This is your corner for all things English in cyberspace. ✨

The Latest

• Did you know that reading can help you learn every part of a language? You'll learn grammar, vocabulary, and much more. Join our book club and find your next great read! Our next group starts on August 1. This month's pick is Séance Tea Party by Reimena Yee. A fantastical story following lovable characters as they each realize what it means to be who you are. Send us a DM or email us at me@rosecoolbeans.com to sign up.

Word of Mouth

Ableism /ˈeɪbəˌlɪzəm/

There are multiple ways to define ableism, here are a few examples:

Ableism is the discrimination and oppression of disabled people; societal belief that being abled is “normal” and is preferred.

Ableism is a system of oppression that favors being able-bodied/able-minded at any cost, frequently at the expense of people with disabilities

Ableism is not a list of bad words. However, ableist language is a tool of oppression. Being aware of language can help us understand how pervasive ableism is.

Learn more about ableist words and terms to avoid at Autistic Hoya.

In this blog, you'll find a list of ableist words and terms for reference purposes. This document is alive—meaning it's constantly growing, expanding, and changing.

"This list has been compiled and changed over time with input from many different disabled people, people with disabilities, self-advocates, d/Deaf and hard of hearing people, people with chronic illnesses, sick people, mad people, neurodivergent people, etc." (Lydia X. Z. Brown)

Books & Beans⁣

Seánce Tea Party by Reimena Yee

"This book tells the story of Lora, a girl who has recently turned 12 but is terrified of embracing adolescence and leaving her childhood behind." (MalayMail)

"I made this book because, like Lora at her age, I had fears around growing up. Will I still love my cartoons and storybooks? What will happen to me when I become a grown-up? And most chillingly, Will I lose all of the parts of me that made me happy?" (Reimena Yee)

Cool Finds

• "GISH is the Greatest International Scavenger Hunt, a Guinness World Record-setting virtual event designed to bring out the weird, creative, and adventurous sides of people while doing good. Created and hosted by actor Misha Collins, GISH combines art, adventure, puzzles, cosplay, out-of-the-box thinking, and kindness for a week-long adventure as winners compete for a fabulous Grand Prize!

Sign up with your friends to outwit, out-weird, and outplay other teams to win! Want a low-pressure experience? Play just for fun to get creative and do some good without the stress!" (Gish)

• "Have you been at home writing code during the pandemic? Tried to join Zoom conferences but, gag…not more Zoom.

Join us for a software conference experience with minimal screen time in mind.

What’s Happening?

• During July, we’re hosting 3 Saturday art/zine workshops.

• During August, we’ll gather up the zines submitted and send out an assortment to conference attendees.

• During September, we’ll start dripping out video content for our conference week." (Wavelength Conf)

Dice & Games

"I don’t think there’s such a thing as “perfect” representation, but the effects of seeing oneself in media cannot be ignored. Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart drives this home by reminding us that our bodies don’t have to define us through Rivet’s example to Clank, and both Lombaxes’ respect of Clank’s autonomy." (VG24/7)

Playing this game has been a wonderful experience. I lived for every fight and conflict in the story! You get to play more than one hero and feel their insecurities, struggles, and friendship. Empathy FTW!

Curated with love by Rose Cortijo, BEO (Bean Executive Officer).

Did you know that July is Disability Pride Month? This event is about celebrating human diversity, honoring an individual's uniqueness, and raising awareness of all disabilities. It is also a time to understand how we can become better allies.

You can start here:

• Remember that there is no one way a disabled person can look.

• Never have low expectations for someone with disabilities.

• Educate yourself and others on ableism and microaggressions.