Things

Photo

Sat, 04 May 2013 08:48:03 -0500

thehobodad: For as much as they tell you about Stop Drop and Roll as a kid, I really expected to be...

Sat, 04 May 2013 08:39:55 -0500

For as much as they tell you about Stop Drop and Roll as a kid, I really expected to be on fire more times in my life.

"Please be a traveler, not a tourist. Try new things, meet new people, and look beyond what’s right..."

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 20:59:09 -0500

“Please be a traveler, not a tourist. Try new things, meet new people, and look beyond what’s right in front of you. Those are the keys to understanding this amazing world we live in.”

- Andrew Zimmern (via rainydaysandblankets)

Photo

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 06:42:59 -0500

Photo

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 00:16:46 -0500

youwillbeawoman: Favorite dish in the whole wide universe....

Sat, 20 Apr 2013 10:56:29 -0500

youwillbeawoman:

Favorite dish in the whole wide universe. That’s how bad I love les frites.

Photo

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 11:59:09 -0500

notsolittlelionman: this is real. Nom

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 23:35:27 -0500

notsolittlelionman:

this is real.

Nom

Something I’ve been learning as I’ve been learning more and more about race- most of the...

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 23:48:11 -0500

Something I’ve been learning as I’ve been learning more and more about race- most of the time as a white person you just need to shut the hell up and listen. Even if you think you know or you feel offended. Just listen a bit longer and you’ll learn even more than if you open your mouth.

CHURCH OF THE REZ EASTER VIGIL SERVICE

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 09:10:39 -0500

CHURCH OF THE REZ EASTER VIGIL SERVICE:

wheatonproblem:

I was like

omfg, this is my church

Photo

Sun, 14 Apr 2013 00:44:28 -0500

Sometimes I just have to look down at my tattoo and remind...

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 11:30:36 -0500

Sometimes I just have to look down at my tattoo and remind myself that I’m sexy :)

still-film: One of my favorite people to photograph, and a...

Sun, 07 Apr 2013 23:06:32 -0500

still-film:

One of my favorite people to photograph, and a delight to hangout with.

contrarybritt: This kid gets it!

Sun, 07 Apr 2013 23:02:51 -0500

contrarybritt:

This kid gets it!

birchbranches: everything about this is perfect.

Sun, 07 Apr 2013 23:01:34 -0500

birchbranches:

everything about this is perfect.

mikhailsebastian: Mikhail Sebastian, the stateless man who...

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 06:49:37 -0500

mikhailsebastian:

Mikhail Sebastian, the stateless man who finally left the territory more than a week ago, after being stranded in American Samoa for 14 months, arrived in Washington D.C. this week, after being invited, while his lawyer is working on his case to remain permanently in the U.S.

In an email yesterday from D.C. to the news media, including Samoa News, Sebastian said that while in the nation’s capital, he also had a chance to give a speech to the Refugees International meeting about the issue of statelessness in the U.S.

He also met with the UN Refugee Commission (UNHCR) team who “worked hard to get me back home, and we filmed additional footage for the documentary that was already produced.” (The UNHCR team was in the territory last year to film the documentary, which has already been aired in the U.S.)

Sebastian said he also visited Congressman Faleomavaega Eni’s office and met with one of his senior staffers, Tavita Richmond. The pair discussed “statelessness issue and some changes needed for your territory,” said Sebastian.

“Congressman Faleomavaega Eni is committed to work with other members of Congress to add statelessness issues to our new comprehensive [federal] immigration reform,” he said.

Earlier this month, Faleomavaega wrote to local leaders seeking suggestions and recommendations on four pieces of legislation that he plans to introduce in the U.S. House for inclusion into the broader federal immigration reform bill that Congress will consider in months ahead.

One of his proposals is to address what is called a dilemma faced by ‘stateless’ individuals, who are not citizens of any country, such as Sebastian’s case.

