Marvel's Black Panther broke all types of box office records. Within two weeks, the film was dubbed the second-fastest movie to reach $400 million.
This is proof that when black folks show up, we also show out.
Now it's time for us to show that same support to Disney's A Wrinkle in Time. Madeline L'Engle wrote the science fantasy novel in 1962 and now the goddess of directors, Ava DuVernay is at the helm of the 2018 film adaptation.
1. The Relevant Theme
The film's theme of battling darkness is more relevant than anyone could have imagined. With mass shootings and political nightmares happening more frequently, this movie is not only for children. Instead, it's a fantasy movie based in reality. During a small group session of "What She Said," DuVernay said:
"This is a happy movie in a dark time, which is particularly important for young kids, especially young regular girls. They need to know that they can be recognized for just being themselves, they don't have to be Jedis or superheroes."
Adults need to be reminded of this as well; we often fall victim to societal expectations and forget that our destinies should never be questioned.
2. O-P-R-A-H
Oprah Winfrey, who plays Mrs. Which in the film, has been championing the grave importance of the movie for over a year. At the Hollywood premiere, she said:
"It's about courage and being able to be the best of who you are and to be a warrior for the light. It is a story that we're gonna need until there is no longer a planet Earth 'cause the darkness is spreading so fast these days, we need warriors of the light."
3. Representation of Various Women of Color
The cast of A Wrinkle in Time are perfect examples of warriors of light. This is probably one of the most diverse casts Hollywood has ever seen with women dominating the crew. Oprah Winfrey, Storm Reid, Mindy Kaling, and Gugu Mbatha-Raw are some of the cast members who represent different types of women of color. Lately, the word "representation" has been repeated constantly as filmmakers have been more intentional in casting people of all colors, genders, and sizes.
While we are used to seeing Mindy Kaling on our television screens serving up comedic gold, she is proud to be among this groundbreaking cast. At the film's press day the new mom shared:
"I loved science fiction and fantasy growing up, but it was a genre that largely did not love me back. I never saw any representation of a dark-skinned, Indian woman in anything I saw. And it's a really peculiar thing when you grow up loving something that shows you no love back. It's such a pure love because you're not getting anything from it."
4. The Female-Driven Cast
For the young star, Storm Reid who plays a main character in the film, Meg Murry, she was thrilled to be on a set that looked like the United Nations. The female-driven story is one that is beyond regenerative and inspirational for both onlookers and cast members alike. Reid told E! News:
"They're just all so humble and grounded and just gracious and beautiful. I just learned a lot from them and I just took away that I can be an A-list star, but I can still just be a good person. Of course, my mom and my family instilled that in me, but I just really saw it first-hand, and they are all so amazing and I'm glad that I got to share a screen with them."
5. Ava DuVernay Deserves Your Support
Disney
A Wrinkle in Time is already breaking records with DuVernay being the first female director to have a $100 million United States budget. it is the largest ever for a live-action film helmed by a female African-American director. From her perspective, she's an anomaly because when you can count the number of female African-American directors on one hand, that's not change. We are all very grateful for the increase in opportunities but we have more work to do.
In an interview with The New York Times, DuVernay described "feminizing" this project and the importance of a character like Reid's Meg Murry. She went on to describe giving a girl like the biracial curly-haired black girl Meg the ability to fly on film as being "super-emotional." She told the publication.
"And then to be able to make it so, even on camera for a little while, for two hours — to change the world for that small amount of time, it's very powerful. It's addictive."
The world needs more representation and less interpretation.
When you pair the comprehensive message with the badass women and the spectacular visuals, you have the blueprint for an indescribable motion picture.
A Wrinkle In Time is in theatres now!
- A Wrinkle in Time (2018 film) - Wikipedia ›
- Ava DuVernay's “A Wrinkle in Time,” Reviewed | The New Yorker ›
- Ava DuVernay Is Prepared to Surprise People With A Wrinkle In Time ›
- Why the A Wrinkle in Time Movie Will Change Hollywood ›
- Ava DuVernay calls 'A Wrinkle in Time' a 'love letter' to black girls ... ›
- Ava DuVernay's 'A Wrinkle In Time' Is A Literal Must-See Event Movie ›
- Ava DuVernay's 'A Wrinkle in Time' Is the Ultimate Adaptation | WIRED ›
- New Trailer: 'A Wrinkle in Time,' From Ava DuVernay - The New York ... ›
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But Shellie, I don’t like them. Sex feels better without them. In an unbelievably ideal world where everyone waited until marriage and then remained with their spouse until death, you could be out here raw-ing it. With that not being even close to the case, though, it’s time to stop trying to skirt around using condoms and, instead, it’s time to figure out which ones can give you maximum pleasure.
Believe it or not, I’ve got a few tips, in the rubber shopping department, that just might help you out.
First Up, Most Women Can Tell When a Condom Is On
GiphyMy guy friends and I tend to have the most random conversations, boy. Take the time when two of them were trying to debate me down about whether or not women can tell if a condom is on. Their vote is that we can’t. Mine was that we absolutely can. And I mean, shouldn’t the one with the vagina (me) have a say, fellas? LOL. Hey, they don’t have to take my word for it because science also states that based on the material that the condom is made out of and how well it fits on a woman’s partner (more on that in a sec), they definitely help her to know if a guy is wearing one or not.
Not only that but data also backs up that a condom can also diminish the sensation that women feel during sex to a certain extent — not to mention that, sometimes, rubbers can affect natural vaginal wetness too.
