❝ Regardless where you stand on immigration issues, a border fence, amnesty, etc., or on same-sex marriage and equal rights for LGBT citizens, how can you be in favor of making it easier to commit violence against LGBT or immigrant women? I cannot believe our national debate has come to this point – where we are singling out parts of the population and making them more vulnerable to violence. ❞

Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY) criticized the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act saying the bill passed on Wednesday puts women’s lives in jeopardy because it excludes access to services for immigrant, LGBT and Native American women.  (via nbclatino)

I mean, “singling out parts of the population and making them more vulnerable to violence” is what institutional oppression is - it’s just not always as visible as this. 

But yes, this whole thing is fucking ridiculous. 

(via viviopsis)


Racism is a system of advantage based on race. Do you believe white racism exists? Do you believe black racism exists? How has white racism adversely affected the lives of black people in America? How has black racism adversely affected the lives of white people in America? Black people or any minority race can hate white people all they want but it has no power to impact a whole group of white people.

Centuries of slavery followed by systemic racism—such as sharecropping, black codes, Jim Crow—have acted as “virtual re-enslavement” policies that continue today. The practice of lynching was done by families, women and children, who would smile and grin at blacks being hung, or tied to a truck with their bodies dragged through the streets until the limbs came apart. Although not everyone is traumatized by a particular incident, slavery is not about one incident but a lifetime of incidents.

Brown Eyes-Blue Eyes Experiment - “The Angry Eye”
By Ms. Jane Elliot


learningtolivelivingtodie:

Cante waste hoksla ake istimba kin waste.

 Good hearted boy, go back to sleep, the night is young.

Breathe.: Native American Code of Ethics Native American Code of Ethics

    1. Rise with the sun to pray. Pray alone. Pray often. The Great Spirit will listen, if you only speak.

    2. Be tolerant of those who are lost on their path. Ignorance, conceit, anger, jealousy and greed stem from a lost soul. Pray that they will find guidance.

    3. Search for yourself, by yourself. Do not allow others to make your path for you. It is your road, and yours alone. Others may walk it with you, but no one can walk it for you.

    4. Treat the guests in your home with much consideration. Serve them the best food, give them the best bed and treat them with respect and honor.

    5. Do not take what is not yours whether from a person, a community, the wilderness or from a culture. It was not earned nor given. It is not yours.

    6. Respect all things that are placed upon this earth—whether it be people, animal or plant. Honor the Spirit in all things.

    7. Honor other people’s thoughts, wishes and words. Never interrupt another or mock or rudely mimic them. Allow each person the right to personal expression.

    8. Never speak of others in a bad way. The negative energy that you put out into the universe will multiply when it returns to you. All persons make mistakes. And all mistakes can be forgiven. Bad thoughts cause illness of the mind, body and spirit. Practice optimism.

    9. Nature is not for us, it is a part of us. They are part of your worldly family.

    10. Children are the seeds of our future. Plant love in their hearts and water them with wisdom and life’s lessons. When they are grown, give them space to grow.

    11. Avoid hurting the hearts of others. The poison of your pain will return to you.

    12. Be truthful at all times. Honesty is the test of ones will within this universe.

    13. Keep yourself balanced. Your mental self, spiritual self, emotional self, and physical self—all need to be strong, pure and healthy. Work out the body to strengthen the mind. Grow rich in spirit to cure emotional ails.

    14. Make conscious decisions as to who you will be and how you will react. Be responsible for your own actions.

    15. Respect the privacy and personal space of others. Do not touch the personal property of others—especially sacred and religious objects. This is forbidden.

    16. Be true to yourself first. You cannot nurture and help others if you cannot nurture and help yourself first.

    17. Respect others religious beliefs. Do not force your belief on others.

    18. Share your good fortune with others. Participate in charity. Be willing to give back to the people, so that People will live.

❝ May your life be like a wildflower,
growing freely in the beauty and joy of each day. ❞
Native American proverb (via seesunshinego)