#healthcare worker violence

[scrapsovereign]

That One Time I Got Kidnapped By An Evil Vampire Lord Ch. 8

AO3 Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/57838303/chapters/150566218

Summary:

Astarion learns about Mackenzie's troubled past. Amanda has a surprise visitor at the clinic.

Pairings: past Ascended Astarion x Evil male!Tav, Ascended Astarion x Original Female Character

Trigger warnings/Tags:  Eldest daughter syndrome and parentification meets suspected breeding kink, violence against healthcare workers, bystander apathy, graphic depictions of violence

Downtown Seattle, Washington 

The Fairmont Olympic Hotel

Friday, August 25th

11:30 AM

Mackenzie had planned to bring the car around while Astarion was checking out of the hotel. 

“Had” been the key word, seeing as the old rust bucket was now gone.

She stares blankly at the empty space in front of her where her car had been, glancing at the parking ticket in her hand. 

Had Rob forgotten to lock the car? Maybe. Was there anything in there that was worth stealing? Absolutely not, unless the thieves fancied the half-full pack of Winco brand soda water in the trunk. Was her car itself worth stealing? The answer is a vehement no, but there’s something about not having a car payment when you’re living paycheck to paycheck that can’t be replaced.

She makes her way to the urine scented elevators, wracking her brain with how she was going to explain this to Astarion. The thought of recounting her misfortune to him made the breakfast they had eaten off each other’s bodies do somersaults in her stomach. Checking out early was her idea, after all. He’d asked her what she wanted to do with the rest of the day, and she decided on stopping at her favorite bakery and taking him to the beach she used to frequent as a child. 

Tempting as it was to stay in and be thoroughly debauched by him until the evening, maybe finding out now was a blessing in disguise. She couldn’t imagine how she would have felt if they had left this evening just in time for him to make his flight, only to find her car missing. Hell, they’d just barely left in time for check-out. 

A full body shiver ripples through Mac. Astarion nearly made her black out with how hard she came on the bed for him, covered in maple syrup. He’d then carried her to the bathroom and continued to ravish her as they bathed together. When they’d finally gotten dressed, Mackenzie initiated round three after finding the evidence and confirming he’d hand sewn the dress she wore yesterday evening (while watching Law and Order: SVU reruns). 

As she walks across the street back to the hotel, she’s surprised she has use of her legs at all. The magical concoction he had given her earlier had been incredible in restoring her to a state of health she could only remember feeling as a teen. Perhaps this was why she could keep up with that “appetite” of his as well? 

Speaking of the devil. Mac spots him handing an envelope over to the concierge as she walks into the lobby, turning around to face her direction. 

Good lord, he’s handsome. Mac almost pinches the back of her arm to remind herself he’s real. He’s wearing the same white linen and black lightweight woolen trousers (which Mackenzie is shocked they are as clean as they appear to be). The brightly colored go bag of Mac’s looks completely out of place, slung over his shoulders. So does her work purse in his hands. 

Mackenzie doesn’t fit his aesthetic at all. As such, she doesn’t know why he looks at her the way he does in the hotel lobby, like she’s the one who hung the stars in his sky. He looks like old money and she could be a Torrid ad from last fall with her linen skirt she thought was shorts, Star Trek T-shirt (cursive script that says “There’s Coffee in That Nebula”), jean jacket, and ugly tennis shoes. 

She fears that she’ll completely ruin his dreamy mood with what she has to say. Her shoulders tense and raise to counter the weight she feels crushing them as he glides over to kiss her, his perfect brow furrowing when she doesn’t return his affections with equal enthusiasm.

“Something the matter, darling?” Astarion inquires, tucking an errant strand of hair behind her ear, a gesture so gentle it makes her want to burst into tears.

“Soooo, about my car. It’s gone. I think someone stole it,” she says with a trembling voice, bracing for the impact of his displeasure.

Astarion’s jaw twitches, forcing an exhale out of his nose.

“Bloody hells,” he huffs indignantly under his breath. He turns on his heels toward the front desk, ramping up to unleash a fury that she always dreads receiving from her patients. Mac’s grandfather always used to say you can catch more flies with honey, and in this town? A little kindness goes a long way.

“Wait-“ She catches the linen off his sleeve before he storms forth, “Let me do the talking. Trust me.”

Astarion pauses, his eyes flashing a dangerous red. “But of course. Anything for you.” 

Mackenzie smiles faintly in gratitude, taking his hand in hers to squeeze it. “Thank you,” she mumbles to him, leaning in to kiss him on the cheek. 

She cracks her wrists, calling upon her work persona to aid her before she approaches the front desk. 

“May I help you?” The well-dressed gentleman about her age asks smoothly, as if he’s said the same phrase hundreds of times. Mac squints as she clocks the name tag- “Jason Y”. 

“Hi! Hope your day is going well. Soooo, I have an unfortunate situation. I was parked in the garage across the street overnight and my car wasn’t there just now. I think it was stolen,” she says in a smooth, neutral voice, sliding the parking ticket between them.

Jason pets his beard as he considers Mackenzie’s words. “You look familiar…aren’t you Kenz from Ari the Mighty’s YouTube channel?” He asks, a wry smile spreading on his face.

Mac’s lips press into a tight smile. “Yep…that’s me.”

Jason leans in slightly, his dark eyes scanning the lobby around them as he brings out his phone. “So, his Twitter said this morning that he had his car stolen, and he ‘found’ it in the garage across the street earlier this morning before he went to PAX. Here, take a look.” 

Mac accepts the device to look at said tweets. Lo and behold, Jason isn’t kidding. It’s a selfie of Ari leaning out her driver’s side window with the parking attendant. Her stomach twists into knots as she hands back the phone. “That’s…yeah. That’s it. Jesus Christ.”

Jason continues. “Did you see he tagged the parking company for helping him out? All I have to say is, wow. Just wow. Fucking shameless.”

Mac’s blue eyes widen at Jason’s very candid comments. 

Jason clears his throat and adjusts his tie as he straightens up, setting his shoulders back. “So now he’s not just a dirtbag, he’s a car thief too? What a piece of shit. Don’t worry, I believe you. I’m sorry this is happening to you. I can’t forgive him for what he did to my little sister. I can only imagine what he’s put you through is worse.”

Jason cranes his head around a stunned Mac to smile reassuringly at Astarion, who watches them closely with a displeased and haughty demeanor. “But hopefully that’s all behind you now? Hell of an upgrade you got there. Please know that I mean this respectfully - would. Anyway. Let me see what I can do for you. I’ll be right back,” he excuses himself, disappearing behind a partition at the front.

Mackenzie turns around to give Astarion a thumbs up. 

Astarion quirks up a single eyebrow in response.

Jason returns with a sticky note, words scribbled on it in blue ink. “Manager says we can’t do anything, unfortunately, because of your car being off hotel property. However, concierge can always set you up with a rental, or a second and slightly less expensive option…”

“Which is?” Mackenzie asks, craning her head to see the information he has before him.

