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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The origin of the word "discipline" can be traced back to the Latin word "disciplina," which means "instruction" or "teaching." Over time, however, discipline has come to be synonymous with punishment, with parents relying on shame, fear, and/or physical pain to curb undesirable behavior.
Teaching takes time, so nipping it in the bud in whatever fashion parents deem necessary (within reason) has become the norm. But is this what’s best for children? And when does it become less about curbing undesirable behavior and more about getting our licks back for offenses we feel our children should know better to do?
In my work as a parenting coach, I’ve often heard parents say, “I asked him nicely three times before spanking him. He didn’t stop doing it until I did, so clearly talking doesn’t work.”
And the parent isn’t wrong. Talking often doesn’t work the first, the third, or the even the 10th time. And the reason is directly tied to brain development.
Children cannot and do not process information the way an adult can. Auditory processing is not fully developed until a child is 14 or 15 years old. And even then, if a child has auditory processing delays or Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), they may always struggle with processing auditory commands. According to Susie S. Loraine, MA, CCC-SLP, the term auditory processing refers to how the brain perceives and interprets sound information. Several skills determine auditory processing ability—or listening success. They develop in a general four-step hierarchy, but all work together and are essential for daily listening.
Without this understanding, discipline can easily become revenge because parents will then view their child’s misdeeds as a personal slight. Instead of teaching them to do better, parents now want to show them the consequences of not doing better. This is why it's imperative for parents to discern between discipline and revenge to maintain healthy relationships with their children.
5 WAYS TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN PARENTAL GUIDANCE AND RETALIATION:Â Â
​Understanding The Intent
Discipline is rooted in love and concern for the child's well-being. It focuses on teaching lessons and helping children understand the consequences of their actions. Conversely, revenge-driven actions stem from a desire to inflict pain or punishment as payback for perceived slights or disobedience. Parents should reflect on their motives before taking disciplinary actions. Ask yourself whether your intention is to help your child learn or to make them suffer for upsetting you.
Example: If a child accidentally breaks a valuable item, a disciplinary response would involve discussing the importance of being careful and working with the child to come up with a way to replace or fix what they’ve broken. On the other hand, a vengeful reaction might involve yelling, harsh punishment, or bringing up past mistakes to intensify guilt.
​Maintaining Emotional Regulation
Effective discipline requires parents to remain calm and composed, even in challenging situations. It's natural to feel upset or frustrated when children misbehave, but responding with anger or resentment can escalate the situation and blur the line between discipline and revenge. Before addressing the issue, take a moment to breathe and collect your thoughts.
Example: If a child cannot follow instructions, a disciplined response would involve calmly explaining why their cooperation is necessary in working with the child to accomplish the goal. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve shouting, name-calling, or resorting to physical punishment out of anger.
​Promoting Growth and Learning
Discipline should always aim to promote growth and learning. It involves guiding children toward making better choices and understanding the impact of their actions on themselves and others. Effective discipline strategies include positive reinforcement, setting clear expectations, and providing opportunities for reflection and growth.
Example: If a child repeatedly forgets to complete their chores, a disciplinary approach would involve discussing the importance of responsibility and finding solutions together, such as creating a chore chart or setting reminders with Siri or Alexa. In contrast, a revenge-driven response might involve imposing overly harsh punishments or belittling the child, which can undermine their self-esteem and hinder their ability to learn from their mistakes.
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Building Trust and Communication
Trust and open communication are essential components of a healthy parent-child relationship. Discipline should strengthen this bond by fostering trust and encouraging children to confide in their parents without fear of judgment or retaliation. When children feel safe and supported, they're more likely to accept discipline as a form of guidance rather than punishment.
Example: If a child admits to breaking a rule or making a mistake, a disciplined response would involve listening to their perspective, discussing the consequences of their actions, and working together to find a solution. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve accusations, blame, or shutting down communication, which can erode trust and damage the parent-child relationship.
Seeking Professional Guidance
Parenting is a learning journey, and, disciplining children is a delicate balance between guiding them toward responsible behavior and nurturing their growth. By understanding the intent behind our actions, maintaining emotional regulation, promoting growth and learning, building trust and communication, and seeking professional guidance when needed, as parents we can help our children built on love, respect, and understanding.
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