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breaniebree · 5 years ago

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List of ASC Original Characters

Question from fanfiction.net from DetroitNate -- Thanks for this story, it is one of my top five hands down. Also, I agree with you about blvnk, that has always been how I've seen Harry and Ginny. Thanks for a refresher course on Zee's parents sometimes it is difficult to remember who is who, which brings up another questionis there somewhere that I could see a list of your OCs, kind of like your brief explanation of Misha and Sorcha? Either thanks for the story it continues to be wonderful.

Thank you! I do have a lot of original people I have introduced, in passing or to give characters to them. I literally have an entire document saved ASC Character Lists to help me keep track. I will post it here the way I have it written. It’s a LONG LIST! Most may have just been mentioned, but it helps me keep track in case I have to go back and like oh right, that person did this!

Zahira Zelena Zacarias (Zee) - 9th April, 1964:

Zee’s family is as follows:

The Jacksons:

Colten (Muggle) and Florence (Pureblood witch) Jackson, Grandma and Grandpa

Daughter Magnolia Jackson Zacarias (deceased) married to Michael (Misha) Zacarias with one daughter: Zahira Zelena Zacarias

The Zacarias’:

Ivan and Anya Zacarias Baba & Deda (Muggles - Ivan was the soldier in WWII with the motorbike)

1. Michael (Misha) m. Magnolia Jackson Zacarias (d) m. Sorcha Brown Zacarias, Papa and Grandmama

(a) Zahira Zelena Zacarias

2. Olga Zacarias Petrov m. Dimtri Petrov

(a) Mikhail Petrov m. Ana Ivanov

(i) Yuri Petrov

(b) Mila Petrov Sokolov m. Nicholas Sokolov

(i) Nastasia Sokolov

(ii) Dinara Sokolov

3. Sasha Zacarias Blok m. Yerik Blok

(a) Tanya Blok Fedorov m. Alek Fedorov

(i) Eva and Irina (twin girls identical)

(b) Tatiana Blok eng. Iosif Kuznetsov

The Browns:

Callum and Fiona Brown

Brian Brown m. Jocasta Fitzgibbons

(a) Dougal Brown m. Ellen Smith

(i) Jenny Brown

(ii) Ian Brown

Sorcha Brown m. Misha Zacarias

(a) Zahira Zelena Zacarias

The Weasley family tree

Arthur’s parents — Septimus and Cedrella nee Black Weasley

Bilius Weasley m. Lucretia NLN

(a) Septimus Weasley eng. Bianca Sousa

(b) Gaius Weasley m. Jillian Kinders

(d) Tiberius Weasley

Alphard Weasley m. Maureen NLN

(a) Caradoc Weasley m. Holly Gibbons

(i) Jeffrey Weasley

(b) Valerius Weasley

(d) Maximus Weasley

(e) Marius Weasley

Arthur Weasley m. Molly Prewett

(a) William Arthur Weasley

(b) Charles Septimus Weasley

(d) Frederick Fabian Weasley

(e) George Gideon Weasley

(f) Ronald Bilius Weasley

(g) Ginevra Molly Weasley

Althea & Xander Papakonstantinou:

(a) Niko Alexander & Nilo Alexander Papakonstantinou

(b) Phoenix Nikolas Papakonstantinou

(d) Calla Gallina Papakonstantinou

Apollo & Medea Castellanos

(a) Daphne Grace Castellanos

(b) Circe Althea Castellanos

WIZENGAMOT COUNCIL MEMBERS:

Lady Lucrectia Dettweiler

Lord Marcus Bulstrode

Lord Tiberius Ogden

Lord Aaron Mackelbee

CWM Norton

CWM Anderson

CWM Himmler

WOLVES:

Adrian Roberts (Alpha of Southwestern England)

Echo Simpson (Alpha of Northwestern England)

Ethan Simpson (son of Echo)

Maia Roberts (wife of Adrian)

Hawk Roberts

Emily Roberts

Nikita Roberts

Odin Roberts

Rafe Roberts

Clara Roberts (deceased)

Conan NLN

Volk NLN

Ivory NLN

Cami NLN

Daimon NLN (Alpha of Southeastern in England)

Rune NLN (Alpha of Northeastern in England)

Romeo NLN

Summer NLN

Other Random Mentioned Characters:

George & Margaret Morrison - Sirius’ next door neighbours (Zee’s cottage)

Persephone - name of Sirius’ owl

Greta Catchlove - Sirius’ ex in school

Glenda Chittock - Sirius’ ex in school

Sarah Anderson - Sirius’ ex in school

Darcy Floras - Wizengamot Administrative Office

Professor Dragomir - Durmstrang Dark Arts professor (Althea’s old prof & confidant)

Robyn NLN - ex lover of Remus

Annalise Zuszack Davies - ex lover of Sirius

Veronica Riley - ex lover of Remus, Accidental Magical Reversal Squad

Persephone NLN - bridesmaid at Althea’s wedding, ex lover of Sirius

Connor McGee - Tonks’ ex boyfriend

Amanda NLN- ex lover of Remus

Carolos Santorini - head of dragon reserve in Sicily

Sareena Sahadi, curse breaker in Roman catacombs

Jonathon Pepper - Tonks’ ex boyfriend and lover

Jennifer Berry - real estate agent who sold Zee her cottage, ex lover of Sirius

Phillipe Montgomery - professor on werewolf mythology

Ava Montgomery - wife of Phillippe Montgomery and werewolf

Ferryweather - ex member of Hogwarts Board of Governors (who Sirius replaces)

Tripp Forrester - Agent of the DRCMC

Brandon NLN - 7th year Hufflepuff student in Harry’s second year

Will Matthews - Seamus’ first boyfriend

Maggie Cumberland - woman who speaks and outs Lockhart on stealing memories

Na’eemah Hickey - Egyptian Mind Healer who helps Ginny

Mary Raffigan - historian in the Department of History; professor of History of Magic at Hogwarts

Agent Minnow - Being Division of DRCMC

Kata Novak - Croatian pureblood kidnapped by DE’s

Harley Mills - Harry’s ex girlfriend

Tucker - ranch hand on Colt and Flo’s ranch

Calvin - ranch hand on Colt and Flo’s ranch

Trotsky NFN - dragon handler on Romanian reserve

Aims NFN - dragon handler on Romanian reserve

Santana NFN - dragon handler on Romanian reserve

Juliette Léandre - Département de Coopération Magique Internationale

Madame Simone Richelieu - President of the Ministère des Affaires Magiques del la France

