#racial justice and equality

[momachan]

"It may be considered naive and unrealistic to assume I can eliminate prejudice, implicit bias, and long-held racial fears. Yet I won't ever stop trying for men and women... For all those unjustly imprisioned by a system unwilling or incapable of recognizing their humanity. To exist... to prosper... within that framework... takes a level of strength that would make even Superman envious. I'll be in your corner. I'll fight for your freedom. Always."

Truth & Justice (2021). "The Revolving Door."

[amandagr3]

[talesofwhimsy]

I'm 100 pages into Moby Dick and they just got on the goddamn boat

This book actually kinda fucks hard it's great?

[fuck-em-up-your-grace]

The thing the American left needs to understand is that the best thing you can do to advance leftism* is to vote for Joe Biden.

[orthopunkfox]

An Appalachian Orthodox Christian's Perspective on Juneteenth

Growing up in redneck country, I was no stranger to racism. I heard my great granny use the hard R and even my parents make little racist comments between themselves about BIPOC folx. I have remarked in conversations to friends that one of the disadvantages of growing up as a white cis man in Kentucky and Southern Indiana is that other white cis men will be racist around you. I can remember more than a few times being approached in the grocery store by men asking "Do you know Mr. Ayak?" the call sign for the KKK.

Today in the United States, we celebrate the end of the greatest disease that has afflicted our nation: the abomination of slavery. Yet we acknowledge that the great strides taken in the 1860s and the 1960s are but the first steps on a long road to true racial equality. Indeed today is not just a day of celebration, but remembrance. We remember the thousands of people, created in the image of God who's names have been erased from history because their lives and deaths were not counted worthy of remembrance.

We remember also, and mourn, those who twisted the words of Our Lord and His Saints to defend their racist actions, just as they do now with their anti LGBTQ+ rhetoric. We remember those who stood behind the pulpit and the Bible and dared to use even Christ's Holy Cross as a symbol of hatred for their fellow human beings.

On this day, it is worth noting that the Orthodox Church has a message for those people. In April of 1863, His All-Holiness Joachim II Patriarch of Constantinople released a statement that was printed in an Antiochian newspaper. He says:

The United States of America, after many years of union and peace, after gigantic material and moral development, are separated into two hostile camps. The Northern States, guided by true reason and evangelical principles, persistently seek the abolition of the slavery of the blacks. The Southern States, blinded by a badly understood material interest, obstinately and anti-Christianly seek the perpetuation of slavery. This war of ideas and physical interests is prosecuted to desperation. Bloody battles are delivered, but victory until the present is doubtful, and the return of peace does not seem near. But if we cast a careful eye upon the wonderful events of this age, we shall be inclined to believe that those who contend so nobly for the most unquestionable and humane rights, will, God helping them, reach the object of their desires.

We thank God that the (doubtful) hopes of the Patriarch were realized, and we vow, as inclusive Orthodox Christians to continue the battle for the rights of the oppressed, to step forward where we are needed and to step back in support when where we are not. We hope and pray and celebrate with our siblings of color today as they rejoice in they victories already won.

Glory to God for all things!

[IMAGE]: An icon depicting various Saints of Africa including Saint Moses and Saint Mary of Egypt.

[destielmemenews]

source 1

source 2

[torahapologetics]

No such Thing as Race in Nationalities

I will Appreciate Reblogs. #nationality #race #shorts #short @OzraeliAvi @ToviaSinger1

[momachan]

"Fear is the gateway drug of America's addiction to bigotry. It's not easy for me, a white man in the United States, to write those words. In my research for this article, I have seen how deeply rooted racism is within American society, like a cancer. And like cancer, the only way to fight it... is to first expose it to the light... so it can be diagnosed... and properly treated. Within a matter of days of conducting my research into the perception of African-American men, I have realized that the problem was much bigger than I could have imagined. So big that not even the gods among us could destroy it."

Truth & Justice (2021). "The Revolving Door."

[whiterosebrian]

Chorus of Lineages

In the book on writing poetry that I’m currently going through, one of the chapters offers Jungian shadows, both personal and collective, among the different sources of inspiration.  Poetry, according to the author, is a means of examining those with honesty.  Even before reaching the chapter’s end, I got an idea to examine the historical and societal construct of whiteness.   I must confess that the idea also came from a disastrous exchange with an Asian-Romani witch; I was clumsy and insensitive in asking about her understanding of the metaphysics of ethnic lineage.    Within this exercise, I opted to again experiment with a structure involving tail-rhymes, including a substantial shift at the conclusion.

I was taught to respect people regardless

Of the color of their skin or their ethnic extractions.

No group deserves to be distressed

Or reduced to a mere disposable abstraction.

At home and school, I learned of how

The treatment of people who differ is unfair.

I learned to ignore shades of brown

And offer humans equal care.

I knew myself as a member of the majority.

Systemic racism sees me as the norm.

I knew of others as being minorities.

Systems treat them as lower lifeforms.

