One Down, Dear God (2017 Reading Challenge)

My 2017 Reading Challenge is Banned Books. I am reading 5 Books this year that were banned from libraries in the Pre-K thru 12 schools I attended. Those books are:

• Tom Sawyer
• Huckleberry Finn
• To Kill a Mockingbird
• Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret
• Chocolate War

And I plan to see why these works are so harmful for my young eyes back then. First up is Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.

It's Me, Margaret. Are You There God? was written in 1970 by Judy Blume. It is a young adult novel, about a 6th grade girl, Margaret who has grown up without a religious connection, because of her parents' interfaith, Christian-Jewish, marriage. The most of the book is about her search for a single religion.

The other themes involved pre-teen girls go through like puberty (first bra & first period) and feeling attracted to boys. Starting in the 1980s, Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret has been frequently censored, often due to its discussions of sex & religious tone.

Growing up, I thought the title was just a skit punchline on SNL. It wasn't until the book was talked about it in I Love the 70s, that I knew it was a real book. So, I had fresh eyes reading this book. I understand why it was banned for religion but not for sex.

I also do not understand why it was banned from All the schools. I understand it not being in the elementary schools but it could've be in the middle schools right next to the Sweet Valley High books.

Let's talk sex in this book. Whoever wanted this book because of it's sexual themes never knew a pre-teen a day in their life. The most vulgar thing they did was look at a penis in a textbook & the female form in a stolen Playgirl magazine.

At a boy/girl birthday party, a kissing game was played. Isn't that when kissing games start. They had bra & period pacts in the book. Matter fact, Margaret & friends were obsessed with starting their cycles. But that seems to be normal in some girl circles. There was a female classmate already more devoloped in book. I will say the honesty in her feelings about it was spot on. I being one of those girls feels there should be more stories about girls like her.

The religious tone of this book is very biased. "Religion is Confusing" is the message. The message is very easy to understand because it is being taught stereotypically. The Jewish paternal grandmother is overbearing and lays on a few layers of the guilt. The mostly estranged maternal grandparents are Christian.

They're pictured as closed-minded and not very accepting. Then there are religion-free parents. Margaret, who is being raised without religion, decides to do a project about religion. Her parents decided she will choose a religion, if she wants when she is an adult. Naturally, they are against her project but let her do it anyway. Here's my dilemma with them. The child, who secretly talks to God all the time, is on her own to study religion.

She goes to a synagogue, a few churches, and a confessional but only once I think did Margaret's parent ask her anything about her experience. The parents seemed quite neglectful for that. As if they wanted this child to feel the way she eventually feels from the start. So, I probably would've left this book off the school book shelves, too. If schools can't be open about religion, then don't talk about it. Religion is confusing enough.

All & All, Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret was decent. It was about a pre-teen girl navigating life. It was a strangley honest tale, I like that. I still prefer Blubber by Judy Blume better. That tale of bullying wasn't banned from my school.

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms

We Give Comfort With Our Hearts (Food Know-It-All)

I was actually doing a post about the stereotype of the Chinese & the consumption of dog but my neighbor from across the street died (RIP Boomhauer of Mars Hall) . I decided to change my focus to Funeral Repast food.

A funeral repast are the reception after a funeral. The funeral feast or repast was part of both ancient Egyptian and Roman funeral traditions. Even humans living back 12,000 years ago had funeral feasts. Repasts include a meal, which can be provided by the family or

family friends, church members, or neighbors bring a dish for all to share. The repast can be either at the home of one of the family members, at the deceased person's church or at the location of the funeral service.

Why? For the person making the meal, it’s an honest and expression of sympathy. In this busy world, taking the time to buy ingredients and prepare a meal means a lot. To the person receiving the meal it’s not only a touching gift, it also gives them one less worry during that stressful time.

I remember making my first repast meal. There was a caring feeling in making that lasagna & simple salad for the bereaved family. Plus, I knew the deceased. So, the memories hugged me as I prepared the meal as well. That has to be one ingredients in the recipe of love that folks put in those dishes.

On the other side, it is a big help. I had just taken on the chore of making my family's meals when my grandfather passed away. The fact people bring food is good. Then I paid attention to what was brought. Somebody brought KFC because they knew that was my grandmother's favorite. People brought breakfast for the morning of the services. Most people don't eat breakfast for their own health. I was prepared for dinners for days but not breakfast. In those bags, I heard love messages for my family's strength.

No matter what you bring to a grieving family, make sure you bring love. Love is the most comforting thing or ingredient needed. The "grief buffet" better have love or it won't taste good.

