by Zainab Uwase Don’t miss the Hidden Figures “who move the finish line”. “We get to the peak together, or we don’t get there at all.” Al Harrison, in Hidden Figures. Everyone knows who Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin are, the first men to set foot on the moon. Before these brave men, there were people who had to calculate the math and build the space shuttle that was going to make an unforgettable historic moment possible. Among these geniuses were three black female scientists that until today were never really known. Hidden Figures is being played in theatres now and still stands as the No.1 movie in America. It can also be viewed or streamed online on different sites. Hidden Figures is a biographical, comedic drama that is based on nonfiction writer Margot Lee Shettelry’s book which was published on September 6, 2016. The script for the motion picture was finished before the book was published. This shows how important it was for this story to be told, and Donna Gigliotti, the film producer for Silver Linings Playbook and Shakespeare in Love, recognized that. The story occurs during the Jim Crowe Virginia of the 1950s and 1960s and depicts how these three African American women are able to prevail through the discrimination to accomplish the work that helped the USA get the upper hand in the space race of the 20th century. This movie is about more than Katherine Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughn (Octavia Spencer) and Mary Jackson’s (Janelle Monáe) unprecedented accomplishments, but how people with differences come together for a common goal. It is exciting to see how in a time where race was still a divider, boundaries were crossed and removed to reach the epic finish line. In the first few minutes of the movie, we witness something that would have been rare to see in the 1960s, which is better put by Mary Jackson when she says, “Three black women are chasing a white police officer down a highway in 1961, that is a God-ordained miracle.” This is where the central theme of patriotism makes a plays a big role because the officer escorts them disregarding their color or gender due to the fact that they work for NASA. This makes the movie more than racism, which is why I believe everyone will find something to relate too when they watch it. Other than being a story that should never go back in the shadows and one that sheds light on how people can always come together even in uncertain times, this movie brings out the truths and facts that were never put in the history books. For this to be a real story to some seems unreal even today, because if an African American and on top of that a woman could make pioneering discoveries and successes during those times then what can the generation of today that is given all the freedoms accomplish? More. This is the kind of movie that can be shown in classrooms, where students can understand that education really is important because these extraordinary women worked hard to get where they were. That is why everyone who wants to know this little but pivotal part of American history should not miss this well-told tale that hints at fun, struggle, and empowerment. Know more about the real Hidden Figures at: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/forgotten-black-women-mathematicians-who-helped-win-wars-and-send-astronauts-space-180960393/
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by Kacee Baker & Abigail FellinOn a recent trip to The Book Vine, an independent bookstore in Cherokee, Iowa, Hot Dish creators were exposed to a local example of literary citizenship at a store that encourages area authors and community involvement. An important, and often overlooked, aspect of being a writer, reader, and even editor, is being an active member in your literary community. A literary community is any group that works towards a common goal such as promoting authors, reading and discussing books, and encouraging writers. Ways to contribute to your literary community include supporting local bookstores, library events, authors, and spreading the word about other people’s work. The Book Vine was opened 10 years ago by Mollie Loughlin. After the previous book store in Cherokee closed its door, Mollie quit her job as a teacher, and gutted and renovated the cozy two story building because she believed “that every community needed a bookstore.” While Mollie was out of town, Hot Dish Magazine had a lovely time searching the bookshelves and talking with her daughter-in-law, Amy Frederes. The Book Vine staff work to make the town fun and create a sense of community. Amy directed us to a section of books by Iowa writers, and discussed how the store encourages literary citizenship by hosting book clubs, wine tastings, and book signings with local authors. Even in a town with a population of only around 5,000 people, Amy says “you can always find something to do. It’s a fun town, it really is.” Visit The Book Vine in Cherokee, or shop at their online store here, and like their Facebook page here. Amy’s Recommendations: Favorite book: Shadow of the Wind. “It’s a book about a book, and it’s excellent. It originated in Barcelona and then it was translated into English.” Latest read: “I just finished Behind Closed Doors. It’s along the lines of Gone Girl and Girl on the Train. It was an excellent read.” Hot Dish recipe: Easy Beef Enchiladas Ingredients:
Scoop meat/bean mixture into each tortilla and sprinkle with cheese and fold into a square Spray a 9x13 pan and place folded enchiladas in pan In a bowl mix: Mushroom soup, tomato soup and enchilada sauce Pour over enchiladas in pan Sprinkle remaining cheese over top Bake at 350 for 45 minutes by Hayley Haines “The Rose Metal Press Field Guide to Writing Flash Fiction”, is the perfect book for those who are beginning to write Flash Fiction short stories themselves. Tara L. Masih, a freelancer for companies such as Ballantine Books and Harvard University Press, is the editor for this field guide. Her own flash fiction has won awards (Tall Grasses and Fragile Skins). If you are looking for an introduction to the forms of writing flash fiction, this is the book to read. If you already have a view of how flash fiction this book can be used as a quick review. This book is filled with advice from teachers, editors, and other writers in the field. There are many examples in this book that will allow you to have a better perspective on how you should be writing your own stories. For instance, Vanessa Gebbie wrote about the proper way to open up your own writing. You need to be able to capture the attention of your readers and that is just what is done. The titles captivate you and keep your attention. The openings also introduce characters immediately. All of the sentences should intrigue you and raise questions. This book can also be used as a guide for the rules of writing flash fiction. It may also be used to help those teaching the subject, writers, and anyone else that is interested in how flash fiction was created or how it works. This book may also be able to expand your own understanding in the subject and allow you to improve yourself. |
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