Just a blurb of what’s going on in this white girls head…

Only Whites can be Racist because Racism is based on Discrimination on skin color and feeling superior due to skin color. Colored people can be prejudicial towards whites – but not racist.

Prejudice refers to a positive and/or negative evaluation of another person based on their perceived group membership. Racism on the other hand refers to social actions, practices or beliefs or political systems that consider different races to be ranked as inherently superior or inferior to each other.

Furthermore, racism is socio-economic, with systemic structures which promote one race’s powers over another. Socio-economic being the operative word, I am certain you will agree that black people do not have the resources to impose such oppressive structures which enforce their superiority. White people on the other hand have, and had imposed them on blacks for over four centuries of slavery and colonialism. Black people can be prejudiced, but not racist.

 

Racism is based on a few things—historical, systemic oppression and power. And as far as history goes, white people have never been persecuted for the color of their skin—so there’s no point comparing their experiences to those of black, brown, and Indigenous folks.

It’s slavery, colonialism, theft all kinds of violations on systemic proportions… versus feelings being hurt.

Pulse

Four years ago today on June 12th, 2016, we watched in horror, as the news broke of the horrific tragedy in Orlando, at a gay nightclub, that had been hosting Latin night that evening.

The body count kept rising. We heard about the cellphones ringing in the pockets of those who would never answer them again.

The Facebook status that Pulse Orlando posted during the massacre still gives me the chills.

“Everyone get out of pulse and keep running”

49 people were killed (technically 50, if we include the shooter, which #sorrynotsorry, I don’t) and 53 were wounded at the Pulse Nightclub.

Since then countless mass shootings have taken place. I wish I could say we’ve done the victims justice by changing our laws and having more gun regulations, but that simply isn’t true. As a society we’ve become so numb to tragedy. It’s not always a conscious decision to become numb, it’s only human to try and protect yourself from tragedy and chaos. You can however, make the decision to pay attention and care.

49 people will never tell their friends and family how much they love them again, 49 people will never get to celebrate another holiday, 49 people will never be able to go to a gay club and dance again. It’s hard to imagine just how big the impact of something like the Pulse shooting has, but without a doubt it has changed thousands of peoples lives.

These victims deserve so much more. When we take a stand and make our voice heard, we are standing up for these 49 and the countless others who have tragically joined them in the past three years.

They deserve to be remembered:

• Stanley Almodovar III, age 23
• Amanda Alvear, 25
• Oscar A. Aracena-Montero, 26
• Rodolfo Ayala-Ayala, 33
• Alejandro Barrios Martinez, 21
• Martin Benitez Torres, 33
• Antonio D. Brown, 30
• Darryl R. Burt II, 29
• Jonathan A. Camuy Vega, 24
• Angel L. Candelario-Padro, 28
• Simon A. Carrillo Fernandez, 31
• Juan Chevez-Martinez, 25
• Luis D. Conde, 39
• Cory J. Connell, 21
• Tevin E. Crosby, 25
• Franky J. Dejesus Velazquez, 50
• Deonka D. Drayton, 32
• Mercedez M. Flores, 26
• Peter O. Gonzalez-Cruz, 22
• Juan R. Guerrero, 22
• Paul T. Henry, 41
• Frank Hernandez, 27
• Miguel A. Honorato, 30
• Javier Jorge-Reyes, 40
• Jason B. Josaphat, 19
• Eddie J. Justice, 30
• Anthony L. Laureano Disla, 25
• Christopher A. Leinonen, 32
• Brenda L. Marquez McCool, 49
• Jean C. Mendez Perez, 35
• Akyra Monet Murray, 18
• Kimberly Morris, 37
• Jean C. Nieves Rodriguez, 27
• Luis O. Ocasio-Capo, 20
• Geraldo A. Ortiz-Jimenez, 25
• Eric Ivan Ortiz-Rivera, 36
• Joel Rayon Paniagua, 32
• Enrique L. Rios Jr., 25
• Juan P. Rivera Velazquez, 37
• Yilmary Rodriguez Solivan, 24
• Christopher J. Sanfeliz, 24
• Xavier Emmanuel Serrano Rosado, 35
• Gilberto Ramon Silva Menendez, 25
• Edward Sotomayor Jr., 34
• Shane E. Tomlinson, 33
• Leroy Valentin Fernandez, 25
• Luis S. Vielma, 22
• Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon, 37
• Jerald A. Wright, 31

As we remember those taken from us, take the time to reflect on how the inaction from our elected officials has led to the tragedies we have seen all too often. Reflect on the truth that black lives matter, that shootings in schools, and other places have got to stop, and how a lack of love for each other can lead to a tragedy that stains our communities deeply with that expressed hate.

