âpihtawikosisân

Admit it. You need me. We’re connected! This scene reminded...

Sat, 18 May 2013 20:47:10 -0400

Admit it. You need me. We’re connected!

This scene reminded me of my youngest trying to be manipulative, and my beloved’s total lack of buying it. I laughed so damn hard…

Some Native Americans Not 'Indian Enough' For Health Care

Sat, 18 May 2013 19:49:17 -0400

Some Native Americans Not 'Indian Enough' For Health Care:

SAN FRANCISCO — When Liz DeRouen needs any kind of health care services, from diabetes counseling to a dental cleaning, she checks into a government-funded clinic in Northern California’s wine country that covers all her medical needs. Her care and the medical services for her children and grandchildren are paid for as part of the government’s treaty obligations to American Indian tribes dating back nearly a century.

Holy shit, this is HUGE, and the first time I’ve heard about this!

Everyone is a little bit racist...

Sat, 18 May 2013 17:38:57 -0400

lust—-for—-life:

apihtawikosisan:

Is what white people tell themselves so they never have to change.

oh please

every goddamn person in this world is racist

white people, asian people, Hispanic people, black people, purple people, blue people

and that isn’t going to change until we stop pointing fingers

fuck this post

Gosh those poor purple people are always brought into these less than intelligent responses to the systemic and institutionalised racism which, however much you may wish to live in a fantasy world and pretend otherwise, does NOT impact everyone equally and thus is not something that remains a problem simply because we talk about it.

Christ on a stick, the dumbfuckery in these responses is beyond belief sometimes.

"1. Sit it out sometimes There’s a sect of black bloggers who will forever be on the lookout for..."

Sat, 18 May 2013 16:23:36 -0400

“

1. Sit it out sometimes

There’s a sect of black bloggers who will forever be on the lookout for other black bloggers to excommunicate. They do this because it gives them a feeling of ownership and authority over the black anti-racist community. It seems as if every time they go after one of their own, their clout and influence gets a little stronger. I felt that pressure. After every mass call-out, it seemed like there was a roll call taken and anyone who wasn’t showing out with the group is assumed to have been on the side of the racists.

“And remember that time sixteen weeks ago when that white guy said Beyonce was overrated? Where was you then, nigga?”

I felt like I had to be involved in every little thing that went down, no matter how slight the beef was or how little it had to do with me. I felt that if I wasn’t visibly and vocally on board with every battle against the most-digusting-racist-I’ve-ever-encountered of the week, then I wasn’t doing all I could do to fight against racism.

No one is capable of maintaining that level of engagement though. That’s why you need to know that it’s okay to sit out once in awhile, or twice in awhile, or however often you want. There was a time when I felt as if no matter how depressed or anxious I was, I had to willingly expose myself to the voices of the white supremacists and neo-nazis, not because I was in the mood to humor them, but because I didn’t want anyone to ever be able to say Dion wasn’t there fighting. It’s easy to forget that the anti-racist community exists for the sake of people of color, not for the sake of the community itself.

These days, I sit out a lot, and by that I mean almost 100% of the time. That’s not to say I don’t write about racism, but I don’t engage anyone in debates on my humanity. I’ve realized there’s no benefit in it for me. That kind of thing has a place, but not everyone is cut out for it. That doesn’t make them any better or any worse: just different.

”

- Three Ways to Fight Racism Without Losing Your Soul — The Black Kids Table (it’s back!)

YOOOO THIS IS SO RELEVANT.

SO FUCKING RELEVANT.

I see this shit happen every few weeks on my dash and it’s fucking DISGUSTING because it takes away from the actual shit that should be being discussed. And there are some who are still here that are using these discussions as a vehicle for other forms of abuse and bullying. And don’t think we don’t see that shit.

(via thegoddamazon)

Yeah, I don’t buy into this either. The last time there was a mass pileup with people saying, “if you don’t crucify this person then unfollow me…” I did.
Best choice ever.

