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College student in Tokyo asks strangers, ‘What’s it like being Black in Japan?’

TAKASHii is a young college student in Tokyo who travels around the city having chats with random strangers he meets. His YouTube channel is filled with all sorts of candid, man-on-the-street type interviews, usually focused on one social topic question, usually beginning with “What’s it like…?”

The amateur journalist recently asked, “What’s it like being Black in Japan?” to people originally from America, Africa and Jamaica currently living there.

Japan is one of the world’s most racially homogeneous countries. As racism continues to be a huge issue in more diverse nations, how would being an even smaller minority affect quality of life?


“When I first came here, I felt like a spectacle,” answered the first woman, an African American who had lived in Japan for six years teaching academic English. Though she noted, “it just feels like I would living anywhere else…people are just gonna look because they have this notion of Black people.”

TAKASHii then asked the young woman her opinion on young teenagers wearing dreadlocks in their hair. “Some people say ‘it’s appropriation’ and other people say ‘it’s appreciation’. I personally don’t like it but I can’t make anybody do anything,” she replied.

As another African American, in Japan since 2016, put it: “In America they like Black people as a culture, not as a people. It’s kind of the same here.”

However, two women from Kenya shared a different view.

“In my opinion Japanese are very welcoming. And even the stares you get, it’s not malicious. People are just curious. And people are friendly. There are so many cases where I’ve been helped by Japanese strangers,” one noted.

She did add that Japanese people tended to “relate more” to Black Americans from consuming their music and movies, whereas the first thing that comes to mind when meeting a Black African is “the national parks and animals.”

The last interviewee, a man from Jamaica, came to Japan to escape his home and expand his world view.

“A lot of the time I forget what color I am,” he quipped, saying that “Japanese people are not outwardly racist, thank god.”

He also joked that some of the major “positive stereotypes” usually associated with Black people tended to work out in his favor. “They think I can play basketball, that I’m a good singer, or that I have these super star qualities.

“The more you interact with Japanese people and you enter their social circle, the more they treat you like one of them,” he added.

Our world is opening up in many ways. Perhaps by having more conversations like these, we can learn how to better build a more accepting society.

You can find even more of TAKASHii’s interviews here.

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After his scone stand was stolen, 10-year-old Toronto boy gets overwhelming support

There’s something about kids being resourceful and working toward something they really want that gets you in the feels. Ten-year-old David Hove from Toronto set out to earn enough money to buy himself an Xbox by selling homemade scones. But someone had other plans, and when David went inside to take a quick toilet break, his scone stand was gone. You may be wondering what type of person steals from a little kid, and that’s exactly what David wants to know. However, after the story aired on CTV Toronto, the community stepped up to replace the stolen stand.


It’s amazing how things are coming back together for David after he was heartbroken by his stand being stolen. Gaming systems are expensive and finding a way to earn money when you’re still well under the legal age to work can be tricky. Thankfully, David wasn’t out the money he earned before his stand was stolen. Though he’s only 10, the little entrepreneur thought to bring the money in the house with him when he went to the bathroom. So while the thief drove away with the stand, cooler and even David’s cold bottle of water, he didn’t get the money.

After seeing a video of the man loading up David’s items, Toronto residents came out to support the pint-sized vendor in a big way. The stand was replaced with a table and there were plenty of hungry customers lined up waiting to buy a scone. One person even brought along a brand new Xbox, the one that David was saving for, nearly bringing him to tears.

But David isn’t done with his business venture. He told CTV Toronto that he was now going to save up for a car. I don’t know about you but when I was 10, I could barely save up for a pack of gum and this kid is saving up for big-ticket items and he’s got the help of his community to support him.

Currently there doesn’t seem to be a way to send David and his family well wishes or money to help with his business ventures but it looks like he’s getting plenty of customers.

David’s father, also named David Hove, told CTV Toronto, “It pains my heart to see my kids going through this. They come up with the initiative to do something hard working for themselves … but it’s teaching them life lessons.” Indeed. No parent wants to see their child upset, but when mishaps or misfortunes happen, parents can only hope that a valuable life lesson is gained.