It’s been four years since the Pulse shooting. Since then, gun violence and violence against LGBTQ+ folks has only escalated. In this time of remembrance and grieving we must reach out to each other and show love and compassion.
Do not forget this
Don’t let this take away pride from you
Don’t let this scare you into hiding
Be careful and be safe
But don’t stop existing
Dont stop vocalizing
Defy this shit and the people who spread hatred by being who you are
They cant silence us!

Update: My brother passed away…

So an update about what’s going on.

My brother passed away a couple days ago after long suffering with mental illness. I’m going up to Bolivar, New York for a viewing/service.
Besides when I was a baby and before my mom passed away, I’ve only met my brother three times.

1. When I was 6. He was suppose to be heading to boot camp for the Marines but horsed around with some friends and busted his jaw. He came to visit and stayed for a couple months. He left without a goodbye, just a NIN shirt and a necklace and a short note to my dad.
2. When I was 17. I was still living in my childhood home, one that he also lived. He came up my driveway and simply said my name and I knew it was him. We fell into each others arms and hugged what seemed like minutes. We hung out for a day and he dropped me off home. (He was down for a Disney trip, I think)
3. I went up to NY when I was 22/23, in 2012. Visited a lot of the family. Mom’s side is huge. I stayed with him, his wife and 4 kids for a month. Again, on July 15th, we left terms without goodbyes. He deliberately went to work early so he wouldn’t have to see me leave. He knew I was leaving that day. On the phone later that day, he even admitted not being good with in-person goodbyes.

My dad passed away July 23rd, 2012 and that may have been the last time I spoke to my brother. 😭 Due to an issue with another family member, I assumed he sided with them so I didnt think he would wanna talk to me. Then with everything: dad’s death, struggling with college, getting suddenly dumped after 5 years, being homeless, finding a person that turned out not to be good for me, then finding a person who was perfect for us, Wyoming, getting pregnant, having Moonchild, moving in with a step monster who was vile and malicious, Moonchild being taken, fighting to get Moonchild back, getting Moonchild back, but then ME coming out (and over a year, still being here instead of Mel – see, mental health runs through our family in one degree or another) and finding out once grandma passed away, the family got even more divided, I’ve just forgotten or been scared to reach out (I get it, that’s on me), plus I understood that grandma’s death definitely took a toll on the family. She is what kept us all together. No one really has reached out themselves. I did try to keep in touch about a year after I left NY with FB messages or Skype, but no one really got back to me. I have very few members of the family that I still talk too. One came out when we lost Moonchild, and I’m hoping to meet them this weekend. It’s all fricking complicated.

Due to extremely differing views, I’m definitely a dark black sheep. I’m terrified to go. I’m going to honor my brother, and hopefully see a family member or two that still like me. If others are willing, I do wanna get names, addresses and birthdays, so I could at the very least send Birthday cards and Christmas cards to those that wanna stay in touch…family means a lot to us…
By differing views, I refer to my partner who is 16 years older than me and is a transwoman (particularly this part), my religious and political views are very different and doesn’t help some were not very fond of my father either. I do not plan to start any problems or stir any pots, but If anything is said about my partner in particular, I’m not gonna keep quiet. I can probably keep quiet about Religion or Politics, but “attack” my partner and we will have Issues. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Just saying…

So I had many message me asking me and I did PM back who I could. I have gotten even more messages and I figured I might as well make a post. It’s just so much easier.
Many of you asked what you could do and even offered funds. I am not in need of money, I do have savings. The COVID was a weird blessing in disguise. I lost my substitute job, but was able to start the delivery jobs sooner than planned – planned for the summer, but discovered they paid pretty well so I was able to put some savings aside. If you insist on sending money, our cash app is $CalicoWolf and PayPal is paypal.me/MAIF89
If you send, Thank You. It is not expected, but very appreciated because not gonna lie, I won’t deny money.