Jericho Jones - International Confederation of Wizards

Katherine Thomas - International Magical Office of Law

LiMei Lee - Ambassador to Hong Kong Mófǎ bù

Liam O’Kelly - journalist for Irish Prophet

Leonoardo Fanucci - Rome’s famous fashion designer

Dimo Radkov - best friend of Viktor Krum

Andrei Ankov - best friend of Viktor Krum

Professor Penkov - Durmstrang history professor

Iglika Krum - Viktor’s younger sister

Desislava Krum - Viktor’s younger sister

Boyana Krum - Viktor’s mother

Kosta Krum - Viktor’s father

Danny Evangeline - editor of the Daily Prophet

Princess Sapphira - Mermaid from Greece

Agent Barrow NFN - beast division of DRCMC

Elizabeth Walters - werewolf support services

King Taliesin of the Fae

William Clovenfield of the Vampire Confederacy of Europe

Henry Jacks, personal assistant of Ludo Bagman

Dobson NFN, DRCMC

Tripp Forrester, Agent of DRCMC

Bura Visnjic - magical creature reserve near Fiordland National Park in New Zealand

Abioye NLN - magizoologist from the reserve

Zhang NFN - magizoologist from the reserve

Henry Richardson - Head of the Department of Education

Dmitri Horvat - Balkan Auror, friend of Dumbledore

Miranda Jameson - Head of the Department of Magical Cooperation

Board of Governors:

Sirius Black

Lucius Malfoy - ARRESTED - replaced with Richard Macmillan

Marcus Bulstrode - ARRESTED - replaced with Charlotte Ogden

Julius Abbot

John Matthias

Josephine Fawley

Bernice Caulder

Octavius Greengrass

Augusta Longbottom

Castor Parkinson

Elphias Doge

Lucretia Dettweiler

Crann Bethadh Cabinet (Tree of Life Cabinet aka CBC):

Amelia Bones (Minister)

Albus Dumbledore (ICW rep)

Zahira Zacarias (DRCMC rep)

Walter Barrow (DRCMC rep)

Adrian Roberts (Wolf rep)

Echo Simpson (Wolf rep)

Rune Rogers (Wolf rep)

Daimon Adams (Wolf rep)

William Clovenfield (Vampire rep)

Alice Langdon (Vampire rep)

Jericho Jones (ICW rep)

Katherine Thomas (magical law rep)

King Taliesan (Fae rep)

Brigit (Fae rep)

Colleen Sanders (Veela rep)

Aurors:

Hugh Arnett A3

Natalie Atwell A3

Gregson NFN - deceased

Bishop NFN - deceased

Lewis NFN - deceased

Davis NFN - deceased

Jane NFN - A2

Campbell NFN - A2

Leonard NFN - A2

Higgins NFN - A1, Tonks’ partner

Hogwarts Students in Harry’s Year:

Gryffindor Girls - Sophie Roper, Natalia Monroe

Slytherin Girls - Ophelia Rowle

Students in Ginny’s year:

Gryffindor Girls - Maisie Wendall, Imogen Landers, Katherine Joy Alcott (KJ), Freya Sloane

Gryffindor Boys - David Gunderson

Hufflepuff Girls - Edith Carlyle, Francesca Wood (Oliver’s cousin)

Ravenclaw Girls - Chloe Cunningham, Morag Campbell, Dinah Fox, Bettina Addersworth

Third Year Students in 1995:

Hufflepuff - Mr NFN Donovan, Miss NFN Payne

Ravenclaw - Mr NFN Sahni, Miss NFN Jameson

New Students 1995-1996 school year:

Slytherin Boys - Julian Norton

Slytherin Girls - Mila St James - half-vampire, Ciara Casey - half-fae

Ravenclaw Girls - Sari Danson - wolf

Gryffindor Boys - Maximus O’Ryan - wolf, Jack Wolf - wolf

Hufflepuff Girls - Tara Brady - half-fae

Bellarosa Zabini Husbands:

Signore Antonio Zabini, Baron of Sardinia

Siegneur Tristian Beauchamp, Comte de Marseille

Lord Stephen Barkley, Earl of Suffolk

Sir David Sanders

Lord Jason Stanford, Earl of Kent

Hope this helps!

#a second chance #breanie #harry potter fanfiction #original characters

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qqueenofhades · 7 years ago

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Historical People of Color in Europe (and America): “It’s Not Historically Accurate!!” and Other Nonsense

Right, so. Rather than hijacking the Black Victorians post with a lengthy addition, I decided to make a separate one to talk about something I have wanted to have a good rant on, especially given the current state of racial rhetoric, concerns about whitewashing and the representation of non-white folks in a fictional (particularly fictional historical and/or fictional historical-fantasy) setting, and all the other time-worn “I’m Not A Racist (tm) But There Weren’t Any People of Color In [Insert Your Setting of Choice Here]” arguments that appear.

If you would like to save yourself some time and get on with your day, spoiler alert: It’s bullshit. Complete and utter bullshit, and moreover, these arguments are made for a specific political reason. Narratives of past “nonexistence” are always used to try to justify present repression (or rather, these arguments represent a thinly-veiled desire for an imagined time when racial and ethnic diversity presumably did not exist, or that said racial and ethnic diversity was acceptable to discriminate against without consequences, or that a monolithic “white default” population was the only existing paradigm). Claims of a past “white Europe” (which is supposed to be superior to multicultural Europe) are always, ALWAYS right-wing, nationalist, and racially charged. The underlying assumption is that multiculturalism is modern liberal PC rubbish, that people of color are the “invaders” disrupting an imagined timeless “Aryan” ideal, and that somehow, much like gay people, they only started to exist in the 20th century when the establishment admitted they did.

(Let me just put right at the top here that the Nazi project of applied racial and religious genocide was thoroughly based in the work of the American eugenics movement, and that Hitler wrote a fan letter to one of its creators.)

