a comedian grapples with her fears and finds healing and solidarity in the outdoors.
Here’s the trailer but the New Yorker link has the full short film.
Thing 2, a thing to read
To Read: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Gym Class by Greta Christina
“I hated gym class. Like so many other nerdy, awkward kids, I despised it. I was bad at it; I was scared of it; it was a place of exclusion and shame.
“And then almost overnight, I started liking gym. I didn’t just stop hating it — I actually enjoyed it. I looked forward to it. I had fun with it. And I was good at it. I vividly remember my nerdy math-teacher father jokingly scolding me about my report card one quarter, scowling and asking with mock disapproval how a daughter of his could have gotten an A in gym.
“What happened?”
Thing 3, a thing to listen to
To Listen: Self Magazine’s Keep it Hot Playlist
31 Scorching Hot Workout Songs That’ll Have You Feeling Yourself
Thank you for this perfect way to end the fourth day of what is already a long week. I loved the documentary. Am enjoying the gym class piece, and will save the playlist for a bit later. A great antidote to a snowy busy day!