TL:DR: My brother passed away and I’m going out of state for a few days.😭 I’m scared af.😱 Feel free to send money. 🤣J/K, mostly.

Happy Pride Month

The month of June is celebrated as ‘Pride Month’ for the support of LGBTQ+ community. In this post, I want to remind everyone belonging to the community that they’re valid not only in June, but throughout the year.
This is a reminder for every gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, gender-non conforming, asexual, agender person that YOU ARE VALID! Even if you’re in closet or are still figuring out your sexuality & gender identity, you’re still Valid.
You don’t need to come out of the closet, it’s your choice. And, you’re in no kind of hurry to figure out who you are. Take as much time as you need. During the process, remember, whatever you decide – coming out or not, or about your gender/ sexuality – you don’t need other’s validation to approve who you are. No one knows you better that you do yourself, but to figure it out better, especially when you think you’re unsure, don’t hesitate in visiting therapists.

To those who’re planning to come out this Pride Month – take your time. June is just another month, you don’t have to come out this month itself. You can come out in open as and when you feel you’re ready, regardless of what month it is. Again – people might not understand it the first time you come out, they may not automatically start using the pronouns of your choice. But this doesn’t make you any less valid. Stay Strong! By coming out, you’ll have a hard battle already fought and won. Acceptance can be hard, but with time and a positive environment, you’ll learn to love yourself and others around you.
I mean, we have come so far in the last fifty years with LGBTQ+ rights. Especially when people have been discriminated, even killed, for being who they are, it’s great to see just how much progress we’ve made in our struggle for loving whom we love. In fact, Taiwan became the first country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage which is huge considering many Asian countries are rather conservative in their LGBTQ+ beliefs. Unfortunately, we do still have so much more to go and I firmly believe, as long as we continue to stand up and make our voices heard, we will continue to move forward.

I always look forward to Pride Month. For me, I do identify myself as part of the LGBTQ+ community and, commercialized as the parade and overall concept has become over the years, it still spreads a good message about love, acceptance, and inclusiveness. It’s important to know that, at the end of the day, we’re all just people who want to be loved, and no law or hate should take that basic human right away from us.

Personally I have never been to a Pride parade ( I had hoped this year, but due to Covid-19, probably not!), but I love seeing photos of people decked out in rainbow attire and participating in the music and festivities. It’s amazing to see other people involved, some whom still might hide their sexuality in school or at work, but at least for the day can express themselves freely. Others, on the other hand, don’t shy away from showing who they really are, during and outside of Pride.
For myself, it’s not like I “hide” my sexuality at work or in public. I accept my sexuality, but I choose not to flaunt it. And that’s okay. For some people, they’re more outgoing and see their sexuality as the most-important thing to them– something that they don’t want to hide from the world. That’s okay, too. For them, it’s a public affair, and for me and others, it’s more of a personal one, and both cases need to be respected.

As I end this post, I do have Shameless advertising to do. If you are reading this and like it… Feel free to Follow, Like, Message and Share. Also “Love is Love (LGBT+ and Allies)” https://www.facebook.com/groups/ForTheLoveOfHumans/ is a positive/funny/uplifting post only support group (ran by yours truly).
And lastly, “Love from FL” is a world wide delievered program for those who may need or want a little more love and support and just need to know they are not alone. https://www.facebook.com/lovefromFL/ once again ran by yours truly and my partner. Hey, I did warn some shameless advertising! 😹

Hope everyone has an amazing Pride Month, Love is Love.
~The Rainbow Wolf 🌈🐺

Black Lives Matter Reply.