It would seem that the younger David learned a valuable lesson about life, lemons and lemonade. When he experienced misfortune, he was able to witness the coming together of strangers for a common goal. I’m sure the young businessman would’ve preferred for his stand to never have been stolen in the first place, but it sure is a sweet ending to a sour start.

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‘Raymond and Ray’ Was An Unexpected Family Therapy Session

So here’s a weird thing that happened: I am still at the Toronto International Film Festival as I type this. (It’s great being back after the last two years covering it remotely. I am having a nice time, but I’m also tired and ready to go home.) Anyway, I had an open window in my schedule so I decided to take a chance on a movie called Raymond and Ray. I knew absolutely nothing about it other than it is directed by Rodrigo Garcia and it stars Ewan McGregor and Ethan Hawke as the aforementioned Raymond and Ray. And from the photo I assumed it was about two buddies who are up to something.

So, the plot of this movie is Raymond and Ray are half brothers who share both a father and share the same name. When their father dies, a man they both hate, Raymond has to convince Ray to also go to the funeral. Once they get there, a lot more secrets about their family and past are revealed.

A lesson learned from all this, I think, from now on, is I’m going to start reading the descriptions of movies before I see them. Now, don’t get me wrong. I enjoyed this movie quite a bit but, if I had known the plot, there is not a chance I’d ever see this movie. Once the plot dawned on me, I mumbled out loud to myself, “Oh, for fuck’s sake.”

So here is a fun, quick fact about me: In 2018, a year after my father died, I found out my dad had a son before I was born. And he and I also share the same name. To this day we have never met and he doesn’t seem too interested in doing that. So, I do what I normally do with stressful situations: I take all those emotions that hurt and I squeeze them up as tight as I can and bury them deep inside me, waiting for them to explode out in a cascade of tears once or twice a year. So far it’s not a terrible system. But my goal is to not think about it, which as you may have noticed isn’t working too well right this second. Anyway, my point is I think I might be the target demographic for this movie.

Actually, I found this movie therapeutic. Raymond and Ray have a somewhat healthy relationship, at least with each other. They do not have a healthy relationship with the memories of their father, who, throughout this movie, still seems to be haunting them with new information and stupid tasks like making the brothers dig his grave. I found all this aspirational. See, here are two brothers with the same name who are nothing alike, but seem to like each other and can only solve their issues with their father by talking it out with each other. So, yes, this movie hit me in a way that it’s probably not going to hit you. But if you find yourself thinking the notion of two half brothers with the same name existing … I am here to tell you that this is a thing.

And both McGregor and Hawke seem to be having a nice time with each other. Part road trip movie, part “watch these two knuckleheads do wacky things because of their anger and grief,” they contemplate each other well, to the point I hope they make more movies together. (Having said all those nice things, now some report will come out, “McGregor and Hawke clashed on set and hate each other.”)

I’m glad I saw this movie. It was fate. It was fate I had an opening in my schedule and this was playing at just the right time, and it’s a movie about a situation that maybe only I can relate with and also one I go out of my way to think about. But the way this movie made me think about it was a pleasant one. It felt hopeful in some weird way. It kind of showed me a glimpse of my best-case scenario with this kind of crap hand both of us were dealt. And, strangely, now that there’s a whole movie about this particular situation, it makes it all seem less weird.

You can contact Mike Ryan directly on Twitter.

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Demi Lovato’s Current Tour Will Be Her Last, She Writes Then Deletes On Instagram

Demi Lovato is in the midst of a tour in support of her latest album, Holy Fvck. She has a show in Santiago, Chile tonight (September 13), which will be her last international date before a run of North American shows starting later this month. As for what’s next after that in terms of live concerts, it looks like the answer is “nothing.”

