Page 6 August 24, 2017 EL SEGUNDO HERALD
Entertainment
Film Review Check It Out
The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane
By Lisa See
Reviewed by Kristina Kora-Beckman,
Librarian I, El Segundo Public Library
Lisa See’s latest, The Tea Girl of Hummingbird
Lane, is a beautifully heartbreaking
story about family separated by circumstances
that details changing cultures in rural China.
Full of rich descriptions of traditions and
beliefs that governed the lives of the Akha
people, the reader is immersed in their culture
and how the main character, Li-Yan, struggles
to reconcile her traditional upbringing with
her experiences in the outside world. Ritual
and routine that have been constant for generations
are upended as modern influences
expose the Akha to previously unimagined
ideas and opportunities.
Like many of See’s novels, the book deftly
explores the relationships between characters-
-particularly the bonds between mothers to
daughters. Interspersed with Li-Yan’s story,
the reader sees glimpses into her daughter
Hailey’s journey from abandoned infant
adopted by American parents to conflicted
adult still striving to discover her origins.
Grounding Hailey’s wonderings is the tea
cake that was wrapped in her swaddling when
she was left. Descriptions of the tea industry
from growing and processing to global commodity
selling permeate throughout the story
and lead to the book’s satisfying conclusion.
To check out The Tea Girl of Hummingbird
Lane, or browse any of See’s other fiction
titles, please visit the library to apply for your
free library card. For more fantastic fiction
suggestions, try our NoveList service, which
suggests books based on titles/authors/series
you’ve previously enjoyed. For more details
or help accessing NoveList, please call or
stop by the Reference Desk. •
Documentary Whose Streets? is a
Captivating Call to Action
By Morgan Rojas
for www.cinemacy.com
On August 9, 2014 – a little over three
years ago– an 18-year-old unarmed black
student named Michael Brown was shot
and killed in Ferguson, Missouri. Just a day
before, this northern suburb of St. Louis
was virtually unknown to the rest of the
world, but that would soon change in the
most drastic of ways. Ferguson became the
birthplace of the Black Lives Matter movement
and garnered national attention, but the
people’s call to action has continued to be
ignored. The documentary Whose Streets? is
a look racial tension in Ferguson post-Mike
Brown’s death, and how residents refuse to
back down until they feel they’ve rightfully
received “liberty and justice for all.”
The story of black communities feeling
oppressed is nothing new and that, unfortunately,
is the reality of the times we live
in--especially considering the recent events in
Charlottesville, Virginia. Filmmakers Sabaah
Folayan and Damon Davis have experienced
the micro (and oftentimes, macro) aggressions
and have participated in Black Lives Matter
rallies and riots, which is what makes Whose
Streets? so much more personal than other
films on the same topic. Foyayan and Davis
are more than filmmakers. They are activists
trying to make a difference by picking up
their cameras and using independent film as
a means of exposing their reality to others.
Contributing to the emotional scope of the
documentary, Whose Streets? relies heavily
Sketch of Mike Brown, Jr. Courtesy of Magnolia Pictures.
on user-submitted videos to capture the
unfiltered chaos and confusion during those
tumultuous days and nights. Not only does
this force the audience into a reality check,
but it also serves to empower the people
with the cameras. Everyone is a filmmaker,
documenting events from their unique perspectives.
The social activism seen here is
what they are hoping will change the world.
Last year, the documentary Do Not Resist
highlighted the growing militarization
of the police force, specifically in Ferguson,
and the message is again echoed in Whose
Streets? Calling in the National Guard was a
decision reached by the local (not federal, as
then-President Obama makes clear) jurisdiction
and was meant to intimidate protesters
into quietly packing up and going home.
However, the opposite happened. Instead,
the violence, vandalism, and looting became
worse, destroying an already broken city and
pushing lawmakers, police and residents
even further from a civilized conversation
and potential agreement.
Seeing a father hold up a sign reading,
“Ferguson police just executed my unarmed
son!!!” will never be an easy thing to digest
and these films will continue to anger those
who feel discriminated against, and haunt
those who sympathize with the victimized.
Whether you are black, white or anything in
between, Whose Streets? is a captivating and
culturally crucial watch.
Whose Streets? is rated R. 90 minutes.
Now playing in select theaters. •
Kristina Kora-Beckman.
Principal Gooden from page 3
and we believe she will be a good fit in El
Segundo.”
District Superintendent Melissa Moore
lauded Gooden’s qualifications to continue
the high achievement at the Middle School,
noting the new principal is “highly perceptive,
intelligent and committed to every task she
takes on. She remains a learner at heart, which
makes her a leader who listens and works
fiercely to provide educational excellence
for all students.”
Continued Moore, “Her knowledge of high
school will also be an asset as she will look
to align program expectations and student
outcomes towards preparation and support
success at the high school level.”
Aaron Jeffery, one of the Directors- Special
Education at LA Unified, worked closely
with Gooden during her tenure in that
district, and is confident she will make a
seamless transition to her new post. He has
known Gooden for nine years, and was one
of her supervisors. Jeffery said that Gooden
is “definitely a transformational leader. She
knows how to look at a school, at a system,
at the students, at a group of parents, and
really find ways improve upon what is there.
She has a level of dedication to the students
that is hard to find. She always goes the extra
mile and has great skills in dealing with the
parents. If I had the chance, I would hire her
again. It is hard to find someone with her
level of work ethic.”
Gooden grew up in a small town like El
Segundo and is looking forward to the start
of the school year and meeting the students
on August 29, the first day of classes.
“This is an amazing school--they have great
programs here,” she said, noting the District’s
top-notch reputation in educational circles.
“Who wouldn’t want to work here?”
Gooden, who currently lives in the Mid-
City area with her rescue dog Carley, initially
moved to California in 2002, intending to stay
a year or two, but said she “fell in love with
the West Coast.” She is hoping to relocate
closer to the beach.
A sports enthusiast, Gooden counts the
Chargers and Philadelphia Eagles among her
favorite sports franchises. She loves to travel
and enjoys cooking when she finds the time
to display her culinary talents.
She realizes how unique the city of
El Segundo is, and is fully embracing
her opportunity to work with the Middle
School students, parents, faculty and District
personnel. “If I had a kid,” she said, “this is
where I would want them to go to school.” •
The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See.
“That’s the thing about books.
They let you travel without
moving your feet.”
– Jhumpa Lahiri, The Namesake
DISH DEALS!!
$49./99
mo.
for 24 months
ADD HIGH-SPEED INTERNET
$14./mo.
Switch to DISH and
Get a FREE Echo Dot
Control your TV hands-free with DISH Hopper + Amazon Alexa
“Alexa, go to HGTV.”
LIMITED TIME! Mention oer code FreeEchoDot
Requires internet-connected Hopper® or Wally® and Echo, Echo Dot or Amazon Tap device.
CALL TODAY - PROMO CODE: FreeEchoDot
1-855-900-9024
95
where available
190 Channels
Now only ...
Requires credit qualication and commitment