In the 1940s Mexico City, poverty and inequality birthed youth gangs. These weren't hardened criminals, but teens finding belonging and escape amidst urban sprawl. Their stories, etched in graffiti and court records, urge us to see them as victims of a city growing too fast, leaving them behind.
Vajra Chandrasekera is a Locus and Nebula award-winner and has been short-listed for a Hugo Award this year. You can find his Tumblr here: @adamantine and his twitter here: @_vajra
Massive protests against the 2024 Finance Bill continue in Nairobi and across Kenya. Parliament has been stormed, and City Hall set on fire.
The bill imposes taxes that will further impoverish those already suffering from the increasing cost of living. The government even tried to put a tax on bread and cooking oil, but this was apparently withdrawn. The International Monetary Fund is putting pressure on president Ruto to impose austerity measures and raise taxes.
Supreme Court staff and lawyers helping demonstrators with water.
Some protestors have been shot, with fatalities. The police have apparently arrested a number of paramedics trying to treat the wounded.
Homes of several MPs who support the finance bill have been looted and set ablaze. I have no sympathy.
A protestor stated:
“We are the flames burning up the country. We cannot stand still while we are robbed and made poor.
“This movement will not stop until we have won. They can kill us but they can’t beat down our movement.”
Some things I'll be buying to make a care package for my local homeless person:
Socks, t- shirt, maybe underwear if it's not too weird, he probably needs it though
Dried foods; jerky, granola bars and dried fruit etc
Tasty sweet treat like a chocolate bar
Instant coffee
Thermos bottle
2 hot water bottles
Multivitamins
Bottled waters
Hand sanitiser and wet wipes
Bar of soap
Nail clipper
Small first aid kit
Gift card to a grocery store
Rain poncho
Sunscreen
Thermal blanket
Personal note letting him know that his situation is not his fault because the government and society is supposed to take care of people, but they don't because of greed and short sightedness
Feel free to take inspiration and make a care package for a homeless person in your city/town. You don't have to show your face, you can wear a face mask and sunglasses, and go with a friend if you're nervous.
It's a small gesture that can go a long way in giving a person hope. Even just cash or a grocery store gift card is a good thing to give. Life is unpredictable. It can take a turn for the worse and suddenly become very hard for anyone
Capitalism is killing people in so many ways, and the medical industrial complex is one of them. Healthcare should always be a universal right -both fair and equitable access, but in many cases it is not... the mass injustices.