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Activism - Blog Posts
Reputable Climate charities to support!!
Remember that donating and activism will have the biggest impact 💚🌎🌱
I'ma just leave these here for like... *Cough* Research purposes and such.
A Kids Cancer Charity. A Kids Cancer Charity. A Kids Cancer Charity. A Kids Cancer Charity. A Kids Cancer Charity. A Kids Cancer Charity. A Kids Cancer Charity. A Kids Cancer Charity. A Kids Cancer Charity. A Kids Cancer Charity. A Kids Cancer Charity. A Kids Cancer Charity. A Kids Cancer Charity. A Kids Cancer Charity. A Kids Cancer Charity. A Kids Cancer Charity ..........
The Trump crime Syndicate
nonplussedbyreligion:
Translation: Get off your ass and do something.
These events I feel do not differ, and are in fact intersectional. They tie between race, gender and our environment with grass roots activism. It's up to us to continue to fight against those who are actively trying to dismantle and take away our freedoms for civil disobedience.
SOCIAL MEDIA "ACTIVISM" IS KEEPING YOU FROM ACTUAL ACTIVISM - HERE'S THE TRUTH
You think you're staying "informed" by doomscrolling through your social feeds 24/7? That's exactly what they want. It's literally designed to keep you angry, scrolling, and - most importantly - doing absolutely fucking nothing.
HERE'S WHAT NO ONE TELLS YOU:
It's OKAY to edit your feeds so you don't see that shit when you're just trying to exist
You do NOT have to consume the world's suffering every second of every day to be a "good activist" - and by the way? You're not even getting "informed" by scrolling. You need to actually look up real articles OFF of social media to understand what's happening
Hitting like and share isn't activism. Sorry. It just isn't.
You wanna actually do something?
Learn your neighbors' names. ACTUALLY TALK TO THEM about what's happening
Join your school board and ask them face-to-face why they're against queer education
Stand up to your racist uncle instead of "keeping the peace" (peace for WHO exactly?)
Find out what abortion rights groups are ALREADY DOING in your area instead of reinventing the wheel
Join an actually inclusive church (you know, like Jesus would've wanted) and see what they're ALREADY DOING to make the world better
And for fuck's sake, stop saying "oh I don't talk about politics" - YOUR SILENCE IS POLITICAL
NEWSFLASH: You don't have to start the fucking underground railroad by yourself. That shit ALREADY EXISTS - you just never had to use it before. Lucky you. So volunteer if you're a safe person, at whatever level works for you:
Send money
Show up in person
Pack supplies
Make pamphlets
Whatever you can do
Not everything's gonna get you in the history books and you know what? IT DOESN'T FUCKING MATTER.
And here's something else that matters: Going to trauma therapy - REAL trauma therapy with a therapist informed in decolonization practices - is a RADICAL ACT. If you have the means to do it, DO IT. Healing yourself is part of the work too.
AND LISTEN UP BECAUSE THIS IS IMPORTANT: IT'S OKAY THAT IT TOOK YOU THIS LONG IT'S OKAY THAT YOU'RE STARTING SMALL IT'S OKAY THAT YOU DON'T KNOW EVERYTHING
NO ONE EVER PUNISHED THEMSELVES INTO SUCCESS.
You grew up with some racist/sexist views? Yeah, most of us did. You can't get stuck there. There's too much at stake. It's time to deconstruct. It's time to do the work.
But scrolling and sharing posts while feeling guilty? That's not the work. That's what they want you to think the work is.
Get off your phone. Talk to your neighbors. Show up at meetings. Stand up to family. THAT'S the work.
this utopian canada that is portrayed by the government and the media is a lie. it's propaganda.
canadian society is not anti-racist. our government is the product of centuries of colonialism and oppression.
