Heroes Fail is a lifestyle guide for the fashionable radical. Look for us soon, online and in print.
I’ve seen crack, held it, watched a family member die, watched family go to jail, etc. My mom’s SO is a cop. And I don’t think it’s fair that just like every other war in this country, we ask a minority to sacrifice for a majority. We ask cops to risk their lives to protect us from the reality…
The “war on drugs” is a racist, classist war on people.
“Sylvia Rivera kicking ass on stage after some radfems & transphobes tried to refuse her the right to speak at the 1973 Christopher Street Liberation Day rally. Said radfems then had their own march in part protesting trans participation in Pride. A precursor to today’s Dyke March.”
Source: thespiritwas
It is women like Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson who started the Stonewall riots and queer liberation. 43 years later, trans women of color, the people who started the movement, are the people maligned and left behind by it.
In Sylvia’s words, “What the FUCK is wrong with you all?”
[[Trigger warning: suicide]]
Sylvia went home that night and attempted suicide.
Marsha Johnson came home and found her in time to save her life.
Sylvia left the movement after that day and didn’t come back for twenty years.
this is incredible, she is incredible, I highly recommend watching it
but I think the addendum re: the effect of this day on sylvia is really important
so often we valorise decontextualised moments of tough, articulate resistance and rage
and the suffering of the people who embodied them is not acknowledged, it’s uncomfortable, it’s not inspiring, we want them to stay tough and cool and stylish forever
which is particularly terrible when I think about how sylvia felt like that because of women like me — women who are now watching this video and feeling inspired and impressed and maybe a bit pleased with ourselves for finally having watched a speech by the famous and really cool to name-drop sylvia rivera
rebloggin for the true as fuck commentary (bolding mine)
n like, on one hand this moment is decontextualized as fuck, but on the other hand a lot of ppl try to hyper-contextualize it to make it “history” and a very specific historical moment, so we (cis women) can be like “oh so sad that’s how it was in the 1970s, radfems were so awful, but it was only the whole second-wave scene that was the problem, glad that’s over.”
Like have we forgotten the fact that Sylvia only died in 2002? And she died young, if she were still alive she wouldn’t even be 65 yet. I know hella older ppl in NYC who knew her personally, and hella “leaders” of the NYC queer scene pulled horrific shit on her constantly in the 80s, 90s, and 2000s, like literally until the day she died (ppl from Empire State Pride agenda literally went to St. Vincents to beef with her on her death bed) Where are the video tapes/memorializing of that shit?
N now the Manhattan LGBT center on 13th st has a room dedicated to her memory, despite the fact that very center permanently banned her in 1995 for daring to suggest they should let homeless QTPOC sleep there in sub-zero weather.
N now there’s a whole homeless trans youth shelter on 36th st named after her, Sylvia’s Place, that kicked my TWOC friend out on the streets for testing positive for marijuana; failing to recognize how fucked up that is in a shelter named after a woman who struggled with addiction all her life, and was very vocal about the relationship between drug use and the stress of living under constant threats of violence.
N from the late 90s onward rich gays and lesbians openly fought against Sylvia to try to shut down 24/7 access to the piers that she n hella other QTPOC cruised and lived on bc they were bringing down the property values of their multi-million west village apartments.
N like 90% of the individual people who perpetuated fucked up violence against Sylvia are still alive and high-profile leaders in the NYC LGBT “community” today.
So like yes, good, remember the oppressive weight of our history of transmisogyny…but also remember that this shit specifically ain’t even history, it’s the current reality of the NYC queer/trans hierarchy today—like not even figuratively, literally the same people who pulled shit like this on Sylvia are still alive n well n all over NYC cutting the ribbons to the newest Sylvia Rivera memorial n eulogizing her like they never tried to fucking kill her themselves.
Incredible commentary all over this post
i know i reblogged this before, but check out all this on point commentary
important historical knowledge.
(via fuckyeahhardfemme)
![reclaimingthelatinatag:
Lélia Gonzalez (1935-1994) was a Brazilian intellectual, anthropologist, professor and militant of the Movimento Negro Unificado. She is a legend in the history of the Brazilian feminist movement in its struggle to combat violence against women, particularly sexual and domestic violence. A pioneer in the study of Black Culture, she earned a degree in Philosophy and History, a Master’s in Social Communications and a Ph.D in Social Anthropology in São Paulo and dedicating herself to research on the topic of gender and ethnicity. She joined the Movimento Negro Unificado and played a fundamental role in the defense of black women, participating in the Research Institute of Black Culture and the Black Women’s Collective, N’Zinga.