Only after years passed

Did I see the full extent of silencing,

Defamation, enslavement, and destruction in the past,

With lingering effects on daily living.

The people on this land labeled as minorities

Need more than kind treatment,

Needing freedom and true equality

So they can enable the land’s healing and ascent.

Instead of a faceless mass of humanity,

The lineages of Mother Earth, in their diversity,

Would be freed together, from Anishinaabe to Arabic

To Sioux to Desi to Latin to Germanic

To West African to Celtic to Sinic

To children of Aztlan, so none would be superfluous.

With all their gifts, they form a chorus

Of varied voices harmonized to sing

An incantation for renewing all things.

[toplesstopics]

So longtime friend of the Topless Topics community mrich (as we all know him by) and I have been tossing around a #podcast idea for a while (I know, I know…this one will be good though, I promise ;p) and I could use y'alls help in solidifying the concept before we jump in to making it.

Basically, the thought is to provide two different but respectful opinions on a variety of subjects--I'm a cis white woman "coastal elite" from California, he's a cis black man from the South, and we're both #progressive #leftists and huge nerds (especially #gaming !) We're also both #normalizeNudity (and of course #freeTheNipple / #topless #equality ) supporters, raised #nudist / #naturist though I reject the specific label these days (I got a whole video about it at toplesstopics.org/nomorenudism if you're curious), and #sexPositive - I'm #bisexual and #polyamorous , he's straight and monogamous, but totally cool with other models, as long as it's all #consensual . We also (so many commonalities!) are both quite #artistic - he's mainly into #portrait #photography while I'm into #illustration both #digitalIllustration and #traditionalIllustration .

While we're still figuring out the structure of the podcast, the idea is to have a few somewhat disparate sections to it - gaming/ #comics / #cosplay /etc, then brief reaction to current #politics / #news (like #feminism , #LGBTQ , #racialJustice , anti- #capitalism , and so much more), and (hopefully) an interview with someone interesting ( #sexWorker , #activist , #artist , etc…whoever we can find that seems like they'd be a good fit for the pod! Then finally, maybe an "ask us anything" advice/reaction section to round out the episode.

I'm thinking we aim for <= 2 hours, one episode per month, but if we really get into it, maybe an episode every other week. I'm still gonna have to edit it and I have a lot else on my plate so I don't want to overextend myself too much. If we happen to stumble into wild success maybe I could hire someone else to do that part in the future, then we could record more often :p

On some subjects, of course I will defer to his expanded first-hand experience, like #racialInequality . And on other subjects, it'll be mostly my turn to step onto the soapbox, namely about what it's like to be a woman in this #misogynist #sexist world. We've chatted for many hours over the years and always gotten along swimmingly, so I don't anticipate undue friction in the longterm (a benefit of having so many like-minded opinions already). But I still think we have enough difference in life experiences to provide an interesting perspective on a variety of topics.

What do you think? Does any of that seem interesting to you? What kinds of things / people to interview would you like to see on a podcast created by a pair of different similar leftist nerds? Would you listen to such a podcast? Please, lay your feedback on me! All replies welcome, as long as you're not being a total jerk ❤️

[fr3sh-c0rn]

AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE:

just because we want rights, it doesn't mean we want to take away yours.

[i-am-the-page-turner]

"Black and British" by David Olusoga

"Black and British" by David Olusoga is an enlightening and comprehensive exploration of the black presence in Britain throughout history. In this book, Olusoga delves into the often overlooked and underrepresented stories of black people in Britain, challenging the traditional narratives of British history. Through meticulous research and engaging storytelling, Olusoga uncovers the rich and diverse contributions that black individuals and communities have made to British society. He traces the history of black people in Britain from Roman times to the present day, shedding light on their experiences, struggles, and achievements. Olusoga examines various themes such as slavery, colonialism, migration, and racism, providing a nuanced understanding of how these factors have shaped the black British experience. He highlights the resilience and resistance of black individuals in the face of adversity, showcasing their significant impact on British culture, politics, and identity. The book also explores the complexities of identity and belonging, as black Britons navigate their dual heritage and challenge societal norms. Olusoga examines the intersections of race, class, and gender, offering a multifaceted perspective on the black British experience. Through personal anecdotes, historical accounts, and thought-provoking analysis, Olusoga challenges readers to confront the uncomfortable truths of Britain's past and present. He encourages a reevaluation of British history, urging readers to recognize and celebrate the contributions of black people to the nation's development. "Black and British" serves as a powerful reminder that black history is an integral part of British history and should be acknowledged, taught, and celebrated. It is a compelling and enlightening read that invites readers to critically examine their understanding of British identity and the diverse tapestry of voices that have shaped the nation. Overall, this book is a testament to the resilience, strength, and enduring presence of black people in Britain. It offers a fresh perspective on British history, challenging established narratives and illuminating the contributions of black individuals and communities. "Black and British" is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of race, identity, and history in Britain.

[radicalrascal]

Bears Against Bigots! 🐻

New sticker available in shop ⭐️