I know it's nice to think/pretend that everything is great here, but when you pretend that you are telling every person who has suffered under oppression and discrimination that our stories aren't real, that we are lying or exaggerating.
stop trying to convince yourself that there is equity and respect (especially for Indigenous people) on this land, and start working to make that a reality.
some things to get you started:
read up on the national centre for truth and reconciliation, and what the truth and reconciliation commission report says
learn about and donate to the unist'ot'en camp
support, donate to, and get involved with black lives matter canada
get involved with the canadian council for refugees
check out the rainbow railroad- an organization that helps LGBT+ people escape violence, oppression, and persecution
there are so many more great organizations and groups out there doing amazing work, so please if you can take the time to do some research and get involved, that would be wonderful.
tagging: @allthecanadianpolitics
Aaron Bushnell it's trending. His name is trending. His screams of Free Palestine weren't in vain. Because Tumblr can try and censore palestinian blogs, and keep palestine from trending, but we will always find a way to bring revolution to the world.
Fucking Free Palestine
reading a paper on quality of life among 45-to-70-year-olds with Down syndrome:
“Individuals expressed a desire to be allowed to go to bed when they wanted to.”
An easy way to protest Israeli products that actively support the genocide in Gaza. This is something you can do.
Spread the word. Get involved. Free Palestine 🇵🇸
Youth Climate Strike
Similar to the March for Our Lives a year ago, students will leave their classrooms again today across the US, joining students from over 100 countries around the world who have already marched, begging their elders, to work to leave some of the world behind for them to thrive with.
Image: Climate Change: Youth climate strikes to take place in more than 100 countries. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/education/2019/mar/14/youth-climate-strikes-to-take-place-in-almost-100-countries-greta-thunberg
While there are many issues that plague every generation, this generation sees themselves shook with the idea that they might not even have a chance to survive as more data shows that the deadline to save the human races’ existence on the planet is just getting closer, and closer. While the declining health of the planet has been an issue for decades, and the ignorance of facts behind it are baffling, the students and youth really are doing everything they can to keep it on individuals minds and are seeing growing victories from lawsuits against their governments, the growing vegan and vegetarian movements, and bans on single-use plastic. Looking at the map above this is a growing movement and my only hope, the only hope is that others get out of their way: in political office, in corporations, and the ridiculous online bullying older people think will impact the younger generation.
PS--if none of the 16 marches planned in New Zealand occurred, you have our deepest sympathies and understanding. Whether blocked by the lockdowns or just needing to be at home with those you love, stay safe.
February 14th, 2018
A year ago today, for the next few hours, Emma Gonzalez was giving out hugs and flowers, and love for Valentine’s Day; by the end of the day that would not be the case, by the end of the day a girl still full of love would also be filled (with what I presume) with fury.
A year ago today 17 people lost their lives due to a domestic terror incident at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High school in Parkland, Florida. Now, at 10:17 the students and local community are participating in a moment of silence for those lost and the country should be reflecting on how they are impacted by gun violence not just at schools but at home, in malls and out when you’re just trying to enjoy your day and your US Constitution idea of “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness”.
The end of the day, February 14th 2018, was very different than the MSD students and Parkland community expected when they woke up that morning, many who will never be waking up the same way again but that sentiment at the end of the day remains true. The students’ promised that they would be the end of gun violence and mass shootings and they are doing everything in their power to do so. Along with record-breaking youth voter turnout, the No Notoriety campaign, the Town Hall Project that encourages citizens to attend and meet with local politicians (and not vote for those who they can’t meet with) and the March for Our Lives walk that reminded many of the Vietnam War youth protests, over 100 new laws have been enacted related to gun violence where guns are limited to those who have shown a propensity of violence, a limit on assault rifles and bump stocks and many more. The students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas have made a great impact on gun violence in the US, even just by keeping us talking. But again, now at 10:17, we take a breath, a moment for those these actions were made for:
Alyssa Alhadeff (14)
Scott Beigel (35)
Martin Duque Anguiano (14)
Nicholas Dworet (17)
Aaron Feis (37)
Jaime Guttenberg (14)
Chris Hixon (49)
Luke Hoyer (15)
Cara Loughran (14)
Gina Montalto (14)
Joaquin Oliver (17)
Alaina Petty (14)
Meadow Pollack (18)
Helena Ramsay (17)
Alex Schachter (14)
Carmen Schentrup (16)
Peter Wang (15)
His movement, his story, his heartbreak, everything. This was just so beautifully done and moving. You cannot hate him or this speech
Books for ourselves
It is important to remember that books are not always about just telling a story. Books can show us how others live--whether they be Stormtroopers, drug addicts, slaves or someone that has another different story from all the ones that are different from us.
