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[humanitiesasu]

This op-ed from the New York Times has much in it to admire, about the role of the humanities in the contemporary world, but I especially like this anecdote from it:

“How much do you know about Shakespeare,” I once asked a friend who has committed much of her life to studying the Bard. She replied, “Not as much as he knows about me.” Remember this the next time someone tells you literature is useless.

That is just brilliant.

[humanitiesasu]

[humanitiesasu]

be unapologetically you :))

[humanitiesasu]

🎃Friendly reminder from @translawcenter about #Halloween 🎃 #translivesmatter

[humanitiesasu]

For #NationalComingOutDay, The Trevor Project wants you to know that we’re here if you’re struggling and need someone to listen. Coming out can be hard and we are here to offer support if you need to talk it out. Call the Trevor Lifeline at 866-488-7386 or find a supportive community online at TrevorSpace.org. More resources are at thetrevorproject.org. 

[humanitiesasu]

This morning, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released a new report called “Ending Conversion Therapy: Supporting and Affirming LGBTQ Youth.” The report provides an in-depth review of research and a consensus among experts, including the American Psychological Association, in finding conversion therapy to be harmful, and instead provides examples of appropriate resources and therapeutic approaches. 

[humanitiesasu]

[humanitiesasu]

[humanitiesasu]

Stop calling yourselves mentally ill, you are a human being.

The human anatomy and physiology sometimes gets warped and people end up with neuro-divergent disorders. This is part of the human condition. I am neuro-divergent and sometimes I have problems functioning like a neurotypical person but I am not sick or ill. I am human and I do not want to be pitied and I do not want you to make excuses for me or my behavior. Calling yourself mentally ill is creating a space for separateness or otherness. It is also seen as a unimodal thing, like the mentally ill in public perception are deranged or crazy or unhinged. Your diagnosis does not define you, you are a person with an illness. People aren’t cancer they have cancer. People aren’t addicts they have an addiction. So you aren’t mentally ill because above all you are human just like everyone else.

[humanitiesasu]

[humanitiesasu]

Do you know about the asexuality spectrum? There are both romantic and sexual orientations within the asexuality spectrum. Would you add any to this list? #asexualityawarenessweek

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[humanitiesasu]

(I am 27 weeks pregnant and starting to have contractions. I am on the bus on my way to the hospital. The driver is aware of this. I pull the buzzer to get off the bus and start walking to the door.)

Driver: *to me* “You sit back down!” *to the rest of the bus* “Is anyone going to need any of the next four stops? Because if so, I suggest you get off now, as we are detouring!”

(The driver then takes us directly to the hospital. He stops the bus, gets out of his seat, walks me down the steps, and into the hospital! The next day I am still in the hospital. I call up the transit office.)

Me: “Hi, yes. I was on bus [number] yesterday evening and the driver detoured from his route for me. I just wanted to make sure he is not in trouble. Because of him, they were able to save the life of my unborn son!”

Transit Employee: “No worries, miss. We only got one complaint from a passenger. The driver called us as soon as he got back with everyone on the bus. He has been given a commendation for his actions yesterday. Thank you for calling, and take care!”

[humanitiesasu]

Bullying is total bs.

Read more here: http://abovetheinfluence.com/bullying-stinks/

[humanitiesasu]

[humanitiesasu]

[humanitiesasu]

How to Take Advantage of Your Fears

We all have fears. Our fears can be so strong that they have the ability to control our lives if we let them. We don’t have to let that happen though. We can turn the tables and use our fears to guide us where we need to go.

First thing’s first, it’s important to note that everyone has fears. You might think that you are alone with your fears, but as I always say, just because you think something, that doesn’t make it true. Having fears is a completely normal human trait.

Now that you know that you’re completely normal, we can move on to the next step. It might seem like an absurd thing to say, but it’s true:

You don’t need to be afraid of your fears.

If you are afraid of your fears, that means you believe them. You grant them life and you let them control you.

The truth is that fears are just thoughts in our minds, nothing else. And thoughts are only scary if we believe them.

Most of our fears are unrealistic, meaning that there is no real reason to be afraid. These fears should not be allowed to control us, since they have no valid reason to. There is no actual substance behind them.

So what can we do with these fears then? Well, we can let them guide us. We can go in the opposite direction as they tell us to. Read more»

(via How to Take Advantage of Your Fears | The Miracle Forest)