My Essay on CNN Opinion: “Why Olivia Benson Is the Role Model We Need Right Now”

Olivia BensonTwo words: Olivia Benson.

The world continues to be a very scary place. And, frankly, that’s putting it mildly. In the last week alone, the dizzying array of headlines have made me sad and seethe with rage — all at the same time! Maybe that’s why I love the timing of my newest op-ed for CNN Opinion about the 20th season of Law & Order: SVU and the enduring legacy of Olivia Benson.

I’ve mentioned before just how much I love SVU: I’ve watched all 19 seasons, all 400+ episodes. Through it all, I fell in love with the character of Olivia Benson. She’s such a strong, powerful force and always an advocate for survivors. She’s the role model we need right now. The one to stand up and give a voice to people who deserve to be heard — and, more importantly, deserve to be BELIEVED.

I feel no shame when I now routinely ask myself: What would Olivia Benson do??

Here’s an excerpt of the piece, in which I examine how Olivia’s compassionate work with sexual assault survivors feels especially poignant right now, considering the cultural and political landscape…

SVU has always sought to pull back the curtain and present a full picture of sexual assault, with careful attention given to the victims’ journey. It’s gritty and uncomfortable at times, but its power lies in its unflinching honesty…I can’t help but think Olivia Benson is the female role model we need in 2018. Especially in the era of #MeToo and violence against women, a TV show like SVU has never been more relevant — or more needed. What’s happening every week on SVU is also happening across the country.

It’s not often that a character on TV so accurately reflects the cultural landscape of the times. Through the fictional world of Olivia Benson, the show is able to tap into something very real and be an advocate for survivors of sexual assault. In our culture of “escapist TV,” real can be quite rare.

Olivia BensonYou can read the full piece here and I’d love to hear your thoughts. Feel free to email me anytime at mellow1422@aol.com and let’s chat! And of course, feel free to share my essay on Facebook, Twitter or even your local refrigerator. If you share on Twitter, be sure to tag me @melissablake so we can connect! I can’t wait to hear from you! Love you all… xoxo

P.S. I’m signing off early this week and taking a four-day weekend!! I look forward to seeing you all back here next Tuesday…cheers to a relaxing weekend, friends!!!

 

Thoughts on the State of Women’s Equality In 2018…

Women's EqualityYesterday was Women’s Equality Day in honor of the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote and, of course, the historical day got me thinking about the past, present and future.

We all* owe it to those strong and powerful Suffragettes to uphold their legacy, but also remember that the work is not done. It’s 2018 and women are still fighting for equality and fighting to be heard. We must never stop fighting. From the boardroom to the kitchen table and everywhere in between.

I love what Shelley Zalis, CEO of The Female Quotient, said about the power of fighting for women’s equality…

“We can’t wait for equality to happen. We have to make it happen. It is each of our responsibility to drive change. Educate yourself on political issues. Get to the voting booths. Run for office if you feel called to do so. On Women’s Equality Day and every day, let’s rewrite the rules that are no longer working and create new ones, together.”

Also, lest you think Women’s Equality Day means that women have achieved all the equality and no longer have to fend off wildly inaccurate mansplaining, I’d like to leave you with this gem: I once had a guy try to tell me that women and men have equal rights. And by “once,” I mean last year.

So where are we going, friends? And how do we get there? I’d love to hear your thoughts on this important topic! xoxo

*Yes, men, I’m looking at you too…

[Photo via Bettmann Archive]

🎨How Illustrator Melissa Hiebert Found Her Artistic Passion🖌️

Illustrator Melissa HiebertYesterday, I unveiled myself in cartoon form, which I still can’t believe is actually real — how do you wrap your head around that one? Along with the illustration, I also introduced you to the talented artist who brought my vision to life!! Meet illustrator Melissa Hiebert, who I had the pleasure of interviewing about her craft (seriously, check out her amazing work!), what she loves about her job and the advice she’d give to young artists! Read on… xoxo

Name: Melissa Hiebert
Where I’m from: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
3 words that describe me: Curious, Tenacious, Determined
Web site: Online portfolio

Tell me a bit about yourself…what do you do, what are your hobbies, etc.?
I love going for walks, reading poetry and Shakespeare and discovering new music. What I do [art] is like breathing to me, an extension of my heart and soul.

When did you first know that you wanted to be an artist/illustrator? Was it always something you wanted to do?
I always loved to draw since I was little, but I also played music and was involved in most of the arts, but acting was my path until I was 19 years old. It was only until I was 21/22 that I started going into art and illustration more seriously.

What artists did you admire growing up?
Eyvind Earle did the backgrounds and all the style work in Disney’s Sleeping Beauty. Definitely one of my most profound influences in my line style and color work. I also love Rodin’s sculptures and all classical art from Greece and Rome. Also, Glen Keane, who just won his first Oscar for Dear Basketball. I love the soulfulness and honesty in all of his work; he always draws from the heart. His drawings are somehow imperfect but totally perfect at the same time. I also admire his daughter Claire, who does beautiful paintings.

What is most rewarding for you as an illustrator?
That’s a question I don’t get asked a lot, but probably when a person I am capturing in my work acknowledges that I captured them accurately and was able to recreate their personality and features on the page.

What issues do you think women face who work in the arts?
So many. Not equal pay, not as many promotions to key positions or voice in boardrooms. Thankfully I have worked with male and female filmmakers and have been blessed to not have experienced any of those things, but I know it does exist. Right now as a woman, you still have to be selective about who you work with so you can have a working experience that is positive and helps you grow as an artist and professional.

