African bob hair

As a kid, I was very very tender headed. I still am to a certain degree but it's more bearable. However, I remember when my Mom would braid my hair and it would hurt and I would cry. She would get super annoyed and then tell me how I should get my hair cut off and be bald headed. Actually, my aunt taunted me with a pair of scissors because I didn't want to get my hair done by my Mom. I use to laugh about it but it's very triggering and traumatic to me. My sister isn't as tender headed as zj was but when she says oww or indicates she is in pain when my Mom does her hair, it triggers me. I hate seeing that. My Mom is very patient with her but when my sister says it bothers her, it just upsets me. I used to get smacked for flinching at a hot flat iron or tight braids. I also was made to go to the Africans and they would make my scalp hurt. I used to get perms but those made my scalp real sensitive. I tell my Mom all the time to not do my sisters hair when it's dry and to apply product not to be controlling but because I cannot stand that. Like take your damn time! Use a moisturizer and some water. Stop rushing. It just triggers me and I hardly let her touch my hair now. I do my own hair and I don't really like going to anyone else either.

One of my friends has literally perfect skin. We’re both 30 but she often gets mistaken for 21 or 22. You’d think she’d want to share her skincare routine with her friends, but everytime I ask her what she’s using, she just tells me to go see a dermatologist because they’ll help me determine what’s best for my skin, and that her regimen is made specifically for hehalf of what she uses is prescription or she says that a lot of the things I keep comparing to her are genetic, and that no amount of products are necessarily going to get me the same result. Her whole family is the same. I’m friendly-ish with her mom and her mom looks like she’s in her mid 30s even though she’s sixty. When I ask her what she uses, she just says she’ll refer me to the same dermatologist that she and my friend use so that they can see what’s best for my skin. If I could afford to see a dermatologist, I would. I can’t, which is why I’m asking for help.
Whenever I’m at her place and I look at her skincare products, she has a billion things so it’s hard to even tell what she’s using. When I look up the brand and the product online, she’s easily paying anywhere between $50-$300 for a single product and when you actually open it up to look, she’s not using even half of what she has, which just makes it that much harder to kind of gauge what kinds of things I could try to get her result. The most she’s really been willing to say is that a large portion of her routine is laying moisturizers and using SPF, but then you look up the moisturizers and she’s easily spent $1k on the moisturizers that she says she rotates through/layers.
It’s the same thing with her eyelashes. She freely says she uses latisse, but when I looked into it, it’s not particularly affordable for me. Whatever prescription her dermatologist writes for her gives her two bottles every month, but she very clearly only goes through one bottle if that. You’d think she’d be fine letting me have one of the two bottles, but she just refuses and says she doesn’t feel comfortable giving her prescription stuff out. Same thing with her hair. We’re both African American and she has the longest hair I’ve ever seen. It’s down past her waist when she actually wears it out, but when you ask her what products she uses she just kind of shrugs and says she doesn’t use any specific thing and it’s probably mostly genetic because her mom has perfect hair too.
This is just kind of a vent, but I’m just frustrated. When you see her in person, her skin is so clear and bright and poreless that she actually just looks photoshopped and it’s frustrating that she just brushes everyone off and refers them to see a dermatologist when they ask her what her routine is. She’ll gladly tell you what foundation or makeup products she uses, but no one ever gets the same results that she does. It’s frustrating when you go out with her and people literally fawn over how perfect she looks in every way, and then kind of toss you the pitying “oh, you poor dear” look once they realize that you also exist.

So I got disagnosed with sebaritis dermatitis last year. I used the shampoo the dermatologist gave me (ketaconazole 2%). It worked for like a month. Then stopped working but I noticed my scalp was clear. I’ve realized my scalp flares up in spring and summer. I thought it might’ve been stress related but no I’m more stressed during the school year yet my scalp is clean. I’ve been looking at this sub and I’ve realized I also get flakes at the back of my ears as well! I did research and I’ve seen nothing that says sebaritis is seasonal. I also have long curlyNorth African hair. Im also a female (I notice lots of males on here). I switch between normal shampoo and ketaconazole 2% bc my hair is naturally extremely dry. I’ve already given up. My little brother tells me how bad my dandruff is. I just wait until the flakes are extremely small so no one can see from far away (like usually the 2nd day after I shower my scar has huge flakes. But by the end of the week my flakes have broken apart so it looks smaller). My scalp is good right after the shower but in a day huge flakes are in my hair. It’s so bad to the point that you could take a pencil and pull a piece of my scalp off (my little brother has). It’s like those satisfying tik tok videos. I want to use mct oil. But idk which product to buy and all of them are in bulk so if it doesn’t work that’ll be a waste. My scalp isn’t even that itchy. If I push my hair to one side flakes appear bc of the movement. That’s why I don’t touch my hair. If you have any product recommendations I’m in the US so I can get it off Amazon. Oh also before you say use a scalp messager it doesn’t work for me. Also isn’t that weird that my scalp is fine in the winter bc isn’t winter supposed to be more dry? Ok thanks

32-year-old male finding his way through life, ready to begin the next chapter in life!
☆☆☆☆ 3 Customer Reviews 4 Answered Questions
Price: Varies ✔ Small chance he is eligible for Amazon Prime.
Stats: 6' tall / 195lbs Hazel Eyes INFJ
Appearance: https://imgur.com/a/L9Nf9Ej *^{He plans on growing his hair back out 2025}
Only 1 In Stock. Images show minimal wear or tear and may include a lifetime warranty.
He has called Maryland home for the last 10 years and is open to relocation.
He's got his life together and is ready to share it with someone special.
This post's TL:DR is just a gamer who enjoys traveling, learning, and staying active, looking for a connection.
Product Description
The product is currently traveling across the United States via Airbnb. The journey started in January 2024 and has been West Coast focused so far. Currently, the product is visiting Boise, Idaho, until June, when he will go to Portland. The product plans to visit Seattle, Minneapolis, Chicago, Grand Rapids, New York, Boston, and anywhere in Florida during the winter.
NotGatling is a down-to-earth, semi-nerdy, sarcastic, witty human with semi-dark humor. It is hard to pinpoint his personality as it can jump from goofy and playful to serious, depending on the event/occasion.
NotGatling's interests and hobbies range from gaming/geek things to exploring nature and cities, whether it's hiking, kayaking, backpacking/camping, or going to pop-up shops/events, concerts, new food places, or museums. When he isn't exploring, he can usually be found gaming, watching his comfort shows(Bobs Burger, Community, Parks N Rec), or watching Hockey. RIP, Caps playoff. At least we can watch Ovechkin beat Gretzky's goal, right?! He better. It's going to be a long rebuild.
Product Information
Education

Level of Education	Details
Bachelors	Network and Cybersecurity
Future Plans	Wants to acquire a Masters or begin a Bachelor program in the science field.

Work Experience

Job	Details
Army	2011 - 2017
IT Engineer / System Administrator	2017 - Current
Dream Job?	He thinks its teaching. But with IT pay. One can dream.

Customer Questions & Answers
Question: Why is he trying out the digital nomad lifestyle?
Answer: His work is implementing hybrid work next year. He is taking advantage of his last year fully remote to explore.
Question: What is he looking for in a potential prospect?
Answer: He is seeking someone who shares his interests. He usually vibes best with people who like playing video games and exploring nature, cities, or new food spots.
Question: Does he want kids and to have a family?
Answer: He had a vasectomy back in 2022 once Roe vs Wade was overturned. He doesn't want to 100% rule out the possibility of a family but leans heavily towards the DINK life.
Question: What does a breakdown of his day look like?
Answer: He lives the early birdlife and finishes work just after lunchtime. After work, he can be found exploring a nature spot, going to the gym, or checking out a local attraction. When he isn't out and about, he is usually gaming or researching what's next.
Customer Reviews
☆☆☆☆☆ The best son I've ever had. - A text from Mother
A blessing from god. You're down to earth and never ask for anything in return. You could stop by and visit more often, but I understand you're living your life.
☆☆☆☆☆ Truly an amazing person. - An old Army friend.
Thank you very much for taking this trip with me. I truly appreciate you and all you have done with me and for me since I first met you at WLC 2 years ago. Stay wonderful and beautiful you! Try your best to find joy in everything you do.
☆☆☆ Why don't you visit more often? By the rest of his family. *^{When he lived in Maryland}
You live 2 hours away?! Why don't you drive up here every day and visit us?!
Check Out
To add to the cart, send a message with information about you. Age, pics, location, info about you. It all helps.

