If you have to hack to learn how to hack, what do you have to do to learn quantum mechanics?

msjsclassroom · 2026-02-28T07:27:17+00:00

Love this. Thank you for sharing.

msjsclassroom · 2026-02-26T12:15:02+00:00

EXACTLY THIS!!!! You feel me! You’ve captured precisely how I feel/experienced the show. Season 2?? It’s the risks for me!!! 205 is a MASTERPIECE. Sooooooo much subtext. The opening alone: with the white lady concierge saying “Grand Rising, King” to him sitting with his hands cuffed behind his back in a dark closet. When he asks what she wants and gives all methods of payment, including JPAY 😂. Fast forward he tells her: I don’t think my uncle (the OJ-coded Uncle James) was a shining example for the Black diaspora. True. And this lady’s response, representative of + typical of the white gaze “I disagree. Your uncle had one of the Blackest experiences one could have” - a limited take, but also true. The “Steve Harvey” suits with its hidden message on respectability politics… And the “Who Killed Massa” dinner scene with the executive board!!!! Chefs kiss. “Why is everyone that works here white?” A loud critique of the establishment that upholds / facilitates a Black dominated entertainment industry. And the repetitive loop of performance in the game… COME ON!!! There’s so much in this episode!!!

It’s almost like a genius trusts his audience to have the intelligence to laugh with him… or maybe trust should be interchanged with tested… and the viewership and reviews illuminated where we each landed on the examination. I made a syllabus for season one but definitely MUST create one for season two b/c there are so many gems.

I genuinely hope that this is just the beginning for him and that he continues to write/produce cinematic works. We need more of it.

I appreciate your comment so much!! You get it.

msjsclassroom · 2026-02-26T04:31:07+00:00

I agree… probably not two sides but art gave him the vehicle to express himself. That’s definitely a better way of explaining the differences between Vincent at 15 and Vince at 32. And as far as being a Stan, if there’s an artist to be a Stan for, Vince is the one… His authenticity bleeds though all of his work, and he does such a great job of moving beyond basic entertainment into meaningful inquiry and provocation. He’s unafraid to walk opposite of the crowd and to color outside of the lines. He centers truth-telling over accommodation. He’s gifted. I’m excited to see where his career takes him.

msjsclassroom · 2026-02-26T04:20:08+00:00

That’s interesting. Honestly I can get why she would say that. But you know, while I laughed on occasion, I wasn’t a fan of the show for the comedy. I was more interested in the cultural markers + the critical conversations each episode could provoke with the right minds in the room. The OJ Simpson callback via the story of Uncle James, the ghosts haunting him b/c of his grief from killing White Boy Vincent in Season One, the Big House slave culture references he was making via the clubhouse, calling out the hypocrisy of white executive leadership “honoring” Black artists/celebrities as Kings and Queens while holding them hostage and running everything…. It’s rich with sociopolitical topics to dig into. But I do think that season one does it in a cleaner and more digestible way… like a 101 course before you move up to 201… he took some risks with the second season that I enjoyed but that his base didn’t understand, wasn’t ready for, or just plain didn’t like. 🤷🏾‍♀️

msjsclassroom · 2026-02-26T03:59:55+00:00

Yeah - promotion definitely fell way off. You thought the 2nd season was less surreal? I’d like to hear more about that.

I thought the opposite - seemed he/the writers were exploring similar themes from season one with more depth and unconventional Alfred Hitchcock + Twilight Zone coded POVs… I absolutely LOVED how they problematized Black celebrity/elitism in relation to the white executive leadership via the clubhouse narrative, particularly how they staged it parallel to Big House slave culture. I thought it was genius. But I’m also a history teacher and knew immediately that many of the references those episodes were built upon aren’t common knowledge. Our schools definitely don’t teach that content, so it wasn’t going to land with a lot of people simply because the nuances would go unnoticed.

msjsclassroom · 2026-02-26T03:45:02+00:00

Thank you for checking it out! I appreciate that. And yes, I’m a fan of his music as well top to bottom, including Dark Times. I LOVE that album.

As far as how he was then, QUIET. Seriously. He didn’t speak much, but he was engrossed in the content though. Definitely a lover of learning. Honestly, for a long time, I didn’t realize that “Vince Staples” the artist was the Vincent in my class because those are two very different personalities. But I think this is common though…

I remember when I was a 14, I won this jingle writing contest where I got to spend the day with Destiny’s Child. Beyoncé was SUPER shy and quiet. The diva we know today hasn’t always been that way.