Gonzalez’s work highlighted the plight and social position of black women in Brazilian society, a position of triple oppression in terms of race, gender and socio-economic status. On Brazil’s particular brand of racism and white supremacy, Gonzalez wrote:
“racism in Latin America is sophisticated enough to keep blacks and Indians in the subordinate condition within the most exploited class, because its most effective form of ideology: the ideology of whitening, so well analyzed by Brazilian scientists. Transmitted by means of communication and the traditional ideological systems, it reproduces and perpetuates the belief that the ratings and values of white Western culture are the only true and universal. Once established, the myth of white superiority proves its efficiency and the effects of violent disintegration, fragmentation of ethnic identity produced by it, the desire to whiten (“cleaning the blood” as they say in Brazil), is internalized with the consequent denial of their own race and culture.” [x]
Gonzalez is now credited as responsible for the development and practice of black feminism in Brazil. To read more about this incredible lady, click here.](http://24.media.tumblr.com/bc81526bc81a9b12f010a6a64a8573ac/tumblr_mjkq2bxDSs1rgwgluo1_r1_400.jpg)
Lélia Gonzalez (1935-1994) was a Brazilian intellectual, anthropologist, professor and militant of the Movimento Negro Unificado. She is a legend in the history of the Brazilian feminist movement in its struggle to combat violence against women, particularly sexual and domestic violence. A pioneer in the study of Black Culture, she earned a degree in Philosophy and History, a Master’s in Social Communications and a Ph.D in Social Anthropology in São Paulo and dedicating herself to research on the topic of gender and ethnicity. She joined the Movimento Negro Unificado and played a fundamental role in the defense of black women, participating in the Research Institute of Black Culture and the Black Women’s Collective, N’Zinga.
Gonzalez’s work highlighted the plight and social position of black women in Brazilian society, a position of triple oppression in terms of race, gender and socio-economic status. On Brazil’s particular brand of racism and white supremacy, Gonzalez wrote:
“racism in Latin America is sophisticated enough to keep blacks and Indians in the subordinate condition within the most exploited class, because its most effective form of ideology: the ideology of whitening, so well analyzed by Brazilian scientists. Transmitted by means of communication and the traditional ideological systems, it reproduces and perpetuates the belief that the ratings and values of white Western culture are the only true and universal. Once established, the myth of white superiority proves its efficiency and the effects of violent disintegration, fragmentation of ethnic identity produced by it, the desire to whiten (“cleaning the blood” as they say in Brazil), is internalized with the consequent denial of their own race and culture.” [x]
Gonzalez is now credited as responsible for the development and practice of black feminism in Brazil. To read more about this incredible lady, click here.
(via anarchistpeopleofcolor)
I need serious help from any of y’all if you can give it. A little over a month ago, my friend’s little brother was found hanging from a tree in the woods in Cincinnati, Ohio. The police barely did an investigation, and almost immediately ruled it a “suicide”; which: WHAT BLACK MAN HANGS HIMSELF FROM A TREE IN THE WOODS AS A MEANS TO COMMIT SUICIDE
And we knew we had to do something, but didn’t know what.
Now today I just got a text message from that same friend saying that ANOTHER black man was found the same way a few miles from where her brother was found. The police, once again, are calling it a “suicide”.
My friend is looking to get in contact with the other family, but in the meantime, if any of you have any resources or ideas or anything for fighting back against the Cincy PD, it would be greatly, greatly appreciated. Feel free to pass this around anywhere: blogs, Tumblr, wherever. If you can help, send an e-mail to my friend at sarah.m.underwood@gmail.com. I’m at a loss and so is she.
Please reblog or otherwise spread the word if you can. Heavy shit.
POC (People of Color) Zine Project 2012 Tour Dates:
Sept 24 New York, NY
+ music by In School, Matana Roberts & TBD third performer
538 Johnson Avenue, Brooklyn, NY
ALL AGES!!
Start time: 8pm
Cover: $5-7 sliding scale (no one turned away for lack of funds!)