Yes, we learn about people from their stories, but it doesn’t have to stop there. In understanding one’s life and one’s struggles--we can choose to act, we can choose to push forward, we can choose to help, we can choose to learn more.
In 15 days it’s Halloween, in 16 days it’s a day of really cheap candy and chocolate, and in 21 days you have the power to vote and make the world how you think it should be. But I hope that’s not your one day of using your voice, your power and the power of listening to someone else’s story. You may not have the best or easiest life, everyone struggles but “a rising tide lifts all boats”--be that tide, raise the condition for everyone
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Any possibility of Harry having a nice life, died, mercilessly, with this book, starting with him again not being to just be on the sidelines and ending with the full return of Voldemort. Okay, so it starts off with a horrible scene but actually the beginning is quite lovely as Harry writes to Sirius for help because he finally has someone he can write to with his problems that’s like a parent and then following the silliness of the Weasleys sending a letter with about 10 thousand stamps (why did no one give them basics after the phone call and really, Muggle Studies should be mandatory for everyone, is there really that little contact) and then of course, the Quidditch World Cup (see—Muggles).
But quickly the main themes of Harry being cursed (seriously—why did he keep going back) and teenage drama (Ron v. any and all sensibility) took over, but with some new dimensions. This was the beginning of true social justice for Hermione, something that she would stick with the rest of her life, and I love how it a) was for those who weren’t fighting for themselves, and b) wasn’t based on blood status. The choice and dedication she had to fight for equality and for others made sense as it was an extension from her fight the year before for Buckbeak and wasn’t for her, but something for others that was not related to school, but important, and a part of her and would’ve come out eventually, one way or another. In relation to the parallels created, the introduction of Rita Skeeter, her rumors, and the brainwashing of the media we later also see in Year Five are important parallels to our non-magical world. This extends to how we shouldn’t always trust those we believe we should and we should remain skeptical of those we don’t truly know (Alastor Moody, Lugo Badman, Molly Weasley with Hermione and Rita and others). These are lessons that we understand adults have not all mastered. Additional lessons can also be shown in the three tasks. The First Task reminds us to be creative with your knowledge as Krum hadn’t thought of summoning a broom to help him. The Second and Third Task make me think of moral fibre and compassion, and to not let the competition take over what you know is right.
This book was long, and had a lot, but most importantly it stood as the midpoint, the break between young Harry Potter and older Harry Potter as the coming years would get even darker, and the lessons he learned this year and previously (along with the friendships he gained) would be more valuable in coming times than expected. Unrelated, the beginning chapter of this was so anti-Harry Potter, it had no magic, was complete mysterious and dark but not overdone, it was beautiful and sucked me in so much; truly showed how JK Rowling was a brilliant writer even outside the magical world she created. Also, would’ve loved a scene with Hermione showing Draco she captured Skeeter, once again showing how completely brilliant she is in having figured it out, also, badass!!
Road to Change
Today in Chicago, the two-month summer tour “Road to Change” by the March for our lives movement, begins. Along with open-discussion and proposals on how to make US citizens safer in the daily lives, the Road to Change is working to get the youth and others who are either generally ignored or kept out of the voting and political process active.
Earlier this month, as part of NYC mandates, we had our semi-annual fire safety drill instructions: test if the door is hot, don’t take the elevator, call 911, etc.) but a new segment of this discussion was added, active shooter drills. We were told to turn our cell phones on silent (not vibrate), how a fire extinguisher is a good weapon is needed for the chemical can disarm the eyes and then you can knock the shooter out, how to barricade the door, and how to exit with your hands out and empty so you are not mistaken as the shooter.