Response from a FB friend: “…and when anybody says black lives matter, they clearly don’t think all lives matter because if they did they would replace the “black” with “all”

You clearly don’t understand what “Black Lives Matter” means. Black Lives Matter doesn’t insinuate that other lives don’t. Of course all lives matter. That doesn’t even need to be said. But the fact that white people get so upset about the term black lives matter is proof that nothing can center the wellbeing and livelihoods of black bodies without white people assuming it is to their demise. Black lives did not matter when they were inhumanely transported like livestock from Africa. Black lives did not matter when they were lynched by the hundreds at the hands of the KKK. Black lives did not matter when they were attacked by dogs as they protested for equal rights.

Black Lives Matter is not a term of confrontation or an exclusionary demand. Black Lives Matter “is simply aspirational;” it’s a rallying cry for a shift in statistical numbers that show that people who are black are twice as likely to be killed by a police officer while unarmed, compared to a white individual. As the Black Lives Matter movement emerged, they were all of a sudden jolted into an awareness of the intersection of race and surviving police encounters. Instead of exploring the reasons why a movement like this would even be necessary, many have a knee jerk reaction. “What about me?” “All lives matter,” they cry. “Why be divisive and unfair, what about our safety?” The point these people miss is that the majority of experiences here in America already tend to center and highlight whiteness and cater to its safety. The country was built to function that way. Its roots of white supremacy and the marginalized concern for people of color has remained.

But let’s get back to the issue of countering Black Lives Matter with the phrase “All Lives Matter.” I’ve come to describe this as a collective gaslighting from the white community. Gaslighting is a tactic in which a person or entity, in order to gain more power (or in this case, keep their own peace), makes a victim question their reality. Why do those who counter black lives matter act as though black people aren’t aware of the glaring disproportionate statistics of police brutality, of health care racism, and of mass incarceration? This is their reality. You deciding to ignore it for your own comfort doesn’t make it any less true.

If a patient being rushed to the ER after an accident were to point to their mangled leg and say, “This is what matters right now,” and the doctor saw the scrapes and bruises of other areas and countered, “…but all of you matters,” wouldn’t there be a question as to why he doesn’t show urgency in aiding that what is most at risk? At a community fundraiser for a decaying local library, you would never see a mob of people from the next city over show up angry and offended yelling, “All libraries matter!”—especially when theirs is already well-funded.
This is because there is a fundamental understanding that when the parts of society with the most pain and lack of protection are cared for, the whole system benefits. For some reason, the community of white America would rather adjust the blinders they’ve set against racism, instead of confront it, so that the country can move forward toward a true nation of justice for all.

Here’s a personal message to those committed to saying “All Lives Matter” in the midst of the justice-driven work of the Black Lives Matter movement: PROVE IT!
Point out the ways our society—particularly the systems set in place to protect citizens like police officers and doctors and elected officials—are showing up to serve and protect black lives. Illuminate the instances in which the livelihood of the black community was prioritized, considering the circumstances that put them into less-privileged spaces to begin with. Direct me to the evidence of justice for the bodies discarded at the hands of those in power, be it by unjustified murder, jail cell, poisoned water, or medical discrimination.
These are the things that must be rectified. Until then, I’ll be here, my supportive white fist raised with Black Lives Matter on my lips.

Why I’m not doing the Instacart Strike tomorrow.

I live in Brooksville/Spring Hill area. I made $400 through the app in a week, not including cash tips. That is more than what I made as even a 40+ hours security officer and definitely more than I make as a full-time substitute teacher . I did a couple decent paying 3 batches on Monday and Friday, but otherwise mostly just did the 1 batches at a time, maybe 2 or 3 a day.
I’m honestly thrilled with what I made, so I’m a bit confused about the fuss. I mean I keep reading people’s posts and I do feel sorry for yall. But why not just pick the jobs you think pay best and leave the rest? Noone is forcing the jobs upon you. Yes, I agree when someone removes a tip, that does suck and while I’ve had tips go down a few cents, I’ve never had them removed completely, even by the women who verbally bitched me out. So I’m very sorry if that happens. I am very happy with the hand sanitizers that Instacart will be allowing us to have, even though I have a ton of my own (just bath and body works I’ve collected over the year).
I also do ubereats and postmates and made an additional $220, so I’ve made over $600 in a single week. I’m over the moon. No dress code, minimum human contact/interaction and alone time with my music in my car: hoping I can continue this even if/when subs are needed again. Granted, even with good gas mileage of my car, I used about $100 in gas, so I balance out that I made around $500…still in ONE Week! I’ve heard from other Instacart Shoppers that they make easily $800 or more just with Shopping. I guess I’m just one of the ones that cant find a real reason to complain.

