Two of the Best Moments of the 2016 Grammys

Hey Everyone!

Last night were the 2016 Grammy's and while there were many different Grammy moments (as they call them), there were two that stood out the most to me and were probably the most important ones as well (if you agree or disagree).

The first moment was after Stevie Wonder and Pentatonix did a tribute to Earth, Wind & Fire's Maurice White. It all started with making fun of others who can't read braille as they were also presenting the award for "Song of the Year," and the words on the card was in braille so only Wonder could read it.

But before he announced the winner, he made a statement that touched many. Watch below:

Credit: Deafinit Models, Grammys, Stevie Wonder, and others

If you couldn't hear what he said - "We need to make every single thing accessible to every single person with a disability."

The first thing that came to my mind when he said this was, "About damn time." It was time for someone to mention the group of people with disabilities. As you know by reading my previous posts  about including disability and the Oscars. 

What made me happy was when there was a photo with the quote written on it, it received so many shares and started going viral. Other websites shared the quote and the importance of his statement. A few of those website were: Huffington Post, People Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, and more. Stevie Wonder also was trending on Twitter, all night, for his statement. 

"We need to make every single thing accessible to every single person with a disability." -- Stevie WonderTHANK YOU.

Posted by The Huffington Post on Monday, February 15, 2016

Because like I said, it was about time. For years and still in 2016, the word "disability" is hardly brought up in discussions as you have read in my previous posts. I'm hoping that with what Stevie Wonder has said, it will bring up more talks about disability.

This is only the beginning and there's more to be done. But thank you, Stevie Wonder for starting the conversation. Make sure you share the photo on your social networks (whether it's Huffington Post's or the others that you find). Let's continue the conversation!
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Now, let's talk about the second moment of the Grammys that I thought was one of the best of the show and that's when Taylor Swift accepted her 2nd Album of the Year Grammy.

I don't know if you have been following what's been going on with Kanye West this week but it all started when he was talking about his new album and he was hosting his 3rd fashion show for his fashion line.

In one of his new songs, Kanye speaks about Taylor Swift and claims that he made her famous (he also said some other words, but I will not put them in the post as they are explicit). I have words for Kanye and that is: You didn't make Taylor Swift famous. She did it on her own. (You already know how I feel about Kanye if you have read my Kanye West... post).

The reason why Kanye believes he made her famous was because of what happened back in 2009 at the MTV Video Music Awards when he interrupted her acceptance speech. But, again Kanye you didn't make her famous because uh hello, she was accepting an award!

Anyways, there has been many who were supportive of Taylor and are taking her side as they should be because it's time to put a stop to Kanye's antics.

Well, last night Taylor decided to put an end to what's been going on as she accepted her award for Album of the Year and she told young women to not let anyone else take credit for what they have done on their own.

Check out the video below:

Credit: Grammys, Taylor Swift, and others

Go Taylor Swift! What she said is so true. You can't let anyone else claim the credit that YOU did for yourself. This goes for anyone.

This was my 2nd favorite moment of the night because it was time for her to stick up for herself and others. So, I'm guessing their "friendship" from last year may be over? Again. We'll have to wait and see.

Just remember, work hard for what you want to do and don't let anyone else take the credit.

Let me know what you thought of the Grammys last night and which moment of the night was your favorite. Was it one of these or another one? and what do you think about Stevie Wonder's statement about disability? What do you think about Taylor Swift's acceptance speech? Leave your thoughts below!

Continue with the conversations of disability and self-worth. There is importance for both.

Until Next Time

CGoerlich <3 

Gilmore Girls is Back!

Hey Everyone!

So, I'm sure you all have found out the great news! Back in October 2015, there were rumors that Netflix would be reviving the favorite show, Gilmore Girls but nothing has been confirmed until now (January 29th to be exact)!

Here is the confirmation tweet that Lauren Graham (a.k.a. Lorelai Gilmore) sent out yesterday:

I CAN NOW CONFIRM: it's time for me, and this jacket I stole in 2007, to return to work.@netflix #GilmoreGirls pic.twitter.com/tBb07J9oO1

— Lauren Graham (@thelaurengraham) January 29, 2016

How exciting right?! But exactly what does that mean? What are we going to see on the show? No one knows. Not even Lauren Graham as she sent out this video on the People website (and they got it from Logo TV):

Get More: Logo TV

So back when the rumors started, it was said that there would be four 90-minute episodes and the episodes would be of the four seasons: winter, spring, summer, and autumn (fall).

Other than those rumors, we don't know what else to expect with the story-line like are Luke and Lorelai still together (are they married)? who is Rory dating (is she dating)? and where is she with her journalism career? How are Lane and Zack? How are the twins? and since Edward Herrmann passed away, are we going to see a funeral for Richard Gilmore (Grandpa)? and how is Emily dealing with the loss? Also, are we going to see Luke's daughter, April?

And there are so many more questions needed answers to, as well other beloved characters we would love to see (Miss Patti, Babette, Sookie, Jackson, Michel, Taylor, Paris, Kirk, Mrs. Kim, Christopher, Gypsy, Brian, and of course the three guys who had Rory's heart at one point: Dean, Jess, Logan).