We were also told that the below video is good to watch, just about 6 minutes, that gives you additional tips on the three main ways to survive. First Run if you can and Hide if you can’t, and if left with no other options, Fight.
Whether you agree with them or not, the activists related to March for Our Lives are keeping the discussion at the forefront and are doing everything they can so that everyone has a voice in not only this issue but all issues. Click on: Road to change tour dates, and you will be brought to their schedule for June on the March for Our Lives website where you can also find more information about how to register to vote, how to encourage others to vote, tips on how to become an activist yourself and other changes they are fighting for and how you can help.
Hermione Granger
Hermione Jean Granger. Holy Crap, what can’t I say. You were EVERYTHING to me. Brilliantly confident, fierce, strong, brave. You were the first. Before Tris, Katniss, you were the diverse, WHOLE package. True and Strong.
First, you were the best friend anyone could ask for. Almost every year Harry and Ron fought with you, exiled you, one thing or another, real or BS. But it didn’t matter, you PERSISTED, stayed strong, stayed with them. You saved there asses more times than JK Rowling could ever count. You are the golden standard of friendship and bravery. Seriously, I think he knew this as get got older, but YOU were Harry Potter’s best friend. Yes, Ron was there as someone who would go out with him, go on adventures with him, but you always knew what was going on his head and how to get to him, what he needed; again, you are the standard of true friendship we should all aspire to.
Second, you are inspiring and compassionate and open-minded. Emma Watson has your influence to be grateful for in becoming who she is. Not only were you compassionate about House Elves but you didn’t care what anyone thought. You proudly and loudly kept fighting for their equality, fought when even your friends kept attacking you, and when you found out Dumbledore had house elves at Hogwarts you lost some respect for him, even thou he was doing the best he could with them.
Third, you were just you. Luna was also unique and fascinated by the world around her, but you were also someone separate. You loved books, loved learning, always were intrigued and believed there was more out there than you previously thought (GIRL TOOK MUGGLE STUDIES--to be fair I probably would too). You re-awakened the part of me that loves the world around me, that’s curious and un-apologetically so.
We could all go on forever, but these were the main things. You taught us how to be true friends, true to ourselves, and kind to all. While the Harry Potter Series has been a key component in the millennial outcry against hate and separatism, you were the reason we actively, loudly and strongly spit it in the face. Thank you so much Hermione Jean Granger, we did not deserve you, but we hope we are doing you proud.
20th Year of Harry Potter
Nineteen years ago in the US (September 1st, 1998) Harry Potter was released. Hearing of it’s success in the UK, my mother ran out and got it for us to read together. While It would not become more common in my community for another few years, it quickly became very important to me. My mother read it to me at night the first time around, miss-pronouncing Hermione until my dad who grew up for a time in England corrected her, and then I read it many times over to where the book started to fall apart.
The Harry Potter series is a big deal for many reasons, and has shaped our world and helped us connect with more than just the theme parks, midnight book releases, Emma Watson, movies and expansions such as Quidditch Throughout the Ages. The story of Harry Potter has shown the ridiculousness of racism, the promotion of helping those less fortunate, of doing what is morally right and reminding us that what we see is not always accurate as with depression or social differences. The Harry Potter world created by J.K. Rowling (who I also first assumed was a male) was the first apocalyptic universe where everyone was fighting to survive, but also win the world for good; and make the world better. Hermione Granger might not have been the main protagonist as with following series that all became about the sole female heroine, but she was the first to be brave regardless of her fears, rely on her smarts, and always be there for her friends. In studies the Harry Potter series have been noted as a large influence on combating race and social-class status as the absurdity of separation on these qualities were shown in the books with werewolves, elves and with half-bloods and muggles. While not the sole supporter or eye-opener, it is a reason why younger generations believe it is their responsibility to make sure everyone is treated with equality and respect.