What You Should Know About the Philly Student Walkout | The Nation

Fri, 17 May 2013 15:46:29 -0400

What You Should Know About the Philly Student Walkout | The Nation:

afrofuturistaffair:

Running a massive deficit of hundreds of millions of dollars, Philadelphia’s school system is planning to eliminate all sports, extracurricular activities, counselors and libraries—beyond which, for schools eviscerated by austerity politics, there’s not much left to lose. At noon today, May 17, thousands of students are expected to walk out of class and flood downtown. [Afrofuturist Affair: The walkout happened, and it was peaceful, well-organized, and productive].

“It’s time that the City Council and Governor Corbett started listening to students,” says Sharron Snyder, a junior at Benjamin Franklin High School and an organizer with the Philadelphia Student Union. “If they spent even one day in my school, they would know that already we don’t have the right resources to succeed.”

Walkout organizers state, “We are willing to break the stereotypes and expectations of urban youth, and are taking this opportunity to tell the world that urban school districts deserve funding, and it is your responsibility under the Commonwealth Charter to provide us with more than a ‘bare bones education.’”

Read more: http://www.thenation.com/blog/174401/what-you-should-know-about-philly-student-walkout#ixzz2TZyv1nes

Holy shit.

Listen, when you’ve such a huge percentage of your population in school 180 days a year for 13 years (that’s the plain, ain’t it? at least?) and you don’t put more money into that system than you put into killing people abroad, your priorities ARE FUCKED.

Heheheheeh.

Fri, 17 May 2013 14:52:39 -0400

Heheheheeh.

Reblog if 6ft or taller.

Fri, 17 May 2013 14:19:37 -0400

I’m reblogging even though I’m 5’0” cuz YOU CAN’T BRING ME DOWN!

I don’t even care if this is true because that’s a...

Fri, 17 May 2013 14:01:46 -0400

I don’t even care if this is true because that’s a SWEET burn!

"And where are the sober spaces? We often talk about “building safer spaces”, and yet our fundraisers..."

Wed, 15 May 2013 14:24:26 -0400

“

And where are the sober spaces? We often talk about “building safer spaces”, and yet our fundraisers are not safe for people that have a current or past history with addiction. They are not safe for people that have experienced abuse because of alcohol/drug dependent partners or family members. And they are definitely not safe for everyone if there is a possibility of police interference. Consent violations also occur more often in non-sober spaces. Don’t we want to ensure the safety of event participants after the event has ended? Including alcohol limits who can attend, what conversations can occur, and who wants to organize. These events usually end with no advancement of our movements, and do not build long lasting, genuine connections.

I am interested in building and sustaining more sober spaces, bridging intergenerational gaps (especially in the queer community), and being accessible to ALL peoples, not just college kids. I am tired of people throwing around the word “community”, when what we really mean is our close group of (amazing and supportive) friends and acquaintances.

”

- - An Open Letter to Young Organizers by Yucca (via ok4rj)

Really good freaking point, and well worth mulling over.

(via hwaaa)

Yes! This is a conversation I’ve had many times with friends who are organizers/are recovering from addiction/who can’t be around alcohol or drugs because of PTSD/triggers/etc.

(via shallowxgraves)

Welcome to my world of never wanting to hang out with punx/metalheads/general queer community. Safe spaces that are not sober aren’t really safe spaces for anyone with addiction issues. If I can stop smoking for an event for the comfort of others, you can not drink.

(via bitterglitterqueer)

This is a conversation that a bunch of folks here were having last year (specifically wrt Rad Frosh) but it kind of faded away, and I hope we can start talking about it again. I definitely agree that sober spaces and acknowledging sobriety are really important, but there are also folks who self-medicate or use drugs/alcohol as coping mechanisms for trauma, abuse, PTSD, metal illness, etc. There are also many ways to work to ensure the safety of spaces and participants both during and after events.
(via otipemsiw)
Interesting…a lot of indigenous events are alcohol free because of the way alcohol abuse has damaged our communities. Many natives are teetotallers as a result.