Heya folks! look who is back?! Its me, bob emerald, from Cooking the Chainsaw Man, and this is season two!
lets start with fhe first ep, shall we? We are going to talk about a new concept for a new devil!
Or...maybe it isnt a devil? No one knows who this entity is...
God appears only in the presence of a solitary dying humanoid devil or fiend (or a devil that treat humans like equals, like bucky or even power) that helped and loved humanity in any way. The dying indivual exhibits qualities and life history that have rendered the individual nondescript, anonymous, neglected, or otherwise unremarkable or insignificant by the standards of the human society. God will only appear if the devil is alone and conscious,
God always takes the appearance of a human wearing varius outfits from the XVIII century, but it's skin and appearance may vary depending on what the dying devil desires the most in a human. In other words, what he thinks a perfect human shoud look like. be it a rotting corpse, or a sensual and tall woman with long hair or simply... a pale human with no organs, mouth, eyes or ears.
God will always present it's self sitting in front of a piano, and will always play the same classical music (Debussy: clair de lune) from start to finish. The dying devil will always react positively to god, no matter the situation.
Once god finishes it's performance, it will approach the dying devil, and will take out a cigar from it's and offer it to the dying devil (if the devil is phisically capable of smoking). if the devil refuses, god will simply light the cigar and smoke it for himself. if the devil agrees, god will place it between their lips, remove one for itself, and light both,
after that, God will kneel or simply approach the dying devil and will whisper "I promise you, you are going to heaven" in whatever language the devil was raised to speak with. God wil thenl make physical contact with the devil, typically via holding their hand, placing its hand atop theirs, resting its hand on their shoulder, or even hugging and sometimes kissing their forehead or lips. The contact changes based on what form of affection the devil desired the most from a human.
then, god will then remain with the dying devil, silent and unmoving, until they have passed away. God will not engage in any other activity or behaviour, and will disappear shortly after the death of the devil.
Weeeeell, maybe this is really...god? we dont know, maybe he just wants to reward the devils that showed empathy for humans even if... the humans treated them like crap? who knows! this was my concept for god, thank you for reading, folks, see ya soon :3

(the wolf mutation has nothing to do with the quirks actuall power. Like Koda and Tokoyami's heads or minas antenna.)
Name Matthew Hammond age 15
Quirk: Power control
Has the ability to control a type of energy only he has.
Ways to use this energy is standard strength and speed by but the power into your muscle fibers and organs to enhance their performance. Matthew can also materialize this power in different ways. He finds out how he can do this by watching others, for example shock waves or energy tenticals.
The main weakness is energy drain. I know what y'all probably thinking, "this is like every quirks weakness cause I swing your quirk can tire you out", but his quirks energy drain.
When he use his quirk, the energy runs down and if uses a all out attack he loses the energy and cant use his quirk.
But on the good side , this energy grows back over time , and since it's his quirk energy if he goes to where he let out a huge attack, he can absorbed it back. It takes like an hour to get his power back to 100% naturally if he just goes on with his day.
Mutation: * Wolf Ears and Tail: Matthew has permanent wolf-like ears and a tail as a result of his mutation.* Laser Eyes: Matthew can emit powerful laser beams from his eyes. This mutation was a rare coincident.
Also he can share his energy with others to enhance their quirks cause energy works like that I think.
Elemental Forms and Powers:

1. Lightning Form (Name: Volt)

• Powers: Electrokinesis, Enhanced Speed

Weakness: If used too much then it will damage his nervous system temporarily.

1. Fire Form (Name: Blaze):

• Powers: Pyrokinesis, Heat Resistance

Weakness: if you use too much then we'll gain first degree burns.

1. Water Form (Name: Aquos):

• Powers: Hydrokinesis, Water Healing

Weakness: No clear weakness.

1. Ice Form (Name: Frost):

• Powers: Cryokinesis, Enhanced Durability

Weakness: if in a heated area, then he will get weak and slower.

1. Light Form (Name: Radiance):

Weakness: overused will make him temporarily blind

• Powers: Photokinesis, Illusion Projection

1. Darkness Form (Name: Shadow):

• Powers: Umbrakinesis, Intangibility

Weakness: Obviously light. Even a flashlight.

1. Plant Form (Name: Flora):

• Powers: Chlorokinesis, Plant Communication

1. Metal Form (Name: Alloy):

Weakness: Overtime he'll get weaker cause of rust. Water

• Powers: Metalkinesis, Enhanced Strength

1. Earth Form (Name: Terra):

• Powers: Geokinesis, Earth Manipulation

No clear weakness.
How this works is his power works like a computer l well more like just a normal computer, then a virus AKA and elements infects this power and then it slowly corrupts his powers AKA but there until his body is able to use a different elements,the form is only as strong as his original form because the element can only corrupt what is there,not make more power. A little bit of this energy is still there so that it can take back control. Each form has a mind of its own like some dark shadow type thing. The reason why his forms have minds of their own is cause if I gave him full control his forms he would swap to frequently and that would be two strong.
The reason why he can do this is when he was 3 is quirk was developing and he was exposed to radiation messing with his quirk genes and when his quirk developed it added this.
Hero Costume:

• Appearance: Matthew's hero costume features a sleek and modern design. It includes a green suit with black accents, symbolizing his main form's green hair and eyes.
• Symbol: The costume incorporates a stylized emblem combining the symbols of all his elemental forms, representing his fusion abilities.
• Support Items: Matthew carries specialized bracers that enhance his control over his energy whips. Additionally, he has utility pouches to store various tools and gadgets.

He also has tubes that are like water bottle size on this belt that he charges with his energy every night before he goes to bed in case he runs out of energy himself.
Maximum Output Move: Master Elemental

• Description: Matthew channels and combines the energies of all his elemental forms into one ultimate attack.
• Effects: Elemental tattoos appear on his body, symbolizing each element's power. Lightning appears on his head, fire on his chest, water on his left arm, ice on his right arm, light on his left leg, darkness on his right leg, plant on his right shoulder, metal on his left shoulder, and earth on his back. The attack unleashes a devastating and overwhelming burst of elemental energy.

Carrys amounted cannons inspired by Titan speaker man. They harness his power into either energy balls or just flat out lasers.
To make my self clear his max form when he uses all his elements he can only use 1/10 of his forms power including him as the main guy of this whole body.
PERSONALITY
He's smart nice in a way sometimes a prankster if you try to roast him you will go complete PackGod on you, if he's in a bad mood don't try to comfort him you'll just make things worse and not for him for you, he's really cocky, but not bakugo cocky hes just a bit over confident. He is very creative. He loves tech to the point if you break a 30 buck phone around him, let's just say you gonna want to do a crime in front of batman before Matthew finds you.
Background:
Favorite food: Red Beans and rice
6ft 2
His mom, him , brothers, and his sister some how got the same disease that Michael Jackson had so they all went from black to white. But since you're still African they do still have passes
Hates obsesseve people.
(I'm bout to do some bull shit y'all probably won't like.)
His older brother has a pheonix quirk and he's a hero.
His younger brother has the fusion quirk that I made in a past post)
His sister has digital master quirk but I also need in a previous post.
Any way I hope y'all like my reworked oc

So this is so weird because I literally just found out about it a few days ago. My mom’s been sick but they couldn’t figure out what’s wrong with her for years until she had some genetic testing done and she is 20% subsaharan African. She confronted my grandmother about it and my grandmother confessed that she’s half black. My great grandfather would cheat on my great grandmother when he was in the military and had love children all over Europe and Asia and to get back at him (my great grandfather was racist and this is before divorce was an option) she would sleep with the black men in town hiring them as “handymen” while he was gone. She got pregnant with my grandma and she was light skinned enough to pass for white as long as she cut her hair short in a pixie cut which she’s had since as long as I can remember so that’s what they did. This was pre civil rights in a southern small town so there was a safety concern for her and my great grandmother and I don’t know if my great grandfather ever even knew or when my grandmother found out the truth but I went and got a DNA test and I’m 12.5 % subsaharan African as well which is crazy to me because I am pretty white and my hair is blonde and I would’ve never believed it if I didn’t have the test results right in front of me. But the question I’m dying to know, does this make me black even though I look white? And What percentage of black is enough to be considered black? Thanks

• long history of sell/trade on indiemakeupandmore & IndieExchange
  
• Paypal G&S, $4 (unless over 1lb)
  
• prefer messages to chat invites
  
• open to offers
  
• PHOTOS
  

​
Non-Indies
• Alaïa Alaïa Blanche, 50ml (almond, heliotrope, vanilla) $40
• Anna Sui Sky, 2ml (pear, bergamot, pink pepper, Lily-of-the-Valley, lotus, rose, popcorn, vanilla, musk) $2
• Ariana Grande God Is A Woman, brand new, 2ml (pear, ambrette, orris, Turkish rose, Madagascar vanilla, sandalwood) $3
• Dior Homme Intense edp '11, 2ml (lavender, iris, ambrette, pear, virginia cedar, vetiver) $7
• Etat Libre d'Orange Putain des Palaces, 0.7ml (rose absolute, violet, leather, lily of the valley, tangerine, ginger, rice powder, amber, animal notes) $3
• Hermes Le Jardin de Monsier Li, 0.7ml (jasmine, kumquat, bergamot) $2
• Juliette Has A Gun Ode to Dullness, 1ml (badiane, freesia, cashmere tlower, eandalwood, musks, tonka bean) $3
• Kilian Angels Share, 1.5ml (cognac, cinnamon, tonka bean, oak, vanilla, praline, sandalwood) $3 PENDING
• Marc Jacobs Perfect edt, 1.2ml (pink pepper, polygonum, narcissus, cedar) $2
• Mugler Come Together, 0.7ml (green petitgrain and white musk) $2
• Narciso Rodriguez For Her edt, 1ml (African orange flower, osmanthus, bergamot, musk, amber, vetiver, vanille, patchouli) $3
• Narciso Rodriguez Rouge edp, 1ml (iris, Bulgarian rose, musk, tuberose, orange blossom, tonka bean, vanilla, white cedar extract, cedar, sandalwood, vetiver) $3
• Parfums De Nicolai Cologne Cedrat, 0.7ml (cedrat (citron), bergamot, black pepper, patchouli) $3
• Parfums De Nicolai L'eau Mixte, 0.7ml (blackcurrant-buds, peppermint, lemon, cinnamon, rose, jasmine, vetiver, oakmoss, cocktail of muscs) $3
• Phlur Not Your Baby, 2ml (cardamom, bergamot, mimosa, violet, vanilla, tonka bean, sandalwood) $3
• Prada Infusion d'Amande, 1.5ml (bitter almond, heliotrope, tonka beans, musk, essence of anise) $3
• Prada Infusion de Mimosa, 1.5ml (anise, mandarin, mimosa, rose) $3 PENDING
• Prada Infusion de Rose, 1.5ml (Turkish rose, Bulgarian rose, neroli, mandarin) $3 PENDING
• Replica Beach Walk, 1.2ml (lemon, bergamot, pink pepper, coconut milk, ylang-ylang, heliotrope, musk, benzoin, cedar) $2 PENDING
• Sarah Baker Atlante hand sanitizer, 50ml (yuzu, seaweed, orris, lily of the valley, pink pepper, wet rock, cedar, ambergris, seashell, driftwood) $5
• Sarah Baker Jungle Jezebel hand sanitizer, 50ml (orange, banana, grape, peach, bubble gum, rose, tuberose, ylang-ylang, amber, sandalwood, civet, vetiver, vanilla, tonka bean) $5
• Strangers A La Folie, 0.7ml (amber, vanilla, heliotrope, black tea, macarons, gaiacwood, tonka bean, orange blossom, patchouli, tobacco, canelé, rose, lavender, hazelnut, affogato, crème brûlée) $3
• Universal Flowering Death of a Ladies Man, 7.5ml (mastic, basil, violet, sweet galbanum) $28
• Universal Flowering Heliotrope Milkbath, 7.5ml (candied apricots, heliotropin, almond milk, civet, ambrette musk) $28
• Universal Flowering Rhapsody in Mauve, 2ml (rose jam, clove, cypriol, amber, patchouli) $8
• Versace Eros, 1ml (Italian lemon and mandarin, mint oil, candied apple, Geranium flower, Clary sage essence, ambermax, Cedarwood Atlas and Virginia, vetiver orpur essence, patchouli coeur orpour essence, sandalwood, vanilla) $2
​
Indies
• Poesie Always With Me, 1.15ml (citrus fruits bobbing merrily in wooden tubs filled with spring water, eucalyptus branches, hot steam) $3
• Stereoplasm Caesura, 0.5ml (fresh mango, grapefruit tea, cannabis, snake melon and myrrh) $2
• Stereoplasm Disco Stardust, brand new, 0.5ml (pineapple, tangerine, rum, sugar, glossy fruit, simulated plastic & car smell) $2
• Stereoplasm Early Reflections,1.8ml rollerball (pink grapefruit, melted shea butter, warm skin, yuzu rind, ripe guava, crushed pineapple) $4
• Stereoplasm Fairy Frost, 1.8ml rollerball (camphorous-fairy musk, skin musk, bubble bath, bubble gum) $4
• Stereoplasm Lovebird, brand new, 0.5ml (frosted fuchsia, winter jasmine, blue princess holly, xo cognac, purple lotus) $2
• Stereoplasm Perdotmint, brand new, 1.8ml rollerball (pear, spearmint, green tea, jade-amber accord) $4
• Stereoplasm Powder, brand new, 1ml (strong powder, fougere, oakmoss, silk, white oak)