“Okay, so my Appa retired for the second time in March. We just convinced him to rent out the Tesla he bought, so he doesn’t go back for round three. His diabetes can’t take another round of the stress. If you’d like, I’ll give you the name of the app and his info. Usually it’s a $70 fee to bring to the hotel, but he can waive it for you,” Jason explains excitedly, handing Mac the sticky note. 

Mac takes the note to look at it, her mouth drawn in a line, leaning on the counter supporting her head with her elbow.

Mackenzie has very specific feelings about these cars, the company, their origins, and not all of them are happy. The people who drove them were about as bad as BMW SUV drivers. They had as much life in them as a toaster oven, and she didn’t trust the idea of a car that could drive itself if needed. Last but not least, when she’d seen the cars mentioned on the front page of Reddit, the news wasn’t all that good.

That being said, they’re about as ubiquitous in Seattle as her bucket of bolts used to be back in the day and they are fun to drive. Mac remembers Amanda had test driven a model X out of Issaquah earlier this year. She can still hear Amanda’s peal of laughter as they rocketed up Snoqualmie Pass at 100 mph, the g-forces nearly turning her stomach inside out.

But…technically if she’s helping someone…and none of the money goes directly to the car’s manufacturer…and she’s getting a discount…

She takes the sticky note from Jason, giving him a single nod. 

“I would like option two, please.”

West Seattle, Washington 

Friday, August 25th

12:30 PM

Getting used to the brakes and accelerator coming out of downtown and through the West Seattle Junction (to hit up the PCC and her favorite bakery) was a nightmare. However, as they cruise down California Ave, Mac thinks she’s finally got it under control. The car is, at least. Keeping Astarion’s hands off the dash display so she can drive the thing is another story. 

“Fascinating machine this is,” he mutters to himself, his eyes flitting about the screen, poking and prodding at the icons on the center console. It reminds Mackenzie of what a cat would do if it were stuck inside a room with a mirror ball.

“Hey…Astarion? Can you uhm…I don’t mind if you play with that when we’re parked, but I kinda need it to go back to the main screen while I’m driving,” she asks timidly, feeling proud of herself for speaking up. If Ari were in the car, she would have bitten her tongue and just let him poke and prod at whatever his heart desired to avoid a fight.

Astarion sighs, running his hands through his hair as he leans back in his seat. “I suppose I can leave it be, if I must.”

He crosses his ankle over his knee, his foot bouncing impatiently. “Remind me where you’re taking us?”

“Lincoln Park, by the Vashon Ferry Dock. There’s a nice stretch of beach that has a great view of the sound,” she says wistfully. “It’s not like the beaches in Britain or Nor Cal, but it’s different and the view’s gorgeous.”

Mackenzie rolls to a careful stop at the red light on Fauntleroy, the hand closest to Astarion taken into his own and raised to his lips. 

“The view is already gorgeous, my sweet,” he purrs against the back of her hand. Mac is so enchanted by him she doesn’t notice the light turning green. She gasps when Astarion peppers kisses up her arm, tracing a path of fire up the extremity that sets her core alight.

Their lips are about to touch when the brand-new, shiny Dodge Ram in back of them lays on the horn. Its bald, geriatric driver flashes its brights at them and leans out the window to holler, “Get a room, you dykes!” The truck speeds around them, nearly running over a clueless hipster couple and their goldendoodle while they try to cross the street.

“Well! That was certainly uncalled for!” Astarion complains, crossing his arms. “And he’s just moving along like he didn’t nearly damage our vehicle and murder those people over there! Where are the city’s guards?! Why isn’t he being arrested?”

Mackenzie’s so rattled by what just happened she doesn’t register his unusual choice of words. She waits to turn the corner after the couple makes it safely to their destination. “Don’t get me started on the SPD. One of ‘em actually mowed down a grad student in South Lake Union in January of this year and killed her. They don’t care.”

“Unbelievable,” Astarion tuts, looking out the window for a moment before resuming his questioning. “And what of the responsible parties? Surely someone has made an example of them?” 

She tips her head back and barks out an ugly laugh. “Hah! Oh. Oh no. I haven’t read the article in a while, but the SPD either suspended them with pay or they’re still working. It’s a mess.”

Mackenzie catches him licking his lips out of the corner of her eye, the motion reminding her of the events of this morning. She shifts uncomfortably in her seat as she feels a chill travel down her spine and straight to her core. Sneaking another look at him, she’s so enticed by the memory of his pink tongue between her legs that she almost misses the turn…and the one spot available in a completely full parking lot. 

She puts her hands on top of the steering wheel to steady herself, taking in a deep, shuddering breath. 

“Welp! This is the spot. Let’s get going,” she prompts, her hands fumbling around to find the right button to open the car door.

Mackenzie makes a clumsy, hasty exit from the car, nearly tripping over her own feet. She goes to open the storage compartment in the hood, frowning at what she finds there. “Did you take the extra towels from the room?”

“Darling, you were the one who suggested we go to the beach,” he reminds her with a chuckle, crowding her from behind. “I thought they’d come in handy in case we got…a little wet.” 

When Astarion utters an innuendo at her earlobe, it does more than just make her a little wet - she is fairly sure that the flimsy cotton panties she is wearing are completely ruined. 

She hastily collects their provisions, locking the car with the app on her phone. 

Mac takes the lead as they start down the path to the beach, the gravel crunching under their feet. The screams of children playing nearby pierce through the wood and startle her, setting a long-forgotten instinct on high alert that doesn’t go unnoticed by Astarion.

“Have you considered having children?” He inquires, the intensity behind his words clashing with how he sounds almost bored with his question. 

Mackenzie stops dead in her tracks. “No,” she replies, barely looking over her shoulder as she answers him. She turns to face the field, feeling as though she’s staring directly in the face of years of unspoken resentment. 

Astarion embraces her from behind, pressing a kiss to the back of her head. “A simple no is always an appropriate answer, but I gather there’s a story, isn’t there?”

The re-usable bag she carries sags near the ground and Mac melts against him. “Do you want the short one or the long one?”

“I want whatever version of your tale that you have to tell,” he murmurs to her, giving her a brief, reassuring squeeze.

“It all started when I was a child,” she jokes, an imitation of the long-winded anecdotes her patients would launch into when she’d ask them the simple question of how long they’ve had symptoms for. 

Astarion doesn’t seem to understand her humor. Mac decides not to take it personally and moves on.

“But seriously, I raised my little brother when I was a child myself. He was only a few months old when he had his first seizure,” Mac explains with a far-away look in her eyes. “And when I was ten, he was diagnosed with autism. The pediatric neurologist teased it out when my parents thought his epilepsy symptoms were getting worse.”

Mackenzie turns around and leans her head against Astarion’s chest, taking in a deep breath to savor the citrus and herb notes of his cologne. “Both of my parents worked, and I did what I could to help. I was running the house by the time I was 13. I cooked, I cleaned, gave my brother his epilepsy meds...”

