Jazkia Phillips

Last night, I made the mistake of actually going to a movie theater, buying a ticket and spending two hours of my life watching 50 Shades Darker. While I went in with low expectations, and came out about as disappointed as I thought I would be (although, if we’re being honest, it was definitely better than the first movie), the movie rubbed me on the wrong side for many reasons.

Appearing in most theaters in late October, the 2016 movie,  Moonlight, showcases an unprecedented look at black masculinity and what it’s like to be gay in Miami. Following the life of Chiron, this three chaptered film provides a beautiful and intimate spotlight on the daily struggles of both Chiron and the people closest to him. It discusses drug addiction, the vitality of compassion, and the effects of hyper-masculinity on young, black men.

She’s a sunflower-loving, 19-year-old living in LA with her dog named Larry. “Stay Smilin'” is her motto, and you can hear her saying it repeatedly on her YouTube channel with over 412 thousand subscribers (actually, I think she’s underrated and deserves more subscribers). Meghan Hughes is redefining what being a YouTuber means to many: no over-saturated boring videos, no “ways to tell if a guy likes you”.