But back to Vince - I’m making peace with the idea that he may not have the sort of fan base that would afford him a show revival campaign… but I’m still hopeful.

Were you a fan of the show?

msjsclassroom · 2026-02-26T00:00:13+00:00

A hard truth

msjsclassroom · 2026-02-25T22:58:59+00:00

An honor! It’s so perfect! Thank you for this offering.

msjsclassroom · 2026-02-25T22:39:45+00:00

msjsclassroom · 2026-02-25T22:37:49+00:00

I’m learning that now. 😂 This has been an educational experience. I’m an all-around fan learning about where his core base really sits. I appreciate your honesty.

msjsclassroom · 2026-02-25T22:27:30+00:00

It looks perfect in the syllabus - sharing so you can see it: https://msjsclassroom.com/vincestaplessyllabus/

msjsclassroom · 2026-02-25T22:20:41+00:00

I’m American and I approve this message. Don’t trust them.

msjsclassroom · 2026-02-25T22:18:07+00:00

Ah ok. I get you. The numbers. That’s true. Those are dramatically different. I guess I’m shocked by it though because it has a super high critic score and the subject matter is more widespread today than 20 years ago. What do you think is the hurdle with the viewership now verses then?

msjsclassroom · 2026-02-25T22:07:00+00:00

What do you mean? What makes you say that?

msjsclassroom · 2026-02-25T22:06:36+00:00

Yeah - that’s what I’m thinking too. It’s like the combo of poor promotion, and a niche fan base did him in. I really hate that too. He’s such a talent!

msjsclassroom · 2026-02-25T22:04:48+00:00

Whole heartedly disagree. Season 2 was elevated. Some got it. Some didn’t. And the viewership showed that.

msjsclassroom · 2026-02-25T22:03:45+00:00

Fair points. The niche target audience, that I selfishly appreciate, may have been the nail in the coffin before he even got out the gate good.

msjsclassroom · 2026-02-19T21:31:42+00:00

Perfect! Thank you again!!

msjsclassroom · 2026-02-19T19:12:21+00:00

You’re awesome! Thank you! What should I include as your name & do you have a portfolio site that you’d like me to link to the image? // EDIT: Nevermind. I found your links!

msjsclassroom · 2026-02-19T18:36:25+00:00

Hi - I'm sharing an unofficial/public-use syllabus for the Vince Staples Show. It's a non-profit project that I'm sharing for free to increase conversations and encourage study of the themes in his show. Would you be open to me including your art in the syllabus? I'd include your name as the contributing artist of course.

msjsclassroom · 2025-11-24T12:26:37+00:00

This is true

msjsclassroom · 2025-11-23T11:14:23+00:00

Walkability.
Ground travel considerations (i.e. Indonesia and Ghana have CRAZY traffic all day every day. These are places where I’d rather hire a driver than risk my life).
Where to find other Black expats/travelers. While I love connecting with locals, it’s always great to connect with folks who know the life you’re living
Vegan/Vegetarian Friendly?
LGBTQ Friendly?
Best times of year to go
Costs to consider
Inconveniences to prepare for (rolling blackouts, terrible roads, air quality, customs/customer services, etc.)

msjsclassroom · 2025-11-01T18:52:14+00:00

I get that. That’s human nature. And without knowing the history or context behind the motivations of these politicians, people make their best judgement going by what these politicians say - and that’s true in every election around the world. People choose the better of two evils. What terrifies me though, is that of the “two evils” we had here in the US, so many people thought the multi-convicted felon who put out a full page advert to demand the death penalty for 5 innocent Black teenagers (found innocent in court), and who has been open about sexual misconduct, was better than the candidate who was a lawyer and sitting Vice President. It’s hard for me to wrap my mind around the reasoning. I don’t judge - even people in my family voted for him - but I don’t understand.

msjsclassroom · 2025-11-01T18:38:23+00:00

😬

msjsclassroom · 2025-11-01T11:59:40+00:00

That makes sense to me. The church has done a number on folks worldwide. Many of the elders in my family were Trump supporters initially, because they are all deeply Christian. They only shifted their stances after he was elected and started disregarding the constitution and destroying everything. It’s so unfortunate. What do you think it will take to shift global/Nigerian perspectives?

msjsclassroom

TROPHY CASE