@irritated-poc-blog / irritated-poc-blog.tumblr.com
The first #VICELAND episodes are rolling out this week before premiere. http://youtube.com/VicelandTV
I love this channel.
Everyone please go watch this channel.
Most progressive shows I’ve seen on TV (and Youtube) in a long time.
It’s even on TV, which your bigot parents consider gospel. You can leave it on casually and they’ll watch and be educated.
“After watching WOMAN, I urge you to support the work of the Women’s Prison Association. You can join me by making a donation to support WPA and by learning more at viceland.com/woman and watching the episode on viceland.com. We have the power to help make sure the cycles of unnecessary incarceration doesn’t happen to future generations. The first step is to be a witness.”
-Danielle Brooks
I ran @whatwhiteswillneverknow for 4 years so far and I have read pretty much a lot of… opinions. As well as answered them in all sorts of ways. Sometimes informative, somethings scarastic, sometimes comical, but always trying to at least educate.
So, I’m going to give you my personal list of 10 things people who are “anti-social justice warriors” probably misunderstand about certain concepts.
1) Culture Appropriation is real. But you can still appreciate culture when people from that culture invites you in.
There is a difference between people appropriation and appreciation. There is a thing as “cultural exchanges” (raman and pasta are a delicious example). It’s actually a good thing when someone is inspired by someone else’s culture. The harm comes when you try to eliminate the source and invalidate the original meaning. Listen when people talk about it.
2) Telling people that they should “speak English” is actually degrading.
English is the most popular language on this site and you’ll have no problem finding English-speaking people in different parts of the world. However, when people come to an English-speaking country and they speak a foreign language, saying things like “they should learn English” or “you’re here now, speak my tongue” is difficult.
But in order to fully understand that, maybe you need to watch a film.
3) Saying “there are more important things in this world than what you’re talking about” is dismissive.
Sure, stuff like cultural appropriation, diversity in media, and who died in the latest Game of Thrones isn’t as important as “job development” or the current political environment, but we are all capable of caring about more than one topic. Matter of fact, wouldn’t it be easier to talk to someone if you first acknowledge them like “I know how it feels to lose a program. I’m still waiting for them to produce season 3 of Young Justice!” and then after getting them to agree that Young Justice is a complex story with excellent animation that shouldn’t have been pitched to 10-13-year-olds to sell toys, we can talk about how awesome Bernie Sanders is?
Bottom line: There maybe topics that are not apporiate depending on when and who you’re talking about it. If my first thought on the “Nightly Show” if I’m ever invited is “Why they cancelled Young Justice” than what I think about Congress blocking Supreme Court nominations, then maybe Larry Wilmore has the right to tell me “Young Justice is gone. Deal with it.”
4) Saying “stop racism and discrimination” is a blanket and vague statement and should only be reserved for protest signs.
It’s like doing the two-step dance… easy to do, predictable, and some people still can’t even do THAT correctly. Everyone can say it, but unless you’re actively doing something about it, you’re just dancing around the subject. (Get it? Dancing around? I kill me.)
5) There are things that you may not agree with, but at least have some empathy.
There are concepts in this world that you may never really understand. There’s stuff about myself that I don’t fully understand yet. However, one thing I do understand is psychological projection, a human construct in which a person would cover their own insecurities by projecting them on others. Problem is, it took me years of maturity to fully understand this.
So, I say unto you… you should at least feel empathy for people. All humans are capable of empathy.
You may not like children, but you probably don’t want to see one get run over by a car. You probably may not like rap music and it’s subject matter, but if a Black child is run over by a car and you think “one less criminal off the streets”, maybe it’s time to re-evaluate your own worth.
6) Yes, a hive mind can be dangerous.
This one I personally witness. I can’t deal with people who don’t really think for themselves. It’s harmful when they just blindly agrees with an influential person and attack anyone who disagrees with them…
… even if that person is me. Learn to think for yourself and be able to tackle the issues. It will benefit you more.
7) There is a difference between people asking questions to learn and people who are trolls.
It’s a hard thing to figure out, hence why I try my best to pay attention to their actions rather than look at their body of work. It’s easier to just talk about what they said wrong than to use what they said wrong to draw up a final conclusion.
8) Pulling out dictionary meanings are pointless in a debate about that very word you’re defining.
It’s amazing how many people love to post up screenshots of a dictionary to just dismiss things as if the dictionary is as the absolute authority on concepts. The only point a dictionary plays is in a meaning of a word, nothing more, nothing less.
It has its place when it comes to defining words. But it doesn’t have a place about how the words are used in every little circumstance. So, telling us what the word means as a way to shut down the conversation is at best immature.
9) Saying “talking about it will only bring more of it” is dismissive and damaging.
Do you think I like to talk about racism? No. Do you think I like acknowleding that I got an ego somethings? No. But not talking about it doesn’t help. If we don’t keep things in check, it can hurt people.
If we don’t talk about racism when it happens, we can’t acknowledge that there is a problem, and therefore the problem won’t be solved. If my girlfriends can’t talk about my ego, I may do things that may harm myself in the future.
See how all that works? When you at least put things in check, it’s step 1 towards change (or in my ego-tripping case, to prevent myself from making mistakes. BTW, I have to use a personal example here because it helps to show that by not acknowledging a flaw, it only helps to make it worse.)
10) We need to remind ourselves that we’re not above critisim.
There is no exception to the rule. Strive to be “good” but don’t think you’re “better than other people”. Just because you acknowledge something doesn’t mean you get a cookie and just because you’re helping people doesn’t mean you belong to that community. At the end of the day, while one more person who empathize with us might be one less person who doesn’t, there’s 10 more probably could care less.