My Thoughts on Tarantino’s “Inglourious Basterds”

Before I am called a Quentin Tarantino hater, let me just emphasize that I think Tarantino is a unique stylist with a keen instinct for catchy dialogue. He is also a master of turning a scene on its ear in order to maximize tension.
That said, INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS is self-indulgent nonsense. The film is essentially about nothing at all, but it is tangentially about a group of people trying to thwart the Nazi takeover of Europe during World War 2.
It stars Brad Pitt in a ridiculous, “look at me” performance as Lt. Aldo Raine, who is leading a small battalion of Jewish-American fighters into France to kill as many Nazi soldiers as they can. Their ruthlessness becomes legendary among the Nazis, catching the attention of bloodhound Jew killer Landa (Christoph Waltz). The Basterds eventually intersect the revenge plot created by a Jewish cinema owner named Shoshanna (Melanie Laurent), who intends to burn the elite Nazi leaders, including Adolf Hitler.
With “Basterds” (when it came out), Tarantino made his fourth or fifth film in a row about nothing more than revenge. And like the “Kill Bill” films, “Basterds” takes place in some sort of fantasy-land slightly divorced from reality. This might be fine, except that “Basterds” traffics in some truly stomach-turning gore that renders the fantasy elements quite out of place.
Tarantino basically rewrites history here, but, to supporters of this film, I ask: What is the point?? Is it simply to be clever or cute? Or simply because he can??
It’s a fair and unanswerable question given what’s on display here, which switches between comical and brutal without any regard to tone or reason. The performances are almost all atrocious. Pitt mugs endlessly, delivering each line with a Southern accent so horribly over-the-top that you cannot ever allow yourself to believe it is anyone other than Brad Pitt playing dress-up (even beyond an actor acting). And why on Earth would Tarantino employ Eli Roth as an actor? He smirks his way through this pitiful role like a low-rate George Clooney. Worst of all, is a cameo by Mike Myers as a British officer, which gives Myers an unwelcome opportunity to dust off his Austin Powers delivery, filled with suggestive pauses. Horrifying.
In the midst of the awful performances is a jewel: Christoph Waltz shines as the terrifying Colonel Landa. It is a star-making turn, and one that was definitely remembered properly at the Oscar’s (Winner of Best Supporting Actor) Absolutely Remarkable.
I could go on forever about the cheesy seventies subtitles and the horrible musical cues (Some decent choices, horrid timing and placement), but one early moment perfectly wraps up why I despise this movie so much. In the scene, Pitt is telling his troops that they are going to dismember the Nazis and make them afraid. He then says that the Basterds will “torture them,” while Tarantino cuts to a shot of Eli Roth … a reference wink to Roth’s reputation as a torture-porn director. Do we really need this kind of blatant, “look at me” bullshit? Can’t the guy just make a fucking movie that tells a decent and worthwhile story without loading all this nonessential crap into it? More than anything, Basterds upsets me because Tarantino attempts a few incredible moments within this film. One such moment is in the conclusion, when Shoshanna’s face is projected on the billows of smoke from the burning theater. Phenomenal!
Unfortunately, moments like that one are lost in the endless tiresomeness of the rest of the film. People might try to argue that the film is a fantasy, and therefore meant to be pure fun. Oookay … well, one could say the same thing about many other films, but at least most films don’t try to be something more, nor do they desperately try to pander to the art and festival crowds. Simply put, Tarantino makes art films about nothing. They’re fancy, overly-long, loaded with dialogue, and they have absolutely no point or purpose. INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS has some interesting ideas and one terrific character, but it otherwise has no reason to exist.

January is self-love month – Day 8

I’m not sure. Will come back to this one.

January is self-love month – Day 7

I love my eyes and hair. I love my passionate personality.

January is self-love month – Day 6

The list is endless.