YO IF YOU LIVE IN THE UNITED STATES/CANADA

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 00:17:14 -0500

pearlkillers:

AND WOULDN’T MIND ME AND A BEARDED DUDE CRASHING ON YOUR COUCH AND TAKING YOU OUT FOR PANCAKES AT SOME POINT THIS JULY

GIVE ME YOUR CITY AND STATE AND LET’S HAVE A SLUMBER PARTY

I AM 110% SERIOUS

You seem cool! I traipse back and forth between Wheaton, Illinois and holland, Michigan. Near both Chicago and Grand Rapids.

victoriouslypersonal: pearlkillers: FUCK craves

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 00:12:34 -0500

victoriouslypersonal:

pearlkillers:

FUCK

craves

braided-basket: I wouldn’t mind having a honeymoon like this.

Sun, 24 Mar 2013 00:15:52 -0500

braided-basket:

I wouldn’t mind having a honeymoon like this.

youarewortheworldarling: I’ve never really broken it down as to...

Sun, 24 Mar 2013 00:07:50 -0500

youarewortheworldarling:

I’ve never really broken it down as to why this trend is so annoying and effed up but… here it is. Hope this helps people understand. And before anyone starts someone up I would like to clarify that I am also Native, this kinda means alot to me.

So why can’t non-aboriginal people wear it?

Headdresses, feathers, and warbonnets have deep spiritual significance.

The wearing of feathers and warbonnets in Native communities is not a fashion choice. Eagle feathers are presented as symbols of honor and respect and have to be earned. Some communities give them to children when they become adults through special ceremonies, others present the feathers as a way of commemorating an act or event of deep significance. Warbonnets especially are reserved for respected figures of power. The other issue is that warbonnets are reserved for men in Native communities, and nearly all of these pictures show women sporting the headdresses. I can’t read it as an act of feminism since none of the woman wearing them are native woman , it’s an act of utter disrespect for the origins of the practice.. This is just as bad as running around in a pope hat and a bikini, or a Sikh turban cause it’s “cute”.

It’s just like wearing blackface.

“Playing Indian” has a long history in theUnited States, all the way back to those original tea partiers in Boston, and in no way is it better than minstral shows or dressing up in blackface. You are pretending to be a race that you are not, and are drawing upon stereotypes to do so. Like my first point said, you’re collapsing distinct cultures, and in doing so, you’re asserting your power over them. Which leads me to the next issue

There is a history of genocide and colonialism involved that continues today.

By the sheer fact that you live in North America you are benefiting from the history of genocide and continued colonialism of Native peoples. That land you’re standing on? Indian land. Taken illegally so your ancestor who came to the US could buy it and live off it, gaining valuable capital (both monetary and cultural) that passed down through the generations to you. By dismissing and minimizing the continued subordination and oppression of Natives in the US by donning your headdress, you are contributing to the culture of power that continues the cycle today

_________________________________________________________

But I don’t mean it in that way, I just think it’s cute!

Well hopefully I’ve illuminated that there’s more at play here than just a “cute” fashion choice. Sorry for taking away your ignorance defense.

Stop getting so defensive, it’s seriously just fashion!

Did you read anything I just wrote? It’s not “just” fashion. There is a lot more at play here. This is a matter of power and who has the right to represent my culture. (I also enjoy asking myself questions that elicit snarky answers.)

But I consider it honoring to Native Americans!

I think that this cartoon is a proper answer, but I’ll add that having a drunken girl wearing a headdress and a bikini dancing at an outdoor concert does not honor me. I remember reading somewhere that it was also “honoring the fine craftsmanship of Native Americans”. Those costume shop chicken feather headdresses aren’t honoring Native craftsmanship. And you will be very hard pressed to find a Native artist who is closely tied to their community making headdresses for sale. See the point about their sacredness and significance

I’ll even admit that I’ve messed up a lot as far as cultural appropriation goes, but I’m trying hard to be much more conscious.