All we know right now is that Gilmore Girls is coming back! and so far the people who have signed on to make a return are: Lauren Graham (Lorelai Gilmore), Alexis Bledel (Rory Gilmore), Scott Patterson (Luke Danes), Kelly Bishop (Emily Gilmore), Sean Gunn (Kirk), and Keiko Agena (Lane).

Now, I have to say as a huge Gilmore Girls fan, I'm hoping that everyone who I have named above will make an appearance because it wouldn't be the same without them. Especially Sookie. I mean, we need Sookie and Lorelai together. But will Melissa McCarthy do it? Who knows? I hope so.

I feel that they will do the show justice as the original creators, Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino are to make a return for this by writing, directing, and producing.

If you haven't watched ever before, I highly recommend to do so! and if you haven't watched it in awhile, I recommend to rewatch all the beloved episodes so that you are prepared for the upcoming revival of Gilmore Girls. (We're going to get an ending that we all had hoped for, even though I didn't necessarily have anything bad to say to the ending - just wanted more!)

Feel free to comments below to what you think and what you're looking forward to. Also, what would you like to see in the upcoming revival?

Until Next Time

CGoerlich <3

Oscars' Controversy From a Person with a Disability's Point of View

Hey Everyone!

So as most of you know, there is a controversy surrounding the popular awards show, the Academy Awards also known as the Oscars.

If you don't know the exact controversy. It is the fact that most (all) nominees are white which leads to the controversy of there not being enough diversity in the awards. #OscarsSoWhite was one of the top trends on Twitter for a couple days after the Oscars' nominees were announced.

Now, before I go into my own thoughts about this controversy - I just want you to know that I know that there is still a racial and diversity problem in the country. But to me there's more to it then race.

My first question to all the non-nominees: Do you really want to be nominated based on your race? Or based on your talent?

Don't get me wrong, I'm sure Will Smith was great in Concussion and I'm sure Straight Outta Compton was a great movie but maybe the other actors/actresses were slightly better? which would leave them to be nominated.

I mean there are only five nominees right in each category? Not everyone can be nominated. But, there is a point that I see from the other side. There should still be more of a diverse list of nominees.

But can we discuss that word: Diversity. What exactly is diversity? It means a "range of different things" which in this case would be a range of different types of people depending on: race, age, gender, sexual orientation, disability, etc.

Disability is a part of diversity but people are not complaining that there isn't any representation of people with disabilities at the Oscars or the film industry (or any industry, really). Nope. Not at all. You can find more about Including Disability in one of my previous posts.

I have a question for those who are complaining about the lack of diversity in award shows. You are speaking of race right? You're saying that there isn't any representation of Black in the nominees right? And you're right. There isn't. But I don't see anyone standing up for people with disabilities.

Which I find funny because I think the group, People with Disabilities, have more to complain about. (Please don't take this the wrong way. I'm pro-diversity which includes the racial issues but this subject of disability is important to me and 49 million others).

Now you're probably thinking: "What? What do you mean People with Disabilities have more to complain about?" Well I'm going to answer that question for you.

Let me ask you this: Can you name an actor or actress who has a disability? Have you seen someone with a disability in a show or movie? If so, are they really a person with a disability?

I'll answer some of these questions. There's a 90% chance that the person you see is not a person with a disability (especially in the big time shows or movies). Switched at Birth is one of the shows that indeed definitely has real people with disabilities in it.

The guy in Glee (sorry didn't watch Glee so I don't know his name) is not really a wheelchair user and we all know Drake from Degrassi isn't really a wheelchair user but they use these "fake" disabled people. Why? I don't know. To make it work with the story-line? I know most shows/movies include the story-line of: person to have been injured which would leave them into a wheelchair

But don't you think with today's technology, they can do something about that?

And let me tell you one thing, there is zero (less than 1%) representation of people with disabilities in the big name award shows (Golden Globes, Oscars, Grammy's, etc.).

There are so many people with disabilities who are singers, actors/actresses, writers, etc. but they don't get the opportunities to be in the "spotlight" because of the story-line. So I'm asking you this right now, how is that helping the conversation of diversity?

Again, those who are complaining about not having the chance to win an award to acknowledge that they're great at what they do. We know that you're great at what you do. We see it. We see you on the big and small screens. We hear you on the radio. We see you on the stage.

But what we don't see is the group of people who want to be on the small and big screens, radio, etc. because there isn't a "necessity" (since we can 'make' someone disabled by using technology to make an abled actor into a disabled actor).

You're fighting over an award while you should be honored to get to do what you love to do while there are many who don't get to do what they love.

So please remember when you're debating with yourself whether to boycott the Oscars (or any other awards show) or not, that you're getting the opportunity to do what you love (acting, filming, directing, etc.) when there are thousands to millions of those who don't get that opportunity or even to be considered.

Again, there are more parts of Diversity than race, gender, age, sexual orientation and I wish in today's world, people would remember that.

Do I think boycotting the Oscars could help? Maybe.
Do I think the conversation of getting more Black nominees will help all diversity? Maybe.

But it won't if again the word disability is not used in conversations.

By the way, don't criticize those who are nominated or those who decide to go to the Oscars because who knows, it might be the only time they do get nominated (while you may have a chance).

I'll leave you with this - if you're only going to include one group when discussing diversity, then you're not being diversed either. It all starts with you.

(Remember, I know there's still a racial problem but remember diversity is more than one group)

Leave your thoughts below!

Until Next Time

CGoerlich <3