So, I’m a day late because, of course, I am, but I’m just happy that I’ve had a good week, full of both hot and introspective things, and I’ve got a pretty juicy list for you this week, so I hope you’ll forgive me.
Underscores- Do It
My introduction to Underscores was a random video of April dancing with the two dancers in this video and it struck me. I was immediately taken by its dressed-down, but strong style. I think I appreciate that there’s so much power in this pop, but no fluff.
Jake Schroeder’s “Louvre Me” Saga
I almost exclusively learned about the recent Lourve theft through Jake Schroeder’s multi-part ballad series. While entertaining, it may not have been the best way for me to get the news, as it turns out these men weren’t the actual thieves, but it was certainly the most entertaining, and the follow-up apology was even more. He initially released I virtually require you to hear “Louvre Me”.
Jason Gyamfi’s “Quarter Zip Movement” Trend
This Christian creator isn’t usually my vibe, but I really enjoy this series of videos he’s created that repeat the phrase “We Don’t”. His most popular iteration is about men graduating from the Nike Tech, an athletic sports suit, to the Quarter Zip, which is still casual, but tends to be seen as more formal and upper-class. The series…I believe it is meant to satirize respectability politics that are often internalized by black men.
While the trend has taken off, with many people posting their own version of the video, there are some who wonder if the trend is sincerely suggesting that Black men should dress more respectfully and adhere to respectability politics. However, from what I can tell, Jason Gyamfi means it in jest and you’ll note that he isn’t wearing a quarter zip in his own profile picture.
เจ็บนิดนิด + Dance Challenge
Tpop group, VIIS’ cover of เจ็บนิดนิด has taken my feed by storm. The group performed on the Pride Pulse Stage at during Bangkok Pride. Their colorful outfits, stage presence, and catchy take on the song have won the hearts of netizens everywhere. Many of them are uploading their own version of the dance…self included
Jae Stephens and Steel Century Groove
This video was the first thing I saw in my feed in the morning, and it immediately put me in a good mood. Gaming content creator, Mister GOAT, uploaded a video of him playing a demo of the new indie Steam rhythm game, Steel Century Groove, and the combination of these cool-looking robots dancing to these excellent Jae Stephens songs, now featuring his ad-libs, really sold me on several things.
Steel Century Groove describes itself as an epic rythm Mecha RPG and this video was my introduction to it. In a way, this random video is doing a great job at promoting both this indie game and also this smaller artist.
Jae Stephens is a phenomenal LA based performer and I’ve been a huge fan of her work. However, it was this video that pushed me to listen to her full album, Total Sellout , which is amazing. One of the best albums I’ve listened to this year. A cohesive, but diverse sound and a pop talent that stands out for me. She has an aura I can’t compare to other artists and I am so excited to see where she goes.
Steel Century Groove is available now on Steam!
A Teenager Reminds Megan Kelly What A Teenager Looks Like
Megan Kelly’s ghastly comments about teenage girls inspired this actual teenage girl to speak out and remind her what a teenager actually looks like.
Note: Megan Kelly has a 14 year old daughter.
Nikalie Monroe Asks Churches for Baby Formula
A woman over on TikTok is being called a witch after she decided to run a social experiment on TikTok where she calls up churches, pretending to be a mother desperate for baby formula. If you’re an ex-Evangelical, as I am, you’ll probably guess how this manages to go. Overwhelmingly, when she calls these churches asking for support, she is denied and some churches have even hung up in her face.
This social experiment demonstrates one of the central values of social media: it connects us and helps us understand that the narratives we may hold aren’t actually true in practice. We would assume that, among any place in a community willing to help desperate mothers, a church would be the place. But at the time I was writing this post, Nikalie had called 39 churches, and only 9 had offered her help. As I was following this story, that number stayed a solid 3 until it started getting more traction and churches became more aware of the social experiment. One of the most controversial is Germantown Baptist Church.
The pastor of Germantown Baptist Church was not at all happy with social media’s response to how they failed this social experiment and decided to share some of his pointed words during a sermon.
This reaction from the church has prompted a few people to look into the church’s financial history, and that’s when things started getting interesting. The deeper the internet detectives dug, the more it seemed like perhaps this Tennessee church is indeed a great example of why many people have left the church. Questionable financials, and even a sex abuse scandal that was covered up have since been revealed; namely by a content creator named Jess Dennison.
You’ll have to dig through her profile to get more of the unfortunate revelations she’s uncovered about the church, but in short, it seems like if this social experiment causes people to leave and his church to shutter, this pastor wouldn’t be as upset about his partitioners losing faith as he would be losing his meal ticket.
Worth noting that several churches did indeed immediately decide to help with some pastors coming out of their own pockets without a second thought. One of those pastors is an Appalachian pastor whose church has seen a wave of support since the pastor demonstrated what I think many of us who were raised Christian once believed the church could represent: dedication to community and a deeply invested commitment to helping as an extension of God’s grace and will.
For me, it’s been very unfortunate to see how Christian Nationalism has taken over American Evangelicalism, whose main export seems to be white supremacy. Far too many Christians were cheering on the loss of SNAP benefits for families with hungry children. Just an unnecessary degree of cruelty that seems quite disconnected from Christianity for many. I’m happy to report that many Christians have openly criticized the church for their response and this social experiment caused several people to leave their churches once they saw how little they were willing to use the money they’ve tithed to do good for the community.
I think this is a great social experiment that demonstrates the value of social media’s ability to break through certain illusions. My parents tithed to the church for most of their lives and it would upset them to know that of the money they’ve given, $20 of that couldn’t go to a desperate mother. Many people donate to the church, believing the money is going to the community, but not understanding that pastors are pocketing it for their own earthly desires.
This Influencer’s Friend Was Massacred in Sudan
This content creator found out that his friends were massacred in Sudan and has been using his platform to draw attention to the violence currently happening in Sudan.
MMA Coaches in Canada are Building White Supremacist Militias
Undercover reporters infiltrated a fascist conference in Vancouver that aims to arm white men for an oncoming race war.
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Blaque In The City 
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