My body ain't weird, but stores can't cope!

Wed, 15 May 2013 13:53:31 -0400

I shop for bras in plus sized stores because they don’t make everything over a C cup look like it’s made out of granny panties.

I shop for pants in the petite stores because I’m short.

Apparently I have bizarrely broad shoulders (no, I really don’t) and big arms, so I need a large size in ‘regular’ sized stores.

Until I had kids and my feet spread out, I had to buy shoes in the kid’s section. I can finally get shoes in the adult section, though having deformed feet due to bone spurs means hardly anything is small enough yet also wide enough. Which is why I have one pair of shoes. Period.

Shopping for clothes sucks big time, and come on now, I’m not that weirdly shaped!

jim114: Universe Star by Jim114 Boom!

Wed, 15 May 2013 13:47:47 -0400

jim114:

Universe Star by Jim114

Boom!

"In this country American means white. Everybody else has to hyphenate."

Wed, 15 May 2013 12:54:56 -0400

“In this country American means white. Everybody else has to hyphenate.”

- Toni Morrison (via mangoachaar)

Pipud: Have I been too feisty lately? Every morning I think… “Today I’m only...

Wed, 15 May 2013 12:54:12 -0400

Pipud: Have I been too feisty lately? Every morning I think… “Today I’m only...:

pipud:

Have I been too feisty lately? Every morning I think… “Today I’m only going to post positive things” but then I get on tumblr and get all worked up over the ugliness that people so proudly and carelessly (irony) display!!!!

I truly did not mean for this to be a “social justice” blog or fight…

I’m not sure you can be Indigenous and be apolitical. I think you always speak from the heart and I value your words. More importantly, I am glad there are strong women like you, raising strong young ones in their culture.

holiday-sunrise: getallthedegrees: yeah I’m just worried that...

Wed, 15 May 2013 12:02:01 -0400

holiday-sunrise:

getallthedegrees: yeah I’m just worried that it will give off the wrong vibe if I decide to work…like “oh purple hair, tattoos….she seems to like clothes with skulls” - you know how some people can be so stuffy!?

kiagummibear: yeah my nan when she was in her 60’s/70’s encouraged me to dye my hair purple for the first time…she also dyed her hair a purple colour like 3 or 4 years ago and she’s into her 80’s

apihtawikosisan: it’s not my fault you’re old haha btw I have an idea if you guys (the family) are staying in Montreal this summer….I was thinking one day when I get back from Nfld you, the kids and your man should come to town and we could have a bbq - we have a pool and big yard for the kids! If you came for the pow wow or whatever we could do that too…the only thing is I’m terrified of the damn bbq so I may need helping setting it up - bahaha I’m super Native I’d rather just cook over an open fire.

Sounds awesome!

She Governs Herself: Am I the only person who thinks we need to pull our kids from schools?

Wed, 15 May 2013 11:35:42 -0400

She Governs Herself: Am I the only person who thinks we need to pull our kids from schools?:

apihtawikosisan:

For those who don’t know me, I am a trained teacher and an indigenous mother. I have very strong beliefs about the importance of education. You can read some of those opinions here: http://briarpatchmagazine.com/articles/view/calling-all-our-superheroes

So I am not…

I used to think working from the inside would be possible. I even got a law degree to better understand how to advocate for institutional change. What I learned instead is that these systems are moribund, and run by incompetent bureaucrats who stymie the effort of everyone who actually gives a shit.