She swallows before she continues, hoping it clears the lump in her throat. “My mom used to say she was glad God gave me to her so I could help her, and my dad would tell me I was a better wife than my mom.”

“Eugh! I do hope you know those aren't normal things that one says to their child,” Astarion exclaims with a guttural noise of disgust.

Mac chuckles at his reaction. “Yeah, my therapist gagged when I told her the same thing. Oh well. They ended up shooting themselves in the foot in the end,” she sighs, pulling away from him to start down the well-traveled dirt path. 

“How so?” Astarion prompts, feeling her hand being taken in his to lead him to their destination. 

Astarion and Mackenzie reach a bench that overlooks the impossibly blue waters of Puget Sound, sparkling in the late summer sunlight.

“They kicked me out right before I turned 19, I got caught by the pastor kissing his daughter in the tech closet at Easter service,” she flushes, tightening her hand around his. “It was a pretty big deal. They’re the type of Christian that isn’t real tolerant of that kind of thing.”

“The pastor’s daughter? My, my…that’s rather naughty of you, but I cannot see how a simple kiss is worth evicting you from your home,” Astarion drawls with a hint of amusement in his voice that makes her shiver. “Did they at least hire a maid, a chef, and a nurse to replace you when you left?”

Mac shakes her head, huffing a weak laugh at the list of roles she used to fulfill. “I hadn’t been gone for a week when they called crying and begging for me to come back,” she starts down the path leading to the beach, walking hand in hand with Astarion, side by side. “I told them to take their apologies and shove it right up their family values.”

“Standing up to them must have been an impressive feat for you after years of childhood slave labor. Bravo, darling,” he congratulates her, pressing a quick kiss again to the top of her head.

“Well, I can’t take all the credit,” Mackenzie clarifies with a bashful smile. “It’s actually a variation on something Rob’s hippie parents said the night I showed up at his place. His mom’s a hoot. She made me a rainbow-colored cake for my birthday a week later that said ‘Happy Birth-Gay’ on it. All organic, non-GMO, free range ingredients, of course.” 

Mackenzie continues on with her tale as they journey down the hillside. “I stayed in the spare yurt at their commune for a while and moved out when I finally got my medical assistant associate’s. Those few years bumming around with them were some of my happiest memories.”

“Right before the pandemic, I reconnected with my family briefly. My little brother’s a fan of Ari’s and they wanted to meet up with the two of us. I cut them off again before we could settle on a time and a place,” she winces as they emerge from the shade, holding her hand aloft to shield her eyes from the offensive late summer sun. 

“Whatever for?” Astarion asks, as if he knows exactly where this was going. 

Mac’s eyes flicker over to him with a quick sideways glance. “They refused to get vaccinated. It all went downhill when I tried to explain why it’s important to me.” Mac didn’t want to elaborate further, the pain from her past still fresh. She focuses instead on the present moment- on the warm, soft hand belonging to Astarion as she leads him along the rocky beach.

“I suppose after practically raising yourself their absence isn’t a terrible loss, but it still hurts to get your hopes up, no?” He reflects at her with a soft, buttery rumble. 

Mackenzie swallows to clear the lump in her throat. “It did. Maybe when they reach out in another few years, I’ll have learned my lesson and ignore it. Ah-hah! Here we are,” she announces, motioning over a spot shaded by a structure made of driftwood. 

Mac ignores the amused smirk on Astarion’s beautiful face as he aids her in setting up their temporary shelter. She plops down on the large, luxurious bath towel they spread out, leaning her head on Astarion’s shoulder when he takes his place next to her. 

“Hey…I didn’t mean to go off like that. You asked me a simple question, and I ended up trauma dumping all over you,” she sighs as she stares out over the waves undulating towards them, placing her palm in his.

Astarion lifts her hand and brings it to his lips with a warm, genuine smile. “There’s nothing to forgive. I delight in every detail I can gather from you. If we could re-visit our earlier topic, would you ever consider it? It being having children, of course.”

“Only under certain conditions,” she brandishes a finger in front of her. “If I could afford it, if I had help, and if I was with someone who I could depend on. Right now? I have none of those things, so it’s out of the question.”

“And what if you did?” Astarion’s hand tightens around Mac’s with his inquiry.

Mac should feel uneasy with this tenacious pursuit of the subject, but she forgets her misgivings as her stomach growls and gnaws at her. She rummages through the bag, producing the massive caprese sandwich purchased from the bakery.

“I think I’d consider it. You hungry?”

Astarion’s answer to her is an odd, intense look in his eyes that Mackenzie’s never seen before, his lips tugging up to one side of his mouth in a toothy grin.

She feels a bead of sweat drip down her back as she realizes their picnic lunch isn't the only thing on the menu.

Downtown Seattle, Washington 

Mercy West Medical Group Primary Care Clinic

Thursday, August 24th

12:58 PM

Amanda flops over her keyboard with a whiny, petulant groan. Lunch is almost over. She hadn’t been out of meeting hell for 10 minutes and there’s already some shenanigans brewing in the lobby. Charlinda, the newly hired southern transplant working the front desk, messaged her moments ago to say that Prince Charming just walked in and took a wrong turn at the Mason-Dixon line (if he was looking for Disney World). She needed him to go on and git so the 1pm crowd could get checked in, but bless his heart, he can’t take no for an answer!

Amanda checks her drawers to scavenge for an energy bar or a piece of candy to fuel the impending confrontation and damn it all, they’ve all disappeared. Dr. Calloway’s likely to blame for this one. Amanda caught him raiding her desk for treats in the past when his lovely wife has put him on a diet…just like she did a week ago.

Amanda grabs her wallet. Maybe after she deals with his royal highness, she can hit up the food trucks two or three blocks away. 

Amanda feels her hunger turn to nausea as she steps out into the lobby, recognizing the mysterious man in armor.

Ari’s mouth falls open like a carp gasping for air as he stares back at her. Amanda’s never seen him dressed up like this before. He looks good. His appearance is a far cry from the bum she knows him to be. She hates to admit it, but for a fraction of a second she might understand what Mac saw in him. He’s the very image of a storybook prince: custom made plate armor in silver and gold, a battle worn blue velvet cloak, a longsword slung across his back.

The gaudy bouquet of blood-red roses he holds enhances the illusion, while the crumpled up envelope held in the other breaks it. He makes his way over to Amanda with a sideways smile, his wintry blue eyes sparkling with hope. 

“Hey Amanda! Kenz here today?” Ari greets her as if he had not just been nasty with her and threatened to un-alive himself less than a day ago.

“Nope,” Amanda answers simply, shaking her head. “Sorry, my dude, she’s not in.”

Ari’s fist tightens around the bouquet, snapping some stems off. An intentionally loud “SIR” that Charlinda projects across the lobby arrests the aggressive display.

“Yes you, mister knight. If you’re fixin’ to leave those for someone, I can make sure they’re in some water for the lovely lady you’re leaving them for,” she drawls with an accent sweet as honey, power-walking her petite frame over to him.

“Oh…uh, sure,” he assents in confusion, handing the bouquet over to the small woman’s outstretched arms. 

Charlinda gives Amanda a cheeky wink with the massive bouquet in her arms, returning to her workstation to check one more patient in.

Tears well up in Ari’s eyes as he turns to face Amanda. “Do you know where she is? I’m so worried about her, I don’t even know if she’s okay, I keep sending messages- “

Amanda finds she cannot tolerate his bullshit any longer. She’s reached a critical boiling point. After years of Ari mistreating one of the few friends she has, calling her clinic and disturbing her peace, and now this- impeding Amanda’s path to lunch?

Ari has found Amanda’s last nerve with remarkable accuracy and stomped all over it.

 “Look. You can’t walk in whenever you want and demand to see her. When she’s here, she’s working. She’s busy with patient care. And today, when she’s not here, you barge in and expect me to tell you what she’s up to?! No. She’s a grown-ass adult. If Mac doesn’t want to talk to you, I don’t know what to tell you other than you earned her silence. You did it to yourself,” Amanda rants, throwing her hands up in the air. 

“How dare you,” Ari snarls, opening his mouth to hurl more insults Amanda’s way. 

Amanda beats him to it. “No, nonono, how dare YOU. Walking into the clinic, causing a scene like this. You need to leave. This is your official verbal warning.”

“No, not while you’re keeping her away from me,” Ari refuses, his icy eyes narrowing in defiance.

“Ari, unless you have an appointment with the providers, you need to vacate the premises. Immediately. Before I call security.” Amanda dictates, lowering the pitch of her voice to assert dominance.

Ari laughs, an ugly, villainous sound that gives Amanda the shivers. “You have no power over me. Tell me where she is and I’ll consider sparing you from my wrath.”

“Your wrath? Please. For the last time- I don’t know. And if I did, I wouldn’t tell you. Not over my dead body,” Amanda hisses, her hanger taking full control of her mouth.

“That can be arranged,” he announces coldly, reaching for the hilt of his blade strapped to his back.

Amanda doesn’t have time to flick her eyes to the ceiling in contempt of him, feeling a brief, excruciating pain of something sharp piercing her middle. She sinks to the ground, thinking it’s just a nasty hunger pang until she sees the very life spilling from her, coating the freshly washed carpets in her crimson. 

Her field of vision darkens, her eyes fight to stay open. She hears Ari’s armor clanking away from her, the thud of the clinic’s front doors, the shrill screeching of Charlinda calling out for help as she rushes to Amanda’s side. 

Amanda has enough energy to chuckle in irony at the last thing she sees before her sight fades to black: a lobby full of patients recording what could be her last living moments on their cell phones. 

What a Seattle way to go.

[cairamelcoffee]

Dr. Ghada Abu Eida, a doctor at the Indonesian Hospital in Gaza, was working in the ER department when rescue crews carried in her daughter on a stretcher. Dr. Ghada was saving people injured in the Israeli air strikes on Jabalia Camp, unaware that her daughter was also targeted.

via

[agentfascinateur]

... the Israeli occupation forces have killed 364 health personnel since 7 October.

- Palestinian ministry of health

[fuckyeahmarxismleninism]

By Lizz Toledo

The health of Cuban women and their families is a priority for the Federation of Cuban Women and the Cuban government. Health activities are handled by the Hygiene Brigade, which works with the local doctors and nurses living in the communities they serve. 

The principal violence against Cuban women and other gender-oppressed people continues to be the U.S. blockade. This has been made worse by including Cuba on the list of State Sponsors of Terrorism.

[megmelodia]

This is something that isn’t often addressed with the housing crisis. Landlords and property management firms require applicants to make 3 times the monthly rent. Most people can’t afford this on their own anymore, even for a small apartment.

Restrictions are increasing, rent is increasing but wages have remained stagnant. Where does this leave someone trying to exit an abusive situation? They may end up couch surfing, living in their car, or on the streets if they try to leave. This may be an impossible situation if they are disabled, or have children.

spot on!!!!!

[pwrn51]

Healthcare workers get assaulted frequently

   Safe and Sound Today Sheila Wilson’s guest is Tracy Phillips R.N.BSN. Tracy has worked in hospitals for many years and worked in many departments. One of Tracy’s jobs was working on safety and quality for patients and employees. Healthcare workers get assaulted frequently and it was mentioned that a survey was done that showed 70-80% of nurses alone get assaulted by patients, patients’…

[andhumanslovedstories]

I assume this ask I just got is about this post in which case I don’t know how to tell you that it’s one thing to think someone is a cunt and another to scream it at them as they work. Like you get that, right? You get that it’s very scary to have someone scream at you? That it instantly changed the feel of the room? People tend to escalate verbally before they escalate physically. When you call someone a cunt, firstly it’s fuckin distressing in and of itself, but it also signals that you are ramped up to a place where you are potentially considering physical violence.

Oh look crazy I found this soapbox just lying on the ground here, lemme just hop up real quick.

Healthcare workers get assaulted more than almost any other profession in America. Every nurse I know has been physically or verbally assaulted by a patient. I have multiple scars from injuries I’ve gotten a patient, I’ve been fondled and groped on shift, I’ve been called a stupid bitch the second I walk into a room, I’ve had patients ask for back rubs and then start masturbating, I’ve had patients angrily describe how women won’t fuck them while I’m holding their penis so they can safely pee, and I’ve continued to care for all these patients because that is the job. Fuck, I’m not even mad at these patients. Mostly I wish they just hadn’t done any of that to me. Some of these people were not in control of their behavior, and some of them were. My patient who broke a nurse’s nose last week was in no way responsible for his behavior in the condition he was in, and also that nurse’s nose was still broken by a violent screaming man who was trying very hard to hurt her. People often receive bad care at hospitals and are understandably furious about how they or their loved ones were treated, and also you shouldn’t threaten to come back to the hospital with guns and shoot anyone you see.

I mean cmon dude. We’re hanging these stupid posters because rampant workplace violence has been driving people out of healthcare like crazy. None of this means you have to like individual healthcare workers or healthcare workers as a whole, it doesn’t excuse bad behavior for healthcare staff, it doesn’t mean you can’t be angry about bad treatment or stand up for yourself or advocate for better care, but like. Please don’t throw a liter of piss at us. Your personal opinion about How Nurses Are doesn’t mean hospital workers deserve to be verbally, physically, and sexually assaulted at work.

It is somewhat distressing how many posters we have to keep plastering up around the hospital that say shit like “Punching a Nurse is a CRIME” “You Can’t Call CNAs a Cunt” “PLEASE Don’t SPIT on Us!!” “If You Throw A Bottle Full of Urine in Our Face, We Will Be Quite Upset”

[liatkolink]

For people still in denial whether Israel has committed war crimes, here is a comprehensive list of war crimes Israel has committed both before and after Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, the list being taken from the Wikipedia article of war crimes with some notable missing examples being the usage of chemical weapons, famine, disease and apartheid. The 7th of October attack did not occur in a vacuum, but is the product of decades of Israel not being held accountable for its war crimes.

Killing civilians:

Israel/Palestine: Unlawful Israeli Airstrikes Kill Civilians by Human Rights Watch on 15/Jul/2014

‘Not a normal war’: doctors say children have been targeted by Israeli snipers in Gaza – The Guardian on 2/Apr/2024

Israeli attack on Rafah tent camp kills 45, prompts international outcry by Reuters on 27/May/2024

Intentionally killing PoWs:

Israel’s Hush-Up Machine in Action: Denying Story Israel Executed Egyptian Prisoners by Washington Report on Middle East Affairs on 8/Apr/2010

Torture:

Israeli government report admits systematic torture of Palestinians by The Guardian on 10/Feb/2000

Israel/OPT: Horrifying cases of torture and degrading treatment of Palestinian detainees amid spike in arbitrary arrests by Amnesty International on 8/Nov/2023

Israel: Palestinian Healthcare Workers Tortured by Human Rights Watch on 26/Aug/2024

Taking hostages:

Infographic: How many Palestinians are imprisoned by Israel? by AlJazeera on 17/Apr/2022

The thousands of Palestinians Israel arrests, tortures, holds even in death by AlJazeera on 17/Apr/2024

UN report: Palestinian detainees held arbitrarily and secretly, subjected to torture and mistreatment by the United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner on 31/Jul/2024

Unnecessarily destroying civilian property:

Israel destroys Gaza tower housing AP and Al Jazeera offices by Reuters on 15/May/2021

Israel targets infrastructure in Gaza to ramp up civilian pressure on Hamas, report claims by PBS News on 11/Dec/2023

Widespread destruction by Israeli Defence Forces of civilian infrastructure in Gaza by the United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner on 8/Feb/2024

Deception by perfidy:

Israeli soldier gives 74-year-old Palestinian woman water then shoots her in the head by Middle East Monitor on 20/Jan/2015

Israeli special forces disguised as doctors kill three militants at West Bank hospital by The Guardian on 30/Jan/2024

NBC News investigation reveals Israel strikes on Gaza areas it said were safe by NBC News on 26/Apr/2024

Wartime sexual violence:

Stripped, beaten and blindfolded: new research reveals ongoing violence and abuse of Palestinian children detained by Israeli military by Save the Children on 10/Jul/2023

Israel/oPt: UN experts appalled by reported human rights violations against Palestinian women and girls by the United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner on 19/Feb/2024

‘Everything is legitimate’: Israeli leaders defend soldiers accused of rape by AlJazeera on 9/Aug/2024

Pillaging:

The Biblical Pseudo-Archeologists Pillaging the West Bank by The Atlantic on 28/Feb/2013

Jewish Soldiers and Civilians Looted Arab Neighbors' Property en Masse in '48. The Authorities Turned a Blind Eye by Haaretz on 3/Oct/2020

Israeli soldiers boast about looting from Gaza by AlJazeera on 14/Feb/2024

Any individual that is part of the command structure who orders any attempt to committing mass killings:

Netanyahu incites violence by casting protesters as clear and present danger by Middle East Eye on 30/Jul/2020

Israeli minister's call to 'erase' Palestinian village an incitement to violence, US says by Reuters on 1/Mar/2023

Netanyahu cites 'Amalek' Theory to justify Gaza Killings by Times of India on 29/Oct/2023

Database exposes 500 instances of Israeli incitement to genocide in Gaza by TRT World 4/Jan/2024

Genocide:

The Genocide of the Palestinian People: An International Law and Human Rights Perspective by Center for Constitutional Rights on 25/Aug/2016

Genocide Warning: Israel & Palestine by Genocide Watch on 21/May/2021

A top U.N. court says Gaza genocide is 'plausible' but does not order cease-fire by npr on 26/Jan/2024

‘Reasonable grounds’ to believe Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, UN rights expert says by CNN on 27/Mar/2024

Is Israel Committing Genocide in Gaza? New Report from BU School of Law’s International Human Rights Clinic Lays Out Case from Boston University Today on 5/Jun/2024

Ethnic cleansing:

UN Human Rights Council: ‘Israel engaging in ethnic cleansing’ by the European Union Parliament on 23/Mar/2011

Israel's ethnic cleansing in Palestine is not history - it's still happening by Middle East Eye on 22/May/2019

UN expert warns of new instance of mass ethnic cleansing of Palestinians, calls for immediate ceasefire by the United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner on 14/Oct/2023

‘Plan for ethnic cleansing’: Israel’s north Gaza siege sets off alarms by AlJazeera on 22/Oct/2024

Granting of no quarter despite surrender:

White Flag Deaths Killings of Palestinian Civilians during Operation Cast Lead by Human Rights Watch on 13/Aug/2009

Investigators: Israel fired on Gaza civilians carrying white flags by The Electronic Intifada on 28/Jan/2015

3 hostages killed by Israeli soldier in Gaza were waving a white flag, Israel says by npr on 16/Dec/2023

A group of Palestinian men waving a white flag is shot at, killing 1 by NBC News on 24/Jan/2024

She was fleeing with her grandson, who was holding a white flag. Then she was shot by CNN on 26/Jan/2024

Two brothers shot by Israeli forces in Khan Younis, white flag ignored by AlJazeera on 29/Jan/2024

Conscription of children in the military: First one where I couldn't find anything. Way to go, Israel!

Flouting the legal distinctions of proportionality and military necessity:

Israel violates the principles of necessity, proportionality in its attacks on Gaza by Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor on 13/May/2023

Enough: Self-Defense and Proportionality in the Israel-Hamas Conflict by Just Security on 6/Nov/2023

War Crimes and Accountability: The Case Against Israel’s Military Operations in Gaza by JURIST News on 5/Jul/2024

[dostoyevsky-official]

Letter to President Biden and Vice President Harris

We are 99 American physicians, surgeons, nurse practitioners, nurses, and midwives who have volunteered in the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023. Combined, we spent 254 weeks volunteering in Gaza’s hospitals and clinics. We worked with various nongovernmental organizations and the World Health Organization in hospitals and clinics throughout the Strip. In addition to our medical and surgical expertise, many of us have a public health background, as well as experience working in humanitarian and conflict zones, including Ukraine during the brutal Russian invasion. Some of us are veterans and reservists. We are a multifaith and multiethnic group. None of us support the horrors committed on October 7 by Palestinian armed groups and individuals in Israel. [...] This letter collects and summarizes our own experiences and direct observations in Gaza. The letter is accompanied by a detailed appendix summarizing the publicly available information from media, humanitarian, and academic sources on key aspects of Israel’s invasion of Gaza. This letter and the appendix show probative evidence that the human toll in Gaza since October is far higher than is understood in the United States. It is likely that the death toll from this conflict is already greater than 118,908, an astonishing 5.4% of Gaza’s population. With only marginal exceptions, everyone in Gaza is sick, injured, or both. This includes every national aid worker, every international volunteer, and probably every Israeli hostage: every man, woman, and child. While working in Gaza we saw widespread malnutrition in our patients and our Palestinian healthcare colleagues. Every one of us lost weight rapidly in Gaza despite having privileged access to food and having taken our own supplementary nutrient-dense food with us. [...] Children are universally considered innocents in armed conflict. However, every single signatory to this letter saw children in Gaza who suffered violence that must have been deliberately directed at them. Specifically, every one of us who worked in an emergency, intensive care, or surgical setting treated pre-teen children who were shot in the head or chest on a regular or even a daily basis. It is impossible that such widespread shooting of young children throughout Gaza, sustained over the course of an entire year is accidental or unknown to the highest Israeli civilian and military authorities.

[elektroskopik]

Throwback to when the Waste management workers of Toronto went on strike for two weeks and the entire city reeked of fermenting, purifying garbage....

Housekeepers and Janitors Need Praise As Unsung but Very Much Important

[soullesscadmium]

There has been a chilling incident in R.G Kar Hospital in Kolkata(formerly Calcutta), India. The body of a 31 year old female trainee doctor was found on the seminar podium of the hospital. Her dad found her naked, lying motionless on the floor with a broken pelvic girdle, shattered limbs, and glass in her eyes. There was 150 gms of semen in her body. One male can only ejaculate up to 15 gms.

There were attempts to coverup and rule this as a suicide from the Principal of the Institution. The Dean said she was psychotic. The only arrest till now has been of a scapegoat. This is not the first incident of this kind that has happened in this country.

I implore you to share with as many people as possible because if they won't listen to us, they have to listen to the world.

There are night protests from tonight organized in several major cities in India called "The Night is Ours". Thousands of people across the country will be joining the protests. The violence against women has to end.

[warabidakihime]

Rules and Roses Chapter 2

★ characters: kibutsuji muzan x reader x akaza

★ plot summary: Kibutsuji Muzan has finally decided to expand his empire, and the way he intends to do so is by running for the highest political position. With you, his darling wife, at his side, he believes he can achieve and have everything the world has to offer. He is, after all, the Phoenix of Phario.

★ fic playlist: sometimes, same day, as time stops, wolf’s song (this is also the vision board for the fic). 

★ content warnings : implied violence and abuse, profanities, toxic relationships, smut.

★ Previous Chapter

a/n:

hello!!!

first of all, i am so sorry for taking so long to update this story. ٩(ˊᗜˋ*)و ♡

life happened and i got sooo busy. the time i uploaded this fic was when i just started at my new workplace and shortly after a few weeks, i was already preoccupied with work. at first, i was laser-focused on getting used to my new work and the culture. then later on, i found myself playing a more important role in the office that required my undivided attention lol. besides that, so many things happened in my personal life as well that i didn't have the time and energy to write.

btw i'm now a writer by profession as well so oftentimes i would feel drained af after writing corporate write-ups. tbh, i also got hit by writer's block, especially for this fic because the plot i have in mind for it is lowkey intricate, and for the most part, i haven't decided on what route i should take story-wise. so during those 2 years, i was constantly trying to reconstruct the story in my head, and here we are!

i'm back but i'm not so sure about updating regularly as i'm still incredibly busy, but i will do my best! the latest kny seasons inspired me to write again (aka my crush for muzan lol).

hopefully, everyone is still here to read this. ٩(ˊᗜˋ*)و ♡

as always, comments and kudos are highly appreciated!

happy reading!

-

"Can you outline your key policy platforms should you be elected President of Phario? Given your extensive background in the human resource industry as well as your rich connections owing to your business ventures in Obelisk Kibutsuji, do you first plan to address the pressing issue of the national unemployment rate?"

"Indeed, that's correct. As President, one of my top priorities will be to strengthen our nation's workforce, which is crucial for advancing our economy. I have a comprehensive plan focused on job creation, vocational training, and support for small businesses. These initiatives will not only reduce unemployment but also stimulate innovation and competitiveness within our economy.

I also aim to implement policies that ensure equal access to education, equipping our citizens with the skills needed for the evolving job market. Healthcare reform is high on my agenda. I'll ensure healthcare assistance is accessible to everyone, public hospitals are well-maintained, and healthcare workers are fairly compensated and protected by the state in any dire situations. Additionally, I'll push for technological advancements and infrastructure development to attract both local and foreign investments.

Addressing social issues is equally important, and as a devoted ally of these communities, I'm committed to fighting all forms of discrimination, especially against women and the LGBTQ+ community. We must ensure everyone, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, or identity, has equal opportunities and protections under the law.

Moreover, I'll advocate for the rights and welfare of people with disabilities, ensuring they have access to the necessary resources and support to lead fulfilling lives. This includes improving accessibility in public spaces and promoting inclusive employment practices.

Animal welfare will also be a significant focus. We need to enact and enforce laws that protect animals from abuse and ensure humane treatment.

Lastly, I'll champion the rights of minorities and immigrants. Our nation is built on the strength of its diversity, and it's imperative we create an inclusive society where everyone feels valued and respected. This includes reforming immigration policies to be fair and humane and implementing programs that support the integration and empowerment of minority communities.

In essence, my administration will be dedicated to creating a sustainable and inclusive economic environment where every Pharian has the opportunity to thrive and contribute to our nation's progress."

Muzan stood confidently at the podium, a modest yet proud smile gracing his face after addressing a journalist's question amidst a room bustling with media personnel.

Today was the day where presidential candidates shared their platforms, which also served as an open forum for engaging with the press and fielding inquiries on a wide array of topics—from current events to personal matters.

With his seasoned composure before cameras and crowds, Muzan navigated the spotlight effortlessly. His articulate delivery drew admiration from all corners as he outlined his plans for the presidency, filling you with pride as you watched from the audience.

Among the attendees, your smile beamed with pride and unconditional support for him. Akaza, who is sitting right beside you, maintained a stoic demeanor outwardly, though inwardly, he couldn't deny a hint of impressed regard. Muzan's comprehensive platform and commanding presence left an undeniable impact on him.

Eloquence had always been Muzan's forte, a skill honed through years of being a businessman and somewhat of a public figure, as among his peers and in the business landscape in general, he is well-revered and widely celebrated.

Beyond his ability to articulate ideas, he possessed a magnetic charisma—an invaluable trait for navigating the intricate world of politics and public service.

Several hours later, the policy speech slash press conference finally ended, and now you were on your way to meet up with Muzan at the lobby of the hotel where the gathering was held when a few journalists spotted you among the sea of people who were also exiting the function room.

Akaza was right behind you and is also on full alert, an important instruction your husband told him when he appointed him as your personal bodyguard a few years back. Committed to his duty, he stood there in a stance where he is ready to take action should anything happen that is out of the ordinary.

Mics were stretched out and placed within just a few inches of your face, and one of them took the liberty to ask you a question: "What are your thoughts on Kibutsuji Muzan's campaign platforms?” 

Very much like your husband, you also wore a modest yet confident smile on your face as you held eye contact with the journalist who asked you that question before displaying your own version of eloquence as you answered,

"To say that I am proud while listening to him share and advocate for the causes he wholeheartedly believed in would be the biggest understatement of the decade," you said with a fond chuckle before continuing, "even before he filed for his candidacy and even way before he became the man we all know now, he has always been outspoken about these things. He would always share with me his desire of making significant changes in the world, hoping no more children would have to endure what he did. As many of you know, Muzan, my dear husband, came from very humble beginnings, and unlike me, he has faced challenges far beyond my own. His vision and intuition surpass that of most, and so, as cliché as it may sound, his words and strong convictions carry a weight and authenticity that are strong enough to enable him in doing the impossible and inspire others to believe that a better future is within our grasp."

Akaza listened intently to your answer, finding himself captivated by your words. The way you addressed the press made you sound like a candidate yourself who's also sharing her platform. In that moment, he couldn't help but feel an overwhelming surge of pride as he continued to absorb your statements.

The journalists surrounding you mirrored his sentiment, clearly impressed by your response—no surprise from the esteemed Ballerina Queen of Phario.

It had been quite some time since you last entertained interviews, having retired and chosen to stay away from public engagements.

"Among the plethora of initiatives he wishes to take action on once he's elected, what resonated with you the most?"

You paused, contemplating the list of campaigns your husband had presented earlier. Just as you were about to respond, an arm encircled your waist and gave it a tender squeeze.

It was Muzan.

"Knowing my wife's love for animals, I'm certain she's most excited about what I have planned for animal welfare," Muzan interjected warmly.

You playfully rolled your eyes, eliciting amusement from not only your husband and your respective bodyguards but also the press. "You say that as if it's a bad thing," you quipped.

Muzan chuckled fondly. "Not at all, my love. Your passion for animals is one of the many reasons I fell for you."

The same journalist who had asked you the second question now directed his attention to Muzan, eager for his response. "Based on the most recent public survey, you're likely the most favored candidate to win the elections. What can you say about that, Sir Kibutsuji?"

Muzan smiled bashfully at the reporter, his eyes reflecting a mix of humility and determination. "I'm incredibly honored and thankful that our fellow countrymen have placed such faith and confidence in me. It's a humbling reminder of the trust they have in our vision for a brighter future. This campaign has always been about bringing real change to Phario, addressing the pressing issues our nation faces with innovative solutions and inclusive policies. The support we're seeing reflects not just my efforts, but the collective desire of our people for progress and unity."

He paused briefly, his gaze sweeping across the room, before continuing with renewed conviction, "Though I would like to emphasize that I don't take this trust lightly, it actually fuels my commitment to serve with integrity and purpose, to listen to the voices of every Pharian, and to lead with compassion and foresight."

By now, the press was highly satisfied with the answers both of you had given, granting you the freedom to depart. Clearly spent after the eventful day, you exchanged farewells and well-wishes before going your separate ways.

With Muzan's arm still draped around your waist, he guided you towards the grand entrance of the hotel. Meanwhile, Akaza made his way to the basement parking lot to retrieve your car, preparing to drive you both home. Kokushibo remained close to Muzan, ensuring your security as you awaited the car's arrival.

Turning to Muzan, unfazed by the bustling activity around you, you placed a tender kiss on his lips, smiling warmly. "Great job out there, my love. You did so well today. I'm incredibly proud of you."

Clearly elated, Muzan mirrored your smile and returned your affection with a gentle kiss on your forehead. "Thank you, darling. Your support means everything to me."

"Truly, I was beaming throughout your speech. You were absolutely amazing. Phario is fortunate to have such an admirable leader like you," you praised sincerely.

Right there and then, Muzan couldn't help but raise his eyebrow and playfully smile at you, prompting a confused raise of your own eyebrow.

"What's that look for?" you asked.

Muzan shook his head with a playful smirk before replying, "You're not showing favoritism now, are you, my love? I know you adore me, but let's keep it fair, hmm?" he teased, his tone light-hearted and affectionate.

You rolled your eyes at his playful accusation. "Ha-ha. Very funny, Muzan. I'll take it back, then."

Muzan laughed wholeheartedly, drawing attention once again. "I was just joking!" He then smiled warmly at you, his eyes reflecting pride. "Thank you," he said sincerely. "Hearing that from you means more than any applause, you know?"

You reached out to pinch his cheeks. "You play too much sometimes, you know?" you said with a chuckle before continuing, "But like I said, hearing you speak today—and in all those times you shared your aspirations with me from when we were students up to now, as you finally have the opportunity to make all come true—it's evident how deeply committed you are. Beyond your skills and capabilities, your passion is what makes you so compelling, Muzan. It's what makes me believe in you, too."

Minutes later, while waiting by the entrance, Akaza finally pulled up with the car. You and Muzan bid farewell to those around you before stepping into the comfort of your vehicle.

As the city lights blurred past the windows, you reflected on the day's events.

"You know," you began, glancing at Muzan beside you, "I have a feeling your speech today touched more hearts than just mine."

Muzan smiled softly, intertwining his fingers with yours. 

"I hope so. Though the election is still months away, and who knows how things might shift, that's why I don't want to take any of this for granted. I'm in this for the long haul. You'll be there with me, won't you?"

He looked over to you, and in that moment, despite his big words, he looked absolutely adorable, with his ruby eyes shining at you and his lips slightly pouty as he waited for your response, which you gladly provided through the means of placing yet another sweet and passionate kiss on his lips and squeezing his hand reassuringly. 

"I'll always be here for you, Muzan, through every challenge and triumph."

"I love you," he whispered lovingly, his expression sincere and heartfelt.

"And I love you," you replied with equal affection.

With a comforting squeeze of your hand, you nestled against Muzan's shoulder, feeling a sense of contentment as the car navigated through familiar streets towards home.

Meanwhile, in the driver's seat, Akaza's face remained unreadable. He was outwardly indifferent to the tender exchange between you and Muzan, but inwardly, he was seething with rage.

You think you're so clever, spouting all those promises and pretty words, playing the saint for the public eye. But I see through you. You're nothing but a manipulative snake, a liar wrapped in a facade of righteousness.

His gaze hardened and his grip on the wheel tightened as he stared ahead, the streetlights casting shadows on his determined expression.

One day, your mask will slip. 

I will fucking rip it off your face, even if it's the last thing I do.

[argyrocratie]

"How will people get healthcare?

(...)

During the Spanish Civil War, Barcelona’s Medical Syndicate, organized largely by anarchists, managed 18 hospitals (6 of which it had created), 17 sanatoria, 22 clinics, 6 psychiatric establishments, 3 nurseries, and one maternity hospital. Outpatient departments were set up in all the principal localities in Catalunya. Upon receiving a request, the Syndicate sent doctors to places in need. The doctor would have to give good reason for refusing the post, “for it was considered that medicine was at the service of the community, and not the other way round.”[40] Funds for outpatient clinics came from contributions from local municipalities. The anarchist Health Workers’ Union included 8,000 health workers, 1,020 of them doctors, and also 3,206 nurses, 133 dentists, 330 midwives, and 153 herbalists. The Union operated 36 health centers distributed throughout Catalunya to provide healthcare to everyone in the entire region. There was a central syndicate in each of nine zones, and in Barcelona a Control Committee composed of one delegate from each section met once a week to deal with common problems and implement a common plan. Every department was autonomous in its own sphere, but not isolated, as they supported one another. Beyond Catalunya, healthcare was provided for free in agrarian collectives throughout Aragon and the Levant.

Even in the nascent anarchist movement in the US today, anarchists are taking steps to learn about and provide healthcare. In some communities anarchists are learning alternative medicine and providing it for their communities. And at major protests, given the likelihood of police violence, anarchists organize networks of volunteer medics who set up first aid stations and organize roving medics to provide first aid for thousands of demonstrators. These medics, often self-trained, treat injuries from pepper spray, tear gas, clubs, tasers, rubber bullets, police horses, and more, as well as shock and trauma. The Boston Area Liberation Medic Squad (BALM Squad) is an example of a medic group that organizes on a permanent basis. Formed in 2001, they travel to major protests in other cities as well, and hold trainings for emergency first aid. They run a website, share information, and link to other initiatives, such as the Common Ground clinic described below. They are non-hierarchical and use consensus decision-making, as does the Bay Area Radical Health Collective, a similar group on the West Coast.

Between protests, a number of radical feminist groups throughout the US and Canada have formed Women’s Health Collectives, to address the needs of women. Some of these collectives teach female anatomy in empowering, positive ways, showing women how to give themselves gynecological exams, how to experience menstruation comfortably, and how to practice safe methods of birth control. The patriarchal Western medical establishment is generally ignorant of women’s health to the point of being degrading and harmful. An anti-establishment, do-it-yourself approach allows marginalized people to subvert a neglectful system by organizing to meet their own needs.

After Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, activist street medics joined a former Black Panther in setting up the Common Ground clinic in one of the neediest neighborhoods. They were soon assisted by hundreds of anarchists and other volunteers from across the country, mostly without experience. Funded by donations and run by volunteers, the Common Ground clinic provided treatment to tens of thousands of people.

The failure of the government’s “Emergency Management” experts during the crisis is widely recognized. But Common Ground was so well organized it also out-performed the Red Cross, despite the latter having a great deal more experience and resources.[41] In the process, they popularized the concept of mutual aid and made plain the failure of the government. At the time of this writing Common Ground has 40 full-time organizers and is pursuing health in a much broader sense, also making community gardens and fighting for housing rights so that those evicted by the storm will not be prevented from coming home by the gentrification plans of the government. They have helped gut and rebuild many houses in the poorest neighborhoods, which authorities wanted to bulldoze in order to win more living space for rich white people."

-Peter Gelderloos, "Anarchy Works" (2010)

[agitateandeducate]

This is an invitation to reflect for all the non-disabled folks who works towards justice or use the language of liberation, until anyone brings up Covid.

Please take some time to consider the following questions:

Why do you continue to dismiss disabled people and minimize Covid?

Why won't you use a mask in public?**

Why do you plan and host super spreader events (especially with zero mitigations)? Why do you feel comfortable putting workers forced into unsafe working conditions at more risk?

Feelings are bound to come up, whether it's shame, guilt, anger, despair, annoyance, fear.... do not let those stop you from listening, learning, and taking the simplest of actions that saves lives and reduces transmission of a deadly airborne pathogen. ⁠

Further Reflection Questions:

Why aren't disabled people a part of that just and liberated future you are imagining?

How do you feel liberated when your actions can kill and disable others?

What beliefs do you need to reflect on, if your idea of liberation leaves out disabled folks from every community impacted by systemic violence and oppression?

When you continue to live your life with no concern for yourself or others during a mass disabling and deadly pandemic, what systems are you perpetuating? Who actually benefits?⁠

** not everyone has access to purchasing high quality masks or can physically wear high quality masks, which is why access to these tools (masks, testing, clean air, etc) and collective care is important - especially as we have been abandoned by "leaders"! Everyone deserves access to food, shelter, healthcare, community and safer work settings and public spaces. Public =grocery and other stores, community centers and gyms, public transit, healthcare settings, etc).⁠ [this was originally posted back in 2023 but it still relevant]

– – – – Image Description – – – –

Square graphic with a light background with and outline of roses on the top and bottom in a purple blue pink gradient. Text reads: roses are red, violets are blue, why are disabled lives disposable to you. End id.

[eowyntheavenger]

I’m so tired of people talking about “women’s empowerment” but they mean wearing a particular kind of makeup or particular kinds of clothes. Wear what you want, but that’s not empowerment. Women’s empowerment is having political rights and power in society. It’s worker’s rights, it’s protections against sexual harassment, it’s parental leave rights, it’s access to healthcare including abortion, an end to medical sexism, having domestic violence addressed, having equal representation in politics, changing sexist views in society, the list goes on… and it obviously also intersects with discrimination based on race, sexual orientation, ability, et cetera. Those are the things that need to be addressed for women to be empowered. The minute people started conflating “women’s empowerment” with “eyeliner sharp enough to kill a man” or whatever, they lost sight of what it even means. By commercializing feminism you have defanged it.

[cupcraft]

One thing I hope is that people once again recognize that labor exploitation is violence. That unsafe labor is violence. That picking favorites, creating a competitive culture, creating a system that rewards certain people over others (especially in ways that reinforce systems of oppression), creating a culture with no accountability with total coverups against workers is violence. To want workers who "quiet quit (ie just doing their job)" to be fired is violence. To assume severance pay is enough to save someone from losing their job (when many people's Healthcare is tied to their jobs and being fired affects your ability to grt another job and etc) is violence. I hope people realize mr beast as a capitalist is inherently violent and has harmed workers and people he's exploited for content causing real harm and injury for profit and it does not matter if you like him as the cc persona or if he's done good because it's exploitative philatrophy like that he uses as a shield to prevent any criticism. Mr beast is no different from any for profit capitalist and he has cultivated a work place that harms people while he reaps a profit. And I hope everyone keeps in mind that workplace violence is still violence and it is imperative you take that seriously. It is imperative you take his response video (whenever that singular response comes) with great scrutiny considering mr beasts role is to maintain the for profit brand above all else.