Hey, everybody. It is time, once again, to meet the Angry Reader of the Week, spotlighting you, the very special readers of this website. Over the years, I've been able to connect with a lot of cool folks, and this is a way of showing some appreciation and attention to the people who help make this blog what it is. This week's Angry Reader is Francesca Fiorentini.
Who are you?
After Trump's victory, I honestly do not know anymore.
What are you?
In Trump's America, I am a first generation "wop-chink." Ethnically the sound of someone playing quarters. But if you want know my aspirational species, I am a Beyonctaur. Beyonce on top and black poisonous irridescent dragon tail on bottom that stretches for miles.
Where are you?
On Facebook, duh. It is where I spit my fire, lick my wounds, sow my soul, search for likes and ultimately recognize I must face the frightening world full of eye contact and three-dimensional pain.
Where are you from?
Ironically from the land of Facebook, Palo -- now Shallow -- Alto, California. The Grateful Dead was from there and now tech-turds drive their Ferraris downtown going an exhilarating 15-miles an hour. Vroom capitalism.
What do you do?
That's easy. I'm a journalist, stand-up comic, and activist. I helped launch the online channel AJ+ of Al Jazeera Media Network two years ago, and most recently launched our first comedy offshoot channel called Newsbroke, of which I am host.
What are you all about?
In my comedy and journalism, I try to afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted. That means speaking truth to power and standing in solidarity with those who need more of it. Sometimes that's telling an uncomfortable truth on stage, sometimes it's shoving a mic in a Coca-Cola executive's face. But hopefully my audience gets a valiant kick out of what I do... i.e.... they laugh. These are dark times ahead and we need both clear targets for our action, and also to give ourselves a break and laugh. I am so serious, passionate, enraged, and yet my life goal is to steadily take myself less seriously without losing any bite. Make sense?
What makes you angry?
Right now? Everything and everyone. The electoral college. Polls. Smiling. White pundit bros that think they know shit. Fragile liberals who are finally recognizing racism and income inequality mean they should've pushed harder for the grumpy socialist. Brunch. Anyone on the street who isn't screaming. Sexism. Anyone who tells you it will be okay. Anyone who tells you Trump could be a decent president. Anyone who tells you anything and doesn't know when to shut up and listen. Labradoodles.