You may have heard of the recent kerfuffle when Mary Beard, professor of classics at Cambridge University, endorsed a cartoon depicting a multi-racial Roman family with a black father as accurate to the diversity of Roman Britain. The alt-right trolls went all in with their determination to prove that Roman Britain (and the Roman empire in general) was white, which, if you know anything about the borders and demographics of ancient Rome at all, was completely ludicrous. (Many of the trolls freely admitted to never having studied a damn thing about actual history, but they were still convinced they knew more than, you know, a distinguished professor at Cambridge.) But as Beard pointed out in a response to her critics, this reflects the fact that any claim to historical diversity (or more specifically, the purported lack thereof) has become the realm of people who are insistent on their interpretation, don’t care about facts, and are using them for a specific and damaging political project.

So.

Let’s make some racists angry, shall we?

The idea of “Europe against the barbarians” as a political project goes back at least to the crusades and their inception in 1095, but it was conceived in its quasi-modern form by the Duke of Sully, minister to Henry IV of France, in the seventeenth century, as the “Grand Design.” It proposed keeping the peace in fractious Europe by fighting the “infidels” -- the same argument that had often been used to justify the crusades. (For a very good discussion on all this, see Anouar Majid, Freedom and Orthodoxy: Islam and Difference in the Post-Andalusian Age, esp. page 211-13.) The crusades remained a potent metaphor throughout all of Europe long after their official “end” in 1291, and were used to justify racial, colonial, and imperial projects of all kinds. Sir Winston Churchill praised the wisdom of the Grand Design in a 1948 post-war speech for the reunification of Europe -- i.e., this racial violence was exactly how they intended to move Europe forward into the modern age after so destructively fighting each other, by giving it back its old enemies. I have literally written a master’s thesis on the post-1291 intellectual and legal inheritance of the crusades and the racial construction of the Euro-American historical narrative, so I could go on for a long time here, but this is the takeaway point: the academic (and elite) practice of history, especially Western history, has always been used to justify the erasure, destruction, elimination, and removal of agency from non-white individuals and civilizations alike. So even if you’re claiming “history” as a legitimating tool for your racial fantasia of lily-white Europe, this history is an intentional and actively tailored instrument of racial prejudice that does not reflect reality.

Now that the theoretical stuff is over, let’s get into specifics.

Medieval Spain (Iberia) and medieval Sicily in particular were richly diverse societies that supported numerous distinct racial, religious, and ethnic groups, including Jews, Muslims, Greek/Eastern Christians, Latin/Western Christians, Normans, Africans, and other communities from around the Mediterranean. I have linked only a quick/initial source for each, but there is tons out there. These communities had episodes of strife and tension, of course, but also lived together for extended periods of time in essential cooperation. Spain in particular produced an incredibly rich intellectual climate in the early medieval era, such as the golden age of Toledo.

While the crusades were a project of warfare against non-Christian, non-Europeans (and sometimes also against Europeans, such as the Albigensian and Northern Crusades), they were also the first time many of the Northern European crusaders had met Arab Muslims and Africans -- encounters which were not always uniformly hostile, and which were shaped by recognizable diplomatic customs. One of my favorite examples is in the Itinerarium peregrinorum et gesta regis Ricardi, a Latin prose narrative of the Third Crusade otherwise hostile to the Muslims. See especially pages 276-283 above, where the author cannot help but be impressed by the graciousness and generosity of Saladin and his Muslim forces hosting Christian visitors in Jerusalem (after a treaty was made to end the crusade) and which includes Saladin inviting Bishop Hubert Walter of Salisbury to dinner, where they have a long and friendly chat and are both impressed. My feelings on the genuine respect and admiration that existed between Saladin, his brother, and several of his generals, on the one hand, and Richard the Lionheart, on the other, are probably well-known. (See also Thomas Asbridge, Talking to the enemy: the role and purpose of negotiations between Saladin and Richard the Lionheart during the Third Crusade.)

Even after the crusades, Elizabethan England was deeply connected to the Islamic world and its empires: Ottoman, Persian, and Moroccan. Trade between them was frequent, so many Englishmen settled in Arabic Muslim societies that there were attempted royal proclamations and incentives to lure back expatriates (see Majid, 55), and a proposed Anglo-Moroccan alliance against Spain was a key feature of the foreign policy of the later years of Elizabeth I’s reign. (It should be noted that early modern England’s fairly friendly relationship with the Islamic world, so unlike Spain’s driving hatred of the Moors, had to be jettisoned as they moved into the realm of competing colonial conquests.) Abd el-Ouahed ben Massoud was the Moroccan ambassador to England during this time, and may have been part of the inspiration for Shakespeare’s Othello. “Cinthio’s Tale,” published in 1565, purported to tell the true story of a Muslim/Moorish captain serving in the Venetian army and deceived by a treacherous ensign, which was also drawn upon by Shakespeare.

The Golden Age of Piracy was strongly black, Indian, and Native American. Famous pirates like Blackbeard, Edward England, Samuel Bellamy, William Kidd, and others had up to one-third black/Native crews, who were treated equally (this was not universal among pirates, but attacking slave ships and disrupting the slave trade was one thing for which they were principally known). John Julian, the sixteen-year-old Mesquito Indian who was the pilot of the Whydah, a former slave ship captured by “Black Sam” Bellamy, was later one of the only two survivors of its wreck in 1717. Bellamy’s crew of 150 men had between 30-50 free blacks; Blackbeard’s crew was over half black; Edward England’s nearly 300-strong cohort had over 70 black men.

There were also mixed-race captains in the Royal Navy, such as John Perkins. In his long and vastly adventurous career, he commanded half a dozen ships of the line in at least four wars, served as a spy, and nearly got sentenced to death for smuggling weapons to revolting slaves. His obituary in 1812 records, “he annoyed the enemy more than any other officer, by his repeated feats of gallantry, and the immense number of prizes he took.” (See page 373 of the pdf.) By this time, there were a considerable number of free blacks in England, who had founded the learned abolitionist society known as the Sons of Africa. The late eighteenth century saw men like Ignatius Sancho, Olaudah Equiano, and Ottobah Cuguano. All of them were literate, accomplished men who wrote letters and memoirs, including passionate manifestos against slavery, corresponded with high society, were internationally best-selling authors, and, in Sancho’s case, is the first black man known to have voted in Britain (around 1780). There were also women like Dido Elizabeth Belle (great niece of William Mansfield, author of the deciding opinion in the landmark 1772 Somersett case against slavery and subject of the 2013 film starring Gugu Mbatha-Raw) and the American poet Phillis Wheatley. There were important figures in the American Revolution like Agrippa Hull, and political radicals like William Davidson, who was part of the “Cato Street Conspiracy” in 1820.

