It’s almost been a month since the world turned upside down, and I’m still trying to process everything. Like… how the hell did this happen?! If you haven’t been living under a proverbial rock, surely you know what I’m talking about.

I struggle with considering myself an optimist (now more than ever) because despite my great need to have a strong moral compass, and desire to believe that there’s kindness and compassion in the world thanks to my heavy Disney diet as a child, I can’t help but feel frustrated and despondent knowing that everyday some form of hate is being spread. With the results of the election, I’ve noticed that people who have opposing views to mine are growing a hell of a lot more bolder in spreading that hate. Sure, others who are like-minded to my views posted many encouraging things on social media that basically said they support you if you’re female, black, LGBTQ+, latinx, or muslim. Well, I identify as female, but why aren’t asians as a whole included in this list? As a community, we’re just as angry, hurt, scared, and frustrated as any other community. Hollywood has already left me feeling quite marginalized; as much as I love Marvel, the backlash that came with Doctor Strange has me seething with rage. I know the director acknowledged the issues of whitewashing, but I found his excuses to be very weak. Story tellers, talented ones at least, are able to overcome such obstacles as writing ethnic characters that aren’t racially stereotypical. I could go on about the frustration I feel over the lack of asian representation in Hollywood, but I feel like that’s a whole other blog post.

Despite my recent frustrations with Marvel’s cinematic universe, they did give me and the rest of the geek community Peggy Carter. She’s been a beacon of light for us geek girls (and boys) by being a scrappy bad ass that takes shit from no one. This Agent Carter inspired dress from Her Universe almost feels like armor in a sense because I feel like I can kick ass and take names whenever I wear it (and it has pockets!).

Over the past month, I’ve been turning to different fandoms to find some form of comfort because escapism every now and then is needed in times like these. Whether it’s Poe Dameron saying “As long as there’s light, we’ve got a chance,” Albus Dumbledore saying “Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times if one remembers to turn on the light,” or the Hamilton soundtrack in its entirety, they all fill me with a bit of hope and inspiration. But Peggy’s infamous “I know my value” line has been coming to the forefront of my mind a lot more lately. The quote in its entirety ends with “Anyone else’s opinion doesn’t matter.” I know that my life and those in my community are worth it just as much as anyone else’s, even if others don’t seem to think so.

:: OUTFIT DETAILS ::
Agent Carter dress: Her Universe (buy here) | purse: Kate Spade (n/a)
shoes: Dexflex Comfort (buy here)| lipstick: Besame (buy here)
Avengers bracelet: Loot Wear (subscribe here)
Steve Rogers necklace: Le Fancy Geek Boutique (buy here) 

Cheers,
Nina

(photos taken by Sara McDougall)