Demographics:

• US citizen
• Suburban PA/ Greater-Philadelphia
• Public non-magnet high school
• No legacy, female, Immigrant parents
• African-American descent (Ethiopian)
• High-Income

Intended Major(s):
Neuroscience/Neurobiology (Maybe pre-med)
Minor in general chem?
UW/W GPA, Rank, and Test Scores

• UW GPA: 3.9/4.0 and W ~5.2/4.0
• Rank: 1/492
• Test scores: 35 ACT

Will be taking a total of 14 AP classes by the end of high school (in 5 right now so I don’t have many scores to put on here but my record is pretty good as of the 3 I already took)
Awards/Honors

• Public Speaking 5th place Pennsylvania - TSA
• Biotechnology 6th place in Pennsylvania – TSA
• Debating 7th place in Pennsylvania - TSA
• Audio Podcasting 4th place in PA
• AP scholar w distinction (projected)
• Class treasurer
• Valedictorian

Extracurriculars (incl. summer activities, competitions, volunteering, and work experience)

• Yale Young Global Scholars Alum
• 2 year researcheintern @ Drexel College of Medicine with Harvard Alum professor
• Intern @ medicinal chem. biopharmaceutical firm for 3 years w/ PhD professionals
• Neuroscience youth network - founder and executive manager of int’l neuroscience network for HSers founded with fellow students @ Brown pre college
• TSA (3 years) - Worked with fellow students to develop projects to compete at the regional, state, and national levels (see above for awards)
• Leukemia and Lymphoma society student visionary of the year -- 1.5K raised individually, 40k+ raised with team for leukemia research and patient help
• Environmental club president -- Led school chapter in planting over 500 native plants around the school, attended conferences and gave speeches on the importance of environmental help
• Orchestra - 10 year violinist, volunteer in helping students learn violin throughout HS
• Community service – 200+ hours/year in volunteering misc.
• NHS member
• Brown PreCollege programs (2 neuroscience courses)

Essays/LORs/Other

• Essay will be written about how I lose a part of my Ethiopian identity when I straighten my hair and I ended up quitting sports and finding myself in neuroscience because of it (probably)
  • I plan to get it reviewed by some amazing writers i know in my life (teachers, friends, etc.) so i think its safe to say this could be like a 9/10?
• LOR #1- PI @ Drexel Uni lab (Harvard Alum) (10/10)
• LOR #2/#3 - either my 2 year bio teacher or 2 year chem teacher (9/10 for either)
• Should be a good counsleor rec (probably around a 8/10)

School list:
Reaches:
All ivies, MIT, JHU
Targets/Hard-targets:
Villanova, Lehigh, NYU, Boston College, UMich (Ann-arbor)
Safeties:
University of Delaware, University of Pittsburgh
Please let me know what you think/ what I can do to still improve my app!!

Demographics:

• US citizen
• Suburban PA/ Greater-Philadelphia
• Public non-magnet high school
• No legacy, female, Immigrant parents
• African-American descent (Ethiopian)
• High-Income

Intended Major(s):
Neuroscience/Neurobiology (Maybe pre-med)
Minor in general chem?
UW/W GPA, Rank, and Test Scores

• UW GPA: 3.9/4.0 and W ~5.2/4.0
• Rank: 1/492
• Test scores: 35 ACT

Will be taking a total of 14 AP classes by the end of high school (in 5 right now so I don’t have many scores to put on here but my record is pretty good as of the 3 I already took)
Awards/Honors

• Public Speaking 5th place Pennsylvania - TSA
• Biotechnology 6th place in Pennsylvania – TSA
• Debating 7th place in Pennsylvania - TSA
• Audio Podcasting 4th place in PA
• AP scholar w distinction (projected)
• Class treasurer
• Valedictorian

Extracurriculars (incl. summer activities, competitions, volunteering, and work experience)

• Yale Young Global Scholars Alum
• 2 year researcheintern @ Drexel College of Medicine with Harvard Alum professor
• Intern @ medicinal chem. biopharmaceutical firm for 3 years w/ PhD professionals
• Neuroscience youth network - founder and executive manager of int’l neuroscience network for HSers founded with fellow students @ Brown pre college
• TSA (3 years) - Worked with fellow students to develop projects to compete at the regional, state, and national levels (see above for awards)
• Leukemia and Lymphoma society student visionary of the year -- 1.5K raised individually, 40k+ raised with team for leukemia research and patient help
• Environmental club president -- Led school chapter in planting over 500 native plants around the school, attended conferences and gave speeches on the importance of environmental help
• Orchestra - 10 year violinist, volunteer in helping students learn violin throughout HS
• Community service – 200+ hours/year in volunteering misc.
• NHS member
• Brown PreCollege programs (2 neuroscience courses)

Essays/LORs/Other

• Essay will be written about how I lose a part of my Ethiopian identity when I straighten my hair and I ended up quitting sports and finding myself in neuroscience because of it (probably)
  • I plan to get it reviewed by some amazing writers i know in my life (teachers, friends, etc.) so i think its safe to say this could be like a 9/10?
• LOR #1- PI @ Drexel Uni lab (Harvard Alum) (10/10)
• LOR #2/#3 - either my 2 year bio teacher or 2 year chem teacher (9/10 for either)
• Should be a good counsleor rec (probably around a 8/10)

School list:
Reaches:
All ivies, MIT, JHU
Targets/Hard-targets:
Villanova, Lehigh, NYU, Boston College, UMich (Ann-arbor)
Safeties:
University of Delaware, University of Pittsburgh
Please let me know what you think/ what I can do to still improve my app!!

Hi, all!! This is my first time joining but have been lurking as I am on my own natural curl journey.
I am of North African descent and have really curly and frizzy 3b hair from roots to ends. I have about two layers of shoulder-length hair with fringe bangs and the bottom layer is always perfectly curled and frizz-free whereas the top layer is always drizzy beginning from roots and the curls always mat together. When I put gel (eco hair gel) , it stays casted even after adding hair oil and running my fingers through to separate the curls after letting it air dry . In addition, my hair remains dry and stiff and very tangled no matter how many times i brush it wet and running my fingers through when styling. If anyone has any gel recs that don’t leave curls to be stiff or crunchy, pls share !
I dislike the curls on my roots and trying to see if there’s a way to elongate the curls or change the curl pattern - I really like my roots to be on the wavy or 3a curl pattern , rather than being v coily. Is there a way to train your curls to be longer? I love how they look when wet but then it curls up so much once it’s dry and stays frizzy. I can never style my hair when it’s like that. For context, I also do not use a diffuser and do add mousse(ouai air dry mousse) to massage my roots when styling but the curls are still a mess.
Any help would be great - thank you!