There was Alexander Crummell, the Episcopalian preacher, theologian, and African activist who graduated from Cambridge in the 1840s. How about you check out Black Oxford: The Untold Stories of Oxford University’s Black Scholars? Or Alain LeRoy Locke, the first African-American recipient of the Rhodes Scholarship in 1907, after it was founded in 1903 (something that would doubtless terribly annoy noted white supremacist Cecil Rhodes) and who also studied at Harvard University? Oh yeah, Locke was the intellectual father of the Harlem Renaissance and was also gay.) Speaking of biopics, about Victoria and Abdul, which tells the story of an aging Queen Victoria and her deep friendship with Abdul Karim or the “Munshi,” who taught her Urdu and Hindustani, and who, yes, faced incredible prejudice from the deeply starchy and racist British court?

We can definitely mention how a majority of cowboys were black or Native American (it was a grueling, dangerous, unforgiving job with low pay and no glamour, of course they made the people of color do it -- don’t believe everything the heroic, rugged-white-man-Americana John Wayne myth tells you). The inspiration for the Lone Ranger, Bass Reeves, was black. Ira Aldridge was a world-famous black Shakespearean actor and anti-slavery activist in the 19th century. I could go on, but this post is already long enough.

(Lastly: Read Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas In America, by Ibram X. Kendi, an award-winning young African-American historian and director of the Anti-Racist Research and Policy Center at American University.)

So yes. If you’re invoking “historical accuracy” for the convenient nonexistence of people of color in a historical/historical fantasy/fictional narrative:

a) You’re wrong.

b) You’re super wrong, please stop.

c) If you don’t stop, You Are A Racist. Time to work on that.

The point is: imagine, create, and write black/POC Roman centurions, medieval scholars, soldiers, pirates, Royal Navy captains, spies, political activists, best-selling authors, public intellectuals, famous actors, talented lawmen, etc, and write them existing in Europe and the Americas at pretty much any time you like. Not only will you make a racist mad, you will be hella historically accurate, can flip the bird with both fingers, and moonwalk out of the room. Remember: denying the existence or agency of historical people of color is always tied to a desire that they didn’t exist or have agency in the present, and that isn’t how things “used to be done,” ergo they must be wrong. This is the appeal of a certain kind of history as an imagined “legitimate space” for racism, misogyny, homophobia, etc, where these attitudes used to be accepted and promoted without challenge. The people who hold them now want those views to enjoy the same kind of hegemony. And if you’ve paid any attention to the world recently, you’ll realize how dangerous and pervasive those narratives are, and how badly they need to be challenged and upended.

#history #medieval history #black history #historical poc #history of racism #long post

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khalilhumam · 4 years ago

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What should athletes demand for police reform?

New Post has been published on http://khalilhumam.com/what-should-athletes-demand-for-police-reform/

What should athletes demand for police reform?

