may rewind and news stories you should read this month
i've seen things, specifically, beyoncé.
Hello Tamia Talkers, Happy Tuesday! I am delighted to float into your inbox this evening with my May Rewind. As you all know, I usually post on Sundays, but I got about 85% finished writing this post when the Tony Awards red carpet started, and I could not will my brain to lock in and finish writing.
When I was in high school, I used to post the vlog of my high school musical on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so this feels like a return to form for “Tamia Tuesdays”and “Vlog Thursdays,” days I used to claim with great pride.
I saw four or five of the Tony Award-winning shows and performances this year (including that CNN live stream of Goodnight and Good Luck. Thank you, George!), so I felt like I could actively engage in the discourse about the nominees. The rest I hope to see during my upcoming New York City excursions.
May brought me a lot of magical moments of culture to indulge in. As I mentioned last week, I had the honor and privilege of seeing Beyoncé on her Cowboy Carter Tour. I saw “Oh, Mary” alongside some of my dearest friends in New York City. And, by the grace of God, I finally saw “Sinners,” so now I can stop being annoying and talking about how desperately I wanted to see it without truly making a wholehearted effort to go.
My June rewind already has some life-changingly fabulous moments to reflect upon, so I’m excited to share those with you too.
But, for now, let’s start with the May news, views and more. I hope you enjoy and if you have recommendations for my June consumption, drop them in the comments below (or text me live reactions while you read this newsletter, as many of my friends tend to do). <3
in the news
Trump Is Waging a Culture War on the Library of Congress. It’s Been Done Before.: This Politico story by Rebecca Brenner Graham revisits the establishment of the Library of Congress. The piece parallels historical attempts to limit access to culturally and religiously diverse literature to the recent firing of former Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden. Brenner Graham presents the Trump White House’s criticism of Hayden’s DEI-informed efforts to expand the library’s collection as a parallel to a post-War of 1812 mentality that nearly led to the rejection of former President Thomas Jefferson’s 6,700-book donation to the Library of Congress. Following the burning of the United States Capitol and the Executive Mansion, Federalist leaders deemed Jefferson’s collection, which included texts such as the Quran and the works of Enlightenment philosophers like John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Voltaire, as “irreligious and immoral.” Leaders feared that, similar to the French Revolution, individuals with access to radically different ideas of democracy, religion, and self-governance could seek to overtake and attack the United States government. Some even suggested burning Jefferson’s books altogether. However, more than a century after Jefferson’s initial donation to the library, his books are seen as a critical contribution to the country’s expansive embrace of cultural difference, intellectual advancement, and diversity of thought. Brenner Graham’s story poses a question: Without continuing to expand those resources, where does the country’s identity, memories, and power go? Read here.
Ryan Coogler’s Road to Sinners: As noted in the intro, I saw Sinners in May. For weeks, I refused to read this profile of Ryan Coogler, the film’s director and writer, until I had full context. It was just as enjoyable as I imagined. In this New Yorker profile written by Jelani Cobb, Coogler discusses his longheld desire to tell stories that explore the fault lines of race, faith and politics through unexpected lenses — from superhero stories like “Black Panther” to the vampire-packed plot of “Sinners.” He discusses the films and filmmakers that informed his approach to storytelling like John Singleton’s “Boyz n the Hood” and French director Jacques Audiard’s “A prophet.” Coogler’s expansive film knowledge and curiosity about how to effectively convey nuanced stories to an audience is so engaging to read and consider before and after watching any of the projets in his filmography. If you loved “Sinners” or didn’t get it at all, I absolutely recommend giving this a read. Read here.
The view from here: Isabella Ramirez, the outgoing editor-in-chief of the Columbia Spectator, wrote this incredibly thoughtful reflection about her time leading the university’s paper through one of the most tumultuous periods of student protest in 2024 and 2025. In this collection of vingettes recounting the moments that led her to become EIC of “The Spec,” Ramirez recounts her experiences fielding threats from the New York Police Department to subpoena the Spectator if its staff refused to release footage and photography captured during a pro-Palestinian protest and her late nights turned into early mornings editing her peers’ stories. She explains the emotional strain, insecurities and frustrations that emerged in serving in leadership role where she often was tasked with delivering the toughest or most aggravating information to her staff and contributors, from telling staff members to delete social media posts that could be read as biased to canceling the paper’s spring formal to launch into coverage of the takeover of Hamilton Hall. It’s a fascinating glimpse into the college experience of the next generation of journalists whose lives and storytelling capacity were shaped by internationally recognized moments of unrest. Also, somehow, masterfully, Ramirez sneaks a bit of astrology into the mix. We share a sun and rising sign, I love that. Read here.