With condoms having a 98 percent success rate at preventing STI/STDs and unwanted pregnancies (when used correctly, that is), by no means am I even coming close to implying that you shouldn’t use them (especially if you’re not in an exclusive or monogamous relationship [check out “Why I Use The Word 'Monogamous' In Marriage And 'Exclusive' In Dating”] and you and your partner don’t get tested annually).
All I’m saying is if you want to get the most out of your condom use experiences, you shouldn’t just assume that whatever condom the guy has on tap is what will work well for you — and figuring out what will bring you the most (pun intended) pleasure means that you should consider the following points.
Make Sure the Condom Fits Your Partner Well
GiphyWith the average size of a man’s penis being a little over 5” when it’s erect (relax, vaginas are around 4” unless stretched), it really is time to let all of the Magnum dreams go. And what I mean, specifically, by that is, guys bringing those just to fit into some stereotype of “packing” is doing no one any good because if it’s too big for him, it will result in slippage and if it’s too big for you, it could make sex a bit uncomfortable.
And what if it’s too small? Well, that could be semi-painful for him which could cause his performance to struggle. Bottom line here: condoms should have a snug fit and cover the entire penis.
And if you want to purchase some for your own collection — well, if y’all are close enough for him to be inside of you, you shouldn’t feel uncomfortable talking to him about which kind/brand of condoms you should have on tow at your house. By the way, for tips on how to choose the right condoms, check out verywellhealth’s “Condom Size Chart: Finding the Brand and Style That Fits Best.”
Opt for Condoms That Are Free of the Following Things
GiphyWhile reading an article on what many doctors consider to be the best condoms, what stood out most to me was a female doctor who said that women must keep in mind that whatever goes into their vagina, also gets absorbed. This includes ingredients that condoms may be made out of including parabens, fragrances, GMOs (genetically modified organisms), synthetic dyes and flavors, and glycerin (for starters).
And gee, when you’ve got that stuff, not only inside of you, but moving around at a semi-rapid pace (at least some of the time), there’s a pretty good chance that your vagina isn’t gonna be very happy about it.
The remedy? Consider investing in some organic/vegan condoms — ones that are free of all-a-dat. Loveability makes some (here). Smile Makers make some (here). HANX makes some (here). And that’s just a few options to choose from. This point is a very valid one to keep in mind because, sometimes, it’s not the condom that’s pissing us off — it’s what it’s made out of that’s the actual issue.
Pre-Lubricated Condoms Can Improve Your Partner’s Stroke
GiphyIf you’ve never tried pre-lubricated condoms before, you definitely should because they can have your back, on the sexual pleasure tip, on a few different levels. For one thing, these types of condoms can definitely decrease the chances of a rubber breaking which can give you the peace of mind that you seek during the act. Also, condoms that have lube in them can make it easier for your partner to put it on, can make it more comfortable when it’s time for his penis to go inside of you and can reduce the amount of friction that you feel (especially if you’re not naturally wet enough) while you’re having sex.
While we’re on this topic — I don’t know why (so many) people think that they can’t get an STI/STD from oral sex because they absolutely can. So, if you are going to use a condom during fellatio (or a dental dam during cunnilingus), adding some flavored lube to an already flavored condom (like perhaps this brand here or this brand here) can make the experience much more…satisfying.
Polyisoprene or Polyurethane Condoms MAY Reduce Yeast Infections
GiphyOkay, this point is a bit tricky because, technically, condoms can’t give you a yeast infection; in fact, since they prevent sperm and semen from entering into your vagina which can potentially throw off your pH balance, rubbers usually play a role in preventing them.
Still, I wanted to include this due to what I said earlier about all of the “extras” that can sometimes go into making a condom — because those things? They might irritate your vagina which could ultimately lead to a yeast infection. Plus, if on the off chance, you’ve got a latex allergy, condoms that are made from that material could give you a yeast infection too.
The solution to both? Consider going with alternatives like polyisoprene or polyurethane. Although polyisoprene is more expensive than latex condoms, they are super comfortable and latex-free (although you can use them the same way that you would a latex condom, including when it comes to oral and anal sex).
Meanwhile, polyurethane deserves a shout-out because it’s actually stronger than latex and it can even handle oil-based lubricants (which is something that latex is not able to do). Polyurethane is also thinner than latex and polyisoprene which means that sex can end up feeling more intense for you with those.
Textured Condoms Are Bomb If Orgasms Are Your Goal
GiphyUh-huh. I keep trying to tell y’all that if you want your partner to be sensitive about and thoughtful towards how your vulva appears (check out “Did You Know That There Are 10 Different Kinds Of Vaginas? Yep.”), the jokes about uncircumcised men really need to cease; especially since word on the street is the extra skin can actually make sex more intense for them while giving women more orgasms in the process.
And that actually helps to make sense of why textured condoms can cause women to cum more often and consistently as well. Thanks to the tiny ribs and dots on textured rubbers,they have the ability to stimulate the nerves that are inside of your vagina far more and easier than “regular” condoms do. Oh, and if you add someCBD lube to them? LOOK. OUT.
___
I’ll be real with y’all — when it comes to condoms, I think it’s always important that their purpose is protection over pleasure as far as how they are made. Still, with all of the advances in them out here — and now that you have this info as far as what your vagina would prefer — rubbers don’t have to feel like a downer. The right one can have you and your vagina climbing walls — plus, you can have the peace of mind that your health and family planning preferences aren’t being compromised in the process.
Music to your vagina’s ears. 90s R&B, to be exact…I bet. LOL.
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