By Rashawn Ray Professional athletes have an extraordinary platform for public action and they are using it. They can command media time, get their calls returned by leading politicians, have access to financial resources, and can encourage broad segments of society to respond in certain ways, like voting. At a time of persistent police brutality and racist behavior, we should not be surprised that athletes and coaches are protesting and speaking out about the police violence against George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Jacob Blake, and many others who never get a trending hashtag. Yet, the goal of these athletes is not just to express their outrage but to drive meaningful social change and racial equity. Beyond condemning police brutality, there are a number of specific actions that would make a dramatic difference. Adoption of these items would go a long way towards reducing police use of force and preventing future police shootings. 1. Demand that tax monies not be used to pay for legal settlements in cases of officer misconduct and that police departments pay for malpractice insurance out of their own budgets. In most areas, taxpayer money is used to pay civil settlements for police misconduct cases. So, the millions of dollars in taxes that players from teams like the Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers, Washington Mystics, Dallas Cowboys, Seattle Sounders, Pittsburgh Penguins, and New York Yankees pay in taxes go to civilian payouts for police misconduct. More insult to injury, these payouts do not come out of police department budgets. They come from general funds, which is money that could go to improving schools and providing work infrastructure. New York City paid $230 million in one year for police misconduct settlements and Chicago has spent over $650 million over the past two decades. An alternative is for police departments to have their own insurance policies to cover police misconduct settlements. While the policy will be covered by the municipality, this important change will shift accountability and financial liability away from taxpayers to police departments by including a clause that the policy is paid from the police department budget. In a market-driven approach, police chiefs can now see how much each officer is costing them due to misconduct. It will justify removing “bad apples” who are often allowed to further rotten the trees of policing. This is important because in many cities everyone one out of three tax dollars are spent on police departments. Players might also advocate for police officers carrying their own malpractice insurance. This is important too, but it is vital that police departments as a whole are on the hook for the role they play in shaping policy and practice. This is similar to the doctor-hospital model. 2. Dismantle qualified immunity Players can also demand for absolving qualified immunity. Qualified immunity is the legislation that often prevents officers from facing civil culpability. Players simply need to advocate for the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which passed the House of Representatives on what would have been Tamir Rice’s 18th birthday. The Senate has failed to introduce the bill for formal discussion. Players could demand this happens. The bill also aims to demilitarize police, ban no-knock warrants, and create a federal database of police shootings and officers fired for misconduct. 3. Improve transparency in cases of police misconduct Players can demand transparency. First, they can demand that body-worn camera video evidence be released immediately. Second, they can demand that officers’ history with use of force be released. Third, they can demand that police departments release quarterly lists of misconduct allegations. This means demanding that all officers have body-worn cameras. Kenosha officers do not. But they are not alone. From Kenosha to Prince George’s County, Maryland, all officers still do not have cameras. Finally, athletes can demand that the community have representation on internal police department misconduct boards, like Nashville is doing. Imagine if we didn’t have video footage from everyday Americans who heroically filmed injustices when police officers did not stand up? Without video evidence, we should ask ourselves if we would even know about George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Sandra Bland, Walter Scott, Eric Garner, or Marlene Pinnock—a great-grandmother who was beaten by California highway patrolmen and received a $1.5 million settlement. The officer resigned and would be on the federal list from the George Floyd Justice on Policing Act. This would ensure that the officer could not work in another department, as would have been the case for the officers who killed 12-year old Tamir Rice in Cleveland and 17-year Antwon Rose in Pittsburgh. As Will Smith said, “Racism isn’t getting worse. It is getting filmed.” 4. Fund research to improve police-community relations There are many outstanding organizations focusing on police reform, but the research and policy component is key. At Brookings, we are engaged in innovative and transformative work with the The Lab for Applied Social Science Research (LASSR) at the University of Maryland. LASSR, where I serve as Executive Director, has developed a virtual reality program that aims to improve the decisions that officers make. We vary the setting, race, and gender of the people that officers encounter and give them feedback to reduce bias. My research shows that implicit biases about players’ bodies and humanity extends from the ways that officers view them on their streets or in their cars to the ways that commentators and journalists describe them on the court. Players understand this as well. They realize they cannot “outclass racism.” Being famous, having high-status, or money does not stop overpolicing. Sometimes these qualities exacerbate it. This was the case for minor league baseball player Robbie Tolan who was shot in front of his home, derailing his professional career. This was the case for Milwaukee Bucks’ player Sterling Brown, who after being tazed and tackled by multiple officers in a Walgreens store parking lot said, “I look familiar, don’t I?” “Only after the stun gun was used does an officer recognize who Brown is. Not that he is a human being, but a professional basketball player for the hometown team,” wrote journalist Martenzie Johnson. There are many other incidents that professional athletes experience as well including having the police called when going to view a property (Cam Chancellor), having the N word spray painted on their house (LeBron James), or trying to celebrate a championship on the court as a NBA executive only to have a police officer accost you (Toronto Raptors team president Masai Ujiri). In this regard, Black professional athletes experience what W.E.B. Du Bois termed as “double-consciousness.” Double-consciousness is the concept of always seeing yourself through the eyes of others, experiencing a duality of being Black in a White world. Bishop Joseph Walker said, “This reality exists even in 2020. As athletes put on uniforms and are celebrated and applauded as they are making baskets and knocking home runs, but when they take their uniforms off, they literally can be racially-profiled as another African-American person. I understand all too well as a faith leader. I pastor one of the largest churches in the south and here I am celebrated in culture. But then, I can be driving through my neighborhood and be pulled over and terrorized in my spirit wondering whether I, as a Black man, am going to make it home.” As Deadric Williams and Armon Perry wrote, “The problem isn’t just that Black men get killed – it’s that Black families are stressed and strained by Black men’s daily encounters with police. Athletes’ collective strike across sports matters. NBA, WNBA, MLB, NHL, MLS and tennis players have all joined in. WNBA players wore white t-shirts with seven red dots and holes on their back to represent Jacob Blake’s gunshot wounds. MLB players cancelled games and during the New York Mets and Miami Marlins, Lewis Brinson draped a Black Lives Matter t-shirt over home plate. Players are saying: we love America, but America seems to only embrace us when we are entertaining people by dribbling or running a ball. But all bets are off on our way home from the games when our Blackness instantaneously becomes used to criminalize us rather than to celebrate us and recognize our true humanity. The collective trauma is apparent in the tears that players and coaches have shed in recent days. But, let me be clear. These protests and demands are not just for Black players. They include all players including White players who have witnessed and heard the negative experiences of their teammates with law enforcement. Players such as Megan Rapinoe, Mike Miller, and Joe Burrow are joining in shifting from racial equity learners to racial equity advocates, accomplices, and brokers for racial justice. Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal asked what’s next for these protests after their TNT colleague Kenny Smith walked off the set in solidarity with players. After direct action of protests, there is a negotiation, as Dr. Martin Luther King laid out in Letters from a Birmingham Jail. Well, I just laid out the blueprint, as Jay-Z would say.

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wikitopx · 5 years ago

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Galveston Island is one of the most popular destinations in Texas. This lovely barrier island on the Gulf Coast has everything a tourist desires: with great white sand beaches, a harbor for cruise ships, a beautifully restored historic old town. A unique charm of the South, elegant Victorian architecture, endless festivals and great outdoor adventures will make you want to come back. Here are 10 best things to do in Galveston, TX.

1. Seawall Urban Park

First place in the top 10 things you should be here for is the Seawall urban park, with ten miles of the nation's longest continuous sidewalk, plenty of beachside entertainment, and a host of restaurants , resorts, beaches and party attractions, are one of Galveston's top attractions and guaranteed fun for the whole family. Whether you like splashing, sunbathing, walking or jogging or watching people, a sunny beach is the best place to do it. Leaving the water, guests can buy souvenirs at the beachfront shops or enjoy a fresh seafood meal. Galveston Island Historic Wharf Park has lots of roller coasters flying over the Gulf of Mexico, carousels to take the kids to ride and other interesting attractions.

2. Galveston - Port Bolivar Ferry

Until 1929, the only link between Galveston Island and the mainland was the small boat, The Tarpon, and then, two barges. The ferry, when it started getting people back and forth in 1929 was free, but it was so popular that it cost a fee. Ferries are the only way for motorists to cross the water between Galveston Island and the Bolivar Peninsula.

3. 1877 Tall Ship ELISSA

ELISSA, a three-masted sailboat, is one of the oldest sailing ships in the world still in operation and one of the best things to do in Galveston, Texas. Visitors can explore the decks of this emerging National Historic Site and imagine yourself as the daring sailors who have been aboard ships in the world's oceans. There is a museum and theater for visitors to better understand ELISSA's history, as well as her rescue from the shipyard and her restoration.

4. Bishop's Palace, Galveston, Texas

You can't miss: Bishop's Palace, also known as Gresham's Castle, is a riot of colored stones, rare woods, intricate carved ornaments, bronze dragons and stained glass - and that is just outside. Inside, it is 19,082 square feet of Victorian luxury, with vast fireplaces, luxurious furnishings, assorted sculptures, and gorgeous textiles. The Victorian beauty, completed in 1892, is located east of Galveston Historic Site and is considered one of the city's most beloved treasures. Galveston's leading architect, Nicholas Clayton designed the palace, and it was built for famous city attorney Colonel Walter Gresham. This spectacular Victoria Building is considered by the American Institute of Architects as one of the most important buildings in the United States.

5. Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Waterpark

Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Water Park is 26 acres wide. With dozens of breathtaking adventures, it provides year-round entertainment for children of all ages and those with children's hearts. While a large number of seasonal adventures, the Wasserfest area of the water park turns into an indoor park in the winter to maintain year-round activity.

6. The Strand Historic District

Historic area, or neighborhood located in downtown Galveston, Texas and registered as National Historic Area. It consists of several beautiful Victorian buildings that today have shops, restaurants, galleries and antique shops. Start your self-guided tour at the Galveston Railroad Museum on the 25th corner and Strand. Give this famous museum at least half an hour. Restaurant Don par misses the famous Galveston restaurant by the river - spectacular seafood.

7. Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig & Museum

If you are always curious about life on one of the rigs, come and visit the Ocean Star Museum & Rigs, a rig that has tried, tested, and retired. Located about an hour from downtown Houston, the world's oil capital, the museum is run by the Offshore Energy Center and is located on Galveston Pier 19, just a block from The Strand. You are free to wander through the rig and take a self-sufficient tour through its three levels and see drilling equipment and a number of fascinating exhibits and videos.

8. The Grand 1894 Opera House, Galveston, TX

If you are looking for things to do in Galveston on a romantic date, attend an event at the 1894 Grand Opera House. Now you can enjoy events throughout the year, from musicals to the food and wine festival and everything in between. The theater hosts art shows and other memorable events; Guests can create memories by renting an opera house for sumptuous meetings, banquets and parties.

9. NOAA Fisheries Service Galveston Laboratory

Visitors come there primarily for the wonderful work that takes place to conserve endangered sea turtles and other marine species. A popular sea turtle tour is held weekly - reservations are required. Tours are a great way to learn about sea turtles and are led by volunteers with a broad background in marine biology. NOAA is a fun way for the whole family to learn about different marine species.

10. Cool Tours

Exciting travel will make your journey to explore Galveston Island an absolute pleasure. In partnership with Baywatch Dolphin Tours, they now offer a very popular land and sea tour to cover everything that makes the island and city unique. Starting at Galveston Historic Pier, a comfortable air-conditioned bus will take you around the island, while your charming and informative guide will share with you the facts and fables about Galveston, its history and its most colorful characters.

The above are top 10 things you should do in Galveston, TX. Wish you will have a fun and meaningful journey

From : https://wikitopx.com/travel/top-10-things-to-do-in-galveston-tx-700111.html

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doctorwhonews · 6 years ago

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Lethbridge-Stewart: The Laughing Gnome: The Danger Men

Latest from the news site: Candy Jar Books have announcedd the third book in its anniversary series of Lethbridge-Stewart novels, The Laughing Gnome: The Danger Men: The Laughing Gnome: The Danger Men Written by Nick Walters Cover by Paul Cooke 2011 and Brigadier William Bishop visits his old commanding officer, Brigadier Sir Alistair Lethbridge-Stewart, who is a little concerned about a garden gnome he recently found. Soon both Bishop and his wife, Anne Travers, find themselves dragged through time after the Brigadier… He’s a man on a mission. But he has no idea what the mission is. It’s 1999. Bill Bishop is plunged into a world of intrigue as he inhabits the body of Calum Bence of Department M – aka the Danger Men – on the trail of millionaire entrepreneur and suspected super-spy Dieter Allegro. But is Allegro really the bad guy he’s made out to be? And who is the mysterious Otto Di Catania, and why is he so interested in the contents of a certain CD-ROM? As he seeks these answers, Bill can’t help but wonder: will he ever find Anne and the Brigadier, will he even return to 2011, or is he destined to be lost in time forever? Join Bill in his borrowed body as he travels from Johannesburg to London to Torquay and Austria on his mission impenetrable... The Danger Men sees the return of popular novelist Nick Walters for his third Lethbridge-Stewart novel. Nick previously wrote Mutually Assured Domination in 2015 and The Man from Yesterday earlier in 2018. Nick said: When I was told of the story arc for this anniversary series, I immediately knew what I wanted to do: a straight spy thriller, with no sci-fi or fantasy elements other than the framing story and elements of the wider Whoniverse. At the same time, I had the idea for the opening scene, and it’s more or less exactly as you read it in the finished book! It’s rare that ideas come so fully-formed so quickly, but it’s wonderful when they do. I intended The Danger Men to be a homage to James Bond, Jason Bourne, Mission: Impossible and the works of John Le Carre, spoofing some elements yet taking the story deadly seriously. For example, women are always throwing themselves at James Bond, and the same happens to Bill Bishop in this book, but, of course, because he’s a gent and loyal to Anne he cannot reciprocate, leading to complications and comedy. This is the first book in the range to focus primarily on Brigadier William Bishop. Range Editor Andy Frankham-Allen, explained the decision: Ever since his first appearance in the first Lethbridge-Stewart novel, Bill has proven very popular with our readers. Up to now the books have been led by either the Brigadier or Anne, so the decision was made that, during this contained series of novel and under the steady hand of Nick Walters, we could take the risk of allowing one of our series-originated characters to take the lead. Bill was the only choice for that, really, easily being the most popular and the most connected to both the Brigadier and Anne – especially Anne, seeing as they got engaged during the course or the series and have been shown to be married by the 1990s. Of course, both the Brigadier and Anne make cameo appearances, and their presence is felt throughout. It is still every bit a Lethbridge-Stewart novel! Music has a large influence on The Danger Men, with Nick explaining: The story arc title, The Laughing Gnome, was inspired by David Bowie, of course. It’s set in 1999 so there are a lot of references to contemporary pop, rock and indie, in chapter titles for example, and the naming of operations by Department M, which subverts the conventions of naming such things after works of high culture in Le Carre and Deighton novels. There is, however, one group, one very famous group spanning the eighties and nineties, who are still going now, who inspired the majority of the character names and references. Stella Van Steiner, Dieter Allegro, Otto Di Catania – I’ll let you guess who! We plan to do a soundtrack for the book, containing all the songs referenced therein, which should be available on Spotify soon. Such things as pop music references are great fun of course but only the icing on the cake. The Danger Men is, I hope, a fast-moving, thrilling, funny and sometimes alarming spy caper with loads of twists and turns. It’s also a study of identity – Bill has to take on various aliases in his mission, and the more he takes on the further he feels isolated from his true self. So, underneath all the fun is all this existential musing on the nature of existence. The cover is by Paul Cooke, returning for his second novel after providing the artwork for Nick Walters’ previous book, The Man from Yesterday. Paul said: It was a very pleasant surprise to be asked back to do another cover for the series. When I read what the story was about, was thrilled - it was a perfect opportunity do a cover influenced by some of the period film posters I enjoy. I was thinking I would approach this in a slightly different style to my last one, a bit more painterly. The only problem was not to make it too pulpy in look, which is when I hit upon the idea of the computer screen type, which immediately gave the piece a sense of time. The Laughing Gnome: The Danger Men is available for pre-order now. The book is due for release at the end of November. The Laughing Gnome will continue in early 2019 with book four. The Day of the Matador, by Robert Mammone, sees our heroes reuniting in 1970s England dealing gangsters and Dominators! This is followed by book five, Lucy Wilson and the Bledoe Cadets by Tim Gambrell, with On His Majesty’s National Service by David A McIntee following a month later. Doctor Who News http://www.doctorwhonews.net/2018/11/the-danger-men-101118210008.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=tumblr

