Blog – Page 3 – …on the B.L.

Read: Yes
Length: 52
Quick Review: An essay about the importance of feminism. Beginning as a Tedx Talk, Adichie redefines feminism for the new generation of feminists.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is one of my favorite authors. If you’re a repeat reader, I’m sure that is clear already. She is one of those writers you cannot ignore. With her unique voice and story telling ability, she has grabbed the attention of the world. I found her about a year ago, in which time, I have read the majority of her works. (I only have Purple Hibiscus left to read.) I am rereading We Should All Be Feminists again because it is just that good.

For the majority of the world when the word feminism is uttered, people immediately and solely think of it as something applying to women or even cared about by women. Feminism is seen as benefiting women.

Adichie begins her essay with a few examples of the differences women face in the world based on their gender. She also turns the idea of feminism on its head by explaining the benefits feminism has for men and boys as well. Without feminism, culture is a hindrance to men because they must conform to the idea of masculinity and “stifle their humanity.” Although Adichie discusses the positives of feminism for men, it is more important for girls. Without feminism women spend their lives defining their place in the world by their relationship to men.

Adichie writes succinctly and effectively. There is a fire in her words fueled by anger and hope. She is one of the most talented storytellers, but she is incredibly gifted as a nonfiction writer. Her novels and short stories take the reader to another place, but her essay grounds the reader in reality. Adichie lets the reader get to know her a little.

I can’t recommend We Should All Be Feminists more. The essay should be mandatory reading for everyone. It is an amazing, concise, and quick read. Taking less than half an hour. Sit down and read it the moment you can!

Memorable Quotes
“… both of us bristling with the half-baked knowledge of books we had read.”
“At some point I was a Happy African Feminist Who Does Not Hate Men And Who Likes To Wear Lip Gloss And High Heels For Herself And Not For Men.”
“But our ideas of gender have not evolved very much.”
“… it is one thing to know something intellectually and quite another to feel it emotionally.”
“There are far fewer guides for men about pleasing women.”
“And then we do a much greater disservice to girls, because we raise them to cater to the fragile egos of males.”

Title: We Should All Be Feminists
Author: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Publisher: Anchor Books (Random House)
Copyright: 2012/2014
ISBN: 9781101911761

Happy Small Business Saturday!

I decided to celebrate by making my way to a local small business. I have been meaning to go to for a long time, but I kept leaving town on trips. I pulled myself away from my very comfortable couch and books for the one thing I love almost as much: TEA!

I found out about the existence of Tea Sip through Instagram, of course. I followed them; they followed me, which automatically makes them cooler and more desirable in my book. It is a locally owned small business, which opened this summer – I think. Anyways… It’s new. It’s cute. It’s a tea store. What more could you want?!?!?

Tea Sip is located at 321 W. 19th Street Suite A, Houston. Or it’s in the Heights right next to Retropolis. If you’re in the area, you should definitely stop by. Not only are they a tea shop with the usual wares, they also have all their teas to go. So if you’re shopping in the Heights, grab a cup of tea (iced or hot) to keep you company.

It’s so cute! The windows are huge. Walking in there are tea cups and tea pots everywhere. Heaven, but I was incredibly self conscious because I’m clumsy and poor. I have been to so many tea shops, but I found a first! Most places have samples to taste and smell; Tea Sip does it different. All the packages of tea are labelled with a number which corresponds to a vial full of tea hanging up. It’s fun and unique! The tea pots are cute, but what really stands out are the cups and mugs. All kinds of different shapes and sizes ranging from classic to outrageous. My personal favorite were the cups and saucers in bright metallic colors. There are stamped spoons… I, of course, left with one one that said “Sweet dreams are made of Teas!” It’s true.

The employees are amazing. They were more than happy to answer questions and chat while we waited for my tea to steep. It is obvious they enjoy working there, or they’re incredibly good actors. Either way, I had fun!

Tea talk. I love tea. I have drank a lot of it in many parts of the world. I have come across weird teas. Tea Sip has some weird teas. I have a hard time buying weird tea without trying it. I’m not a gambler. I bought peppermint because a) it’s my favorite b) it’s hard to mess up. Before I learned of their tea-to-go, I asked what the best weird teas were they had. The two suggestions were Cupcake and a spicy one – I don’t remember the name. I love cupcakes. I love tea. I wasn’t convinced I would love cupcake tea. I love spicy, but since my gallbladder took its exodus from my body, spicy and I don’t get along. I decided to get cupcake tea to go, and my boyfriend got the spicy one. Apparently, the spicy one gets spicier the more you drink it. So I don’t know, but he enjoyed it. I LOVED the cupcake tea. It smells like a cupcake. It tastes like a black tea with a cupcake finish. It’s not something I would normally try or ever like, but it is amazing! Definitely try it. If you’re not in the Houston area, order it.

I left with a small bag of goodies. It took a lot of willpower to not leave with one of everything because the cups are so adorable. Since it’s the Christmas season, I held myself back. I will be back after Christmas… and I will be poor.

Tea Sip

321 W. 19th Street

Suite A

Houston, Texas 77008

346.701.8662