Remembering James Baldwin: American novelist, Civil Rights activist and social justice warrior, born on August 2nd 1924

Ida Lupino, 1946, photo by Scotty Welbourne

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2018/07/30/lebron-james-promise-school-akron-ohio/862159002/

Some people don’t understand how big this is, opening a school, especially a public one is a huge undertaking and even with LeBron money it’s costly.

It’s really nice to see black celebs and athletes actually show their support for the community, rather than sparing a few words about it.

You… do realise that people tag works as containing rape/paedophilia/incest when the stories are explicitly about those things being bad, and not just because they’re writing dark themes for reasons that you personally disapprove of, right? That tags merely state the presence of a thing without explaining how it’s dealt with in the narrative, and that stories do not have to be morally instructional and perfect and pure in order to be allowed to exist? 

Like. You might as well walk into a bookshop and stamp BLOCKED FOR BADWRONG CONTENT on every book in the Song of Ice and Fire series, half of Shakespeare, every YA novel about rape recovery, every adult novel about rape recovery, every biography of someone who has suffered from rape, incest or paedophilia and been brave enough to write about it, every book of Greek, Egyptian and Norse myths, the fucking Bible - just a truly massive percentage of the entire global literary canon, because there is literally no way to remove each and every reference to these themes otherwise. 

Do you know why schools and libraries are pressured to ban books like I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, To Kill a Mockingbird and Laurie Halse Andersen’s Speak? Because dumbass, scaremongering adults think that letting teens read about rape or racism or sexual violence or queerness or half a dozen other topics they think are Bad Things will lead to them down a path of Vice. 

What happens to characters in stories, no matter how graphic or awful, is not the same as that act occurring to a real human person in real life, nor does reading or writing such works indicate endorsement of those acts. This is why a story which features paedophilia, regardless of whether it’s written as overtly sexual content or as a damning condemnation of the act, is not the same as child pornography by any legal definition: because no actual children are harmed. Are you personally still allowed to be angry and disgusted about the public availability of the former type of stories, even in instances where the writers are themselves victims of child abuse trying to process their trauma? Yes! You’re under no moral obligation to like any kind of content! But are you correct in asserting that the creation of such stories is illegal and hurting somebody in exactly the same way that a real abuser hurting a real child would be? No! Because fictional characters are not real people, and whatever our motives for creating or engaging with a particular thing, monkey see = monkey approve is not how it fucking works.  

Have you ever watched an episode of CSI? Congratulations! By your own logic, you’re pro rape and murder. Ever watched an episode of Hannibal? Congratulations! By your own logic, you endorse cannibalism, Stockholm Syndrome and serial killing. Ever watched a historical drama where a young girl gets married to a much older man? Congratulations! By your own logic, you endorse child brides. And on, and on, and on.

I say again: you are allowed to be critical of particular works and/or the recurrence of certain themes across a particular medium. But arguing that an entire literary platform needs to end because some stories there contain Bad Things makes as much sense as banning the works of Octavia Butler or Sherman Alexie from school libraries because of their content. Which is - spoiler alert - a really bad idea.

UGH.

^^^ This.

Reblog this if you are literally suprised when people find you attractive.

Please call your rep to oppose this bill now. The vote could come before the House TODAY.   

“would allow a concealed carry permit to become nationally recognized like your driver’s license or marriage license.” newsandguts.com

The GOP’s Latest Gun Bill Would Be Catastrophic For Women Fleeing Abuse  Huffington Post

Editorial: A concealed-carry danger to Illinois Chicago Tribune

Editorial: No matter how they dress it up, the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act is really bad policy LA Times

To those of you who are not/can’t be out during the holidays or have to put yourself back in the closet around certain family.

It’s gonna be ok. I’m in your court currently. I’m only out to my sister and her boyfriend, but not to my parents or any of my extended family.

Yes, it’s tough. I’m not saying it’s easy. By no fucking means is it. God, the anxiety alone. But look at you! Look how freaking strong and tough you are! Think of how much better it’s going to be one day to live to your fullest as your most authentic self.

I know, I know. You want it to just be ok. You want it to have that feeling now. I do too. Family might say something snide or pointed. Or politics or something else abrasive might be brought up. Not great. (Just happened briefly at my family’s Thanksgiving table) But it’ll be ok. I can’t promise you it’ll happen immediately, but I just know it will be okay one day. Not great to keep swallowing these feelings down and burying them or shutting them out, but getting into roundabout debates can definitely cause more anxiety, especially if you know they’re just as rooted in their opinions as you.

Remember, we are strong individuals. All of us. Damn near resilient if you ask me. And we get to choose our family and friends in this big, loving, and happy community. So treat yourself to a Friendsgiving or just good and kind hearted people this season and all seasons. We’re definitely even more amazing when we get together and share the joy.

May the universe or whatever power you do or don’t believe in bless you. And if nothing else, I extend a blessing to you and a virtual hug. Have a happy Christmas, Hannukah, Yule or whatever you may celebrate.

You’re such an amazing person! You know I will always celebrate you and support you!

Cate Blanchett at the Giorgio Armani Spring Summer 2018 Women’s Fashion Show

OMG. This is my birthday gift from Mr Shimmy!

Beautiful! Happy Birthday!

NO TAX CUT BILL

Just called my state representatives and will be calling my senators to vote no to this tax cut bill. It’s going to seriously hurt the middle class. Call your senators and reps!!

It seriously took maybe all of 10 min to call or email both reps and both senators. I actually spoke to someone in Cruz’s Austin office. #resist

US folks! If you don’t have a handsome and determined DCS to get you any medicine you might need, check out healthcare.gov before Dec 15 to find what individual plans are available in your area!

(Gifs by @britishdetectives from the episode Bad Blood.)

Hey Americans, unless you’ve got Foyle on your team, sign up now. The time is cut in half this year and the advertising budget was slashed. Don’t miss out.

Thanks for the boost! 

US residents in need of health care, find a plan at Healthcare.gov 

Useful information to have when it comes time to vote.

Thank you for this, @flashofthefuse. I received this yesterday, sent to me by various organizations and persons who are also concerned. I’m not on Tumblr as much as I was previously, but I still follow groups and individuals. My love for MFMM and other interests have taken a backseat to the extreme peril in which I believe our country finds itself. I joined another organization, Moms Demand Action, this year at the urging of my sister. I support responsible gun ownership, but we have to make better, more responsible decisions about who can possess them. We can’t be dominated by the NRA, which has no concern whatsoever about the lives lost to gun violence.

What a Year

 adminWow, everybody! Yesterday marked a year since I was let go from my job. Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t the biggest fan of the work environment and it definitely sucked, but I still wish I had left on my own terms instead of having the rug ripped out from under me.

The past 365 days have brought a lot of despair, frustration, and pain, but they have also brought realization, love, and new experiences.

Keep reading

I just read this. Wow, a year already. I see it was truly amazing, much like yourself! As you know, please feel free to reach out at any time. I love hearing from you. I’m so happy you met someone who knows how special you are!