September 1st is widely known in the Harry Potter Universe as the day that those who were fortunate enough to receive their Hogwarts letters would get on the Hogwarts Express and get to begin their official journey into the wizarding world, and while intended enough, it is when those in the US were able to join as well with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. In this story, we were Harry, we were learning everything as he did--something that would continue for the rest of the series (very eloquently referenced with each new book I might add) that entranced us. But more than with the wizarding world, we were like Harry in learning about the problems arising and feeling that we had to stop it, how it was our duty to stop it, part of what has spread outside the pages to common activism and empathy in our day to day lives. Again we were Harry Potter, we were young, new to this world and with our humbled experience prior, we wonder if this world we were growing into was as magical and perfect as we were led to believe. This is what this Harry Potter journey taught us and continues to remind us, that not everything perfect or fair but that we can all, individually make a difference
Now what? After 3 weeks of protests and educating ourselves and educating others, how do we keep the momentum going for this civil rights movement? How do we make permanent change?
X
ways to support the blm movement
this google doc includes a list of petitions to sign, resources to help educate yourself and others, organizations to donate to, and contacts of law officials to get in touch with to express your support for the george floyd and black lives matter movements. this includes ways to help even if you don’t live in america. please read it and support the movement.
use your voice. use every platform you have, no matter how big or how small. nothing will change if you just sit there and watch. if you think you’re the exception, you’re not. remaining indifferent will only support the oppressor. do something.
write to your legal representatives. express your support for legislation that would bring justice to the unarmed civilians who’ve been murdered by law enforcement officers. demand for justice.
call 612-324-4499 ㅡ this is a hotline that will coach you on how to get connected with the people who can arrest the officers that murdered george floyd.
create serious conversation. stop demeaning people who disagree with your philosophies on how to overcome. it is useless and no better than the practices of the oppressor to silence. we need to listen to each other with respect and really consider how we can combine our perspectives to create practical change.
please feel free to add any links or resources or information that you think will be helpful and also reblog to spread awareness. the systems we are fighting against were literally created to oppress marginalized communities and therefore will not go down without a fight. we need to collectively stand up and do something about it.
We are all part of the change ✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽✊🏼✊🏻
Proud of this uncle.
Some reminders about Dr. King before tomorrow:
US government agencies were implicated in the wrongful death lawsuit in a civil trial in 1999 that his family fought for years and which was then buried by the justice department. The full transcripts of the trial and the following press conference are available on the King Center’s website. http://www.thekingcenter.org/assassination-conspiracy-trial
He spoke out against police brutality, capitalism, and war.
He believed that white moderates were and are the greatest threat to civil rights, moreso than any hate group.
He was arrested over 10 times.
He was considered a dangerous radical by the majority of white Americans.
He refused to condemn rioters, because “a riot is the language of the unheard.”
Any white person who voted for Trump who tries to use MLK or his words as a rhtetorical tactic to justify their bigotry and complain about people protesting can personally come to my apartment in the next 24 hours for an ass-kicking.
Daily reminder that we do not actually live in a dystopian movie put the apocalypse down and back away slowly. You know when your cleaning a room and you pull everything out of it's draws to sort through it and you're like "what the fuck have I done I'm never going to be able to tidy all of this" I think that's the stage we're at in the world. Thanks to social media we've pulled out all the messed up shit from the cupboards of the world, it was always there but now we can see it and we're going to have to sort it all out we made this mess and we can fix it. Falling to the floor sobbing will not clean a crusty room. A group of people working systematically (preferably with music in the background) will.
cat who hacksd the no fly list literally my hero
3/14 Pi Day, School Walkout, Stephen Hawking, and more
A lot happening today! I just wanted to post a couple of updates and thoughts...
Before I had breakfast this morning I heard the word that Stephen Hawking had passed away. What an amazing human being, such an incredible loss for the world. And what an amazing coincidence for him to die on Einstein’s birthday...
