#alexfaith

[theremina]

And Now An Irregularly-Scheduled Public Cervix Announcement Featuring Your Friendly Neighborhood Harpy Who --For Better Or Worse-- Is Somehow Not Dead Yet

Oakland, Not Long After. 2007

[Content Warning: raw discussion of SA ]

Doin' my best to pick my battles better as I march deeper into middle age. This month's been extra activating and terrifying, tho, so pardon my dust-up, I guess? Here goes. A refresher: Denying an intimate partner informed consent is SA. Period.

Consent can only be given with full knowledge of what is going to happen.

Consensual sex can only take place without manipulation or coercion. It cannot happen under false pretenses. It cannot occur under force or pressure. It cannot happen under threat of harm. Manipulating a partner into sex, either by actively lying to them, or failing to disclose overlapping sexual activity with others, is SA. (To be clear, I'm not talking about ethical non-monogamy. I'm talking about cheating, lying, or witholding vital health-related information.)

One must be of sound mind in order to give consent. Engaging in intercourse with anyone who is blacked out or unconscious is sexual assault.

Engaging in sex with someone while they are in the middle of a mental or physical health crisis is a form of SA. Stealthing is sexual assault. It is every person's right to withdraw consent at a moment's notice, whether with a predetermined safe word, by saying "no, stop, you're hurting me, I don't want this", or with clear non-verbal cues. Ignoring a partner and continuing after that point is SA. Manipulating someone's trust or luring them into sex under false pretenses is SA. Full stop. Lying to a partner robs them of making an informed decision. It means informed consent is impossible. Once again, that's SA. Taking advantage of a person's vulnerability, trauma, youth, or disability in order to fuck them is SA. Bullying a person into giving birth, or into having an abortion, or into being sterilized is SA. Habitually abusing someone who loves/trusts you and then telling everyone that person is "crazy" once they've finally had enough, broken down, and spoken out is an especially egregious form of accountability-dodging. My ex, in conversation with multiple peers, for years: "I don't see why she has to make such a big deal out of everything." Because sexual assault IS a big deal, dude. Sexualized abuse often leads to permanent and irreversible damage for a survivor, not only psychologically, but physically. This year I'm having my breasts, uterus, and cervix surgically removed in order to (hopefully) survive what repeated instances of sexualized abuse and assault have done to both my body and psyche over the course of my life. Maybe once these body parts are gone, I'll feel less terrified, less furious, and more free. I hope so. I'm not worried about pain but I don't want to die. Please, gods, grant me time to stick around and enjoy things as a more fully-integrated and self-aware being. Thing is, tho, even when I was a flamin' hot Cheeto mess, I never deserved to be emotionally abused, financially exploited, physically assaulted, or sexually violated by dishonest people. No one deserves to be dehumanized like that. No one. Looking around, seeing all these supposedly rational peers who still protect and promote unapologetic rapists even after learning about what they've done, and realizing that the communities I cared about would rather center the safety and comfort of serial abusers who are more resourced, talented, powerful, or likable than those they've assaulted...

That's a nightmare I'm not sure I will ever wake up from.

Every single day I live with what my abusers did to my body. I live with knowing that a lot of mutual peers don't think it matters.

It's not my fault that my body's been fighting off cervical cancer since at least 2006 as a result of having been assaulted, abused, and discarded by people I loved and trusted.

Precious few serial abusers I've attempted to create consequences for have ever held themselves accountable, let alone made amends. I'm the one who continues to be shunned and scapegoated... Cuz I'm gross and annoying, I guess.

"If it was so bad, why didn't you leave?" "It was a long time ago." "You should have known better." Really? Folks are still trotting out this trash in 2022?

My complex PTSD and mental illness may make me unpleasant to be around, but they have not made me delusional. Neurodivergence doesn't prevent me from seeing the suicide forest for the trees. I am not hyperbolic in the slightest. My perceptions, if not my behavior, are reasonable.

"Just get over it already"? Nah. Eat my entire steaming, bleeding heart. Choke on it.

I am very hurt and angry, yes. I am also lucid. I am sane. It's rape culture that is madness. Ignoring and/or scorning those of us who are pissed off enough to openly discuss what's happened to us is violence upon violence upon violence upon violence and in case anyone's still somehow failed to notice, MOTHER EARTH IS NOT HAVING IT ANYMORE, OKAY? "I've suffered way worse than she has but you don't see me complaining"? Really. Really? You're gonna try to "Karen" me over this? In conclusion... FUCK SHAME. When I am dead and gone, please remember what I wrote here and share it with others who have been similarly dehumanized. Whatever comes, I trust that death is not the end. I see you. I hear you. I believe you.

Meredith Yayanos

March 3 2022

Written with huge gratitude to Alexfaith Nonya, who recently posted this. Sobbed while watching it. I've adapted some phrases from her statement into my own words, because her voice is so clear and strong. Donate here.