Hours before tonight’s Chile concert, Lovato offered a series of Instagram Story posts shared minutes apart, all of which were deleted shortly after. All of them are photos seemingly of a hotel room window, and the first reads, “I’m so f*cking sick I can’t get out of bed.” She adds in the second post, “I can’t do this anymore,” while the third post concludes, “This next tour will be my last. I love and thank you guys,” with “this next tour” seemingly referring to her upcoming North American run.

If Lovato is serious about her touring days being done, then what will end up being her final show currently scheduled is set for November 6 at The Pavilion At Toyota Music Factory in Irving, Texas.

Lovato has other entertainment venues to fall on outside of touring; She could of course continue to release albums without bringing them to stages worldwide, and she’s proven to be a natural on TV.

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Even The Kremlin’s State TV Propagandists Are Acknowledging Putin’s ‘Serious Failure’ In Ukraine (And Urging Him To Admit It)

You know things are going bad for Russia when the Kremlin’s State TV talking heads are admitting that Putin’s losing his war in Ukraine. All of this is the case after recent revelations that Russian troops are disguising themselves in order to flee Ukraine, and Ukraine’s been gaining ground and recapturing settlements, all adding up to about 3000 square kilometers while Ukrainian civilians are waving brooms and vowing to fight if Russia tries to recapture their stomping grounds.

As Ukraine’s been forging a stunning reversal of the conflict, The Daily Beast reports that Russian State TV talking heads cannot stop using the words “failure” and “defeat.” In fact, a whole group of these propagandists are urging Putin to stop pretending that the war is going so well for Russia, because it’s quite the opposite case. One propagandist in particular believes that Putin will only make things worse if he doesn’t admit the error of his imperialistic ways and end this thing:

Political scientist Sergey Mikheyev described recent developments in Kharkhiv as “a serious failure,” on the part of Russia. “Call it ‘regrouping’ or whatever else… This is our most serious defeat during the last six months, and the most significant success of our adversary… Perhaps this failure is beneficial, because being so obvious, now it’s impossible to pull the wool over our eyes, pretending that everything is wonderful,” he said.

Elsewhere, filmmaker Karen Shakhnazaro (White Tiger) appeared on State TV to declare, “I urge everyone not to panic in the face of a defeat we’ve suffered in the Kharkiv region, and we have to acknowledge it.” He added, “A defeat has some meaning when you acknowledge it and draw new conclusions. And if you don’t acknowledge it, all you get is another defeat, perhaps even more devastating.” And Shakhnazaro also described Ukraine as “a powerful adversary.”

In other words, Putin might want to think about hanging up the towel in Ukraine before he suffers an even greater failure. Otherwise, so many more Russians could flee their homes to the point where he may no longer have a country. Granted, that sounds drastic, but so does Putin’s unprovoked attack on Ukraine.

(Via Daily Beast)

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All The Best New Indie Music From This Week

Indie music has grown to include so much. It’s not just music that is released on independent labels but speaks to an aesthetic that deviates from the norm and follows its own weirdo heart. It can come in the form of rock music, pop, or folk. In a sense, it says as much about the people that are drawn to it as it does about the people that make it.

Every week, Uproxx is rounding up the best new indie music from the past seven days. This week we got new music from Built To Spill, Björk, Phoenix, Blood Orange, and more.

While we’re at it, sign up for our newsletter to get the best new indie music delivered directly to your inbox, every Monday.

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Built To Spill — When The Wind Forgets Your Name

This venerable indie rock group may have gotten their start in the early ’90s, but they’re still going strong with their brand new album When The Wind Forgets Your Name. The album opens with the cutting and electrifying track “Gonna Lose” and manages to keep up the momentum throughout the rest of the hooky, psych rock-leaning project.

Sudan Archives — Natural Brown Prom Queen

Sudan Archives has returned with Natural Brown Prom Queen, her latest album following 2019’s Athena, and the impressive 18-track project is by far her most confident work yet. Known as a master violinist, the instrument remains present on the album but isn’t quite at the centerfold of her music. Overall, Natural Brown Prom Queen shows off Sudan Archives’ masterful artistry complete with irresistible rhythms, spoken word hooks, swooning reflections, and celebrations of joy.

