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    DeliriumJulianne Escobedo Shepherd
    6/21/16 2:24pm

    So we say pride and we express love for who and what we are. Because who else will in earnest?

    This is heartbreaking.

    But Frank Ocean seems lovely, and his music is wonderful, so the last question is perfect.

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      An Unforeseen ConsequenceDelirium
      6/21/16 5:45pm

      Words like abomination popped off my skin like hot grease as he went on to describe a lake of fire that God wanted me in. I heard on the news that the aftermath of a hate crime left piles of bodies on a dance floor this month. I heard the gunman feigned dead among all the people he killed. I heard the news say he was one of us.

      This was the most powerful part for me; there’s a distinct trace of spoken word poetry running through the post, but in this section particularly. The combined “I heard” repetition and the shortening of the sentences that they begin is an excellent literary device. Very pointed Frank Ocean should definitely write some essays or release some poetry; I’d read it in a heartbeat.

      Separately, his commentary about the role of religion in producing homophobia and transphobia (hate more generally) is particularly interesting, especially since he draws parallels between extremist Wahabist Islam and fundamental Christianity. Man’s a thinker.

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      DeliriumAn Unforeseen Consequence
      6/21/16 6:23pm

      My best friend is a lesbian (I don’t say that in a way that’s trying to justify the shitty things I say afterward. Or type. Whatever!) and when we met, oh I don’t know, 10 years or so ago, we really clicked, but I could tell she was holding back. When she told me she was a lesbian and I was like, “Ok, cool,” that’s when our friendship really took off. And it broke my heart a bit, that she wasn’t sure if I’d be her friend when I found out, but I knew (and know) that it wasn’t an unreasonable fear on her part. We were still getting to know each other. That’s why that one particular line spoke to me.

      But I did notice while I was reading that the post was very lyrical, like poetry, or a song. It’s all very darkly beautiful. And the parallels he draws still manage to come off as more...observations? Than judgments? If that makes sense- I’m not quite saying what I want to say, but the entire tone of writing something about something so tragic is still so...hopeful.

      I tend to ramble, I apologize. And I agree, I’m on board to read anything he puts out!

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    botticelliloveJulianne Escobedo Shepherd
    6/21/16 2:21pm

    I daydream on the idea that maybe all this barbarism and all these transgressions against ourselves is an equal and opposite reaction to something better happening in this world,

    This breaks my heart. Recently it seems like every step we take towards equality and decency is paid for with innocent blood.

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      ittybittykittencatbotticellilove
      6/21/16 2:50pm

      I’m reading “The More Beautiful World our Hearts Know is Possible” by economist and philosopher Charles Eisenstein. He thinks that these kinds of things are are the control and scarcity driven status quo falling apart. It’s a good read, if you’re into it.

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      Alice in The North Polebotticellilove
      6/21/16 3:07pm

      I have felt, without any evidence obviously, that the atrocities, the rage, the vocal hate, we are seeing and hearing from the “old guard” is the flailing, last ditch, temper tantrum of a group that sees its control and power slipping through its hands. I hope that it’s true and that it’s soon overwhelmed, overshadowed and extinguished by the masses who believe in progress, equality and love.

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    HerRoyalRednessJulianne Escobedo Shepherd
    6/21/16 4:48pm

    Oh Frank...

    GIF

    That was beautiful. If he doesn’t want to put out a new album, he should at least publish some poems or essays. Because wow is he a great writer. He made me feel things just from that short post.

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      anilhcimHerRoyalRedness
      6/21/16 4:51pm

      “If he doesn’t want to put out a new album, he should at least publish some poems or essays. Because wow is he a great writer.”

      Agreed. But man, I am seriously hoping for another album. I was late to get into Frank Ocean but I’m absolutely in love! His writing on his Tumblr and in what few interviews I’ve read made me an even bigger fan. Frank is a really smart, talented guy. I would be so happy if we can get more of him, as you said, whether in the form of just written essays or an album.

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    TirJulianne Escobedo Shepherd
    6/21/16 2:18pm

    Beautiful Julianne....I'm not crying, I have allergies.

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      incandescent_blueJulianne Escobedo Shepherd
      6/21/16 3:06pm

      If he doesn’t come out with a new album, he should write a book. He’s a damn poet.

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