Hey everyone, hope all is well! It's my first time selling here! Tried to put together some really dope stuff so I hope y'all enjoy! Get at me for more info or if looking for something specific!
All Records Individually Priced And Graded Below. Please Message Or Comment To Purchase.
$6 Unlimited Shipping USPS Media Mail
-Graded Vinyl/Cover-
Cannonball Adderley And His Orchestra - African Waltz 1961 OG Sealed M/NM $40
Dorothy Ashby - Afro-Harping 2022 RE Sealed M/M $65
Louis Armstrong - Louis Armstrong Meets Oscar Peterson 1960 OG NM/NM $80
Azymuth - Telecommunication 2022 RE Sealed M/M $28
Ron Carter - All Blues 1974 OG Sealed M/M $48
Bobby Caldwell - Bobby Caldwell 1978 OG EX/SVG $42
Miles Davis - Porgy And Bess 1977 RE NM/NM $16
Miles Davis - In Person, At The Blackhawk 1973 RE VG+/NM $16
Miles Davis Sextet - Someday My Prince Will Come 1961 OG VG+/NM $100
Miles Davis - Seven Steps To Heaven 1963 OG SVG/VG+ $28
Alain Goraguer - La Planète Sauvage (Fantastic Planet OST) 2014 EX/NM $48
Johnny Hammond - The Prophet 1973 OG NM/VG+ $10
Al Hirt - Soul In The Horn 1967 OG $22
Steve Marshall - Do What You Will 1978 VG+/VG- $850
Jimmy McGriff - Black And Blues 1972 OG Sealed M/M $48
The Randy Weston Trio - Get Happy With The Randy Weston Trio 1956 VG-/G+ $10
Chet Baker - Baker's Holiday 1965 OG Looks VG- Plays VG/VG+ Cover $45
Chet BakeChristopher Mason - Silent Nights 1986 OG VG+/VG $58
Tony Bennett - The Tony Bennett Bill Evans Album 1975 OG EX/VG+ $16
Miles Davis - Kind Of Blue 2017 EU Blue Vinyl Sealed M/M $18
Paul Desmond - Summertime 1969 OG NM/VG+ $12
The Gil Evans Orchestra - Into The Hot 1974 RE VG+/VG+ $15
Gil Evans And His Orchestra - America's #1 Arranger 1961 RE NM/G+ $7
The Gil Evans Orchestra - Little Wing (Live In Germany) 1982 RE VG+/SVG $5
Buddy DeFranco Quintet - Cooking The Blues 1958 OG VG+/VG $20
Grant Green - Easy 1978 OG VG/SVG $5
Bobby Hutcherson - Now! 1970 OG Looks G+ Plays VG-/VG+ Cover $36
Thelonious Monk - Monk's Moods 2016 EU Sealed M/M $18
Gary McFarland /Gabor Szabo - Simpático G+/VG+ $8
Joe Pass - Virtuoso #2 1977 OG G+/VG+ $5
Lonnie Smith - Think! 1968 OG G+/SVG $10
Gabor Szabo - The Best Of Gabor Szabo 1968 OG EX/EX $12
B.B. King - The Electric B.B. King 1968 OG VG+/VG+ $15
B.B. King - B.B. King In London 1971 OG EX/EX $20
Lil Green - Romance In The Dark 1971 OG VG/G+ $3
John Lee Hooker - The Best Of John Lee Hooker 1962 RE VG+/VG+ $20
Taj Mahal - The Natch'l Blues 1970 RE NM/NM $18
Taj Mahal - Recycling The Blues & Other Related Stuff 1972 OG EX/EX $15
Taj Mahal - Mo' Roots 1974 OG VG+/VG+ $10
Taj Mahal - Music Keeps Me Together 1975 Canada OG NM/EX $15
Various - The Mike Raven Blues Show 1966 UK OG NM/EX $10
Jimmy Reed - T'aint No Big Thing But He Is... 1963 OG G+/VG+ $4
Johnny Guitar Watson - A Real Mother For Ya 1977 OG VG/VG+ $5
Muddy Waters - The Best Of Muddy Waters 2015 RE Europe VG+/NM $18
Muddy Waters - The London Muddy Waters Sessions 2016 RE NM/NM $24
The Bluesmen Of The Muddy Waters Chicago Blues Band - Volume 2 1968 OG VG/G $15
Muddy Waters - Muddy Mississippi Waters Live 1979 OG Looks VG Plays SVG/VG+ Cover $12
Muddy Waters - Hard Again 1977 OG NM/EX $25
Brian Auger's Oblivion Express - Second Wind 1972 Germany VG/VG+ $12
David Buckland & Blackjack Davey - This One's For You 1981 OG EX/NM $28
The Dean Davis Company - IInd Time Around 1969 OG SVG/SVG (Signed) $90
Les Claypool's Fearless Flying Frog Brigade - Live Frogs Set 1 & 2 2020 RE Green Splatter Vinyl NM/NM $45
Faces - Ohh La La 1973 OG SVG/VG+ $15
Phil Flowers - Alpha And Omega 1973 OG VG+/VG+ $80
Franciscan Sisters - Joy 1962 VG+/VG+ $24
Harumi - Harumi 1968 OG VG/VG+ $50
José José - Vive 1974 OG VG+/VG+ $20
Elias Rahbani - Mosaic Of The Orient (Näi, Buzuk & Guitar) 1972 Lebanon OG VG+/NM $150
Middle Tennessee State University- Rimusic III NM/NM 1983 $78
Peanut Butter Conspiracy - For Children Of All Ages 1969 OG VG+/NM $29
Primus - Sailing The Seas Of Cheese 2013 RE M/NM $38
Primus - Pork Soda 2009 RE NM/NM $48
Primus - Antipop 2019 RE Clear Blue Vinyl NM/NM $58
Primus - Primus & The Chocolate Factory With The Fungi Ensemble 2014 Brown Vinyl EX/NM $20
Big L - The Big Picture 2019 2LP RE Clear w White Smoke NM/NM $90
D.I.T.C. - The Official Version 2000 Sealed OG M/M $42
De La Soul - 3 Feet High And Rising 2023 RE Magenta Vinyl Sealed $22
Ben Harper - Fight For Your Mind 2015 RE Red/Green 2LP EX/NM $45
Evelyn "Champagne" King - Smooth Talk 1977 RE VG+/VG+ $5
Kool And The Gang - The Force 1977 OG NM/VG $8
Kool & The Gang - Celebrate! 1980 VG+/EX $6
Kool & The Gang - Emergency 1984 OG EX/VG+ $4
Gloria Jones - Windstorm 1978 OG NM/SVG Signed $28
Al Kooper / Shuggie Otis - Kooper Session 1969 OG VG/VG $14
Method Man/Redman - Blackout! 1999 Europe OG Disc 1: VG+ Disc 2: VG / VG+ Cover $45
The New York Community Choir - Reachin' Out 1982 OG EX/NM $20
Malo - Malo 1972 OG VG/VG+ $10
Malo - Evolution 1973 OG Looks VG- Plays VG / VG+ Cover $6
Malo - Dos 1972 OG VG+/VG+ $7
Sun Ra - Astro Black 1973 OG VG+/VG+ SOLD
Anita Baker - Rapture 1986 OG NM/VG+ $20
D. J. Rogers - It's Good To Be Alive 1975 OG VG-/VG+ $5
Al Gee - Rap N' Rhythm (Programs #233 - 236) 1975 OG VG+/VG+ $15
The Hesitations - The New Born Free 1968 OG NM/NM $12
Syl Johnson - Back For A Taste Of Your Love 1973 OG SVG/SVG $14
Syl Johnson - Total Explosion 1975 OG VG+/VG+ $14
Various - Rosko's Evergreens Back On The Scene 1964 VG/VG+ $4
The Stylistics - Round 2 1972 OG VG+/NM $8
Johnnie Taylor - Super Taylor 1974 OG EX/VG+ $7
Johnnie Taylor - Rated Extraordinaire 1977 OG VG+/NM $6
Johnnie Taylor - Ever Ready 1978 OG EX/NM $7
The Temptations - Live At The Copa 1968 OG VG/VG+ $4
The Temptations - Wish It Would Rain 1968 OG VG+/VG+ $10
Stevie Wonder - Talking Book 1981 Spain RE NM/VG+ $15
Stevie Wonder - Talking Book 1973 OG EX/VG+ $24
Stevie Wonder - Original Musiquarium 1982 White Label Promo VG/SVG $18
Clarence Carter - The Dynamic Clarence Carter 1969 Sealed M/EX $20
Ray Charles - From The Pages Of My Mind 1986 OG VG+/NM $6
Sammy Davis Jr. - Sings What Kind Of Fool Am I And Other Show-Stoppers 1962 RE M/NM $12
Sammy Davis Jr. - Salutes The Stars Of The London Palladium 1964 OG VG/EX $4
Cat Anderson - Ellingtonia 1962 VG-/VG $2
Duke Ellington - Ellington Indigos 1989 RE NM/NM $12
Duke Ellington - The Early Duke Ellington 1968 OG Sealed M/NM $6
Duke Ellington - This Is Duke Ellington 1971 OG Sealed M/NM $8
Duke Ellington & Teresa Brewer - It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing 1981 RE NM/VG+ $5
Louis Armstrong - Louis Armstrong & Duke Ellington 1965 RE VG+/VG+ $8
Dizzy Gillespie - 16 Rare Performances 1966 RE VG+/EX $8
Billie Holiday - The Billie Holiday Story 1972 2LP VG+/VG+ $14
Baby Ray - Where Soul Lives 1967 OG Sealed M/NM $10
Django Reinhardt - Django Reinhardt 1967 OG VG+/VG $7
Don Redman And His Orchestra - For Europeans Only 1983 Denmark NM/NM $12
Charlie Parker And His Orchestra - Night And Day 1960 RE VG/VG $8
Ernestine Anderson - When The Sun Goes Down 1985 OG NM/EX $8
George Benson - Breezin' 1976 VG+/VG+ $5
Art Blakey - Gretsch Drum Night At Birdland 1960 OG VG/VG $10
The Dave Brubeck Quartet - Bossa Nova U.S.A. 1963 OG SVG/VG+ $7
Kenny Burrell - Handcrafted 1978 OG VG/VG+ SOLD
The Eddie Costa Quartet - Guys And Dolls Like Vibes 1958 OG VG/VG+ $5
Keith Jarrett - The Köln Concert 1975 OG VG/VG+ $10
John Klemmer - All The Children Cried VG+/VG+ $8
Les McCann Ltd. - Live At Shelly's Manne-Hole RE NM/VG+ $5
The Modern Jazz Quartet - The Last Concert 1975 OG EX/VG+ $6
The Modern Jazz Quartet - The Atlantic Years 1973 VG+/VG+ $6
Johnny Smith - Phase II 1968 OG Sealed M/M $20
Carlos Santana / Alice Coltrane - Illuminations 1974 OG NM/EX $12
Weather Report - Mr. Gone 1978 OG VG+/VG+ $9
Weather Report - Heavy Weather 1977 OG EX/EX $12
Weather Report - Night Passage 1980 OG EX/VG+ $6
AC/DC - Back In Black 1980 OG VG/VG $14
The Beatles - The Beatles (White Album) 2018 RE New $25
Alice Cooper - Alice Cooper's Greatest Hits 2018 EU New $16
The Doors - The Doors 2009 RE New $20
Eagles - Hotel California 2017 EU RE New $18
Eagles - One Of These Nights 1975 OG VG/G+ $4
The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Are You Experienced? 1980s RE VG+/VG- $15
Jimi Hendrix - The Cry Of Love 2014 RE New $16
The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Smash Hits 2016 RE New $16
Led Zeppelin - Untitled IV 2023 RE New Clear Vinyl New $19
Led Zeppelin - Houses Of The Holy 1977 RE VG+/G+ $16
Led Zeppelin - Physical Graffiti 2015 RE New $24
The Rolling Stones - Flowers 1967 Taiwan Unofficial Red Vinyl VG/VG $20
The Rolling Stones - Their Satanic Majesties Request 1968 Taiwan Unofficial Red Vinyl G+/VG $8
The Rolling Stones - Some Girls 1978 OG VG/VG+ $10
The Rolling Stones - Emotional Rescue 1980 OG SVG/VG- $5
The Rolling Stones - Aftermath Taiwan Unofficial Red Vinyl VG/VG $20
Depeche Mode - Memento Mori 2023 New $22
Bob Dylan - New Morning 1970 OG VG+/VG+ $8
Molly Hatchet - Flirtin' With Disaster 1979 OG VG+/VG+ $6
Heart - Bad Animals 1987 OG NM/NM $8
Jerry Lee Lewis - Southern Roots 1973 OG Sealed M/M $10
The Oak Ridge Boys - Fancy Free (Signed By Whole Band) 1981 OG VG+/VG+ $8
Dolly Parton - Heartbreaker 1978 OG Sealed M/NM $14
Dolly Parton - Just Because I'm A Woman 1976 OG Sealed M/NM $12
Iron Butterfly - Sun And Steel 1975 OG EX/VG+ $7
Uriah Heep - Salisbury 1971 Germany RE VG/VG+ $7
Jefferson Airplane - The Worst Of Jefferson Airplane 1970 OG VG/VG+ $3
Steely Dan - Can't Buy A Thrill 1972 White Label Promo VG/G $50
The Smashing Pumpkins - Cyr 2020 OG Purple Vinyl New $20
Bruce Springsteen - Chapter And Verse 2016 OG New M/NM $12
Robin Trower - Caravan To Midnight 1978 OG SVG/SVG $5
(Not Pictured)
Obituary - Slowly We Rot 2019 RE France Red Vinyl NM/NM SOLD
Showbiz & A.G. - Soul Clap EP Promo VG/GEN $28
Earth, Wind & Fire - The Best Of Earth, Wind & Fire Vol. 1 2017 EX/EX $12
Le Pamplemousse - Le Spank 1977 OG (Signed) VG+/VG $18
Ultimate Spinach - Ultimate Spinach 1968 Taiwan Red Vinyl VG/VG+ $16
100 Proof Aged In Soul - 100 Proof VG/VG $12
Peter Brown - Do Ya Wanna Get Funky With Me? 1977 RE EX/EX $8
Lamont Dozier - Black Bach 1974 OG SVG/NM $9
Lonnie Liston Smith - Love Is The Answer 1980 OG VG+/VG+ $18
Lonnie Liston Smith - A Song For The Children 1979 OG VG+/VG+ SOLD
Stan Getz - Captain Marvel 1975 OG White Label Promo EX/SVG $14
Stan Getz - The Melodic Stan Getz 1965 OG NM/VG+ $5
Stan Getz - What The World Needs Now - Plays Bacharach And David 1968 OG EX/NM $8
Stan Getz - Another World 1978 OG NM/VG+ $10
Wes Montgomery - The Best Of Wes Montgomery 1967 OG VG/VG+ $5
Charli Persip And Superband - In Case You Missed It 1985 Italy OG NM/NM $8
Oscar Peterson - Oscar Peterson 1965 OG SVG/NM $4
Oscar Peterson - Stéphane Grappelli Quartet Vol. 1 1973 France OG NM/EX $8
Don Shirley - Tonal Expressions 1955 OG SVG/VG+ $8