Jockstrap — I Love You Jennifer B

UK duo Jockstrap dropped their hotly anticipated debut album I Love You Jennifer B, filled with 10 brimming, experimental tracks you’d be hard-pressed to fit into a single genre. Lead singer Georgia Ellery’s fluttering vocals float over intricate beats laced with a range of influences from Bollywood to disco.

Weyes Blood — “It’s Not Just Me, It’s Everybody”

It’s been 2019 years since Weyes Blood released her masterpiece of an album, Titanic Rising. But this week, the songwriter announced she’s got another album on the way, titled And In The Darkness, Hearts Aglow, which she previewed with the soulful, sepia-tinged single “It’s Not Just Me, It’s Everybody.” The song makes it clear why she’s consistently been compared to greats like Cher and Stevie Nicks; her haunting-yet-comforting voice wraps delicately around a piano’s keys as she delivers reflections on connections and human nature.

Björk — “Atopos”

Björk has always been in a lane of her own, and the Icelandic singer’s latest single “Atopos” is no different. The song builds on a backbone provided by a section of ominous woodwind instruments that’s, true to Björk’s brand, steeped in drama. The song points to the avant-pop singer’s upcoming 10th studio album Fossora and proves she hasn’t given up her pursuit of uninhibited experimentation.

Alex G — “Miracles”

Just over a week away from his upcoming album God Save The Animals, Alex G continues rolling out some of his strongest work to date with the rollicking track “Miracles,” hearkening back to Alex G’s pastoral 2017 album Rocket. The song is led by a bluesy guitar and bluegrass instrumentals while Alex G sings of battling apathy and asking life’s biggest questions.

Blood Orange — “Jesus Freak Lighter”

Blood Orange’s Dev Hynes continues to be one of today’s most stunning producers with his latest track “Jesus Freak Lighter,” which officially announces his upcoming EP Four Songs. Offering a revved-up tune to contrast some of his previous piano-laden catalog, “Jesus Freak Lighter” manages to be both an electrifying and arresting ballad, featuring invigorating synths and Hynes’ silky smooth lyrical delivery.

Phoenix — “Tonight” Feat. Ezra Koenig

Since 2010’s French indie pop group Phoenix is making a comeback, it’s only right they’ve tapped another artist who had their break-out moment around the same time: Vampire Weekend’s Ezra Koenig. The band’s latest single “Tonight” is as playful as ever and sees Koenig’s recognizable guest vocals coupled with vibrant guitar riffs and upbeat refrains.

2nd Grade — “Me & My Blue Angels”

2nd Grade, the band consisting of members from Remember Sports, Free Cake For Every Creature, and Friendship, won over hearts with the aptly named debut album Hit To Hit. Now, they’re taking their jangly melodies to the next level with their upcoming sophomore release, Easy Listening. The band’s latest, soaring track “Me & My Blue Angels” was written with bright melodies and according to bandleader Peter Gill, written about “anyone who you trust 100 percent to have your back when the sh*t hits the fan.”

Wednesday — “Bull Believer”

In order to celebrate a newly inked deal with Dead Oceans, Asheville-based band Wednesday tear it up with the 8-minute ripper “Bull Believer.” The song is packed with discordant riffs and takes a brief minute to mellow out before vocalist Karly Hartzman shrieks until the song closes. “This song is an excuse for me to scream on stage, an outlet for the anger and sadness that has been collected by the current and past versions of myself,” said Hartzman.

Sorry — “Key To The City”

London indie rockers Sorry are gearing up for what is expected to be one of the best indie releases of the year with next month’s LP Anywhere But Here. Offering another taste of the upcoming album, Sorry drop the simmering track “Key To The City,” which creates haunting soundscapes to which vocalist Asha Lorenz delivered veiled prose about retaining control in a relationship.

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Chipotle Has Unveiled A New Protein Option, Garlic Guajillo Steak — Is It Worth Trying?