Illustrator Melissa HiebertWhat is one piece of advice you wish someone had given you when you were just starting out?
Just start drawing. Draw anything and everything that inspires you. If you want to be multi-faceted, then study all of those disciplines. The one mistake I made as a young artist was putting too much time into my ambition and not enough into my personal life, so I would also say work hard, but make sure to make time for life too!

What would you tell aspiring artists today?
It’s not what it used to be. We still have some form of the ‘Old Studio System‘ with big animation studios, but with the internet, Netflix, more independent cinema making it to the world stage, you can start anywhere, with anything, as long as you have the grit and motivation to put in the work. Don’t be afraid to create your own style. I love all of the styles that the studios put out, independent and Hollywood, but be fearless with creating your own look and feel. We are living in a generation where people want something fresh and distinct.

Thank you, Melissa!!! I just can’t thank you enough for this amazing illustration!! I’ll definitely treasure it forever!! Seriously, this is one of the highlights of my career!!! So. Happy. Be sure to check out Melissa’s portfolio and follow her on Twitter and Instagram! She’s also open to commissioning work, so, you know, if you ever want to cartoon-ify yourself, now’s your chance!! xoxo

More Thoughts on Why Press Freedom Is So Important

Press FreedomYesterday, I shared my latest op-ed for CNN Opinion on how my time as both a student journalist and a student newspaper adviser shaped my passion for journalism. And, perhaps even more importantly, it’s shown me the value and necessity of press freedom, especially in these troubling and downright scary times.

Some say journalism is in trouble. Their words read like scary headlines splashed across the front page of the morning newspaper: The Fake News is out of control. Reporters are untrustworthy and biased. Journalism is dead. And the “president” has even proclaimed that the press is America’s “biggest enemy.”

Indeed, the situation is dire to some. But every time I find myself fretting over the future of the only profession protected by the Constitution, I’m reminded that journalism is alive and well, thanks to the hard work and dedication of reporters everywhere, and that we need the press doing their jobs now more than ever. That mantra, the words of my college journalism professors, has never left my mind.

So, in that spirit (yayyy, journalism!), I thought I’d follow up that op-ed with a blog post on some other bits of advice I’d give the journalists of tomorrow. There are so many things I hope for young journalists everywhere.

I hope they know how much we need them right now. Press freedom is under attack every day, and things are escalating quickly. First, President Trump blocked reporters on Twitter. Now, he’s blocking them from White House press events. As the fourth estate of government, journalists as watchdogs has never been a more vital role.

I hope they know that their position also comes with great responsibility. It’s their job to seek out those stories, issues and people whose stories need to be told. They’re the eyes and ears of the people and must hold those in power accountable. Don’t be afraid to ask the tough questions – over and over.

I hope they know that they must do everything they can to protect press freedom. It’s the hallmark of our democracy, and a threat to press freedom and the First Amendment is a threat to democracy and a threat to us all. Where would we be without the free press? Where would we be without the watchdogs?

Press FreedomWe must support the hard work of journalists each and every day. They ask the tough questions and hold those in power accountable. A free press is the hallmark of democracy. Read, share and never stop fighting for press freedom. Our future depends on it…

What are your thoughts, friends?? How can we best support press freedom and the tireless work of reporters around the world? I’d love to hear your advice!!! xoxo

[Photos via Unsplash]

💄In Which I Pose With Miranda Sings…Sort of💋

Miranda SingsAs Miranda Sings herself would say, “No, this is NOT click bait!”

If you know me, then you know I’m a huge Mirfanda — the name for the Miranda Sings fandom, obviously! I also have this habit of working Miranda into every conversation!! Seriously! Just ask my mom and Janelle. I do the classic greeting (“Hey, guys!“). I give solid fashion advice (“Don’t be porn!“). I comfort people and offer them sympathy (“I feel sorry for you. I will pray for you!“). I’ve even got Miranda’s unique pronunciation down (“I’m SO essited!“) as well as her trademark brand of, umm, honesty (“I’m the most talented there ever even was…not even kidding about it!” No offense!“).

TL;DR: I love Miranda. Like, A LOT, pretty much!

So, obviously, I was so ESSITED (see?) to read her newest masterpiece, which just came out yesterday!! What, you didn’t know that? Well, I feel sorry for you and I will pray for you!

Anyway, My Diarrhe is the book only Miranda herself could write! It’s all her diary entries from her entire life — ALL OF THEM! In one book! Her birth certificate? Got it. Her homeschool homework? Got it. Her emotional teenage drama? Got it. Her meteoric rise on YouTube? Got it. It’s all there, complete with bootiful photos (another Miranda-ism!) and the occasional unidentifiable leftover food or other “Miranda treasure.”

My mom was flipping through the book yesterday and exclaimed, “This is just like your diary!” She wasn’t wrong! Remember the days when I’d share my diary entries on the blog? That little trip down memory lane was certainly a blast from the past, wasn’t it?

Miranda SingsBut I think there’s something to be said for looking back and reflecting on your past every so often. It’s a chance to take a look at the person you used to be and really see, up close, just how you’ve changed over the years. It’s the perfect snapshot of you, taken at one moment in time — and, even, it might help you get a glimpse of who you’ll become in the future.

See? All those lessons…given to us by the red-lipped, sassy, most talented, NOT porn Miranda Sings!! She’s here to teach the masses!! I mean, that’s the best gift of all, if you ask me… xoxo