Aespa styling needs some help a little. Like why we got a fun song like supernova and the whole group got basic hair color and cut. I truly need color, black hair with not too bright red tips, red hair with black highlights, a bob, SOMETHING. Putting just tinsel in their hair won’t help it be different. AND The outfits they be giving Giselle COME ON what is going on here why is she wearing the same skirt like winter but it’s more ugly (it’s not her body shape it’s def the skirt). Aespa need styling like xg MINUS the box braids, faux locs 🙄. Aespa styling have their high and lows but sometimes their highs be basic. Supernova needed xg’s shooting star or tgif type outfits. I know supernova is not their main title but the teasers photos we got from Armageddon is just not hyping me up fully like why is Giselle wearing a hoodie and the rest of the members got chains on and some skin showing up top🤨. (And don’t give the excuse that maybe Giselle doesn’t want to show skin up top😑)

"...There's no need to pray, it's okay! You're welcome! Ha! I guess it's just my way of being me! "Maui sang as Kokichi and Himiko bobbed their heads to his signature song. They were spending the weekend watching Disney princess movies, suggested by Himiko. Saturday, they watched half the movies, and today, Sunday, they were tackling the other half. They were currently watching Moana.
"Nyeh...hey, Kokichi?" Himiko began. Kokichi shoved his finger onto Himiko's lips while simultaneously watching the screen.
"Ssh!! Ssh!! Wait, wait, wait!! Here comes the rapping part!" he exclaimed. He inhaled deeply and began rapping with Maui: "Well, come to think of it, kid, honestly I can go on and on. I can explain every natural phenomenon. The tide, the grass, the ground, oh, that was Maui just messin' around! I killed an eel, I buried its guts. Sprouted a tree, now you got coconuts. What's the lesson? What is the takeaway? Don't mess with Maui when he's on a breakaway! And the tapestry here on my skin is a map of the victories I win! Look where I've been, I make everything happen! Look at that mini-me Maui a-tippin' a-tappin!' Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, HEY!! " Kokichi burst into laughter. "I LOVE that part!" he exclaimed. Himiko laughed with him.
"That was pretty good!" she said, hugging Kokichi. Kokichi squirmed with glee.
"Nee-heehee...thanks, Monkey Buns!" he said. "That's a fun part! Oh! What did you wanna ask me, by the way?"
"Well, since this is our last Disney princess movie, I just wanted to ask you..." Himiko began. She turned to him, batting her eyelashes. "...which Disney princess do I remind you of?" Kokichi rolled his eyes.
"Oh, brother," he said. "More of this?"
"I just wanna knooow!" Himiko said, nuzzling her face against Kokichi's shoulder. Kokichi sighed and leaned his head back in thought.
"Hmmm," he murmured. "I think you're kind of like Snow White and Rapunzel...and maybe the sleeping girl because, well...cuz she mostly slept. Nee-heehee!"
"Oh! Why Snow White?" Himiko asked.
"I dunno...I guess because she's an airhead," Kokichi replied.
"Heeey!" Himiko said, frowning.
"In an endearing way!" Kokichi said, shrugging his shoulders defensively.
"So...it's a good thing?" Himiko asked.
"I mean, I think it's cute," Kokichi replied. "Plus, she talks to animals, like you do. Except, in her case, the animals don't talk back."
"Nyeh...that's true," Himiko nodded. "And Rapunzel?"
"Well...you're naive, like she is," Kokichi began. "But, she's also goofy and adventurous. You're goofy, just like her, and you can be adventurous, so long as I'm there with you. And, of course, you have magic."
"Well...I do like those choices," Himiko admitted.
"Plus, I remind myself of Flynn Rider, so you automatically remind me of Rapunzel for that reason, too," Kokichi added. Himiko smiled and rolled her eyes.
"Of course," she said. "Nyeh...what about Belle?"
"The beast-lover?" Kokichi asked. Himiko nodded. "Hmm...maybe a little. I guess like Belle, you're mostly docile, but you also have a feisty side, like she does. Especially when she gets fed up. You just don't read as much as she does, though." Himiko nodded in agreement.
"And what about Ariel?" she asked.
"Pffft...from The Dumbass Mermaid? " Kokichi scoffed. Himiko smacked his arm.
"That's not what the movie is called," she said.
"It should be," Kokichi muttered. "She told her dad she loved what's-his-face even though she knew absolutely nothing about him! And to make things worse, she sold her voice to Urkel, or whatever her name was, just to meet that guy, who she's lucky didn't turn out to be some serial killer! The only thing you have in common with her is your red hair...well, that, and you're a dreamer, too."
"Nyeh...and I don't brush my hair with a fork," Himiko added.
"That, too!" Kokichi replied, shaking his head and rolling his eyes.
"What about Tiana?" Himiko asked. Kokichi smirked.
"Nah, you're allergic to hard work," he said.

"Ugh!!" Himiko cried. Then crossed her arms, pouting. "I'd smack you if that weren't true." Kokichi snickered at her. "Nyeh...what about Cinderella?"
"Again...you're allergic to hard work," Kokichi said.
"Well, she's not just known for hard work!" Himiko said. "She's also patient and kind!"
"Well...how would you respond to two ugly stepsisters and a stepmother being mean to you?" Kokichi asked.
"If there's any time to do what Ariel did, it would be then!" Himiko replied. "I'd run away to find the prince!"
"What if the prince is a psycho?" Kokichi asked.
"AND THE STEPSISTERS AND STEPMOTHER WEREN'T?!?!" Himiko exclaimed. Kokichi chuckled.
"Good point," he admitted, kissing the back of Himiko's hand.
"What about Jasmine?" Himiko asked.
"Jasmine...?"
"From Aladdin," Himiko reminded him. Kokichi smiled at her.
"You don't remind me of her, but...I feel like our relationship is like Aladdin and Jasmine's," he said. "Especially how in sync they were with each other when they first met, like when they worked together to avoid the guards. They reminded me of us, because you and I are always in cahoots! Hahaha!" Himiko smiled back.