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lovelyparanormalbooks · 7 years ago

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Book Blitz: Grand Finale: Family of His Own by Catherine Lanigan (Giveaway)

On Tour with Prism Book Tours.

Book Tour Grand Finale for

Family of His Own

By Catherine Lanigan

We hope you enjoyed the tour! If you missed any of the stops you can see snippets, as well as the link to each full post, below...

Launch - The Faerie Tour

Welcome back to THE SHORES OF INDIAN LAKE! If you’re reading the series and following our Prism book tours, I’ll bet you weren’t expecting something as fantastical as a Faerie Tale, especially after dealing with cops, drug dealers and PTSD like we did with Cate Sullivan and Trent Davis in PROTECTING THE SINGLE MOM, now did you?

Brooke Blogs - Isabelle’s Dreams

Isabelle’s ultimate dream is to see her paintings hang in a famous Chicago or New York City gallery. She is convinced that no art critic or buyer will ever want her silly faeries. She believes she needs to move on. To what, she is unsure. Her insecurity about her art and her future stymies her, to some extent, just as any fear does to all of us. She wants so much, but is conflicted about which direction to take.

Reading Is My SuperPower - Review

"This is not a book where you can easily predict the ending. I honestly didn’t know how it was going to turn out. Lanigan wove a story with complicated players and some unexpected twists, while once again infusing the novel with warmth and family. While I never really warmed up to Isabelle, Scott (and Bella and Michael) makes up for this in spades. And of course the setting of Indian Lake is one I’m always happy to visit"

It's All About the Romance - Painting Faeries

It was nearly six years ago when I started creating and building many of my characters for Indian Lake. Granted, there are some new ones, such as Isabelle’s entire family. They’re all new and I’m getting to know them now and you will, too, as we move into the future. Isabelle was quite vivid to me. Right from the beginning, I knew I wanted her to paint faeries. Not the little baby looking cutie pies inside flowers and laundry baskets, but real, honest to goodness faeries. I know…you are asking…are they real? Or you are asking, “Come on.”

Hearts & Scribbles - Excerpt

She had to force herself to focus. “Yes, the glasses. Uh, for the midnight toast.” He brushed his lips against her cheek. “And I’ll find you for my kiss to ring in the New Year.” Isabelle hadn’t realized she’d shut her eyes, immersing herself in the moment with Scott. She felt a whoosh of air, the temperature dropped and she blinked, returning to the present. Scott had left her.

Katie's Clean Book Collection - Scott's Dreams

Scott Abbott is one of those truly decent guys that come along one in your lifetime, if you’re lucky. He, like Isabelle, the heroine, was introduced in the first novel in the series, LOVE SHADOWS. Scott owns The Book Shop and Java Stop as well as being a reporter for the local newspaper. He grew up in Indian Lake and in high school, he had a crush on Isabelle, but after he went off to college to earn his journalism degree, Isabelle was left behind, working hard to help her mother pay for college tuitions for her brothers and sisters.

Christian Suspense Author Mary Alford - Review

"FAMILY OF HIS OWN, is a sweet love story about two friends finding their forever together. Filled with wonderful characters, and heart wrenching emotion, this story was impossible to put down until the end. I had to know what happened to Scott and Isabelle. Loved, loved, loved this book."

Rockin' Book Reviews - Promo

Mel's Shelves - Review

"I love spending time in Indian Lake! It's fun to catch up with some of the other couples we've met in previous books and learn what's happening in their lives. This book does stand well on its own, so if it's your first visit to Indian Lake, you won't feel lost, and will most likely want to get to know the other characters as well. I hope to meet more Indian Lake residents in the future!"

Getting Your Read On - Review

"With characters from previous books appearing, these books always provide a sense of community and feelings of coming home. I love that. Indian Shores is a place I would want to live."

Thoughts of a Blonde - Review

"A trip back to Indian Lake brings us the story of two friends … and possibly soul mates? I had conflicted feelings about this heroine. On one side, I understood how she felt about her past and the unfairness of it all, but on the other side, I found it really hard to like her when she was acting so selfish & one dimensional. There is turmoil, growth and happily ever afters … but a long road of self-discovery to get there!"

Paulette's Papers - Scott's Real Life Magic

In the scene in which Scott first sees Bella in a dank, musty crack house bedroom, she’s watching a cheap television that is playing “The Bishop’s Wife”, the old black and white movie with Cary Grant. It’s New Year’s Eve and Scott has just left Isabelle on the dance floor at midnight at the Lodge. Scott is wearing his tuxedo while the rest of the police wear Kevlar vests and gun holsters. Bella asks Scott if he is an angel. Surprised, he asks her why. She picks up the video tape box and points to Cary Grant in a dress suit. “You look just like him.” Convinced that Scott is the angel sent to save her and her brother Bella, she trusts Scott immediately, and melts his heart. Children have no problem with magic. They expect it. And many times, they get it.