So far this year, Chipotle has unveiled three new protein options — Plant-Based Chorizo, Smoked Brisket, and Pollo Asado — and while all three were only available for a limited time, they’ve consistently been just as good if not better than any of the permanent menu options. This is a big deal because as beloved as Chipotle is for its transparent food sourcing and fresh ingredients, their menu has always been seriously lacking in flavor (save for the barbacoa, which is bomb).

Now before year’s end, Chipotle is unveiling a fourth new option and it promises to be the brand’s most flavorful yet. The Garlic Guajillo Steak will join Chipotle’s menu for a limited time at every Chipotle restaurant nationwide (and in Canada) beginning on September 14th and features tender cuts of steak peppered with a hefty helping of garlic, guajillo peppers, and cilantro.

We got the first taste of this protein option ahead of the nationwide release to see whether the new Garlic Guajillo Steak tastes good enough to pull you away from your current favorite. Once the new option officially hits the menu, we’ll see how it tastes in each of Chipotle’s food form factors (burrito, bowl, tacos) to see how it stacks up against our current favorites.

Garlic Guajillo Steak

Chipotle Review
Dane Rivera

For this review, I enjoyed the steak in a burrito with minimal ingredients and all sauces on the side so I could truly get a sense of what this new protein option offered and, wow, this straight-up blew me away. Never in a million years did I think I’d come across something from Chipotle with this much flavor and character. An initial sweetness hits the palate first, which settles into an earthy roasted garlic flavor, ending with a medley of spice and fresh peppery cilantro notes. The heat really lingers here — intensifying on your tongue between bites in a way that pulls you from one to the next.

While the actual pieces of steak don’t look nearly as meaty and substantial as the press photo might suggest, I was surprised at just how tender the texture was. It’s soft and incredibly easy to chew, unlike Chipotle’s regular steak option, which is drier and tougher. It melts in your mouth quickly, this is probably the only time I’ve ever eaten Chipotle and wished I had an extra serving of meat. While the burrito is my preferred form factor when it comes to Chipotle, I think this meat option probably works best in a bowl, where you can really enjoy the chunks of steak without the distraction of tortilla.

The Bottom Line:

I’ll have to see how it performs in a taco and bowl but I feel pretty confident that this is Chipotle’s best protein option ever. It takes the juicy tenderness of the barbacoa and combines it with the thick meaty bite of the steak, offering the best of both worlds. If you’re sensitive to spice I’d actually suggest you skip this one because it packs a more powerful kick of heat than any protein option on the entire menu. If you do love hot and spicy food, this will actually impress you — finally, Chipotle fans have a truly spicy option on the menu.

Let’s hope it sticks around and becomes a permanent option one day. Soon. Like tomorrow.

Find your nearest Chipotle here.

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Symba’s ‘Gangsta Grillz’ Eye-Popping Mixtape Tracklist Features Cuts With Pusha T, Roddy Rich, And 2 Chainz

Symba is surging. The Bay Area native rapper has been in the game for over a decade, dropped his major label debut, 2020’s Don’t Run From R.A.P., and is now readying the release of his aptly-titled Results Take Time mixtape in DJ Drama’s “Gangsta Grillz” series. Out on September 16th, the tracklist for Results Take Time features some illustrious names and is a reflection of the hard work that Symba has put in to be one of the more promising rappers on the up.

Pusha T hops on the already-released “Never End Up Broke Pt. 2,” which serves as the album’s first single. Roddy Ricch hops on “Never Change,” Key Glock, and Idontknowjeffery are on “No Sleep,” 2 Chainz is featured on Pop Out,” and the heat goes on from there with a deep cast of collaborators.

Listen to “Never End Up Broke Pt. 2” featuring Pusha T above and check out the album artwork and tracklist for Results Take Time below.