"Ohhh! I like that!" she said. "Plus, Aladdin is a liar, like you are."
"Can't argue with that," Kokichi replied with a shrug. "Yeah, I think our relationship is like...hmm...what would their ship names be? 'Alasmine,' and 'Eupunzel."
"Eupunzel??" Himiko repeated.
"Yeah, Eugene and Rapunzel," Kokichi explained.
"Right!" Himiko said. "Nyeh...I love those choices for us!"
"Riiight?" Kokichi agreed with a cheeky grin.
"What about Pocahontas?" Himiko asked.
"Nnnnyyyoooooo..." Kokichi replied, shaking his head. "You are not a nature-lover, Monkey Buns! Plus, I just don't see you as a free spirit. You also don't go jumping off of cliffs and stuff."
"Oh..." Himiko said sadly.
"Not that that's a bad thing," Kokichi said. "I just don't see anything Pocahontas-y about you."
"I guess that's faaaiiir..." Himiko grumbled. Kokichi chuckled and kissed her cheek. "What about Mulan?"
"Nope! You're a dishonor to your family!" Kokichi joked. Himiko pounced on Kokichi, pinning him down to the couch cushions. Kokichi laughed playfully while Himiko kissed his face all over. "Hahahaha...ewww, you're getting your slobber all over me!"
"Nyeh...that's what you get!" Himiko said. "Just be glad I didn't tickle you! I know where your tickle spot is!" She drummed her fingers along Kokichi's neck. Kokichi cried out in surprise and scrunched his neck. Then, he licked one of Himiko's fingers.
"Ew!" Himiko cried, yanking her hand away.
"Nee-heehee...that'll learn ya!" Kokichi said.
"Nyeh...well, anyway..." Himiko muttered, wiping her finger on her jacket. "...What about Merida?"
"Och! In yer dreams, lassie!" Kokichi replied in a Scottish accent. "Ye couldn't e'en shoot a target if it was three feet in front o' yew!" He then dropped the accent. "Haha! Try the accent! It's fun!"
"Nyeh...top o' the marnin' to ya!" Himiko said. Kokichi gave her a strange smile.
"I'm pretty sure that's an Irish thing, not a Scottish thing," he said.
"Well...what do Scottish people say?" Himiko asked.
"I dunno...talk about bagpipes and Nessie, or something," Kokichi replied.
"Um...I done told Nessie not to play the bay-agpipes, but she went an' did it, anywaaay!" Himiko said in a horrible Southern accent. Kokichi burst into laughter.
"You sounded like a hillbilly from the American South!" he exclaimed.
"Well, I forgot how Scottish people sound already!" Himiko said, smacking Kokichi's leg. "So hush! Nyeh...moving on...what about Anna or Elsa?"
"Anna, no," Kokichi replied. "Elsa, yeah. She has magic, and she's quiet and hides her feelings, like you used to do. Also...why does Elsa even count? She's not even a princess, she's a queen!"
"Well, now she's the fifth spirit, remember?" Himiko said. "And Anna's the queen, now."
"Well, that's the only thing you have in common with Anna, then," Kokichi said with a wink. Himiko blushed.
"D'oh, Kokichi..." she said bashfully, waving her hand dismissively at him. They turned their attention back to Moana, who was now in the middle of another song.
"...And the call isn't out there at all, it's inside me," she sang. "It's like the tide always falling and rising. I will carry you here in my heart, you'll remind me that come what may, I know the way..."
"...I AM MOANAAAAAA!!! " Kokichi and Himiko sang together, pumping their fists. Then, they started swaying slowly and moving their arms dramatically to the music until the end of the song.
"Nyeh...do I remind you of Moa-" Himiko began.

"Nuh-uh," Kokichi interrupted.
"Why nooot?" Himiko asked.
"Cuz you don't like the ocean, remember?" Kokichi replied with a cheeky grin.
"Good point," Himiko said, kissing the back of Kokichi's hand. Kokichi chuckled.
"Is that all the Disney princesses?" he asked. Himiko went over the princesses in her head.
"Nyeh...yup, that's all of them," she said.
"Good! Can we go back to watching the rest of the movie, now?" Kokichi said.
"Nyeh...okay, okay," Himiko said. She nestled her head against Kokichi's shoulder. Kokichi moved her hat and kissed the top of her head, making her squeal happily. Then, they watched the rest of Moana in silence.

25M East African from the UK (not London), I moved here when I was a little kid, originally moved to an area with a lot of different ethnicities and loved that I had friends of all cultures and ones that were immigrants and black like me, then my parents got better jobs so we moved to a majority white and south Asian area.
When I moved here you could probs count the black people on one hand, so whatever I did or wherever I went people knew me or my siblings, when I became a teenager a lot more black people moved to the area, a lot of immigrants/asylum seekers, they rarely came to the school I went to as it was deemed a “successful” all boys school, my brother couldn’t get in when he applied but I somehow managed to, so the school my brother went to was where all the off the boat immigrants, immigrants from European countries, or asylum seekers went to.
When I started high school there was 3 black guys in my year, I’m of African descent and the other two were Jamaican, one of them was a mixed Jamaican, he got kicked out by the end of the first year lmao, but me and the other Jamaican did our thing haha, out of the whole school by my final year, I’d say there still was only about 10 maximum black/mixed kids which I found crazy tbh.
I remember when people in my school knew of a black girl from a nearby mixed school and they wouldn’t stop trying to make us date even though we had never met, didn’t have similar friends, just bcoz we was both black. Alla this shit affects you and you don’t even know your identity, I played for a football team that was 75% black players (soccer to U.S peeps) and the code switching was crazy, somehow I didn’t fit in with my own people anymore and I definitely did not fit in with the white/Asian ones either, I had a lot of friends but it felt like more for show rather than actual friendships.
Really does affect your dating life when it came to that time, white girls didn’t find us attractive (Kim K hadn’t made it cool yet) or they showed interest wanting to find out about BBC being true or not lmao, black girls dated white guys or didn’t date. Then you fast forward and black girls want hood guys or keep it safe with white guys, white girls love black guys now but most times for the thrill of it or also expect you to be hood.
Be interested to see how the rest of your experiences were like
My pros:

• I’m a lot more socially aware of people outside my race
  
• I know what people outside our race think of us and the things they do to bring us down
  
• You find out how much ignorance and delusions their parents project onto their kids
  
• It made me wise up and learn how to conduct myself better in work environments
  
• Less trusting of those outside our race, makes me think what do they get out of it, e.g. token black guy
  

My cons:

• Hella stereotypes and over generalization, thinking we’re all poor, spear chuckers, speak in clicks, eat funny food or eat nothing but chicken, making monkey noises and monkey actions, knuckle dragger (heard all of this directed towards me) makes you wonder what disgusting things their families say about black people behind closed doors
  
• People thinking all black people are Nigerian or Jamaican
  
• People thinking Africa is a country
  
• People clowning my African features or wanting to touch my hair constantly or compare skin complexion when they come back from holiday
  
• Any sport I excelled at I got the cliche “of course you’re good at that you’re black” or they’d find any excuse to discredit me at anything I wasn’t the best at from the jump, I got “I thought black people were good at sports”
  
• People expecting me to be as bulked up as Nigerians just because I’m African even though East Africans have different body types lmao
  
• They expected me to speak hood but clown hood people, if I spoke proper I’d be told “you’re the whitest black guy I’ve met” (when they haven’t met any/many) funny now they all speak like they’re from the hood and copy black fashion/mannerisms
  
• Judging my hairstyles and music taste if it wasn’t like theirs
  

I am an African American woman with mature dreadlocks. How do you respond when white people ask how long it takes for you to do your hair? I got that question often from people of all races when I wore braids, and that was an easy question to answer.