I will not consign my children to the inadequate of a colonial model which is best only at failing our kids. I don’t know any decent educator who is happy with the way things are. :(

She Governs Herself: FULL CALL-OUT TO CANCEL RACHEL IVEY'S SPEAKING DATES

Wed, 15 May 2013 11:26:42 -0400

She Governs Herself: FULL CALL-OUT TO CANCEL RACHEL IVEY'S SPEAKING DATES:

pansytwistdistro:

delicateheresy:

PLEASE REPOST

Please email and call these spaces and let them know that you are unhappy that they are allowing Rachel Ivey of Deep Green Resistance to speak at their space as part of the Resistance Rewritten speaking tour. Rachel Ivey…

Yuck.

Am I the only person who thinks we need to pull our kids from schools?

Wed, 15 May 2013 09:28:54 -0400

For those who don’t know me, I am a trained teacher and an indigenous mother. I have very strong beliefs about the importance of education. You can read some of those opinions here: http://briarpatchmagazine.com/articles/view/calling-all-our-superheroes

So I am not anti-education, by any stretch, and I even feel it is necessary for our children, native and non, to succeed in this crappy colonial, racist system because unless we jump through those hoops (and yes often even if we jump successfully) our children face marginalisation.

Nonetheless, I have little to no faith in the structures we are given as ‘options’. What I mean is, most schools are shit, the teachers are often shit, the admin are often shit, and the educational policies are definitely shit. School systems are still mired in 19th century mentality, and more importantly, schools are NOT safe places for the majority of children. Not even for most White children. “Safe and successful” schools are experienced by a tiny minority of extremely privileged children.

You’d think that with things so bad for most people, that there’d be a continent-wide movement to change this, but inertia is powerful. Particularly when economies are centered around the absolute need for parents to work full time just to survive, making it imperative that children be in the hands of daycare workers and teachers for the bulk of the day. Which, btw WOULD BE FINE IF THE SYSTEM DIDN’T ACTIVELY PERPETUATE VIOLENCE.

But I’ll tell you this. People have successfully brought education back to the community level before, and it can happen again. Freedom Schools. indigenous Survival Schools. Language Nests, etc.

Our communities, native and non, need to figure this out again. And we need to make it happen, by supporting our kids, and structures which elevate rather than pacify them. Yup, we need to keep those full time jobs, because that shit is life and death, no lie. But we also need to figure out how to support new models of education NOW. Cuz trust me, by the time the state figures this shit out, it’ll already be too late for our kids, and probably even our grand kids.

If I can teach Chemistry to 9 year olds in a third of the time it usually takes to run through a highschool course (and I’m not talking little Einsteins here, just regular kids)…then we can teach ALL our kids everything they need to succeed in this stupid standardised testing system AND what they need to learn to decolonise and recreate or create sustainable, human structures into the future.

Do you believe that? I absolutely do. Now I’ve got to figure out how to do it without letting my kids starve in the meantime.

And I WILL figure that shit out.

For those who wanted more info on ndn porn site

Tue, 14 May 2013 18:45:33 -0400

For those who wanted more info on ndn porn site:

Here is a news report on it, so you don’t have to visit the site. Really ick.

invisiblelad: amygdaloidlane: bonedust: oldowan: futurereflec...

Tue, 14 May 2013 18:24:25 -0400

invisiblelad:

amygdaloidlane:

bonedust:

oldowan:

futurereflections17:

JAJAJAAJAJAJAJAJAJAAJAJAJA. :(

*sigh*

yeah.

Mid-semester of my final year and I’m really not sure I knew what I was getting into when I started.

Accurate. :-/

BAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAA… awwwww:(

ishkwaakiiwan: gabifresh: Win any GabiFresh x swimsuitsforall...

Tue, 14 May 2013 18:22:46 -0400

ishkwaakiiwan:

gabifresh:

Win any GabiFresh x swimsuitsforall bathing suit (along with a bunch of other awesome shit) in the giveaway on my blog, gabifresh.com ! It’s short lived so check it out soon. Reblogging this counts as an extra entry but you must keep this caption and leave a comment on the original post!

OH! and contact me via tumblr, OR email at hear.the.thunder@gmail.com <3

Wait, where can I get this!?