1. “Overnight”
2. “Never Change” (featuring Roddy Ricch)
3. “Never End Up Broke Pt. 2” (featuring Pusha T)
4. “Can’t Win For Nothing”
5. “Street N****” (featuring Kali)
6. “Trust issues”
7. “Sacrifices” (featuring Fridayy)
8. “On God”
9. “Soul Ties” (featuring Rayven Tyler)
10. “Find A Way” (featuring Iian Rich)
11. “GOAT”
12. “No Sleep” (featuring Idontknowjeffry & Key Glock”)
13. “Pop Out” (featuring 2 Chainz)
14. “Blessings” (featuring Rayven Tyler)
15. “Better Days”
16. “Pendant” (featuring RMR)

Results Take Time is out on 09/16 via Atlantic records. Pre-order it here.

Symba is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

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‘Better Call Saul ‘Deserves So Much Better Than This

The first half of Better Call Saul’s excruciating and exceptional final season ended with a literal bang. At the end of “Plan and Execution,” Lalo Salamanca walks into Jimmy McGill and Kim Wexler’s apartment and shoots a distraught and unaware Howard Hamlin in the head. Howard was always an antagonist to Jimmy and Kim, but the episode carefully builds sympathy for him as it focuses more on his personal life, making his death even more visceral. It was a calculated and gutting cliffhanger, one of the most emotional TV moments of the year, the kind of storytelling that leaves you breathless for several minutes. “Plan and Execution” was the episode Emmy nominee Bob Odenkirk submitted for consideration, and the episode also received a nomination for writing. And yet, another Emmys ceremony has passed and Better Call Saul is, yet again, empty-handed, despite 46 nominations throughout its six seasons.

The first half of season six of Better Call Saul – the portion of the season eligible for this year’s Emmys cycle – featured not only some of the best television writing, performances, and direction of the year, but some of the best television writing, performances, and direction in television history. From page to performance, Better Call Saul was the best drama on television throughout its entire run and yet, it is 0-46 at the Emmys. The Emmy-eligible episodes were the strongest stretch in its entire run, with careful pacing that stayed true to its character-focused narrative sprinkled with a few action-packed, visually remarkable episodes that left you on the edge of your seat, shaking, with an extremely high heart rate. Bob Odenkirk – who had a nearly fatal heart attack during the filming of this season – delivered his most transformative, vulnerable performance yet as Jimmy McGill gradually became Saul Goodman.

Seeing a bearded Odenkirk in cheap sunglasses and a suit at last night’s ceremony, it’s almost impossible to believe he’s the same man who played Jimmy McGill. Odenkirk has been nominated for his performance every season and has never won. Rhea Seehorn’s clever performance as the conflicted Kim Wexler is legendary, a master class in subtlety. But judging by her loss for her first (and long overdue) nomination in a category that reduces her lead performance to a supporting one, subtly is not appreciated in the awards circles. They want more Julia Garner screaming in a southern accent, I guess.

Better Call Saul has a lot working against it in the awards space. It’s in the most competitive Emmys category and it’s not a new show anymore. In its earlier seasons, the series was overlooked by buzzier shows that swept the Emmys like Game of Thrones and The Handmaid’s Tale, shows that saturated culture so much that they were impossible to beat. Better Call Saul is also a spinoff of one of those buzzy shows that swept the Emmys every year, so many television academy voters probably didn’t even bother with it. Voters are more interested in what’s popular and fresh, like winners Squid Game and Zendaya. While Odenkirk and Seehorn are stars in their own right, they’re also more elusive celebrities. They’re beloved, but they aren’t flashy and they aren’t wrapped up in Hollywood’s inner circle. Essentially, they are normal people who act. Next year, they’ll thankfully have another chance and they have the best narrative yet: this is their final chance. For the last eligible year for The Americans, that worked for Matthew Rhys but not Keri Russell, and I could argue that the Emmys have been a joke ever since.