She says the Lutheran Church knew her husband was abusive. He kept ministering for 24 years.: Trigger Warning. For decades, women reported that Alan Buresh, a once beloved pastor for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Minnesota and Wisconsin, had abused and assaulted them after providing counseling at his churches. Relationships that began with friendly and uplifiting conversations about faith and trauma transformed into violent confrontations and stalking that occurred in tandem with Buresh’s preaching duties. Repeatedly, the women said they informed regional church leaders across the country of Buresh's abuse, but he was allowed to continue working with minimal consequence. In this Milwaukee Journal Sentinel story, my colleague Laura Schulte speaks to five women affected by Buresh’s abuse and unravels the insidious, silent epidemic of abuse plaguing Evangelical faith communities across the country. Read here.
on my screen
Eve’s Bayou (1997): Wowowowowow, I had no idea what to expect when I started this movie, but what an incredible watch. Eve’s Bayou brings audiences to the doorstep of a bourgoise Black creole family that has settled in the 1962 Lousiana bayou with their 10-year-old daughter Eve Batiste and her siblings. The film opens with the line “The summer I killed my father, I was ten years old,” and from there sprawls across genre to present a fascinating examination of trauma, grief, death, and love. There are psychics, romantic quarrels, questionings of memory, murder and a poignant evaluation of the Black southern experience throughout. I am obsessed with the environment that shapes the experience of the characters. I can feel the sticky heat of the bayou through the screen! These kids were ACTING, and how could you not love a film with Lynn Whitfield and Sam Jackson (even though you spend most of the film hating him)?! I can’t believe this was Kasi Lemons’ directorial debut. It was so stunning!
Sinners (2025): On May 18, I finally watched Sinners at a 9:00 pm Sunday night screening with my parents, defying all of my previous statements about refusing to see this film at night AND on a historically religious day (lol). For my sleep schedule, this was a horrible decision. But, for my heart and mind, it was fantastic. This is the only horror I’ll tolerate. My heart rate was spiking for the entire first hour in anticipation of the vampire reveal, but the payoff was so good. I’ve long been a Michael B. Jordan stan, but I am so grateful that the world is finally hopping onto the Wunmi Mosaku bandwagon, because she’s always been fabulous! I love how this story approaches conversations about faith, trust, protecting sacred community spaces, and race in such a compelling and nuanced way. I will be watching again, even though it’s one of those films, like Get Out, that makes me a little afraid of the dark and triggers my fight or flight around friends and strangers. It also reminded me of my childhood obsession with the teen vampire show, My Babysitter’s A Vampire, and how sometimes, just for a moment, you kind of root for the vampires because they are serving (oops!).
30 Rock (2006): This is clown behavior, and I love it. 30 Rock, the critically acclaimed SNL-inspired 2000s sitcom, is my new show that I put on when I want to slow my heart rate and find peace. Sometimes, I find myself moving through the world with an echo of Tracy Morgan saying “LEMON!” in my head. The episode where Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin) tells Liz (Tina Fey) that she needs to go on a date; otherwise, she’ll be a forever single queen who dies choking on dinner alone in her apartment, unlocked a new fear in my brain, but…other than that it’s a jam.
Orville Peck is an Iconic Guest, Ziwe (2025): In April 2025, Ziwe brought Orville Peck on her Youtube show as one of her iconic guests of the month. The musician discusses his South African upbringing, his sexuality, and, as all guests do, runs into a bunch of delightfully awkward moments prompted by Ziwe’s wild questioning. If I’m honest, I watched this in April, but I forgot to put it in the rewind. It earns its spot here because the entire interview had me giggling and kicking my feet. I desperately need to see Cabaret. Watch here.
Babygirl (2024): Like the Orville Peck Ziwe Interview, I watched Babygirl in April and forgot to talk about it. My Letterboxd review was just “you could’ve just told antonio banderas what you wanted queen!” I’ll leave it at that.
Forever (2025): “Girlfriends” creator Mara Brock Akil's new Netflix show “Forever” is a beautiful romantic drama inspired by Judy Blume’s 1975 YA novel of the same title. Set in 2018, this story follows two California teens navigating first love. Justin (Michael Cooper) and Keisha (Lovie Simone) are childhood friends who reunite at New Year’s Eve party and quickly fall for each other. Though their re-meeting seems initially written in the stars, their relationship is plagued by stressors commonly faced by high schoolers trying to find their way in the world, like applying to college to exploring their sexuality and self-expression. Akil’s take brings a refreshing and nuanced perspective to Blume’s revelatory novel by expanding the world of the central characters to include their families and broader external environment. This soundtrack blasted me back to my senior year of high school. I definitely cried at the end and screamed into my pillow every time the leading duo blocked each other on Instagram, Snapchat and whatever other respective communication platform we were using back then.