70's Alt Rock -King Crimson-Lark's Tongue In Aspic
80's Alt Rock - Talking Heads-Remain In Light
90's Alt Rock- Nirvana- Never mind
2000's Alt Rock-The Strokes-Is This It
2010's Alt Rock Tame Impala-Lonerism
Alt Country -Wilco-Summerteeth
Alt Hip Hop-MF Doom- Mad villainy
Art Rock-Dark Side Of The Moon-Pink Floyd
Brit Rock- The Clash- London Calling
College Rock-REM-Murmur
Emo Rock-My Chemical Romance-Welcome To The Black Parade
Experimental Rock-Swans-To Be Kind
Goth-The Cure Disintegration
Grunge- Soundgarden-Superunknown
Hardcore Punk- Black Flag- Damaged
Heavy Metal-Black Sabbath-Paranoid
60's Hard Rock-Led Zeppelin I
70's Hard rock-Led Zeppelin-Physical Graffiti
80's Hard Rock- AC/DC-Back In Black
90's Hard Rock-Nirvana-In Utero
2000's Hard Rock-Queens Of The Stone Age-Songs For The Deaf
2010's ˙Hard Rock- Tool-Fear Inoculum
Indie Rock-Joy Division-Unknown Pleasures
Indie Folk-Big Thief-Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You
Lo-Fi-Neutral Milk Hotel-In The Aeroplane Over The Sea
New Wave-Elvis Costello-This Year's Model
Progressive Rock- Tool- Lateralus
Punk- Ramones-Rocket To Russia
pop punk-Green Day-Dookie
Post Punk- Wire- Pink Flag
Shoegaze-My Bloody Valentine-Loveless
Blues-Nina Simone-Sings The Blues
Blues Rock-The Rolling Stones-Sticky Fingers
Avant Garde- Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band-Trout Mask Replica
Baroque Pop-The Beach Boys-Pet Sounds
Symphonic Rock-Moody Blues-Days Of Future Past
Comedy/Novelty album-Adam Sandler-They're All Gonna Laugh At You
Stand Up Comedy-George Carlin-Back In Town
Americana-The Band-The Band
Bakersfield Sound-Buck Owens-Best Of Buck Owens
Bluegrass-Old & In The Way-That High Lonesome Sound
Outlaw Country-Willie Nelson-Redheaded Stranger
Classic Country-Johnny Cash-Live At Folsom Prison
Country Rock- The Flying Burrito Brothers-The Gilded Palace Of Sin
Dance/Club-LCD Soundsystem- This Is Happening
Christmas /Holiday Album-Vince Gauralidi-A Charlie Brown Christmas
EMD/Techno-Burial-Untrue
Ambient-Brian Eno-Music For Airports
Electronic Rock-Radiohead-Kid A
Space Rock- Spiritualized- Ladies And Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space
Synthpop-Depeche Mode-Violator
Synthrock- New Order-Power, Corruption and Lies
Industrial-Nine Inch Nails-The Downward Spiral
Krautrock- Can-Tago Mago
Folk-Bob Dylan-The Freewillin' Bob Dylan
Folk Rock-Bob Dylan-Blood On The Tracks
Southern Rock-The Allman Brothers Band-At Fillmore East
80's Hip Hop-The Beastie Boys-Paul's Boutique
90's- Hip Hop Wu-Tang Clan-Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
2000's Hip Hop-Outkast- Stankonia
2010's Hip Hop-Kendrick Lamar-To Pimp A Butterfly
2020's Hip Hop-Run The Jewels-RTJ 4
East Coast Hip Hop- Nas- Illmatic
West Coast Hip Hop-NWA-Straight Outta Compton
Southern Hip Hop-Outkast -Aquemini
Midwest Album-Kanye West-My Dark Twisted Fantasy
Trap-Travis Sott-Rodeo
Instrumental Hip Hop- DJ Shadow- Endtroducing....
Indie Pop-Belle And Sebastian-If You're Feeling Sinister
Noise Rock-Sonic Youth-Daydream Nation
Post-rock- Godspeed! You Black Emperor-Lift Your Skinny Fist Like Antennas To Heaven
Acid Jazz- Medeski ,Martin, and Wood -Shack-Man
Trip Hop -Portishead- Dummy
Gospel -Aretha Franklin-Amazing Grace
Christian- Sufjan Stevens -Illnoise
Jazz-Miles Davis-Kind Of Blue
Avant Garde Jazz-Ornette Coleman-Shape To Jazz To Come
Swing/Bebop-Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers-Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers w/Thelonious Monk
Jazz/Fusion-Miles Davis-In A Silent Way
Jazz Rock-Miles Davis-Bitches Brew
Jazz/Funk-Herbie Hancock-Head Hunters
Jazz/Rap-A tribe Called Quest-The Low End Theory
Latin- Los Lobos-Kiko
Speed Metal/Thrash- Metallica- Master Of Puppets
Black/Death Metal-Deafheaven-Sunbather
Symphonic Metal-Haken-The Mountain
Glam Rock -T.Rex-Electric Warrior
Hair Metal-Guns N Roses-Appetite For Destruction
New Wave Of British Heavy Metal-Iron Maiden- Number Of The Beast
Sludge-Electric Wizard- Dopethron
Nu Metal-Korn-Korn
New Age-Popol Vuh - Hosianna Mantra
Pop-Prince-Sign O' The Times
60's Pop- The Beatles-Revolver
70's Pop- Carole King-Tapestry
80's Pop- Peter Gabriel-So
90's Pop-Madonna-Ray Of Light
2000's Pop-Madonna-Confessions On A Dance Floor
2010's pop-Robyn-Body Talk
2020's Pop- Perfume Genius-Set My Heart On Fire
Adult Contemporary- Billy Joel-The Stranger
Europop- ABBA- Arrival
Latin Pop-Ruben Y Seis Del Solar-Buscando America
Dance Pop-Dee-Lite-World Clique
Dream Pop- Mazzy Star-So Tonight I Might See
Power Pop- Weezer-Blue Album
R&B- Marvin Gaye-What's Going On
60's R&B-Aretha Franklin-I Never Loved A Man The Way I Loved You
70's R&B- Stevie Wonder- Songs In The Key Of Life
80's R&B- Janet Jackson- Control
90's R&B Album- Lauryn Hill-The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill
2000's R&B- D'Angelo-Voodoo
2010's-R&B-Beyonce-Lemonade
2020's R&B- SZA-SOS
Disco-Donna Summers-Bad Girls
Doo Wop- The Chantels- We Are The Chantels
Funk-Funkadelic-Maggot Brain
Motown- Marvin Gaye-Let's Get It On
Neo-Soul-Erykah Badu-Baduizm
Psychedelic Soul- Curtis Mayfield-Curtis
Soul-Aretha Franklin-Lady Soul
Reggae-Bob Marley- Exodus
Ska-The Specials-The Specials
Swing Revival-Big Bad Voodoo Daddy-Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
Rock N Roll-The Rolling Stones-Exile On Main Street
Acid Rock- Jimi Hendrix- Are You Experienced
Arena Rock-Boston-Boston
Cock Rock-Van Halen I
Math Rock-Slint-Spiderland
Stoner Rock-Kyuss-Welcome To Sky Valley
Jam Band- Grateful Dead-American Beauty
SingeSongwriter- Neil Young-Harvest
Surf Rock-The Beach Boys-Shut Down Vol II
Soft Rock/Yacht Rock-Steely Dan-Aja
Movie Soundtrack-Singles
Movie Score-The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly
TV Soundtrack- Songs In The Key Of X:Music from and inspired by the X-Files
Musical Soundtrack-Jesus Christ Superstar