Stephen Hawking
Stephen Hawking Taught Us a Lot About How to Live (NYT)
Stephen Hawking Dies at 76; His Mind Roamed the Cosmos (NYT Obituary)
Stephen Hawking: Visionary physicist dies aged 76 (BBC)
This is the most dangerous time for our planet (Stephen Hawking 12/16)
Stephen Hawking Was Right To Worry About Our Impending Doom (io9)
Stephen Hawking’s most mind-blowing discovery: black holes can shrink: Hawking radiation, explained by a physicist. (Vox)
Stephen Hawking’s 5 best and nerdiest pop culture cameos: When Hawking wasn’t changing the world, he played himself on TV. He was hilarious. (Vox)
Pi Day
I always look forward to Pi Day... friends usually send me Pi Day pictures and animated gifs... I wore my new Pi shirt to PT today and I’ve finally updated my Pi Page :) You can also check out my new Flickr post on Pi Day...
School Walkout
These two photos from the 17 photos from today's National School Walkout for gun control that should terrify the NRA are my favorite:
#NationalWalkoutDay on Twitter
Previous post on tumblr about gun violence
Science, not silence...
Science is more than a discipline, it’s a belief system. It’s a way of looking at the world in wonder with insatiable curiosity. Scientists value rationality. They have a healthy sense of skepticism, they are critical thinkers. They are using their time and energy to understand the world and make it a better place.
They deal in evidence and facts.
Not politics and lies.
I am THRILLED to hear that scientists are hearing the same call to action that many other groups are answering in these unsettling times...
The March for Science is a celebration of our passion for science and a call to support and safeguard the scientific community. Recent policy changes have caused heightened worry among scientists, and the incredible and immediate outpouring of support has made clear that these concerns are also shared by hundreds of thousands of people around the world. Mischaracterization of science as a partisan issue, which has given policymakers permission to reject overwhelming evidence, is a critical and urgent matter. It is time for people who support scientific research and evidence-based policies to take a public stand and be counted.
ON APRIL 22, 2017, WE WALK OUT OF THE LAB AND INTO THE STREETS.
We are scientists and science enthusiasts. We come from all races, all religions, all gender identities, all sexual orientations, all socioeconomic backgrounds, all political perspectives, and all nationalities. Our diversity is our greatest strength: a wealth of opinions, perspectives, and ideas is critical for the scientific process. What unites us is a love of science, and an insatiable curiosity. We all recognize that science is everywhere and affects everyone.
Science is often an arduous process, but it is also thrilling. A universal human curiosity and dogged persistence is the greatest hope for the future. This movement cannot and will not end with a march. Our plans for policy change and community outreach will start with marches worldwide and a teach-in at the National Mall, but it is imperative that we continue to celebrate and defend science at all levels - from local schools to federal agencies - throughout the world.
#sciencemarch
MarchofScience.com
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See also my del.icio.us links or my flipboards or many of the content/curation pages on my weebly site... in particular though, one of the greatest scientists of all times comes to mind (Post: Carl Sagan)
And that includes politicians!! In one of my favorite videos of Carl, he speaks about science, politics, and skepticism (here’s the short clip on that).
Op-Ed: Why we need scientists to run for public office now - via Ars Technica
Which is why it’s also exciting to see groups encouraging scientists to run for office....
We are members of the STEM Community, grassroots supporters, and political activists committed to bring innovation to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education, aggressively advocate for real solutions to Climate Change and elect more STEM trained candidates to public office.
314Action.org
Update
Sensing New Threats, Scientists Entertain Political Ambitions
Why I’m Marching for Science
In Age of Trump, Scientists Show Signs of a Political Pulse
A lot of Americans don’t know a thing scientist. We need to fix that
Excerpt: This is the battle for the legitimacy of science, a battle we helped create because we still haven’t figured out how to show people what we do, why we do it, and why it’s important. So we’ll march. And then we have to get to work. Going forward, we have to be stewards. We have to share without condescension and be patient and helpful as people balance uncomfortable truths. We have to integrate into our communities as voices on the ground. We’re people who care about the health and well-being of the human race. That’s why we sequester ourselves in our labs working for cures, or in front of computers trying to understand weather patterns, or out in the ocean, gathering samples of water, fish, and plants. But we have to do a better job of communicating if we want the default to be evidence-based policy for us, the people, and not for profit. I hope it’s not too late to reverse our failings.