Hacks Season 3 and Season 4 (2024, 2025): Spoilers, obvi! The girls are fighting!! I finished the generally delightful third season of Hacks in early May. At the request of my friend Tess, who demanded that I catch up and watch season four in real time, I watched the latest season in which Ava (Hannah Einbinder) and Deborah (Jean Smart) have successfully schemed and plotted their way to the top and secured a late night television show. Despite their success, the women spend most of the season in endless conflict, clawing for power and control of the show’s driving narrative and vision. This season has tons of great guest stars, but I love the running bit of them being unable to book Cher who simply “didn’t want to do it.”
Overcompensating (2025): I finished “Overcompensating” and it was perfectly cheesy, heartwarming and delightful. The last five minutes of the finale shook me. I need a season two just to see a resolution to that drama. Also, Lukas Gage and Benny in the bathroom at the bar! I’m in tears! Plus, I saw Lukas Gage at Erewhon in 2024 so that felt important for me.
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (2005): This movie was so cute, heartwarming and fun! I was surprised by how deep it got. The film’s four central characters are stretched across the globe, narrating pivotal moments of their respective coming of age in letters sent alongside a pair of perfectly-fitting pants that they thrifted together before summer vacation. Carmen (America Ferrera) is confronting the reality of a crumbling familial structure and a broken relationship with her father, Tibby (Amber Tamblyn) faces a heartbreaking realization that her somewhat irritating 12-year-old neighbor Bailey has a terminal cancer diagnosis, Bridget (Blake Lively) deals with the stinging and subtle regrets about losing her virginity while at soccer camp, and Lena (Alexis Bledel) finds herself in a Romeo and Juliet-style starcrossed love while visiting her family in Greece. There is so much going on and it’s all so real and honest and incredibly predictable and cheesy. My heart cracked time and time again! What a stunning exploration of familial relationships, abandonment, cultural disconnect, sexual awakening, and the lot! A banger. More of this for the teens!
in my ears
In May, I did my standard playlist of the month commitments and rounded up 100 songs to soundtrack my days. However, after seeing Cowboy Carter, I must be honest and say that I spent almost all of my time listening to “Renaissance,” because what an INCREDIBLE show that was and I just cannot believe Beyoncé hasn’t put the film on streaming. The upbeat Cowboy Carter songs also made it into my daily rotation. Oh, and “The Largest”…again, because I am easily influenced…by Beyoncé.
Killing You Hoes, Trina (2008): According to Spotify, this was my number one song this month which I find comedic and delightful. It really does activate my joy and give me the giggles. The beat also has a bit of a video game vibe, so there’s some childhood whimsy behind the vulgar lyrics that really resonates with my spirit.
there is a light, Kacey Muscgraves (2021): I adore this song. It feels like flowers blooming, light at the end of the tunnel, hope and warmth in the chill of winter and April snow. Love you, Kacey Muscgraves!
dodger blue, Kendrick Lamar, Wallie the Sensei, Siete7x, Roddy Ricch (2024)
The Largest, BigXThaPlug (2024): Beyoncé really revolutionized me on this one. For the past two weeks, I’ve woken up every morning and pressed play on this immediately. Thank you, Beyoncé.
Whenever, Megan Thee Stallion (2025): I love Meg and I love this song. As always, Megan uses the music video format to flex her keen eye for visual art and reinterpretation. Many of Megan’s videos remind me of the trailblazing, innovative music videos of Missy Elliot, with quirky camera angles and eye-catching fashion playing a critical role in communicating a compelling visual story. The “Whenever” video takes inspiration from Salvador Dali’s “The Persistence of Memory” and gives her an excuse the throw on a bunch of cute outfits on wild and outrageous sets while calling out her haters. And, really, that’s what life is all about!
Movie, Tom Misch (2018)
On The Sunny Side of the Street, Ella Fitzgerald and Count Basie (1963)
I’M THAT GIRL, Beyoncé (2022): I’m back here in a way that is so deep. The “Renaissance” section of the Cowboy Carter tour almost sent me into space. This album means so much to me, no skips. It was the soundtrack to my move to New York in the summer of 2022, BANGERS GALORE. THANK YOU, BEYONCÉ!
