Current Events/Politics Thread

[rainbowbridge14]

May 2, 2017 20:33:13 GMT -5 @miawallace said:

I have a question. Would it be easier to participate in this group if it was private with a password?
Just throwing the option out.

I was thinking about this too.

[Deleted]

Either way. I have trouble finding it always.

[Deleted]

I don't think we need to be password protected.

[Deleted]

May 3, 2017 9:23:02 GMT -5 @pineappleoranges said:

May 3, 2017 8:13:17 GMT -5 @nonniedee said:

I don't think we need to be password protected.

I don't think the board needs to be password protected either.


at least not yet. Let's see where we are in a few months and maybe we can revisit it.

Right, when the trolls come a trolling.

[Deleted]

I've been in a vacuum the past few days. Clearly there is stuff going on that I need to tune into.
I did hear today that Chicago had its 1000th murder. Is that right? Damn. How the hell do we stop this? How do we get outsiders to see this as a public health crisis. For those who die, those who witness and those who are left behind.

[harvestmoon]

May 3, 2017 9:27:31 GMT -5 @pineappleoranges said:

I was going to start a thread but I don't want to dilute the board too much but at what point does the line cross from pandering to teaching and vice versa?

My two cents, as a POC but only an ally when we are talking being black in the US, is that you can say fuck it or step out and then back in at your own pace.

Listening and learning is only one component of being an ally, and you are under no obligation to be the teacher. I think that phrase in some uses oversimplifies the dire need for true empathy, which must be worked at when one is trying to understand from a position of privilege. Not something that POC can or should be asked to "teach" those who seek to be allies.

[Deleted]

I have been listening to the National Public Radio conversations about the "Rodney King riots" 1992, and have so many feelings right now. 50 people were killed. It feels really important to me to understand and listen. Meanwhile tonight, I just sat with my SO while she cried about the young women who are living in a transitional housing program after experiencing homelessness. Sometimes its happy tears when a success happens, tonight not so much as 2 of the women have court tomorrow. Every step toward a new life, secure housing is so hard fought. Everything is so f up. And, the fact of a 15 year old boy killed. Noone has to teach. I will not give up the right to mourn each and every child taken from their family, and I hope its ok here. Right now Im awash in sadness- and always renew a vow to step up for young people who navigate the system with mental health workers, police and others- for fair and just outcomes.