Facebook…
To the Trump supporters who are critical thinkers and care about human beings — what do you tell your children or grandchildren about the ways he talks about people from Mexico, Muslims and women? What do you tell them about how he insults and puts down people so openly and expressively? I’m not talking about Hillary right now, I’m genuinely curious how people who care about dignity and respect explain his attitudes and behaviors to young people.
We Should Not Waste People
“Many of our greatest minds are wasting away in prison
When we discuss sustainability for this earth and how we should not waste water, energy or food, let’s not forget people
We should not waste people.”
~ Desiree Adaway
Lynching… Facing Our History
Our history is real and must be faced. These stories are not from another time, they are family memories still held by people today. 66 years ago is recent. And this isn’t even touching on the modern day lynchings.
“I don’t think we can afford to continue pretending that there aren’t these really troubling chapters in our history,” Stevenson said. “I think we’ve got to deal with it.”
The First U.S. Memorial for Lynching Will Open in Alabama Full Article.
White People: Stop Saying We Need Dialogue
“Politicians: Stop saying we need dialogue. We don’t need dialogue. We need the state to stop murdering people.”
~ Bree Newsome
“Police in the United States work for us; they are accountable to the government officials we elect, and our taxes pay their salaries. So we have the power. It’s our job to stop the killing.
Those who work with trauma survivors often speak of the importance of respecting their right to set boundaries and to determine what they need to be safe and to move forward. After centuries of trauma, it’s time for more than dialogue. It’s time for White people not only to listen to Black people, but also to be part of the solutions as Black people define them.
We White folks can nod sympathetically as Black and Brown neighbors share their pain (again) and relive the trauma, violence, and humiliations that are part of everyday life in a White-majority society. Then we can go back to life as usual—life that is less prone to violence and trauma because of our relative wealth and because we often live in safer neighborhoods. And we can conveniently ignore the historic reasons White people have, on average, more wealth and live in safer neighborhoods.
Many of the laws, policies, and practices that contribute to the brutalization of Black people, including Black youth, are established locally.
The good news is that many of these policy changes can be enacted where we live, via our state and local governments and local school systems.”
~Sarah van Gelder
Read the full article from Yes Magazine
Asking For Help
Fb therapy session and public vulnerability. I could use a little love today and any self-love wisdom that you have to share. Unfortunately there are some voices inside my head that are fixed on telling me stories about myself that make me feel like shit (stories they’ve been telling for years, a lifetime?). I’m trying to shut the tapes down, and I welcome tips you have for caring for yourself. From a tender heart who is fine in the big picture, just in the throes of healing and learning. Thank you <3
This post on facebook yielded 82 comments with incredible suggestions. Someday I hope to make another post that shares all of the self-care, self-love wisdom that was shared. Moral of the story… Ask for help.
Frontlines… What Are the Other Lines?
What are the “other lines”? So many people are on the frontlines right now… water defenders in North Dakota, freedom fighters in Charlotte, North Carolina and El Cajon, California, prisoners and guards against modern day slavery at Holman Correctional facility in Alabama… and so many other places in the US and around the world. So many frontlines exist right now (and that is a different topic). Right now I’m curious about all the different lines and how they serve this time we are living, What are the other lines, the lines where we support those on the frontline, the storytellers about what’s happening on the frontline… the frontlines who are the mothers, fathers, teachers, surgeons, etc. I’d love to hear your thoughts. Thank you.
Photo by Rob Wilson Photography
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I Fit The Description
“Nothing I am, nothing I do, nothing I have means anything because I fit the description.”
A personal story from Steve Locke. Well worth your read.