Take an unflinching look at the secrets we all keep, and the strength that it takes to reveal them to our friends and family. ‘Secret Lives of Americans’ Fridays at 10e/p on Pivot.
what happens to all your teen angst when you’re 20… like where does it go
they diagnose it as anxiety
El Reno High School, who has an ‘Indian’ mascot, humiliated a young Native man, Jonathan Birdshead, at his graduation. They told him he couldn’t wear his beaded cap, in front of everyone. The woman pictured was very rude. It is a huge milestone in Jonathan’s life. He loves his traditional way. We need to stand by this young man and contact the high school to set them straight.
this proves that the “‘Indian’ mascot = we’re honouring the culture” argument is BULLSHIT. (of course we knew this already) .. but seriously, this is super messed up.
I feel sick.
If you are considering meeting up with someone online use this trick identify who really are who they claim to be:
1. Ask them to Skype 2. If they refuse or can’t for some reason ask for a current selfie 3. If they also refuse or can’t do not meet up with them 4. If they provide one ask them to send another with them holding 3 fingers up 5. If they refuse read step 3 6. If they provide a selfie where they show 3 fingers they are probably for real
(If you’re still unconvinced try again with them drawing something in their hand)
I SAY THIS FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY please spread this message as more and more young people are lured out into situations where they get kidnapped because they weren’t 100% sure the person they were talking to was real.
ALSO IF YOU ARE UNDER THE AGE OF 18 MAKE SURE YOU STATE THE FOLLOWING:
“My [fill in trusted adult here] wants to come too. [pronoun] said we can do our own thing and [pronoun] will just sort of grab [pronoun] own table, but I wanted to let you know. Hey, if you have an adult coming too they could sit together!”
If hearing this freaks the other person out and they decline, TERMINATE ALL CONTACT. Do not pass go, do not collect $200, go directly to block. I’m 26 years old and if you tell me you’re coming with a friend or parent for your own safety, I will automatically say “hey, cool. Y’know, if you’re nervous we can just do Starbucks or something, I’m okay meeting in a busy place. That way your [adult/friend] can hang out, too, and they don’t have to pay for [admission, a movie ticket, whatever].” Your safety and comfort is important to me, and is important to any good person you meet online who wants to meet up IRL. In the early 2000s when I first started seeing online safety PSAs, this was a widely-spread tip. Use it.
And for the record, you can use this over the age of 18, too. I still won’t meet people from online except in public places. You never know–that person holding up three fingers and drawing a Pokemon on their palm could be some pervert’s child, niece, nephew, family friend’s kid who was encouraged to take some silly pictures. Always voice-verify and always meet in public, with another person if possible.
Be smart and stay safe, kiddos. Nina loves you.
When you’re in a new group of people and you have to pretend to be straight until you figure out if they’re chill
Wearing a chest binder can be an important part of a person’s daily life and expression, but it can be hard to find binders in diverse colors, sizes or styles.
This month, the LGBTQ-run company gc2b challenged that trend by releasing a line of chest binders called “All Nude.” The binders come in five different skin-tone shades, ranging from light beige to dark brown. They also come in two styles – a crop top length and a tank top length – and in sizes XXS to 5XL.
“At gc2b we aim to continue to accommodate and celebrate the vast spectrum of humanity, to always serve and liberate our phenomenal supporters, and as always, to design with the true you in mind,” gc2b, who Mic has reached out to for comment, writes on its website.
Although some designers on Etsy have attempted to create their own more inclusive lines with more shades of nude, such as LeoLines, this is the first time an established and trusted brand has expanded its range.
Underworks, a binder company that has been around since 1997, still only stocks binders in the current usual array of colors. FLAVNT Streetwear has a line of binding swim tops in five different shades in the works as well, but those haven’t yet hit the market.
It matters that a binder company is already trusted for the simple reason that chest binding can be quite dangerous. “I essentially liken binding to drinking a can of Coke,” Jessie Anderson, who is transgender, said in a previous interview. “Is it good for you? No, but you’re going to do it anyway.”
This. Is. So. Important. Get yours here.
Thank you!
she did that
would like to point out that the rest of that quote is relevant:
“and I watch my daughters — two beautiful black young women — head off to school, waving goodbye to their father, the president of the United States.”
I wonder how many people missed the point she was trying to make. That we have come far from having slaves to having a black president.
many
The world of online and mobile dating tends to be highly gendered and highly binary. This has especially been a problem for transgender and gender nonconforming people who use Tinder to meet other people.
That’s why last week, Sean Rad, Tinder CEO, announced that the platform will begin focusing specifically on inclusion for trans and gender nonconforming people. They’re working with GLAAD and other LGBTQ+ experts for guidance.
Here’s an excerpt from Rad’s statement on the issue:
One challenge we face at Tinder is making sure our tens of millions of users around the world have the same user experience. No matter who you are, no matter what you’re looking for, you should get quality matches through the Tinder experience. There’s an important transgender (and gender nonconforming) community on Tinder who haven’t had that experience… yet. We haven’t delivered for them, so we’re working with LGBTQ advisors, including transgender activist Andrea James and GLAAD to help us address this important demographic. This is not only the right thing to do for our users, it’s the right thing to do, period.
About time, Tinder. This should be the standard for any and all dating sites.
A man just walked past me and said “excuse me, but you look very nice tonight darlin” I said thank you and he said you’re welcome and walked off. And that is how you compliment a woman without harassing them
3:29 p.m. feel free to add to this! (via hereislight)
this is a concept that needs to truly be executed on this website.