[grailatl]

Annnndddd just like that, we’re back, with an invite to ESCAPE the day to day. August 4th, we will be teaming up with @alexfaithatl @killemcollect @orwellsworld @josias_music @tonyri_chard @skylanerunit to unveil our “Escape Pack.” @alexfaithatl will also be debuting his SIMPLE MINDS project. All GRAIL goods 10% off for those in attendance. #befound at @switchyards #atlanta #befound #grailatl #atlantevents #atl #switchyardsdowntownclub #alexfaith #fashion #theescapeatl #atlantafashion #atlantafashionblogger #atlantastreetwear (at Switchyards Downtown Club)

[monicmaker]

Alex Faith's newest release, the 'Summer Pack' is a refreshing set of music to listen to. In this EP, Alex Faith switches up his sound to match a more modern flow while maintaining the style that he is known for. Also, each song features an incredible guest rapper who helps escalate the overall style of the project. Go check this out! #alexfaith #summerpack #kishonfurlow #jarrymanna #tonyrichard #rap #hiphop #2017 #summermusic

[zxmbiac-blog]

| INTRUDER | @alexfaithatl new single Intruder ft. @tedashii | Link in @alexfaithatl bio. Get this song now when you preorder #InturderEP on iTunes. 📷 x @xmr.knowles #IntruderEP #alexfaith #z #zxmbiac #zxmbiacdesigns #hiphop #music #art #dufflebag

[vibetrends-blog]

Can’t get enough.

[misselisak]

Alex Faith @alexfaithatl FEATURED: http://www.faithfashionhiphop.com/2015/11/alex-faith-freedom-music-video.html #theffhblog #faithfashionhiphop #christianmusic #christianhiphop #christian #Jesus #fashion #chh #alexfaith

[thedopechristian]

#alexfaith last album

[thesoulfest]

2015 ARTIST HIGHLIGHT: Alex Faith!

Music is literally in Alex Faith’s blood. The Atlanta rapper and producer’s grandfather Marion actually earned a spot in the Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame, while Alex’s mom and dad encouraged him to pick up a guitar at 12-years-old. By 18, he ended up even recording Lecrae in a makeshift home studio. As he started creating his own music, he pursued a sound that would incorporate all of the elements of hip-hop, folk, and country that spoke to him. Signing to Collision Records, his experiences fueled ATLast, his debut for the label. The record boasted feature spots from the likes of Trip Lee, Andy Mineo, Tedashii and more, and it hit #4 on Billboard’s Top Christian Albums chart. He’d embark on a tour with label mate Dre Murray that would fortify their friendship and lead to the recording of 2015’s collaborative opus audio/visual album, Southern Lights: Overexposed, and its subsequent tour. “Everything is going to get bigger,” he says. “There will be live instruments and a real Southern influence that pays homage to my roots and my home. That’s what captivated me when I was young. I’d love for people to feel like they trust me when they listen to one of my albums. If they feel like they believe me, I’ve done it right.”

[monicmaker]

When Alex Faith and Dre Murray teamed up to create 'Southern Lights Overexposed', magic was made. Focusing on their experiences growing up in their respective cities, the two were able to craft a story of someone who is lost looking for hope in a world that opposes them. It's a must listen for any fan of southern rap. #alexfaith #dremurray #southernlights #overexposed #reconcile #seancjohnson #tragichero #atlanta #houston #music #rap #hiphop

[muzicmonday]

This new track "I-285" by Alex Faith has me on that deep thought. It's so easy to get things twisted outsitde of Christ. I am so grateful for men and women of God who are working to redeem all aspects of life. "We were made for more than life on earth!" #MusicMonday #SouthernLights #CollisionRecords #AlexFaith

[zxmbiac-blog]

| DUFFLE BAG | Having the honor to be the art director for @alexfaithatl new project has been dope. Duffle Bag ft. @kishonfurlow | Link in @alexfaithatl bio. Get this song now when you preorder #InturderEP on iTunes. 📷 x @xmr.knowles (this is the my original take of the cover art) #IntruderEP #alexfaith #z #zxmbiac #zxmbiacdesigns #hiphop #music #art #dufflebag

[suleky]

#tbt @alexfaithatl & @dremurray22 at Rap Fest 2013 - can't wait to see em live again! Join me This Sunday at 8pm #southernlightstour #collisionrecords #atlast #goldrush #alexfaith #dremurray

[llcflb]

#SouthernLights concert tonight!!! You can buy tickets at the door ($15 general; $25 Meet and greet with artists) #LLCFLB #LongBeach #AlexFaith #DreMurray

[thedopechristian]

#alexfaith plays crazy track snippet real smooth vibe love this joint #chh #christianhiphop #Christian #listeningsessions