Sept 25 Philadelphia, PAMulti-media zine readings by Sonrisa Rodriguez-Harrison (Hair Stories zine) Mimi Nguyen (Race Riot zine), Anna Vo (Fix My Head zine), Cristy Road (Greenzine) & Osa Atoe (Shotgun Seamstress).
Venue, cover, start time and participating bands TBA
Sept 26 Pittsburgh, PA+ Barren Scepter and Alaina Marie + a third performer in the works
The Mr. Roboto Project
5106 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA
Cover is $6. Show at 7pm.
Sept 27 Athens, OH
Sept 28 Detroit, MI
+ performers TBA
The Trumbullplex
4210 Trumbull
Detroit, MI 482087-11pm
Cover: $6
Sept 29 Ann Arbor, MI+ music by Swimsuit and Trabajabamos
at the 3rd Deathstar 613 N Main St Ann ArborALL AGES!!
Doors at 7 pm, over at 11 pm. Early show!
Cover: $3-6 sliding scale, no one will be turned away for lack of funds.
Sept 30 Chicago, ILmultikulti
1000 N. Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, Illinois
+ music by:
Breathing Light, black romantic punx
7pm - 12amALL AGES! DONATIONS APPRECIATED!
Oct 1 Champaign, IL (TWO EVENTS IN ONE DAY!)DAYTIME CAMPUS EVENT INFO:
University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign
Unit One Allen Hall’s South Rec Room
1005 W. Gregory Dr., MC-050, Urbana, IL 618014:00pm-5:30pm
ALL AGES!! FREE!! ALL WELCOME!!
Sponsored by the Women’s Resources Center, Unit One Allen Hall, LGBT Resource Center, DiversityEd, Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center, La Casa Cultural Latina, and the Native American House
Oct 1 DAYTIME CAMPUS EVENT Facebook invite
—
EVENING DIY SHOW INFO:
UCIMC (Urbana Champaign Independent Media Center)
202 S. Broadway Avenue Urbana, Illinois
7pm-9:30pm
ALL AGES!
Oct 1 EVENING DIY SHOW Facebook invite
Oct 2 Bloomington, IN (NOT in IL as previously noted)
Boxcar Books & Community Center Inc
408 E 6th St, Bloomington, Indiana
ALL AGES!
Start time, cover and performers TBA
Oct 3 Columbus, OHSkylab Gallery
57 East Gay Street, 5th Floor
Columbus, Ohio
ALL AGES!!
+ Bands TBA
+ Cover TBA
+ Start time TBA
Oct 4 Pittsburgh, PA (NOT in Blacksburg, VA as previously noted)UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH
532 ALUMNI HALL
4227 5th AVENUE
PITTSBURGH, PA 15260
http://www.tour.pitt.edu/tour-102.html
6pm - 8pm
ALL AGES!! FREE!! ALL WELCOME!!
Made possible by Rebecca Roadman of the Women’s Studies Program and Kim Creasap.
Oct 5 Washington, DC
St. Stephen & the Incarnation Episcopal Church
+ music by Mary Christ and Hand Grenade Jobs
7-10pm
ALL AGES!!
Oct 6 Baltimore, MD+ music by:
Blood Horses: http://bloodhorses.bandcamp.com/
+ Suprise guests ♥
+ POC zine tabling, sales and swap (allies welcome!)
Venue TBA
Cover: Sliding scale $5-15
Oct 7 New York, NY - FINAL TOUR DATE FOR 2012 <3
at Death By Adio
49 S. 2nd St @ Kent Ave, Brooklyn, New York
+ music by:
Aye Nako
Shady Hawkins8pm - ???
ALL AGES!!!
$5-7 sliding scale
——————————————————
THERE’S STILL TIME TO PARTICIPATE!
- want to table with your zines?
- want to help us with hosting overnight?
Email daniela@dcapmedia.com with your feedback + questions! We’re excited!!
Be sure to follow poczineproject.tumblr.com and “Like” our FB page if you haven’t already to get the latest updates as soon as we post them.WAYS YOU CAN HELP NOW
1. If you’re from or around any of these cities, contact us and let us know if you’re interested in volunteering, have a band and want to perform, want to table, can help out with hosting us overnight, can assist with livetweeting and livestreaming from events, etc.
2. Donate to help us offset the cost of this tour, vehicle rental and gas money. We appreciate every cent. POC Zine Project is 100% a volunteer entity.
