The Rebel in the Mirror: Why The Villain?
In my dimly lit room, shadows danced across the walls, cast by the flickering light of a single desk lamp. I sat hunched over my laptop, a mug of cold coffee forgotten beside me, the early hours of the morning stretching into an abyss of quiet contemplation. As the screen went black I was face-to-face with my reflection: the reflection of someone who had spent too long conforming to the roles dictated by others—someone who had finally come to terms with their place in the story as the villain.
It wasn’t a revelation that struck like a lightning bolt but a slow, creeping realization, like the gradual onset of dawn. For years, I had become a supporting player, a background character in my own life. Instead, I had been the hero in other’s narratives—always striving to be what was expected, to fit neatly into roles that never felt quite right. But as I explored the underbelly of my own story, I came to understand the richness and necessity of the role I had resisted for so long.
In this moment of clarity, I no longer wanted to be the hero and I began to see the villain not as a mere antagonist but as a catalyst for change, a disruptor of complacency. I recognized the value in challenging norms and questioning the status quo. And so, The Villain was born—a space dedicated to unraveling the intricate layers of our personal and collective narratives.
With each issue of The Villain, I will take you on a journey through the cultural moments and societal forces that shape our world. From the provocative TV shows and films that stir our emotions to the powerful undercurrents of political movements and social trends, I’ll delve into how these elements impact our lives and influence our personal stories.
In these newsletters, I’ll examine how my favorite media moments reflect and distort reality and how embracing the role of the villain can lead to profound self-discovery and societal insight. And together, we’ll dismantle the comfortable narratives that confine us and build new ones that embrace the full spectrum of our identities.
So, join me in this endeavor. Let’s embark on a journey where we question, critique, and uncover the deeper truths that shape our lives. If you’re ready to challenge the status quo, engage in thought-provoking conversations, and explore the forces that mold our world, then The Villain is the place for you. Let’s flip the script and find the hero in the villain’s role.
👁️🗨️ Villain’s Eye View: Harris for President
It’s been a wild week. As the race for the presidency heated up, Joe Biden cooled off and dropped out of the race. In an unprecedented move for the Democratic party Biden helped breathe new life into the ticket, both for the presidency and Senate and House races across the nation. So with Kamala now as the presumptive nominee, how’d her first week go as a candidate? Check out the video below.
📽️ Now That’s Cinema: Deadpool & Wolverine
A FUNNY, CRAZY, STUPID, ACTION-PACKED JOYRIDE!
Beyond it’s exciting cameos, Deadpool & Wolverine is a love letter to Marvel fans, for both those who have enjoy the cinematic universe and those reading the comics. And it’s always great having Hugh Jackman back on screen, and as Wolverine, even better! There’s a reason this movie has had the best opening weekend for a rated R film of all time globally and the 6th biggest domestic opening for a film—bringing in $211 million in its first weekend.
If you haven’t seen this film yet then I have one question for you: What are you doing? Go to the theater now and experience this thrill ride for yourself.
🇵🇸 Culture’s Shadows: Standing Strong for Palestine
Over the past 10 months, the world has witnessed the Israeli government's apartheid and genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. IDF soldiers are committing horrific acts, and entire families are being bombed out of existence. Despite these crimes, everyday I am taken back by how many people support this genocide.
As I reflect on historical atrocities like the Holocaust, it's clear that politics often obstructs our ability to uphold basic human rights, like the right to live. My calls for “Free Palestine” have turned some so-called “friends” into foes, and sharing the Palestinian plight has led to personal attacks and bigotry from these people. Unfortunately for them, that’s something I've faced my entire life as a Black queer man in America. So I will continue to advocate for Palestine until the genocide and apartheid end, no matter what slurs and threats you throw my way.
If you support Palestine and can contribute financially, please consider donating to these two GoFundMe campaigns.
👺 Behind the Mask
Drinking: BLUE MOON Belgian White Non-alcoholic. Overall for a non-alcoholic beer, I give it a 9/10. It still had that orange taste you get from a regular BLUE MOON and even the malty, beer-like aftertaste. I’ll definitely be buying again.
Eating: Fruit Riot! Sour Pineapple. When I’m stressed I crave something sour. And sour candy just hasn’t been cutting it lately. Enter, Fruit Riot! It’s just frozen fruit—grapes, mango, and pineapple—covered in lemon juice and sour candy coating. It’s simple and it’s perfect. All three fruit options are great, but pineapple has my heart.
Watching: The Hasanabi Broadcast on Twitch. My life is very political right now, so of course I turn to my favorite Socialist himbo Hasan Piker to catch up on the politics that I missed, and for one of my favorite pastimes Hogwatch—if you’re a Hasanabi Head you know what I mean.
Reading: The Official Kamala Harris VP Tier List from Ettingermentum. Now that the Democratic party is unburdened by what has been, the presumptive presidential nominee Kamala Harris has a huge decision to make: who will be her vice presidential pick. This tier list provides a lot of helpful information about those in the running.
Doing: Starting a Substack. I created the bones for this Substack almost a year ago, and I put off actually posting on it for so long. I told myself that it was because I didn’t know what I wanted to post, I didn’t have direction. But in actuality it was cowardice—I was scared to put myself out there, to be received, and to fail. What if no one reads it? Or even worse, what if they read it and hate it? But I finally threw those concerns out the window and bet on myself. So if you’re reading this, let this be a reminder, and a push, for you to bet on yourself.