During the height of my high regard for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), among the movies of which I had been a major fan were the Captain America releases. At least two of them. The third film in this mini franchise - 2016's "CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR" proved to be a major disappointment for me. However, when I heard that Disney and Marvel Films had plans to air a miniseries about the characters Sam Wilson aka the Falcon and James "Bucky" Barnes aka the Winter Soldier, I must admit that I felt a renewed interest in the franchise again.
When I said a renewal of the MCU franchise, I meant it. Aside from a few movies like "ANT-MAN", "BLACK PANTHER", "CAPTAIN MARVEL" and "ETERNALS"; the MCU had become a major disappointment for me ever since the release of 2015's "THE AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON". One might ask . . . what about the MCU television productions that aired on the Disney Plus streaming channel? Aside from one production that I somewhat liked and one that I loved, most of them have been disappointing to me. Unfortunately, I have to include this follow-up to the Captain America movies, "THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER".
Set six months after 2019's "THE AVENGERS: ENDGAME", "THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER" followed former war veteran/Avenger Sam Wilson, who has resumed working the for the U.S. government, while using his role as the Falcon. When the government recruits Sam to track down and deal with a group of enhanced anarchists known as "the Flag Smashers", former World War II veteran/HYDRA tool/Avenger James "Bucky" Buchannan aka the Winter Soldier decides to join Sam in his mission, due to his lingering guilt as a former HYDRA assassin and their shared experiences as Steve Rogers' close friends and battling Thanos and his army.
Since "THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER" had aired on the DisneyPlus channel in six episodes, I had seriously considered ranking the episodes. But like Season three of the Marvel Netflix series, "DAREDEVIL", the more I watched "THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLIDER", the more it disappointed me. Aside from complaints about its pacing, the limited series had received a great deal of praise from critics and fans alike. Because of this, I believe it was one of the most overrated productions in the MCU history. People had seemed so focused on little moments and scenes that very few had noticed how the series' narrative seemed to be all over the map. For example:
~\Sam Wilson~* - This limited series is supposed to be a follow up to the events of "ENDGAME" in which Sam had received the Captain America shield from an aging Steve Rogers, a sign for him to take up the latter's costumed role. Was this an attempt by Marvel Films/Disney to make Sam a more relevant character? If so, why? Why did a MCU character have to replace Steve as the new Captain America to be more relevant? Why not allow Sam to continue as the Falcon, only push his role to the forefront as one of the franchise's new leading characters? Some might accuse me of not wanting a black man as Captain America, a topic that was brought up in the series. Frankly, I never wanted another character - regardless of race, gender or ethnicity - to become the new Captain America. That includes Bucky Barnes. Allow Steve Rogers to fade into the background and let Sam (as the Falcon) shine as one of the franchise's new leads. However, the die has been cast. One can only sit back and see if moviegoers are willing to accept Sam as the new Captain America.
Perhaps the MCU had to make Sam the new Captain America in order to make him more relevant. Why would I say that? The showrunner for "THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER", Malcolm Spellman, came dangerously close to shoving Sam into the role of the second lead or worst, a role he has been since his debut in 2014's "CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER" - a supporting character. During the series' first three or four episodes, someone other than Sam (either Bucky Barnes or Helmut Zemo - two white men) made decisions that allowed the plot to move forward, not Sam. He was simply regulated to being an observer or reactor. The series even managed to undermine Sam's decision not to support the Sokovia Accords in "CIVIL WAR". In thee 2016, Sam became the first Avenger to speak out against the Accords and declare his intentions not to sign it. Yet, according to Bucky in this series, Sam had merely followed Steve's example in rejecting the Accords. And Spellman did nothing to allow Sam to correct this misconception.
~\James "Bucky" Barnes~* - One of the few aspects of "CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR" I found enjoyable proved to be the interactions between Sam Wilson and Bucky Buchannan. Despite their lingering jealousy and competition over the role as "Steve Rogers' best friend", the pair's interactions proved to be very entertaining, thanks to the screen chemistry between Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan. Unfortunately, Mackie and Stan could not save "CIVIL WAR" for me. Nor could they save "THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER", due to its problematic writing. A good deal of that writing surrounded Bucky's character. I have so many questions about his role in this series. For example:
-Why would any official of the Joint Counter Terrorist Center allow Bucky to visit and question Helmut Zemo, the man responsible for the U.N. conference bombing in Vienna, in "CIVIL WAR"? That made very little sense to me. Surely the JCTC authorities remembered how Zemo managed to brainwash Bucky into making his own prison break in "CIVIL WAR"? Also, Bucky was on parole for his activities as a brainwashed HYDRA assassin. Yet, the JCTC had allowed him to visit Zemo? Surely, the showrunner could have allowed Sam, who was serving the U.S. government again, to be the one to visit and question Zemo?
-How on earth did Bucky managed to evade being arrested and charged for helping Zemo escape from the JCTC? The U.S. and other governments should have been suspicious of Bucky after learning about his visit to Zemo.
-Bucky came off as an arrogant school jock, who thought he was entitled to get his way - especially in his interactions with Sam. I found it hilarious that many fans had criticized John Walker aka Captain America aka U.S. Agent for such toxic behavior. Yet, they had turned a blind eye to Bucky's own behavior. And so did the series - up until the last two episodes. Why did the showrunner allow Bucky to get away with this behavior toward Sam for so long without any complaints from the latter?
-I did not care how Bucky had bullied his way into Sam's mission without the latter's consent. What I found even more annoying was the U.S. government's decision to allow Bucky to join Sam's mission after that ludicrous "therapy session" they were forced to attend together.
~\Racism -~* A good number of MCU fans had complained about the inclusion of racism in "THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER". I had no problems with this direction, considering the story was about Sam, an African-American man, becoming the new Captain America. However, I had a good deal of problems with how the production explored the topic of racism.
The story of Isaiah Bradley, Marvel's second Captain America, had originated in the comics. In the MCU, he was a Korea War veteran whom the United States Army used as one of several unwilling African-American test subjects for their version of the Super Soldier serum. I realize that both Marvel Comics and the MCU had attempted to use Bradley's experience as a metaphor for the Tuskegee Syphilis Study. The problem is that I cannot see the U.S. government and the Army - both racist organizations in the early 1950s - be willing to risk the possibility of creating a non-white super soldier. Despite the recent desegregation of the Armed Forces in the late 1940s. And both the government and the Army had been more than willing to use white soldiers in other experiments.
After saving a group of black American super soldiers from a prison camp, Bradly was imprisoned by the U.S. government for thirty years. I saw nothing wrong with this twist in the character's narrative, until I remembered two things - Bradley had been able to free his fellow soldiers without anyone's help; and nearly sixty years later, Steve Rogers managed to break into the Raft and free those Avengers who had refused to sign the Sokovia Accord. Why was Bradley unable to free himself from prison? This is the man who had defeated the Winter Soldier by breaking the latter's metal arm. And he was not powerful enough to make a prison break, let alone evade capture?
I had assumed Sam's difficulty in becoming the new Captain America would stem from the government's reluctance to recruit a black man for the position. That would explain their decision to recruit the blond-haired John Walker instead. But the series never really made it clear whether political racism had played a role in Walker's recruitment. The series also had James "Rhodey" Rhodes had paid Sam a visit, emphasizing the importance of the new Captain America being black. As it turned out, Sam's own insecurities about becoming Captain America had more to do with him not initially assuming the role. There was also that interesting scene outside Bradley's Baltimore home where the police arrested Sam during verbal argument with Bucky. Although the cops backed away when they recognized Sam as an Avenger, they ended up arresting the parolee Bucky for missing his required therapy appointment. This scene was supposed to be a case of racial profiling. But . . . we might as well be honest. In the real world, the police would not have backed down from hassling Sam. What I found more disturbing was the production's handling of Bucky's arrest. Once the police discovers that Sam was an Avenger; they turned to arrest Bucky for failing to show up for his missing his therapy session. Not only did the police arrest Bucky with a more gentle behavior, they did so, accompanied by Henry Jackman's mournful score, something that did not accompany the moment of Sam being arrested. Were the audiences expected to notice the hypocrisy and racism in the police's handling of the two men? Expected to feel sympathy for Bucky? Or both?
The last episode featured a scene of two black kids playing with toy Captain America shields. Someone had commented that the shields (especially in the hands of non-white children) represented hope to the future of race relations in the United States. Why? How? This country had a biracial president for EIGHT YEARS. Yet, U.S. racial policies have remained problematic even to this day. I can say the same for other countries. The so-called symbolism of this scene only reminded me of how human beings put so much faith in imagery and symbolism. And this strikes me as a FALSE FAITH. Why was taking up the mantle of a costumed hero that had been previously occupied by a white man, the only way for Sam Wilson to become relevant within the MCU franchise? What was wrong with him being "the Falcon"? Sam becoming the next Captain America was not going to save the U.S. in regard to race relations - not in real life and not in the fictional world of the MCU. Looking back on the series, the series' only scenario that seemed to expose racism in a realistic manner, proved to be Sam's failure to acquire a bank loan for his family's fishing boat in Louisiana.
~\Sharon Carter~* - I am certain many MCU fans are aware of this. One of Marvel Comics' most iconic couples happened to be Steve Rogers aka Captain America and Sharon Carter aka Agent 13. She also happened to be the great-niece of Peggy Carter, Steve's love interest during World War II. Portrayed by Emily VanCamp, Sharon was first introduced as a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent in "CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER" as a potential love interest for Steve. Despite Sharon's appearance in the following Captain America movie, "CIVIL WAR", their romance never really developed. Many blamed the lack of chemistry between VanCamp and Chris Evans. I never had a problem with their screen chemistry. I had a problem with the lack of relationship development between Sharon and Steve. And I blame Kevin Feige's decision to transform the third Captain America film into a third (and badly written) pseudo Avengers movie. The change in the film's narrative, along with Sharon's failure to appear in "THE AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR" and "ENDGAME", left no opportunity for Sharon and Steve to become the romantic pair they had been in the comics. Instead, Sharon became a fugitive from the U.S. government after helping Steve and Sam hunt down Bucky, moved to Madripoor, a city-state with no U.S. extradition and became an embittered criminal known as "the Power Broker".
After "CIVIL WAR", nearly five years had passed before Sharon appeared in another MCU production - namely this series. And what happened? The franchise, with Spellman, ended up completely destroying her character by transforming her into the villain known as Power Broker, the criminal leader of an Indonesian city-state called Madripoor. After helping Steve and Sam acquire their suits and equipment in order to go after Bucky in "CIVIL WAR", Sharon lost her job with the C.I.A. and became a fugitive. She eventually moved to Madripoor, a city-state with no U.S. extradition, to evade capture, survived Thanos' Snap and became an embittered criminal nicknamed "the Power Broker" in order to survive the new world.
What really pissed me off about Sharon's arc between "CIVIL WAR" and "THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER" is that her development into a major villain all happened OFF SCREEN. Off screen. Apparently, screenwriters for "INFINITY WAR" had written a draft that included Sharon in the movie. But according to Christopher Markus, he and Stephen McFeeley could not imagine scenes featuring Steve and Sharon trying to make it work in an apartment, because the 2018 movie did not have time to focus on their personal life. Why did Marvel simply fail to allow Sharon to be part of Steve's vigilante team - like Sam and Natasha Romanoff? I mean . . . good fucking grief! And why did Malcolm Spellman believe the only way Sharon could be interesting was to become a villain in "THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER"? This was his idea of improving Sharon's character?
~\Helmut Zemo aka Baron Zemo~* - Why did Malcolm Spellman, Kevin Feige and the MCU thought it necessary to bring back Helmut Zemo, the Sokovian-born villain from "CIVIL WAR"? What role did he play in "THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER"? I realize that Bucky, of all people, visited the incarcerated Zemo to acquire information on who had created the super-soldier serum that empowered the Flag Smashers. But why did he believe Zemo could provide the answer? Because he thought HYDRA was involved? Bucky or Sam could have searched for information from sources other than Zemo, who had been incarcerated for . . . what? Eight years? Eight years. Zemo managed to become something of a crowd-pleaser, thanks to Daniel Brühl's performance. Otherwise, I found his presence in this series unnecessary.
~\The Big Bad~* - Why on earth did it take this series so long to finally reveal the main villain's identity? At first, the series hinted the Flag Smashers, led by Karli Morgenthau. However, the series tossed other potential candidates for the Big Bad before viewers - John Walker, Helmut Zemo and yes, Sharon Carter. But in the end, Morgenthau and her group proved to be the main villains.
The Flag Smashers were a group of empowered people who believed the world was a better place between Thanos' Snap and the Blip (resurrection of those who had died during the Snap), when Humans around the world managed to unite and form a borderless society, one in which people helped others without any thought to nationalism and bias. Thanks to the Avengers, the world resumed its conflicts between nationalities and other groups. In other words, the borders returned.
Frankly, I have nothing against this ideal. Only Ms. Morgenthau and her followers resorted to violence and terrorism to achieve their goals. Does this sound familiar? It should. The Flag Smashers proved to be another example of characters with a progressive goal, resorting to extremism and becoming villains. This seemed to be a growing trend within the franchise, which I believe began with Erik "Killmonger" Stevens aka Prince N'Jadaka in 2018's "BLACK PANTHER". Since then, the MCU has not looked back at its growing roster of progressive villains. Perhaps I should not have been surprised. The franchise's ambiguous portrayal of an unconstitutional document like the Sokovia Accords, should have been the wake-up call. It seemed as if Kevin Feige, Marvel Films and Disney Studios had finally exposed themselves for the faux progressives they pretend to be. Frankly, this form of villainy has become tiresome to me.
After writing this article, I had considered ranking the six episodes featured in "THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER" anyway. But I decided against it. My dislike of the series made it impossible for me to even bother. Being a fan of the first two Captain America movies, I had truly hoped this series would redeem the franchise. Unfortunately, it proved to be just as disappointing as "CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR". Pity. Perhaps the fourth film, "CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD" will do the trick. I hope so.