TDT 10/24
On today’s TDT agenda:
I can’t goal set my way to happiness
Artists not touring in the South isn’t the allyship they think it is
Weekly REPORT reading leftovers
A) I can’t goal set my way to happiness
At the beginning of this month, I decided that my monthly goal was going to be no red meat. I had already done this goal earlier this year, but I wanted to challenge myself again to get creative with recipes. Two days later, my uncle made lamb and without hesitation, I ate it. It was delicious and I don’t regret it all, especially because we rarely eat lamb in our house, but I knew that I had broken my goal. Usually, I would just sweep this under the rug and come up with a new monthly goal, but I didn’t. Coming up with a new monthly goal was not going to atone for me breaking my previous goal, and it wasn’t going to make me feel completely fulfilled. While these monthly goals have been helpful to narrow in on a specific area I want to focus on that month, I’ve also been partially using them as a measure of success for my life overall. I’m not getting graded in school anymore, I don’t have a job where I’m being watched, monitored and given feedback, and it feels hard to get through the week feeling like I've accomplished anything. All these feelings amplify the “importance” of these monthly goals. In an accomplishment focused society, it’s hard to have no tangible measures of success in this weird transitional period of my life. It’s great when I stick with a goal I’ve made for myself, and I should take pride in that. I’m going to tackle a new goal in November, but I’m taking the imaginary pressure off. Stability and consistency are good things, and so is challenging myself, but I also need to be better about giving myself grace when I fail. Not accomplishing these monthly goals says nothing about my character, or the success waiting for me in my future, and that’s something I want to take comfort in moving forward.
B) Artists not touring in the South isn’t the allyship they think it is
I’ll be honest, the only artists that come to mind with this right now are Billie Eilish and Finneas, but I’m sure there are others. They both don’t tour in Texas, amongst other Southern states and some Midwest states, because of their anti-abortion laws and the state gets money from their tours. I understand the thought process, but ultimately, this decision is not the allyship they believe it is. Fans, most of which align with their sentiments on the insane ways in which Republican governments are taking away women’s autonomy to their own bodies, are the largest group hurt in this decision, not the government. It feels more like a “fuck you” to Southern people, rather than to those in legislation who are making these laws that are widely unsupported. A better way that Billie, Finneas, and other artists could support women is to tour in these places and then dedicate earnings from the shows to local, grassroots organizations that are providing necessary resources, funding, emotional/mental support to women who are suffering from their lack of access to reproductive healthcare. I’m not even talking about Planned Parenthood, because they receive a ton of funding as it is, but smaller, more local organizations that are actively supporting women’s rights. This would allow fans in the South/Midwest to not only see the artists they love but feel even more happy that their money is going towards a cause they care about. Of course, there might be some legal aspects I’m not considering and other kinks that would need to be worked out, but I think this a way better way to show public support for women’s rights rather than not touring in these cities at all.
Sidenote, but related, this is why Chappell Roan’s championship of the Midwest and the South is so important, especially for queer communities in these states that face discrimination at a disproportionate rate. It’s refreshing to see an artist from the Midwest truly advocate for Southern and Midwest communities in a way that feels authentic and intentional!
C) Weekly REPORT reading leftovers
Martin Ødegaard for GQ UK: Beautiful, talented man! I can’t believe he’s only 25. I need to lock back into Arsenal’s games, but just know I’m always supporting the Gooners.
John Summit for Interview: It still makes me laugh that he worked at EY. I would get lunch with him! He just seems fun. Also, the girl who wrote this is a WashU alum and mutual friend- how sick is that?
John Summit for FLAUNT: The styling for this is great, although some of the poses are a little wacky, but he talks more about his process as a DJ.
Jonathan Daviss for Bustle: He’s from Houston!!! He seems like someone who is determined to succeed and it’s cool to see how him taking a chance and moving to LA at 17 has really paid off for him.
