Today Marks The First Day Of Pride 2020.

Today marks the first day of Pride 2020.

It also marks the seventh day of protests held in honor of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery. It’s been 634 days since Botham Jean was murdered by a police officer, 233 days since Atatiana Jefferson was fatally shot by a police officer, 2,123 days since Michael Brown was fatally shot by a police officer, and 2,146 days since Eric Garner was choked to death by a police officer.

It has been five days since Tony McDade, a Black trans man from Florida, was shot and killed by a police officer.

At the time of this post, it has been almost 19 hours since David McAtee was shot and killed by the authorities.

This week has served as a stark reminder that those who have power in this country wield it recklessly and violently against Black people, non-Black POC, and trans people. For some, the power is found in their badge. In others, it’s their skin tone, their socio-economic status, their cisgender privileges, or any other number of privileges one can have. In 2018, with at least 26 trans people who were murdered, all but one were trans women, and all but one were people of color. According to data collected by Human Rights Campaign, this pattern is all too common. It should also be noted that the number of trans people who are murdered is grossly underreported, with many families and newspapers often misgendering those who can no longer speak up for themselves.

On June 28, 1969, the Stonewall riots began as a response to the constant police raids of nightlife establishments frequented by the LGBTQIA+ community. That night sparked a revolution, with many eye-witnesses crediting Black and Latinx trans women for being brave enough to ignite what would become one of the most pivotal nights in LGBTQIA+ history. Without Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, there would have been no uprising. Without them, there would be no Pride.

At this moment, it would be tone-deaf and insensitive to commemorate Pride in the same celebratory fashion we usually do. Instead, we’re asking you to make the commitment to better the lives of the oppressed. Do the work to become actively anti-racist if you are not Black. Spread the word that Black lives matter. Spread the word that trans people deserve to feel safe wherever they go. Reblog this post, make your own, or find someone in your life who doesn’t understand and do your best to make them understand. Donate if you can.

The first Pride was a riot. We stand with you.

not a dream

A Ghanaian celebrity who lives and works in South Korea named Sam Okyere is facing extreme backlash and racism, with comments such as, “Go back to your country,” being thrown at him for daring to call out racism and saying that (some) Koreans can be ignorant on that topic and need to be educated, which can be hard, thus proving his point completely with their extreme reactions. He spoke out on social media about a situation regarding a certain school in South Korea that seems to have a history of blackface in their graduation photos, calling them out, and a lot of Koreans responded with things like, “So, blackface is racist now???” among many insults and horrible comments thrown at him, and they attacked him for sharing the photo of the students, which he only did AFTER media outlets already shared them without blurring their faces.

Some Koreans are asking for him to be “sent back home” and for his shows and works to be boycotted, saying that he has ruined their international reputation for for daring to write a post about their racism in English as well as Korean, not realizing that they’re doing that themselves by refusing to acknowledge faults, refusing to be educated and throwing temper tantrums when people call out abhorrent behavior. The racism and xenophobia really jumped out.

His social media has been bombarded with hate and racism and he has been forced to apologize due to the strong and extreme backlash, because apparently, if the guy who was in the original coffin dance video says that the recreation images like this are okay for him, that means the whole black community thinks that way and nobody has any right to say otherwise or try to educate people on the history of blackface and why it’s racist, or else they’ll be destroyed. Even journalists who jumped to his defense and tried to explain the situation and educate folks on why it was wrong for people to attack him, have received mass hate.

If you can, please leave a positive message on his Instagram (LINK HERE) so we can combat hate with love and show racist and ignorant people that their behavior is in no way okay and that there’s more of us that there is them!

Sam Okyere is a wonderful man and he doesn’t deserve any of this.

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melanch0lyphant0m

4 years ago

#Blackout for Minneapolis. For Louisville. For Toronto. For Brooklyn. #Blackout for Us All.

To the #Blackout Community and Tumblr at large,

We know you must have a lot of questions or are feeling distressed about the news. The world has been dealing with a lot this year, and it is an especially harrowing time for Black Americans and Black folks abroad. We know your biggest question right now could be summed up by a quote from Toni Morrison:

“What can I do where I am?”

Here at #TheBlackout, we have decided to help you start finding an answer to that question - we feel that we need each other. We need unity, organization, a clear sense of direction, but more importantly, a space where you can be yourself without judgement or fear.

So, in addition to boosting your art and businesses, our highest priority right now is to provide you all with resources to help you start from where you are.

This is a masterpost of places you can donate, find mental health + spaces for radical self-care, and just do something fun. We will be adding on as things change.

Donate/Boost/Sign:

Minneapolis Freedom Bail Fund & Louisville Community Bail Fund

Reclaim the Block

Black Visions Collective

The Official GoFundMe of George Floyd’s Family

Official Petition for Breonna Taylor

Justice for Regis Official Fund

Tony McDade’s Memorial Fund

Black Lives Matter Network

Mental Health Resources:

Ethel’s Club - Black-owned and operated social club offering access to Black therapists and a multitude of creative events for People of Color.

Crisis Text Line - A different approach to crisis intervention, Crisis Text Line offers you help when you text 741-741. You’ll be able to chat with someone who is willing to listen and provide you with additional resources.

Shine Text. – Black-owned! Sign up to receive cheerful texts and tips every day.

Therapy For Black Girls - A Black-owned a directory to help you find Black therapists in your area.

Tips for Organizing/Protesting:

Knowing your rights - ACLU

How To Prepare for a Protest. (Remember to wear a mask in or to protect yourself!)

A Twitter thread of suggested readings

Fun Online Communities and Things to Do:

Some of our favorite online communities.

Nerd Culture: @blacknerdproblems, @superheroesincolor

Poetry and Literary Spaces: Cave Canem Literary Balms program for Black poets, Nuyorician Online Open Mic Events, Well-Read Black Girl

Podcasts: Therapy For Black Girls, Strong Black Legends by Netflix’s Strong Black Lead, The Read with Crissle and Kid Fury.

Hobbies: #BlackBirdersWeek by BlackAFinSTEM (5/31 - 6/8), Wellness Week by Black Girl Gamers.

Join us for the 5/31 Emergency #Blackout/#BlackoutDay here on Tumblr and Twitter.

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melanch0lyphant0m

4 years ago

STAY FUCKING SAFE

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melanch0lyphant0m

4 years ago

Pride was always a protest.

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melanch0lyphant0m

4 years ago

“guys!!!! trump is stressed out!!!!! please leave him alone!!!!!!”

um if trump is stressed out so easily about this... then hm.... maybe.... just maybe.... he shouldn’t be president????? and maybe he shouldn’t oppress his people???? maybe he should shut the fuck up and step down??????