Alright, here is one of my favorite dishes to make. I don't know how to make it without love. It is my Lemon Pepper Roasted Chicken. The answer to "Is the chicken fried or baked", it is baked. LoL That's an insider. And it is a nice dish to bring to a repast.

Lemon Pepper Roasted Chicken
Ingredients

• 1 whole broiler/fryer chicken (3-1/2 pounds)
• 1-1/2 teaspoons salt-free lemon-pepper seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt-free Italian seasoning
• 1 medium lemon, halved

Directions

1. Loosen skin around chicken breast, leg and thigh. 
2. Combine the seasonings; rub half under skin. 
3. Cut half of the lemon into quarters and place in the cavity along with rosemary sprigs. 
4. Skewer openings; tie drumsticks together with kitchen string.
5. Place chicken breast side up on a rack in a roasting pan. 
6. Squeeze the remaining lemon over chicken; rub with remaining spice mixture. 
7. Bake, uncovered, at 375° for 1 to 1-1/2 hours or until chicken juices run clear and a meat thermometer reads 180° (cover loosely with foil if browning too quickly). 
8. Cover and let stand for 15 minutes. Remove and discard skin, and discard lemon and herbs from cavity before carving.

In the show Queen Sugar, there is a line that help sum up my feelings about repast food & festivities. "We give comfort with our hands". We prepare these meal with our hands. We buy the ingredients with our hands. We pick up the food orders with our hands. We bring the food to the bereaved with our hands. Now, trace your hands to your heart. So yes, we give comfort with our hearts.

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms

Stop Sniggling!!!

I was couponing and watching my nephew play with his remote control cars, Saturday morning when this post topic really settled in my spirit. It was born Friday night at the Ladies Choice Concert. My sister & I were waiting for Jagged Edge, Dru Hill, & Avant to hit the stage and watching people fill in their seats. Two fellow BBWs came and sat beside me. The seats at the Music Hall are not hip friendly. What theater seats are? I gather myself in my seat, making sure the lady had room to be her seat. The lady beside me eases herself in her seat.

About 5 minutes later, she starts sniggling (snicker + giggle) to her friend. "These seats are a trip". For another few minutes, she is sniggling so hard and so much she is shaking me. Ok, a few more minutes, I leaned forward to take an annoyed selfie. Then I quietly said to my sister with a straight face, "She's going to have to stop sniggling". And like that the sniggling stopped. A few moments later, she & her friend got up, went to talk to the usher and never came back. They didn't point in my direction so, it had be the seats. *shrug* The two seats beside me were empty for the rest of the night. Hey, gave me room to do dance a little. 🎶Beauty is Her Name🎶 LoL

We All Are in This Thing Called Life, Together. We have to work as unit, many times. Many times it is uncomfortable. Your reaction to your discomfort can help or hurt the unit. Sometimes we need to check if our response shaking others trying to work through the situation, unnecessarily. Again, we are all in this together!!!

I do hope the ladies found comfort somewhere, somehow. They said it was a packed house. Other than their seats, it looked pretty packed to me. It was really good. Dru Hill, alone did a 45 minute show. It even included some Sisqo music. I hope they didn't decided to separate themselves and went home. I'll Make You This Promise that it was a good show. And I, OUTSPOKEN_DIVA, Never Made a Promise, That I Can't Keep. Might as well chuckle at my corniness. Now, you can sniggle!!!

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms

On the Subject of Hate Speech

❤🌞❤

I know hurt people, hurt people. Let us All keep this in mind.

Watch your own tone, when giving your opinion about another person speaking hatefully
Hate doesn't negate Hate

❤🌞❤

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms

And You Can Blame Kim & Mariah For This Post

So, January 2, 2017 at 7:14pm I realized I lost my book light. That meant I couldn't read in bed.  So, I hung out on social media for the night. All I got was wrestling talk, Soulja Boy being robbed, Kim Burrell not being loved, more Mariah Carey NYE confusion & fighting at comedian Ricky Harris' funeral. I wish I was a fan of wrestling. And I've never been to a funeral where a fight broke out. None of the gang filled multiple baby mamas attended, hot venues mournful events I've attended have resulted in fight. Yeah, I pick good funerals. Then I occured to me how many popular music artists that I only like one song by them. So, guess what? That's what this post is about

Kim Burrell: I Come to You More Than I Give Funny part is I found that song on a WoW Gospel compilation. I am an avid Clark Sisters fan. Twinkie is The Best. But their method of runs & riffs in song has been copied too far. Burrell is one of those perpetrators. I just want her to just sing. Hmmm, maybe my lack of fandom is why she doesn't have a Grammy?