Golden Lady, Stevie Wonder (1973): Stevie <3
Burning Blue, Mariah the Scientist (2025): I think the first time I heard this song, I was on the Peloton and I had to stop pedalling just to soak in the stunning thump of the drums and these hypnotizing vocals in my ears. What a gorgeous moment for Mariah and THE CHORUS, yeah, this is for the lovers!
Counterfeit, Amaarae (2024): Amaarae opened for Sabrina Carpenter on tour last year, and I was so upset that I missed her set waiting in line for tickets, because I just adore this album. I revisited some favorite tracks in May and “Counterfeit” rose to the top as my favorite. I just want to dance!
Watch My Shoes (feat. 3 Deep), Trill Family, Boosie Badazz, Webbie and 3 Deep (2007)
Lose My Mind, Don Toliver and Doja Cat (2025): Between Damson Idris’ Met Gala outfit reveal and the soundtrack rollout, the propoganda I am falling for this month is the “F1” movie. I will probably watch it on streaming though. <3
N95, Kendrick Lamar (2022)
In My Head, Chris Lake and Amber Mark (2025): I should be at the club!
Will You Love Me Tomorrow, Carole King (1971): I expressed on Instagram a few weeks ago that I was officially in my Carole King era. I’ve had “Tapestry” on repeat and “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” really makes my heart sing.
CUNTISSIMO, MARINA (2025): I listened to this on a warm day in Milwaukee, and suddenly it was my song of the spring. So playful, so fun, and it reminds me of my Marina era circa 2019 when I was listening to “Orange Trees” every morning on my walks to class in Madison.
My Bubblegum, Rasheeda (2007): This is also a part of my morning mix. Every day.
on stage
Oh, Mary: On every trip I’ve took to New York over the past year, I made an attempt to see “Oh, Mary,” the critically acclaimed, Pulitzer Prize finalist play that very loosely follows the life Mary Todd Lincoln, wife of the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. I first heard about “Oh, Mary” from Las Culturistas (who is surprised?) when, in May 2024, Bowen and Matt had the play’s writer and creator, Cole Escola, on to discuss the origins of the show and the excitement of making their Broadway debut. Every time I went to the box office to try and buy tickets it was either sold out or $400, so, of course, I did not attend. I was thrilled to find out that Cole was returning to the show this spring though, just days before a trip I had scheduled to NYC. This play is a delightfully outrageous rollercoaster through the, again, highly fictionalized crumbling relationship of a president and his first lady. My friends and I gasped and cackled throughout. Also, yay, Cole, Tony Award winner!
Cowboy Carter Tour: My mom and I took a train down to Chicago in May to see Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter tour. It was, as expected, a marvelous thing to witness. I lived for the thoughtfully crafted social commentary weaved into this show and I kind of need to go again. Sorry!
Praying For Your Downfall Tour: On a recent trip to L.A., I was headed to dinner with friends when I spotted Jensen McRae’s name posted on the marquee of the El Rey Theatre. It was her first night of hometown performances on her “Praying for Your Downfall” tour, and my heart panged at the thought of being in the same city and not getting to see here perform live. Though sad girl music can hardly be found on many of my daily playlists, I am such a fan of McRae’s music and her stunning vocals. As a result, she’s become a regular part of my music diet. I mentioned a few rewinds ago, that I also recently discovered that she is incredibly funny and this held true to her live performance commentary as well, dishing about failed relationships and boys who wounded her heart. I walked away with a few new favorite songs from her latest album “I Don’t Know How But They Found Me!” including “Tuesday,” “Novelty” and “I Can Change Him,” but one of my favorite moments was a cover of “I Can’t Make You Love Me” by Bonnie Raitt which she performed with her brother, Holden. (Special shoutout to my dear friend Gaby for being a former employee of the El Rey and godmothering our entry into this show).
on my shelf
All This Could Be Different (2022): After months of reading, I finally finished” All This Could Be Different” by
. The coming-of-age novel follows a 23-year-old recent UW-Madison grad, Sneha, who has succesfully secured a job in Milwaukee in the middle of a recession. As the daughter of parents who remain in India, Sneha feels an enduring pressure to perform at a high level and secure enough money to support her family back home while imagining her own idealized future in the United States. These prospects of success, though, are quelled when the circumstances of her entry-level job begin to go awry and her complicated navigation of her sexuality threatens to tear away at her closest relationships. I enjoyed this book so much, even though it was often grueling, painful and heartbreaking to read. It’s all about facing the worst parts of yourself to step into your most honest and ideal reality. At the same time, it reminds readers of the sacred and cherished practice of finding and seeking a familial structure in friends and community. It exceeded every expectation I had for a coming of age story set in my city. More modern Milwaukee stories please, and I would highly highly recommend this read.