I’m not good with math
Or numbers or change
but here’s an equation
I’ll try to explain
if I start with a positive
and lose any cents
My account becomes negative
make any sense?
I know you don’t get it
Just hear me out
I’ve run out of worth
causing debt and doubt
I don’t take loans
grants or gifts
in the form of cheap thrill
Or fake relationships
so try and keep quiet
don’t fuss or holler
Bc what’s your two cents
Compared to my dollar
You still don’t get it
so let me just say it
I am changing for me
And no opinion can delay it
So in Dollars, cents
pennies or quarters
know your self worth
And stop taking orders
So better yourself
and don’t be ashamed
add up your value
Bc everyone needs change
Tag: creative
Al Gore’s New Film Brings “Truth to Power”
An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power

A decade after Al Gore’s empowering and eye-opening film and book, An Inconvenient Truth, Former Vice President Gore has brought a new inspiring movie that reminds us of our responsibility to the climate movement. The sequel reviews the changes in both policy and climate, that have shaped the world.
The film exposes the rapid changes that are occurring in the Arctic with a spotlight on the glacial melt in Greenland. Footage shows Gore exploring the quickly melting glacial ice and the colossal chunks of glacier crashing into the ocean. He suggests that due to unusually high temperatures in Greenland, the glaciers are responding. Following the drastic chain of effects that follow sea level rise, the film focuses on flooding events that have ruined cities. After giving the viewer a background on the effects of climate change, Gore calls for the response that is essential to stopping this crisis.
Highlighting Gore’s Climate Reality Leadership Training, the film calls for more activism and involvement to drive the climate movement. In the Leadership Corps program, Al Gore personally trains the potential leaders to encourage change in local community and to bring the “Truth to Power”. With the program, people can apply to become apart of the Leadership Corps and commit to overcoming the climate crisis.
The coined term “Truth to Power” is now a forceful push in action that stands for change and revolution. Gore proves that through defiance, persistence and charged persuasion, the goals needed to make a difference are achievable. Though faced by many challenges, the climate movement has fought against every opposition and stood strong after every downfall. He brings hope and is determined that we can continue to lead our efforts into the future; despite Trump’s radical agenda. Gore connects the Climate Movement to the many influential movements that have shaped our world such as the Civil Rights Movement, Gay Rights Movement, Women’s Suffrage Movement, and Anti-Apartheid Movement. Each of these oppressed movements were confronted by many threats but continued to develop and achieve ambitious progress.
After a long and burdensome road to ratifying the Paris Agreement, President Trump announced on June 1, 2017 that the United States would be withdrawing from the Paris Agreement. A huge setback to the goals ratified, the withdrawal would ruin the dynamic formed in the agreement and would override the changes endured in other countries. While addressing this announcement, Gore remains hopeful that the strength of the movement is more powerful than the actions of the President.
Closing with the motivating message, “Fight like your world depends on it”, the film leaves viewers with an intense desire to make the changes laid out in the film. Overall the sequel was a perfect combination of recalling the growth of our past while reminding viewers of the obstacles that still lay ahead. The film should be used as proof of the glorious outcomes of unity, determination, and grit.
To join the Climate Reality Project proceed to the project website to bring “Truth to Power”.
Watch the trailer to this inspiring sequel here.
When the ‘strangers’ land
When I was in Iceland, I felt a connection between the local people and nature. It was pure. But through this photo series, I want to show the other side of it, when ‘the strangers’ land on this beautiful creation. We can see a wall between them. They don’t want to fit in, they just want to capture themselves WITH it. Capturing this distant relationship in a photo makes them ONE.
chapter one: the broken girl in the coffee shop
chapter one: the broken girl in the coffee shop
she was not the type of girl to wait around after school just to watch you walk to your locker.
she would not wait around at the coffee shop after your practice just to watch you order your large strawberry flavoured water and yoghurt parfait cup.
she would not give you the answers to yesterday’s homework no matter how important that game or practice was, ” or was it a party this time?” she’d ask in an almost sarcastic tone.
she was a tough one, there was a certain stubbornness to her that you admired.
her light brown eyes had seen some of the darkest days you are yet to experience, but you loved it, you loved how she managed to get through it all.
she was not dying to get to know you, but god knows you would do anything to get to know her better.
the quiet girl who just transferred from california, was that her name? her name! you don’t even know her name.
you started to stay after school to get a glance of her on her way to her car, backpack half open, hair a mess. it was cute. you thought it was cute.
after your practice at the coffee shop you would glance around hoping some day she would be sitting alone reading her favourite book, then you’d approach her right then and there and get her name.