Anthony Hamilton: Sista Big Bones I am Not a Fan of Begging Singing Voices. Keith Sweat is General in that army. Anthony Hamilton is Lieutenant General. And it doesn't help that his most popular stuff are redemption songs. Poor Charlene!!! Sista Big Bones is fun song. I put my "woke" mind asleep and enjoy it. Yeah, I know big boned is dumb. But there aren't a lot of "I like plus size ladies" songs & lyrics so, I jam it. And it is perfect for his voice.

Lady Gaga: I Want to Marry the Night And I only like this song because I thought it was Katy Perry. I never got into Lady Gaga, even after the new tamed look. She sang the anthem for Super Bowl 50 and I didn't care. Most people who know me, I critique the "'or the land of the free" notes during the anthem. Hit That Note and I will give a thumbs up. I've have no clue if she hit that note. I just not that into her.

NSYNC: Gone For a year, I used to work as a ticket agent for Ticket Master, well over a decade ago. I was still into Sugar Ray & Matchbox 20. NSYNC was a group that I sold tickets for. Then Gone came out. I'm a sucker for a little bit of blue eyed soul & funk. 🎶The time is passing slowly now🎶 That was My lyric!!! So, I decided to go listen to their older stuff. It was too pop. Then they disbanded.

Ne Yo: One in a Million DJs are the reason why I only like this one song by him. I don't want to be "Closer" to the "Champagne Life" ever again. I was so tired of Ne Yo being tired of love songs, I turned off my radio. When I turned it back on, One in a Million was on. I heard it maybe twice and I had to buy so I could hear it more.

Mariah Carey: Vision of Love Yep, I haven't liked Mimi since Vision of Love. Every song doesn't need runs & high notes. This song she did it perfectly. Melodic singing, one high note and some runs at the ends. Perfection!!! Next thing I know everybody was filled with "Emotions" screeching high notes everywhere. And I could Not wait until "One Sweet Day" came & went because it was played all day & everyday. Vision of Love started it all but is the hidden gem that I love and get enjoy all by myself.

Ok, I'm through working through my boredom. My book light was found January 3, 2017 at 12:43am hanging off a pillow. Glad, I needed to fluff it.

As Always Talking to You in Adult Yerms

More FAQs

Last year, I answerd some FAQ in this post.  Here are some more. Oh if you have questions and/or comments send them to C.OUT.SPOKEN.DIVA@gmail.com. I'll answer them in an Outspoken_Diva fashion.

Weight? Height? Age?
I'll tell you my height. LoL I'm 5'2". #ShortGroup And yeah, I would like to be a few more inches. Like 5'5" or 5'6"

Favorite Quote?
Add an S to quote. LoL
"I believe today will be the Best day of my life" ~ Steve J. Lawrence

"Living MY Truths Only"

"Those who know, don't tell and those who tell, don't know" ~ Zen

"IF IT CAN HURT, IT CAN HEAL" ~ Addie (OLTL)

"Everyone Can't Be in YOUR Front Row"~ Unknown

"Take me as I am, or watch me as I go." ~ Unknown

"I'm not Weird. I'm a Limited Edition" ~ Unknown

Favorite Body Part?
My Brain That's why I'm always trying to improving it.

How I think of blog posts
LoL

How do you handle shade?
Depends on the situation

• Throw it back
• Call it out & Throw it back
• Ignore it

Favorite Book?
Again add a S
The Bible

The Princess Within by Serita Ann Jakes

What Looks Crazy on an Ordinary Day by Pearl Cleage


Now, I want to read all day. But I can't.

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms

It's Freedom of Speech Until...Let's Talk Kim Burrell

It's freedom of speech until the words offend you!

I'm not a fan of Kim Burrell. That's why I didn't join the bash fest. I don't like bashing folks just to be bashing. I've liked one song in her whole discography. That's I Come to You More Than I Give. I was one of the few before the controversy. Most of her music never moved me. Also her behavior on the show, Sunday Best was disfavorable to me. She would rudely laugh in the faces of auditioners who sang badly. Her words of disapproval weren't always constructive.

It's freedom of speech as long as the words don't hurt you.

I'm not calling anybody a hypocrite. Nor do I want to blame the victim. Yet, amazing to me how it was ok for her to act that way on a gospel singing show but when she says something homophobic, it's a problem. Oh she cracked you on Sunday Best. Mean is Mean in my book. Just like the mean comments about her wig. Her critics suddenly noticed her wig was tattered. What did the wig do to you?

Freedom of Speech is not without consequence even for the victim.

Stop basing your fandom on just how a person makes you feel. Find out how they feel about & treat All people. This goes for All the people we fan. No, it's for All people. Learn about them, Forgive Them and Take Them to Task to do better.

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms