#participatory justice

[archivyrep]

Prosecutorial misconduct, case files, trials on trains, and "the truth" in Ace Attorney

Miles Edgeworth surrounded in the confidential files storage of the U.S. prosecutor’s office as he reads about the Avery Richman case While I noted in last week’s post that the 12th episode of Ace Attorney, a legal drama anime based on a video game series of the same name, included an evidence room, two episodes in the second season brings this to the fore even more directly. [1] In this post…

[justalittlesolarpunk]

Just spent all day facilitating a citizens’ assembly and whew, I am exhausted but so inspired. You see ordinary people, who don’t seem radical or political, coming up with ideas for free public transport and a sharing economy, calling for rewilding and housing security for all. The public are so incredible when you just give people a voice and let them know their opinion matters. I really think direct democracy could change the world, but only if it’s given the power and influence to actually inform legislation

[artistsonthelam]

Today’s postcard (top image). It’s a follow-up from the sender of Dreams of a City postcard #4862 (bottom image), which was left 22 April 2018 inside New Wave Coffee. The original mapped dream from 5 years ago: x // Dreams of a City © Jenny Lam 2008-2023

[theadaptableeducator]

Interwoven Chains of Oppression: Emma Goldman’s Critique of Colonialism, Nationalism, Imperialism, and Capitalism, and Pathways to Sustainable Alternatives

Emma Goldman, an anarchist-philosopher and activist, critiqued the interconnected systems of colonialism, nationalism, imperialism, and capitalism, arguing that they collectively perpetuate oppression, inequality, and unsustainability. By examining her thoughts, we can understand how these systems are intertwined and why they are unsustainable. Interconnectivity and Unsustainability Colonialism…

[lordzannis]

Based on the search results and the query about Greens Japan in 2024, here are the key points:

Current leadership: As of 2024, the co-representatives of Greens Japan are Namiho Matsumoto, Hisao Hashimoto, and Hitoshi Nakayama.

Electoral representation:

House of Councillors: 0 seats / 245 seats (0.0%)

House of Representatives: 0 seats / 465 seats (0.0%)

Prefectural Assemblies: 2 seats / 2,609 seats (0.0%)

Municipal Assemblies: 31 seats / 29,762 seats (0.2%)

Party membership: As of the most recent data available, Greens Japan has 860 members.

Recent developments:

A female member of Greens Japan won a seat in the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly, which the party celebrated as marking a new era in Tokyo.

The party has issued statements on various issues, including:

International Women's Day

Protesting the decision to release contaminated water from Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant

Opposition to military laws and the relaunch of the Sendai Nuclear Plant

Ongoing policies: The party continues to advocate for:

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions

Opposing nuclear power

Introducing a basic income system

Guaranteeing foreign suffrage for permanent residents

Reforming the electoral system

Opposing amendments to Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution

Collaboration: Greens Japan continues to work with civic groups, NGOs, and local green parties. For national elections, they often collaborate with other progressive parties.

While Greens Japan maintains an active presence in local politics and continues to advocate for environmental and progressive policies, they still face challenges in gaining representation at the national level.

Citations: [1] https://grjapan.com/insights/insights/japans-green-transformation-gx-plans [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greens_Japan [3] https://greens.gr.jp/about/intro/english/ [4] https://en.namu.wiki/w/%EB%85%B9%EC%83%89%EB%8B%B9%20%EA%B7%B8%EB%A6%B0%EC%8A%A4%20%EC%9E%AC%ED%8C%AC [5] https://www.eu-japan.eu/news/eu-japan-green-transition-matchmaking-event-2024 [6] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_political_parties_in_Japan [7] https://www.ijcc.jp/events/green-ireland-festival-2024 [8] https://een.ec.europa.eu/events/green-mission-japan-2024

Based on the search results, here are the major achievements of Greens Japan since its founding in 2012:

Local representation: The party has elected a number of city council members and councillors in towns and cities across Japan. This gives them some representation at the local government level.

First Green mayor: On November 22, 2010, Kazumi Inamura became the first popularly elected Greens Japan mayor, winning in the city of Amagasaki. She was both the youngest mayor elected in Japan's history at age 38 and the first female mayor of that city.

Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly seat: A female member of Greens Japan won a seat in the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly, which the party celebrated as marking a new era in Tokyo politics.

Prefectural and municipal seats: As of the most recent data, Greens Japan holds:

2 seats in prefectural assemblies

31 seats in municipal assemblies

Policy advocacy: The party has been active in issuing statements and advocating for key environmental and social policies, including:

Opposing nuclear power and protesting decisions related to the Fukushima nuclear plant

Advocating for women's rights and gender equality

Opposing certain military laws

Pushing for climate action and reduced greenhouse gas emissions

International cooperation: Greens Japan has become a member of the Global Greens, an international organization of green parties from about 90 countries and regions.

While Greens Japan has not won seats in the national Diet, these achievements show they have established some presence in local politics and continue to advocate for green policies at various levels of government.

Citations: [1] https://greens.gr.jp/about/intro/english/ [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greens_Japan [3] https://en.namu.wiki/w/%EB%85%B9%EC%83%89%EB%8B%B9%20%EA%B7%B8%EB%A6%B0%EC%8A%A4%20%EC%9E%AC%ED%8C%AC [4] https://repo.lib.tokushima-u.ac.jp/files/public/6/65353/20170929141736769905/EID195340.pdf [5] https://tokyoesque.com/sdgs-how-greenery-day-contributes-to-japan/ [6] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_political_parties_in_Japan [7] https://grjapan.com/insights/insights/japans-green-transformation-gx-plans [8] https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/memberstates/japan

[hang-on-lil-tomato]

😞🥺

I feel simultaneously very sad about the Thing (ffs there’d better be an AU fanfic where everything’s absolutely the same, except Izzy’s still there) and very happy that Stede and Ed finally got to be silly little innkeepers together.

Also, why, though. Why Izzy, of all people? You just give him a lovely redemption arc, a good story of acceptance from the crew and the journey to self-love, AND a killer speech to that asshole with the wooden schnoz, but then YOU FUCKING RUN IT INTO THE GROUND LIKE A BOAT WITH A MADMAN AT ITS PROW!

Do you UNDERSTAND what you did? The character everyone enjoyed watching grow and hurt and feel happy and learn, who finally got a chance at happiness after basing his whole life off something that only hurt him, who survived all the curveballs thrown at him, you just ABANDONED him so the story had a bit of drama in it?!

Also, if I correctly calculate, Stede & Ed (the real people!) do only 1 year at sea: this is correctly mirrored in the show; they leave seafaring after about a year (1717-1718)

Meanwhile, Isreal Hands is said to have continued after Ed Teach and Stede Bonnet stopped; he’s on PHYSICAL records (for testimony against Ed’s corruption, but such details are not the most important in the show’s contents. [what IS, you mothers and sons of fuckers, is how long he fucking LIVED!]) as being alive and well after both pirates’ end of careers: he was recuperating from a bullet wound (see what you could’ve DONE THERE, you?! See how symbolic it could’ve been for him to recover from that bullet he took, this time not ferreted away in secrecy, but cared for by the crew, and, most importantly, in the place where he finally felt welcome? To heal and get better, becoming captain like he was [IRL] of Blackbeard’s ship the Adventure? TO FINALLY FEEL AT HOME AND SAFE?! To have CLOSURE?!)

But NOOOOOO, you just HAD to kill the guy off, and for what? Was the intent to make it more dramatic? To amplify people’s feelings while watching the show? Because what has been done here is a deliberate killing off of a very prominent character, with no obvious or logical reason for doing so in view.

Now, this is certainly a complaint against the writing choices for the show, but can’t we also blame HBO, who crammed it into 8 episodes instead of 10? Would it be better if they had more stuff to work with; would there have been less need for drama and melancholy? I would strongly prefer slower episodes, to cramming the storyline into only eight, and just throwing random shit at the whiteboard and seeing what sticks. You understand? That drama is not the answer? That having him recover, or better yet, just not have him get shot at all, would be so much funner to wrap up ROMANTIC COMEDY with?!

For fuck’s sake, we don’t even really know when Izzy died; the only record we have is from 1724, when Captain Charles Johnson said in his book “A General History Of The Pyrates” that he died a beggar in London.

See how fucking open ended that is? Just a questionable source, giving a rather vague claim? How EASY it would be to have him… well, pretty much do anything except get randomly shot in 1718? They did it for Ed and Stede, they could very easily do it for Izzy.

At least, if they wanted something exciting/dramatic, have him be captured by the English and testify against Ed as an innocent bystander who Teach maimed; and somehow build from there. Maybe he could become a craftsman and fade into obscurity, enjoying a quiet life on land. Maybe become a singer at a bar, having a good time as himself (he wasn’t bad at the party, he could sure use that to his advantage!) Maybe he could run into the crew, just as he’s about to be executed, or as he’s being hanged, and be liberated by them; to rejoin their crew as their beloved unicorn. Maybe he could get lost and presumed dead in the chaos, only to be found alive and his usual slightly damp, permanently cranky state of being a while later.

I now feel quite disappointed to be deprived of my, and a lot of people’s, favorite weird little one-legged grouch.

Godspeed to the fic makers, I wish you all the best of winds in your sails, which sadly appears to have left that small part of the story itself. Make me proud and use as many adjectives as you like; I’d love to learn how many words you can find to convey “strange and slightly greasy”.

[thebookmarker99]

I think people don't talk enough about how Charlie and Alastor are parallels to each other.

Let's keep in mind, Vivziepop has gone on to say Alastor and Charlie are the main characters of the series, and their relationship & growth is a huge plot point in the show. They are not only the faces of the series, their dynamic is the focal point of what constitutes redemption from two different perspectives.

They're literally narrative foils to each other. In order for this foil dynamic to work, Charlie has to be what Alastor once was, while Alastor has to be what Charlie can become.

Alastor upholds principles of traditional punitive justice. A "serial killer" dubbed a vigilante in his living years, enforcing his theory of justice through retribution rather than rehabilitation. Retribution to Alastor is not a black and white solution, but as a vigilante he believes punishment should be administered because the offender deserves it. Notice how he has it out for people in Hell who he considers flawed in some way (Lucifer, Overlords, loansharks). His idea of punishment must be proportionate to the crime committed-- "an eye for an eye" -- he is otherwise fairly cordial and, if we're looking at the women in his life, pretty protective of who he considers innocent to a fault. This explains why Alastor does not believe in redemption. To him, everybody in Hell, EVEN HIMSELF, are there as punishment for a reason and he gives NO excuse why he nor they should be spared.

Note: this has nothing to do with Hell's hierarchy or the fact Alastor wants to climb the ranks in a power hungry system. He doesn't believe in redemption, and he does not believe in his own redemption.

Now, let's look at Charlie and her idea of justice. Charlie believes in restorative justice, which hugely contrasts Alastor's philosophy. Restorative justice is approached by focusing on repairing the harm caused by unjust systems and criminal behaviour through participatory exercises which involve the victim, the offender, and the community. The purpose is to address the harm caused to the victims and discuss with the community over the responsibility of the offender in order to make amends.

In this process, Charlie believes involving all stakeholders are needed to bring about justice. Restorative justice requires offenders to confront their actions and go through a rehabilitation process, which is the entire point of Charlie's hotel. This is why she encourages healthy activities in order to fix criminals (sinners) and lead them back into society (Heaven).

This contrast in ethics from both Alastor and Charlie is immediately told to us in the pilot episode, where Alastor admits he doesn't believe in redemption (inside of every demon is a lost cause). Charlie explains she believes everyone deserves a chance at it (inside of every demon is a rainbow).

Alastor's strength in this response is that it upholds the rule of law, and in a funny way it's quite similar to Adam and Heaven's views (think of it as a criminal and a police officer having the same view on justice). Alastor's weaknesses in this perspective enable the cycle of abuse as it does not aim to care about any of the parties' needs as a result of being harmed, or addressing what caused this behaviour.

Charlie's strengths lie in her holistic approach to redemption. She believes through this response she can hold the sinners' accountable by addressing their needs, healing their trauma, and thus repairing their relationship with the community. Her weaknesses are her naivity and struggling to apply harsh judgement on severe crimes.

This is why Alastor and Charlie need each other. They make up for what the other lacks, and through a solid friendship they can learn a lot from one another.

It's a tale as old as time with narrative foils, as I mentioned above. One must see themselves in the other. One must embody what the other can become. Alastor sees a pure, younger version of himself in Charlie, but he thinks she's silly and naive because he has been jaded and has lived a life entirely different from hers. Still, her gentleness could reach him. On the other side, Alastor is cunning and smart; he's willing to enforce punishment on who believes is deserving of it. Charlie is frightened of hurting others, but Alastor as her mentor can teach her to become stronger.

Alastor and Charlie need each other.

[the-garbanzo-annex-jr]

by Ruth Wisse

Hamas recently beat the competition with a demonstration of savagery unlike the earlier improvised pogroms in Europe to which it has been compared. October’s slaughters were plotted with crucial input from Gazans employed in Israeli homes they had scouted and mapped for the purpose, making this the first military campaign designed to culminate in acts of beheading, torture, and rape of predetermined victims. As attempts to destroy Israel through conventional warfare had only made Israel militarily stronger, the new tactics aimed at destroying the Jews’ will to remain among antagonists sworn never to leave them in peace. More than to intimidate, these attacks were made to demoralize.

Survivor-witnesses describe new refinements of psychological warfare. Hamas murdered parents and children in each other’s presence so as to sharpen the survivors’ agony. They took hostages—not, as others do, for eventual exchange—but to taunt the country with images of prisoners’ suffering, and fear that many would never be returned. Every Jewish value—respect for women, honoring the human being who was made in the image of God—was gleefully defiled.

As for the Jews living in nearby Gaza, many of them self-described Jewish “peaceniks,” they had prided themselves on the medical help and hospitality they extended to their Gazan neighbors, persuaded that cooperation was obviously to everyone’s benefit. The terrorists exploited the Jews’ desire for peace as a means of entrapment and further opportunity for torment. By attacking on a Jewish holiday and a secular festival, they intended to destroy the Israelis’ joy in life. Anyone reading Dan Senor and Saul Singer’s exhilarating book about the collective strengths that constitute The Genius of Israel will recognize how Hamas turned precisely those virtues into weapons of torture to tear the Jewish people apart.

October’s slaughters were plotted with crucial input from Gazans employed in Israeli homes they had scouted and mapped for the purpose, making this the first military campaign designed to culminate in acts of beheading, torture, and rape of predetermined victims.

Nor does this exhaust their inventiveness. The Arabs’ strategy of martyring generations of their own people in the cause of eliminating Israel dates back to the 1947 refusal of Arab leaders to accept the partition of Palestine into two states—in order to keep Arabs perpetually homeless. Arabs were to remain permanently displaced as evidence of Israel’s “occupation” while Israel integrated the over 800,000 Jewish refugees from Arab lands and granted participatory citizenship to over 2 million Arabs who chose to remain in its boundaries.

Taking this tactic of martyring their fellow Arabs to a new level, Hamas turned Gaza into suicide central. Above ground, residents were allowed to conduct a quasi-normal life, knowing that, below ground, every school, every hospital, and many private homes were booby-trapped for the Israelis whom their leaders would lure into their cities. The IDF continues to uncover a tremendous amount of infrastructure built over years, confirming Hamas’ intention of invading and killing Israelis en masse. In the words of one of its soldiers “[It] is clear they expected us to arrive and laid plans to exact a cost in the form of IDF casualties.” The attack of Oct. 7 had to be monstrous enough to provoke Israel into full-scale war in the hope of rescuing the hostages and destroying the terrorists—a plan that would also ensure the collateral death of as many Gazans as possible to attract Western sympathy.

[sefaradweb]

La Ciudad conmemora el 30º aniversario del atentado a la AMIA

🇦🇷 El 18 de julio de 2024 se conmemora el 30º aniversario del atentado a la Asociación Mutual Israelita Argentina (AMIA) en Buenos Aires, donde un coche bomba explotó frente al edificio en Pasteur 633, causando la muerte de 85 personas y hiriendo a más de 300. En honor a este trágico evento, el Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires ha organizado diversas acciones conmemorativas. Entre ellas, un encuentro con jóvenes de la comunidad judía y la actualización del Mapa Interactivo "Huellas de la Memoria BA" con nuevas incorporaciones, como la Plaza Víctimas del atentado a AMIA y murales conmemorativos.

El jueves 18 de julio se realizará un acto central en la sede de la AMIA, con la presencia de autoridades locales, representantes de la comunidad judía y familiares de las víctimas. Este acto incluye la reapertura de la estación Pasteur-AMIA de la Línea B de subte, renovada para mejorar la circulación y honrar la memoria de las víctimas. Además, el miércoles 17 se llevará a cabo el tradicional Acto de Juventud en Pasteur 633, con propuestas musicales y actividades participativas, reafirmando el compromiso con la memoria y la justicia.

🇺🇸 On July 18, 2024, the 30th anniversary of the bombing of the Argentine Israelite Mutual Association (AMIA) in Buenos Aires is commemorated. The car bomb explosion in front of the building at Pasteur 633 resulted in 85 deaths and over 300 injuries. To honor this tragic event, the Buenos Aires City Government has organized various commemorative actions. These include a meeting with young members of the Jewish community and updating the Interactive Map "Huellas de la Memoria BA" with new additions such as the Plaza Víctimas del atentado a AMIA and commemorative murals.

On Thursday, July 18, a central ceremony will be held at the AMIA headquarters, attended by local authorities, Jewish community representatives, and victims' families. This event includes the reopening of the Pasteur-AMIA station on the B subway line, renovated to improve circulation and honor the victims' memory. Additionally, on Wednesday, July 17, the traditional Youth Act will take place at Pasteur 633, featuring musical proposals and participatory activities, reaffirming the commitment to memory and justice.

[leftistfeminista]

Chilean Feminists protest to reclaim the torture center for women "Venda Sexy"

Exciting and participatory activity by the Recovery of the Torture House Venda Sexy for Women's Active Memory. The companions of the Cueca Sola, the "street starters, the Collective Against Oblivion, the Collective of Women Survivors Always Resilient, all and all attendees, all words, all demonstrations form the foundations of this collective construction of memory rescue and the struggle of the women against dictatorship and our tireless walk for justice and against IMPUNITY.

LONG LIVE THE WOMEN WHO FIGHT!!!

[dailyanarchistposts]

Empire’s radical monopoly over life

Ivan Illich was a prominent radical intellectual in the 1970s, but aside from his radical critique of schooling, is not well-known today. For Illich, modern schooling was only one of the many ways that dependence was being entrenched—a dependence not only on capitalist production and consumption, but on a whole violent, industrialized, disciplined, and controlled way of life. His concept of radical monopoly points to something more systematic than the control over a particular market by a particular firm. Instead, radical monopoly gets at the way that Empire monopolizes life itself: how people relate to each other, how they get around, how they get their sustenance, and the whole texture of everyday life. A world built for cars forces out other ways of moving, and modern building codes and bylaws make it impossible and illegal for people to build their own dwellings, or even to live together at all if they cannot pass as a nuclear family. Modern medicine does not just create a new way of understanding the body: its scientific understanding is premised on a radical monopoly over health, and the subjugation (or commodification) of other healing traditions. To be healthy under Empire is to be a properly functioning, able-bodied, neurotypical individual capable of work, and to be sick often means becoming medicalized: isolated, confined, and dependent on strangers and experts. Law, policing, and prisons monopolize the field of justice by enforcing cycles of punishment and incarceration, forcing out the capacity of people to protect each other and resolve conflicts themselves. The rise of industrial agriculture has been accompanied by a loss of the convivial relations surrounding subsistence: the connection to the growing and processing of food, the intimacy with ecosystems and seasons it entails, and the collective rituals, celebrations, and practices that have accompanied these traditions. Empire’s infrastructure induces dependence on forms of production, specialized knowledge, expertise, and tools that detach people from their capacities to learn, grow, build, produce, and take care of each other.

Since Illich wrote, these monopolies have folded into ever more diffuse and generalized forms of control, sunk deeper into the fabric of life. Deleuze called this new form of power taking shape over the course of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries “control societies.”[102] Rather than telling people exactly what to do, this mode of power regularizes life, calling forth certain ways of living and feeling, and making other forms of life die. Surveillance no longer ends when one exits a particular institution: through social media, smartphones, browsing histories, and credit cards, surveillance is ubiquitous, continuous, and increasingly participatory. We are enjoined to share, consume, and express ourselves, and every choice feeds back into algorithms that predict our habits and preferences with ever increasing precision. The performance of self-expression is constantly encouraged, and as the Institute for Precarious Consciousness writes, “Our success in this performance in turn affects everything from our ability to access human warmth to our ability to access means of subsistence, not just in the form of the wage but also in the form of credit.”[103] Under this apparatus, there is little room for silence, nuance, listening, exploration, or the rich subtleties of tone and body language. Anything too intense or subversive is either incorporated or surgically removed by security, police, or emergency personnel. Class, anti-Blackness, Islamophobia, ableism and other structured forms of violence are coded into the algorithms that make everyone a potential terrorist, thief, or error. Even those who are supposed to enjoy the most—those who can afford the newest screens and the most expensive forms of consumption—are inducted into a state of nearly constant distraction, numbness, and anxiety.

Perpetual individualization obscures the crushing collective effects of Empire. When this form of control is working, interactions are hypervisible, superficial, predictable, and self-managed. To be constantly mistrusted and controlled is also to be detached from one’s own capacity to experiment, make mistakes, and learn without instruction or coercion. To internalize the responsibilities of neoliberal individualism is to sink into the mesh of control and subjection. The responsible economic subject owns her own property, pays her own debts, invests in her future, and meets her needs and desires through consumption. She is individually responsible for her health, her economic situation, her life prospects, and even her emotional states. These forms of subjection make it difficult to imagine—let alone participate in—collective alternatives. From the dependence on armed strangers to resolve conflicts, to the hum of an extraction-fuelled world, to the glow of screens that beckon attention, to the stranglehold of policy and bureaucracy, to the intergenerational violence and abuse that permeate lovers and families, Empire is constantly entrenching dependence on a world that makes joy, trust, and responsibility difficult.

It is not a question of revealing this to people, as if they are dupes. Struggling amid these forms of control means grappling with their affective hold on us and our daily lives. Anxiety, addiction, and depression are not merely secrets to reveal or illusions to dispel. Preaching about Empire’s horrors can stoke cynicism or ironic detachment rather than undoing subjection. One can still feel bound and depleted, despite one’s awareness. Empire’s subjects are “free” to be mistrustful and resentful of the system under which they live. One can hate Empire as much as one wants, as long as one continues to work, pay rent, and consume. There is no simple correspondence between intentions and actions, as if the problem is simply figuring out what to do and doing it. Undoing subjection is not about conscious opposition, or finding a way to be happy amidst misery. Challenging Empire’s radical monopoly over life means interrupting its affective and infrastructural hold, undoing some of our existing attachments and desires, and creating new ones.

[dipperdesperado]

harm reduction is solarpunk

I’ve been doing a lot of thinking and writing about solarpunk actions and ideas that might not be normally considered solarpunk. One of those ideas that I’ve been really interested in recently is harm reduction.

Harm reduction is a way of thinking about harmful things that people do and their repercussions. As it sounds like, it’s meant to reduce the harm that these things cause. It’s an answer to targeted responses to situations that don’t holistically address the root causes. It also thinks about ways to support people that are stigmatized for the ways they cope with these root causes. Instead of asking people to change their individual responses to systemic issues, there is a focus on how to make those responses as safe as possible.

This aligns with the systems-focus and strategically holistic approach to social change that is paramount to solarpunk. While certain things, like drug abuse, should not be a thing, we can’t respond to that issue without having an understanding of the social factors that lead to maladaptive coping mechanisms, and destigmatize existing in those social situations. This is not to say that we endorse drug abuse, but creating safe spaces for drug use and treatment, while also building toward responding to wider issues can be very powerful. This thinking allows solarpunks to have the empathy and restorative justice orientation important to bringing the futures they want to see to life.

Harm reduction also allows people to build self-sufficiency. In the context of drug use, programs like needle exchanges and overdose prevention sites allow people to engage in safer practices in self-managed ways. Giving people the tools and resources to lower risks and improve their health is super solarpunk. Instead of giving them the care, or just providing access to the care, the community can dynamically organize to do both when necessary.

Solarpunk can be enhanced by the ideas of harm reduction to usher in futures that aren’t just renewable and participatory but are compassionate, empowering, and empathetic at their roots.

[adversitybloomed]

🌸  ┊ letter received from  @senjufound       Erlang Shen : Erlang Shen was the Jade Empress’ most favoured deity, and never missed an occasion where he must be present amidst the heavenly crowd lest he be called upon by the Monarchs at any moment. Though he was seldom participatory, he was not seen at all during the Mid-Autumn festivities. When approached, he was the least guarded anyone has seen. ❛ Something about Autumn just makes me melancholy. ❜ Definitely an understatement. / Autumn/Halloween Sentence Starters.

          as a God of War, Hua Mulan was known for a great many of things. she was a war hero, who destroyed armies. a good leader who protected the realms from great threats and often sheltered villages were were susceptible to invasion. many say that she was a powerful warrior, who stood on the side of justice and did not partake in favoritism within the heavenly realm, for she never once accepted a bribe, nor did she partake festivities where she would be forced to show one lord over another. many knew that she had a busy schedule, most were never too surprised when she rejected the invitations, for they had come to expect it of her.

          yet there were always the few functions that she could not turn down, especially when the invitation came from the Jade Palace. and so, here she was to attend the Mid-Autumn festivities. at first, it had not been so bad, for she had gone to greet the Jade Emperor and Empress first, bringing them gifts as a show of gratitude for the invitation. for a while after, she stood by the Emperors side, answering some of his questions until the Empress reminded him that this was a celebration and not a war council meeting.

          with a reminder to enjoy herself, she was soon released to rejoin the festivities, though she did her best to avoid mothers who wished to introduce her to their sons. before long, she was reunited with her own family, and spent some time with them before they went to partake within the other festivities. temptation clouded her mind for a moment, the idea of leaving early teasing at her, though that thought soon left as she realized a little too late that a few noble families had come forward to pay their respects.

          for a short while, she tolerated it, her features revealing nothing as she listened to them go on and on about this years achievements and of course the invitations for her to join them at their residence for future celebrations. yet, she could tell that underneath their pleasantries they wanted something from her. after a bit, she cut the conversations upon their mid sentence, giving a slight bow of her head as she announced she others to greet before stepping away. uncaring if it was rude or not, she was glad to be away from them, and soon began the evasive tactic so that she would not be once more stuck within conservations that she would rather avoid.

          sticking to the ends of the room, she soon came upon the deity Erlang Shen, a figure who's whispers of favoritism was heard of even on the front lines. she had heard great whispers of his grand abilities as a warrior, a strength of which she could admire, for she had been thought from a young age that one warrior could always recognize another. upon first glance, she knew those words were true, for there was a way that he held himself, that stood out from the rest ━━ though it was noticed testament that no guards seemed to accompany him by his side.

          stepping towards him, she bowed to show her respect, though a spark of amusement flickered within her eyes at his greeting. unlike the rest, it was unusual and left her eyes leaving him to gaze upon the changing leaves of the trees.      ❝  the cycle of rebirth often leaves many feeling such a way. while the color of the leaves hold great beauty, it hides the deeper truth of a fleeting life.  ❞    she spoke softly, as she shifted her body and held up a hand to catch a falling orange leaf.       ❝  but, i suppose that is the way of the cycle of rebirth.  ❞

[theadaptableeducator]

Reimagining Society: A Freirean Critique and the Path to Participatory Socialism

Paolo Freire’s philosophies, particularly as articulated in “Pedagogy of the Oppressed,” provide a critical lens through which to analyze the interconnectivity and unsustainability of colonialism, nationalism, imperialism, and capitalism. Freire’s emphasis on dialogical education, the problem-posing method, and the liberation of the oppressed underscores the inherent issues within these…

[metropolitanglobal]

People-powered democracy forum

People-Powered Democracy Forums: A New Era of Civic Engagement in Washington

Washington, D.C. – In an era where political polarization often dominates the national conversation, a new movement is emerging in Washington, D.C., that seeks to bridge divides and empower citizens through grassroots participation. People-powered democracy forums are becoming a vital platform for community-driven decision-making, fostering an inclusive environment where every voice counts.

What Are People-Powered Democracy Forums?

People-powered democracy forums are public gatherings where citizens come together to discuss pressing issues, propose solutions, and influence public policy. Unlike traditional town halls or public hearings, these forums are designed to be more participatory, giving ordinary citizens the tools and platforms they need to actively shape their communities and government.

In Washington, these forums have gained momentum as a response to growing disillusionment with top-down governance. They aim to revive the foundational principles of democracy by ensuring that the power to make decisions is placed directly in the hands of the people.

A Growing Movement in Washington

Washington, D.C., has long been a hub for political activism and civic engagement, but people-powered democracy forums are taking this involvement to a new level. Local organizers are hosting forums on a wide range of topics, from healthcare and education to climate change and criminal justice reform. These events are not just about discussing issues; they are about crafting actionable solutions that can be presented to policymakers.

One recent forum focused on the rising costs of housing in the District. Participants from various neighborhoods came together to share their experiences, propose policy changes, and even draft a citizen-led initiative that could be put on the ballot. This forum exemplified how people-powered democracy can lead to tangible outcomes, empowering citizens to take direct action on issues that affect their daily lives.

The Role of Technology in Enhancing Participation

Technology has played a crucial role in the success of people-powered democracy forums in Washington. Online platforms and social media have made it easier than ever to organize events, gather input, and disseminate information. Virtual forums have expanded access, allowing people from all walks of life to participate, regardless of their location or mobility.

Organizations behind these forums are leveraging digital tools to create interactive experiences where participants can vote on ideas, collaborate in real time, and even engage with experts and policymakers. This blend of in-person and online engagement is helping to ensure that these forums are truly representative of the diverse voices in Washington.

Challenges and Opportunities

While people-powered democracy forums are gaining traction, they also face challenges. Ensuring broad participation across different demographics and socioeconomic groups remains a key concern. Organizers are working to address barriers to participation, such as language differences, limited access to technology, and scheduling conflicts.

Despite these challenges, the opportunities presented by these forums are significant. They provide a space for dialogue and collaboration that is often missing in conventional political processes. By bringing people together to discuss and solve problems, these forums are fostering a sense of community and shared purpose that is essential for a healthy democracy.

Looking Ahead

As people-powered democracy forums continue to grow in Washington, they represent a promising shift toward more participatory governance. These forums are not just about making voices heard; they are about ensuring that those voices have a direct impact on policy and decision-making.

In a city where decisions often seem distant from the everyday concerns of citizens, people-powered democracy forums are a reminder that true democracy is about more than just voting – it’s about active, ongoing participation in the governance of one’s community.

For Washingtonians and beyond, this movement offers a powerful model for how citizens can reclaim their role in the democratic process, making government more responsive, accountable, and inclusive.

[beyondtheinterface]

Sex workers are some of the most marginalized people worldwide. Current technologies have brought new and expanding elements to the sex work industry. Yet, there is little information on critical issues surrounding sex work and sex tech.

#beyondtheinterface responds to this knowledge gap. It consolidates existing data and generates new knowledge that can develop strategies advocating for legislative inclusion, access to justice, and the legal rights of sex workers and non-sex workers alike. 

We invite scholars, activists, students, and members of the sex work and sextech communities to join us in examining this underexplored area of human rights research. Our conference is designed with a Participatory Learning Approach (PLA) to draw on multiple perspectives and viewpoints. 

Taking place from October 17-19, 2024, and hosted through the Centre for Feminist Research (York University), #beyondtheinterface will engage in meaningful discussions, exchange knowledge, and foster dialogue and understanding. 

In exploring the experiences of sex workers and their unique livelihoods, this conference generates new paths forward to better protect and promote the rights of sex workers.

Stay tuned for the conference registration link- coming September 15, 2024!