Every time I write about awards shows, I must include the caveat that awards shows do not matter. Awards shows are not essential. They are possibly even stupid. If Bob Odenkirk won an Emmy for best actor in a drama, my life wouldn’t fix itself. If Rhea Seehorn won an Emmy for her performance as Kim Wexler, the climate would remain in ruin. But awards do amplify shows or films for larger audiences and have historical significance. Throughout Better Call Saul’s entire run, it has been either one of the best shows on television or the best show on television. Its performances, from Odenkirk to Seehorn to performances from its supporting cast including Michael McKean, Tony Dalton, Giancarlo Esposito, Jonathan Banks, Michael Mando, and Patrick Fabian have been some of the best of all time. Better Call Saul deserves more than just 46 nominations.

It’s an honor to be nominated, sure, but for a show as good as Better Call Saul, it’s become insulting that it hasn’t won a single Emmy. Hopefully next year, embarrassing Emmys history won’t repeat itself.

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Best selling author Nora Roberts donates $50,000 to defunded public library in Michigan

Sometimes the world can feel a little upside down and one Michigan public library found itself in the middle of topsy-turvy land. Patmos Library in Hudsonville, Michigan, became a hot topic earlier this year after a book in the adult section of the library labeled 14+ was touted as inappropriate material for children. After the small library found its funding cut completely by outraged citizens, its launched a GoFundMe campaign to maintain the library and got support from an unlikely donor, bestselling author Nora Roberts.


Roberts isn’t just your average writer, she’s penned more than 220 romance novels, and many shoot straight to the bestseller list.

She saw the library’s GoFundMe and donated the max amount allowed by the donation platform. Accompanying her donation, Roberts wrote, “Libraries and librarians should be valued and celebrated, never attacked and demeaned. 50k is the limit GoFundMe allows for donations. If you’re short of your goal, please contact me. I’ll make up the rest.” With a multitude of bestselling books and no signs of slowing down at the age of 71, Roberts is ready to put more money into the institution.

Sure, you may be wondering, if the book caused such an extreme reaction then why keep it in the library? The book was a graphic novel called “Gender Queer” by Maia Kobabe. The novel is about coming to terms with your own sexual identity, but some parents saw the LGBTQ selections as “grooming.” For LGBTQ youth who may be in an unaccepting environment at home, books like these can help them feel accepted and understood.

LGBTQ youth are four times more likely to attempt suicide than their peers, but having an affirming space can reduce the suicide risk in youth, even when the support is outside of the home. In a 2022 national survey by The Trevor Project, 45% of LGBTQ youth reported they seriously contemplated taking their own life. So while books about sexual orientation may make some parents uncomfortable, having the information readily available and normalizing conversations around LGBTQ issues could actually be saving lives.

Patmos Library has a yearly budget of $245,000 and taxes pay for about 85% of the annual budget according to Larry Walton, the library’s Board of Trustees president. Without the tax revenue, the library would have to come up with $200,000 to function in 2023. Walton told the Holland Sentinel, “We’ve made it known that here at our facility, we have approximately 90 pieces of material that could be relative to LGBTQ out of a total of 67,000.” This didn’t seem to matter because the vote to defund the library passed.

Libraries have always been a safe space for people and a free place for education. If you don’t have internet or a computer at home, you can go to the library. If you’re not sure how to talk to your child about something, you can ask a librarian for a book recommendation. If you need to build a new resume or learn to use Excel for a new job, many public libraries offer free classes.

Libraries are so much more than a place to get books. They’re a place to feel safe and seen. When I was younger living in a big city, if I was afraid walking down the street or unsure where I was, I would duck into the library.

Not having a library due to funding being cut over a few books that make someone feel normal is a disservice to everyone in the community. Seeing a bestselling author, whose books are likely on the shelves of that very library donating such a large sum of money to keep the building functioning is amazing.

Roberts told Bridge Michigan, “Libraries are treasures, opening the door to books and stories for all. Librarians, to me, are the guardians of those stories. I find the idea of librarians — who offer community services beyond reading — facing threats and attacks, a community library facing defunding both appalling and sad. It’s an honor for me to stand up for the Patmos Library and its staff.”