Shortform Books

Define Cultural Appropriation: Why It’s Problematic

How do you define cultural appropriation? Why is cultural appropriation problematic? There’s considerable disagreement about what constitutes cultural appropriation even among people of the same culture. But, how do you define cultural appropriation? Simply put, it is when someone adopts an element of culture that isn’t their own (e.g. a hairstyle or a piece of clothing). In this article, we will define cultural appropriation, highlight some examples, and explain why cultural appropriation is problematic.

Positive Personality: The Attitude to Get Ahead

What’s a positive personality? Do you need one in order to be successful? A positive personality comes from being a type of person who invests in action, and looks toward the future. As you go through your twenties, you can learn to have a positive personality. Keep reading to find out how you can gain a positive personality.

The Key Principles of the Stoicism Philosophy

What are the key principles of Stoicism philosophy? How can adopting these principles help you become calmer, stronger, and more resilient in the face of adversity? The principles of Stoicism are underpinned by three disciplines: 1) perception, 2) action, and 3) will. With or without knowing it, most successful people have overcome their obstacles by adopting these principles. Keep reading to learn about the key principles of Stoicism.

Growing Up With Racism: Michelle Obama’s Experience

In what ways did Michelle Obama experience racism growing up? What lesson did Michelle learn from her Grandpa Dandy? For the first few years of her life, Michelle Obama wasn’t aware of racism because she grew up in an inter-racial community. It wasn’t until she was a little older that she and her brother were faced with racism first-hand. Michelle realized that some people were treated differently because of the color of their skin. Keep reading for more information about Michelle Obama and growing up with racism.

The Two Kinds of Violence in Literature

What are the two kinds of violence in literature? What does it mean when an author includes violence in a story? In literature, acts of violence are almost always a symbol of some greater kind of suffering. There are two common forms of violence: when a character harms himself or others, and when narrative harm happens to a character. Continue reading to learn about the two kinds of literary violence.

The Top 5 Radical Acceptance Quotes by Dr. Tara Brach

What are the top five Radical Acceptance quotes from Tara Brach? How can these quotes help you understand Radical Acceptance better? Radical Acceptance is a meditative practice wherein we acknowledge what we’re experiencing—positive or negative—and welcome it. Dr. Tara Brach explores these ideas through the lens of a Buddhist in her book Radical Acceptance. Continue on for Radical Acceptance quotes.

How to Network for a Job: Make Weak Ties Work

Do you want to know how to network for a job? Why do you need to network and what steps can you take? Learning how to network for a job is an important part of having a career. More likely than not, you’ll get career boosts from these weak ties, so it’s important to cultivate them. Read more about how to network for a job.

First Lady Michelle Obama Wanted to Make an Impact

What did Michelle Obama do in her first few months as First Lady? How did the media respond to her actions? Michelle Obama always struggled with not feeling “good enough.” So when she became the first Black First Lady, she felt the pressure to make a good impression. Michelle created her own agenda which included nutrition awareness, support for military families, and encouraging young girls to pursue education. Keep reading for more information on Michelle Obama’s first few months as First Lady.

Look Out for Political Writing in Literature

Why should you familiarize yourself with an author’s background before reading their literature? Why are politics so common in writing? If you don’t familiarize yourself with the world as it was when an author wrote a book, you risk missing important political commentary. Especially in American literature, the role of an individual character is almost always politically charged. Keep reading to learn more about political writing in classic literature.

Buddha on Desire: Accept It but Don’t Be Ruled By It

What does Buddhism say about desire? Is Buddhism an anti-pleasure and anti-desire religion? Buddha never said that desire is wrong or that it makes us bad people. Buddha merely urges us not to be ruled by our desires. We should meet desire with Radical Acceptance so we can live freely in spite of it. Keep reading for more information about Buddhism and desire.