3. Reblog this post and share the link with your friends, especially in these cities!
TOUR BREAKDOWN
- In some cities we’re doing a multimedia show in the evenings but in others we’re looking to do that PLUS paid speaking events at local universities & ally organizations during the day. If your city is part of the tour and you’d like us to speak at your school, contact us. It’s especially helpful if you can point us to a contact at your school.
- We want folks to table and to sell/trade poc zines at our shows! We’ll have more details about who’s participating but for now contact us if you’re interested in participating.
- Do you write for a print or online publication that would like to share information about the tour and event details as they happen? Contact us for interviews or connect us with your friends who do. We want as many folks as possible to find out about this tour and why we feel POC Zine Project is vital to DIY/punk/zine/activism communities.
Super stoked. <3
Planet Rock: The Story Of Hip Hop And The Crack Generation (full).
A look at the rise of crack cocaine in urban America in the 1980s and it’s influence on popular culture, especially in hip-hop music.
A really interesting thing I got from this documentary that’s been something I’ve gotten from all documentaries focused on drugs, is that no matter what the drug, the fear of a few can strip everyone of their rights. I didn’t grow up in New York, California, or any place that people commonly think about when they think gangs or the drug war.
During 1987-1988, over 1000 drug raids were carried out in my neighborhood. In an effort to “crack down” and “get tough”, a lot of civil liberties that people take for granted were taken from our community. People should see the connection between middle class fear and a collapse of civil liberties.
In my community, if everyone who walks down the street can be pulled over and checked without probable cause or because they look suspicious, and I think that’s perfectly normal because it’s an everyday occurrence… then there’s not going to be much of an outcry when it happens to someone in the middle class or suburban white kids. In fact, where it seems we should be natural allies, what in effect happens is a malaise and an apatheticness, “Nobody said anything when I got stopped. So, what makes this guy different?”
I know lots of cannabis activists who are simply pushing to legalize cannabis. They use the rationale that because cannabis is an herb, that means it’s different from other drugs. Tell that to the government once you’re arrested. “Officer this is an herb and it grows from the ground!,” is not a legal defense.
(Source: the-haute-box)
The above article is an update. Her mother went to appeal to keep her out of the psychiatric ward and lost. She will be institutionalized because of her expression of her gender. She will be held until she conforms to male gender and then released to foster care, not her mother who was supporting her.
Please, if you haven’t signed the petition, sign it, reblog it, ask your friends to sign it. We’ve managed to get 40K signatures for a pageant model, we’ve only gotten 11K for a little girl about to have her life ruined. Lets get on the ball and spread the word.
by Mia McKenzie
It’s Memorial Day. It’s the official day of honoring Americans who have died in all wars. Officially, these wars include the Civil War, World Wars I and II, the Vietnam War, the Iraq War, etc. You know, official wars. I have complicated feelings about all of those wars,…
That dream that I had raised a lot of issues I’ve been dealing with lately that I speak about to my close friends, but rarely on any social/public forum, and rarely in conceptual way. There is a major issue that needs to be addressed; how violence, both homo- and trans*- phobic (emphasis on…
which i cant find and really have no energy to and don’t want to so whatever. but i’ve seen it reblogged numerous times so i know tons of people have seen it. if u don’t know what i’m talking about—there’s a picture going around with two drinking fountains and one marked gay and the other…
Great commentary on the laziness of appropriationalist imagery in queer movements. We struggle against our own brutality daily; let’s not coopt (and minimize) the experiences of other oppressed groups.
(Source: iinventedeverything)
THEESatisfaction on Sub Pophttp://www.subpop.com/artists/theesatisfaction
“QueenS” from the 3/27/12 album awE naturalE
http://www.subpop.com/releases/theesatisfaction/full_lengths/awe_naturale
Directed by: dream hampton
Get awE naturalE
on Itunes http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/awe-naturale/id508507303
& Amazon http://www.amazon.com/THEESatisfaction/e/B0077CFU1SScene. Slayed. Forever.
Been jamming to this one just about on repeat. Rest of the album’s great, too. :D
l969
Oakland , California
Huey’s Trial, Opening Day
Solidaridad <3
You must have heard of the viral video created by Invisible Children (IC), a U.S. organization that has launched a one-year campaign (expires December 31, 2012) to eliminate Joseph Kony, the head of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), a rebel group in Northern Uganda that has been embroiled…