weeks go by, she seems to have disappeared. you see her occasionally when walking from class to class.
apparently, she has been seeing someone. someone who you know is not any good for her, but as long as she is happy right?
one night in the coffee shop you glance over at the brunette girl with light brown eyes sitting next to someone.
you hear the pain in her words as she opens her mouth, voice trembling, ” we were doing so well”
minutes go by and there she is alone. wiping the tears off of her rosy cheeks.
you grew angry with yourself, why didn’t you comfort her? why didn’t you go and sit by her? ask her if she was okay?
these thoughts attacked your panicked mind until you got up and walked over.
there you were sitting next to the broken girl in the coffee shop.
no words were exchanged, as she placed her head in the warmth of your embrace.
she doesn’t have her car, so you’ll drive her home.
you won’t ever forget that rainy night or the dark pink and purple sky.
she lives close but you don’t mind taking her. you hope she feels better, and not alone.
you got up and out of your chair, let her feel her emotions without having to hide them behind her grey tear stained sweatshirt. drove her home so she’d be safe. you offered to stay in case she didn’t want to be alone.
little do you know she’ll remember this night forever
mt
I’m Scared
featured image via Panna Bagoly
I’m Scared
No matter how loud I scream
No one hears me
I plead and I beg
Stop please
But the agony continues
Every move I make
Every word I say
Is wrong.
I try and hide from all of this
4 walls that when I am enclosed in I should feel safe
Not today
Today I feel far from safe
Scared and fearful
Underneath the blankets in the darkness
The tears fall and I want nothing more than for it to stop
Once again
No one can hear me.
a rose by any other name
hi my name is admonished
sorry I mean adulterated
I mean accursed
I mean Addy
wait no nevermind
that can’t be my name
that doesn’t belong to me
it doesn’t match?
it’s not
mine
I think
∆
when I found out that there was a doll
who looked like me
who had hair like mine
who
wonder upon wonders
shared my name
addy: the black AMERICAN girl doll
I was ecstatic
I was young and naïve and so so so stupid
∆
when my mother found out there was a doll
who looked like
me
who had hair like
mine
who shared
my
name
she was disgusted
that’s a slave’s name
that girl was a slave
you
are not a slave
we are not her
we have history
we have a country
why would you want a doll that doesn’t come from where you come from?
but –
aren’t we both black, mother?
don’t we bleed red, mother?
don’t we get treated the same, mother?
ain’t no white man going to care that she was born here and I was born in Nigeria, ma
black is black is black is discrimination
she didn’t see it like I did
apparently
there are shades of black
∆
hi, my name is Adachukwu
wait, I mean Ada
you’ve never said it the way it should be said, so why should I give you what belongs to me?
but if you really care
you can call me
ah – dah – choo – koo
that’s how it’s pronounced
I think
the thing is
∆
I’ve spent so long shortening it for you
I’m not sure how it’s supposed to be said
the name my mother gave me
there’s the way my parents say it
loud and purposeful and like THEY KNOW WHAT THEY MEAN WHEN THEY SAY THINGS
adachukwu (igbo translation): first daughter of god
and there’s the way my friends say it
they don’t
and the way I say it (?)
adachukwu (rushed and mostly unsure and this? is what i mean and I’m sorry for my culture and my skin and my pronunciation and…)
but you are welcome to try
at least one of us should
∆
hi my name is not here
it left
it couldn’t stand the ambiguity
it’s changed so many times
it has lost its shape
I could try to remake it
but I don’t know who I’d be
the issue is
∆
juliet was wrong
about names
and the idea that life without romeo wasn’t worth living
at least in my case
under a pseudonym
false name
fake name
NOT MY NAME
I am not the same person
I am sure of that
∆
Addy was kind and sweet and always saw the best in people
Ada was apologetic
sorry I mean aborted
sorry I mean abrasive
sorry but
I am all that’s left
∆
∆
∆
*dial tone*
*click*
I’m sorry, but I don’t know who you’re talking about
she doesn’t live here anymore
she
left
please leave a name message
–anon
who is longing the monster
featured image via tumblr
*
who is longing the monster
chapter 1
its calloused hands demanding more
from the broken body on the floor
its yellowed crooked teeth spitting out the words trapping her in a cage
only later to call her crazy in its outbursts of rage
its poisoned tongue wraps false images around the minds
of the joyful youth who once learned to be kind
the urge to prove the others wrong
is revealed through the monsters malicious song
the empty threats feed off of defeat
desperation the only thing it eats
for whoever is longing the monster so dearly
do not let it fool you as it almost did to me, nearly.