I Am A Reader - Excerpt

Isabelle steeled herself as she approached Scott. Before he had a chance to berate or accuse her, she whispered, “I was in Chicago and Wes graciously offered to drive me home through this terrible storm.” Scott, ever the gentleman, offered his arm, which she took. “Then I should thank him.

Becky on Books - Faerie Research and Other Fancies

I’d always wanted to write a story that involved faeries. Though there is nothing supernatural in the story telling in this Heartwarming story, I was piqued by the prodigious world of information about fairies. Folklore and mythology from ancient Celtics to Shakespeare, to Sir Walter Scott and William Blake in the 1790’s illustrate that fairies have been a source of delight and fascination to many generations.

Sylv.net - Excerpt

The room was small and smelled musty, with only the light from an old television illuminating the faces of a little girl, about five or six years old, and the toddler in her arms. The girl stared at them fearfully. Her lips quivered, but she remained silent. She took a step backward and hoisted the baby closer to the crook of her neck. The baby grabbed a handful of her cotton shirt and started fussing. She made a cooing sound into the baby’s ear and whispered something Scott couldn’t make out, but it was clear she knew exactly how to react to the baby and the baby to her.

Wishful Endings - Interview

As FAMILY OF HIS OWN is your eighth book in your Shores of Indian Lake series, are you still discovering new things about the setting and/or the characters? Discovering new characters has been the delight of doing a series like this. This is the first time I’ve created an entire town and the people in it. Just like moving to a new city and going through all the necessary introductions, finding new doctors, a new church, new schools, everything and everyone is new. I have the joy of discovering each new person and all of their extended family as well. Each time a main character goes out to buy something or interview for a job, there are all those “other” people who have backgrounds and stories. I love asking, “And who are you?” And the list of curious questions I ask when I meet someone new. In a word, this has been a “blast!”

Heidi Reads... - Excerpt

Scott leaned toward her, gazing at her with a force of longing and desire she couldn’t remember seeing before. “Isabelle, I came here tonight...” He placed his hand on hers. “To ask you something.” A sense of foreboding settled over her. “Scott, I don’t think...”

Inside The Mind of An Avid Reader - Review

"This book has made me fall in love with Indian Lake and I think I am gonna have to go back and read the rest of the series. I think this may be a first of Lanigan's books for me but will not be my last!"

Nicole's Book Musings - Excerpt

“Scott,” Malcolm said, “I’d like you to meet my nephew—Wes Adams.” “Great to meet you, Wes,” Scott said, offering his hand. Wes nodded vaguely in Scott’s direction before locking eyes with Isabelle once more. “Isabelle and Wes have already met,” Malcolm explained. Scott dropped his hand to his side. “I can see that.”

Don't forget to enter the giveaway below, if you haven't already...

Family of His Own

(Shores of Indian Lake #8) Catherine Lanigan

Adult Contemporary Romance

Paperback & ebook, 384 pages

July 1st 2017 by Harlequin Heartwarming

He's ready to settle down…with or without her Scott Abbott has always loved Isabelle Hawks. And he's always been her rock. Patient, dependable, strong. But lately, she's been acting like that rock is weighing her down. With her art career taking off, Isabelle has been spending less and less time in Indian Lake…and with him. Scott isn't even sure what they are to each other anymore. They might be friends with a history, but it sure doesn't feel like a future. Maybe it's time for Scott to set her free and focus on his own dreams. A real home. A family. All the things he had hoped to share with her…

Goodreads│Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Harlequin

Other Books in the Series

About the Author

Catherine Lanigan is the international bestselling and award-winning author of forty published titles in both fiction and non-fiction, including the novelizations of Romancing the Stone and The Jewel of the Nile, as well as over half a dozen anthologies, including “Chicken Soup for the Soul: Living your Dream”, “Chicken Soup for the Writer’s Soul”, and more. Ms. Lanigan’s novels have been translated into dozens of languages including German, French, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Portuguese, Chinese, and Japanese. Ms. Lanigan’s novels are also available in E-books on Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.com, Apple Store, Mobi and Kobo. Several of her titles have been chosen for The Literary Guild and Doubleday Book Clubs. Her Vietnam war-based novel, The Christmas Star, won the Gold Medal Award Top Pick from Romantic Times Magazine and has also won Book of the Year Romance Gold Award from ForeWord Magazine as well as Book of the Year Romance from Reader’s Preference.

Lanigan is the author of a trilogy of non- fiction books regarding angelic intervention in human life: Angel Watch, Divine Nudges and Angel Tales published by HCI and Cedar Fort. Skyhorse published Lanigan’s “how-to” book on writing: Writing the Great American Romance Novel. Lanigan was tasked by the NotMYkid Foundation to write a non-fiction book addressing teen addictions. Ms. Lanigan’s first Young Adult adventure novel, The Adventures of Lillie and Zane: The Golden Flute, was published by Cedar Fort.

Currently, she has published eight novels in the Shores of Indian Lake series for Harlequin Heartwarming: Love Shadows, Heart’s Desire, A Fine Year for Love, Katia’s Promise, Fear of Falling, Sophie’s Path and Protecting the Single Mom. Family of His Own pubs July, 2016. She has recently contracted for one more in the series: His Baby Dilemma.

As a cancer survivor, Ms. Lanigan is a frequent speaker at literary functions and book conventions as well as inspiring audiences with her real stories of angelic intervention from her Angel Tales series of books. She is an outspoken advocate for domestic violence and abuse and was honored by The National Domestic Violence Hotline in Washington, D.C. (THE EVOLVING WOMAN). She has been a guest on numerous radio programs including “Coast to Coast” and on television interview and talk show programs as well as blogs, podcasts and online radio interview programs.

Website│Goodreads│Facebook│Twitter│LinkedIn│Pinterest

Tour Giveaway

- 1 winner will receive a $50 Amazon eGift Card (open internationally)

- 1 winner will receive a tote bag and three Shores of Indian Lake books: Katia's Promise, Fear of Falling and Sophie's Path (US only)

- Ends July 11th a Rafflecopter giveaway

#ParanormalBooks

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