It's 2016. I'm going to start with that. It's 2016, it's about damn time that we realize trans is ok!
North Carolina's state legislature just passed HB2, or more officially, The Public Facilities Privacy and Secure Act. This law basically states that unless a transgender has made surgical or legal steps to change their sex or legal sex, they have to right to use the bathroom in public spaces that they best relate to.
How ridiculous is that? I'm not going to sit here and pretend that I know what it's like to be transgender. I've never wanted to be a boy, or never felt that my body didn't accurately express my sexuality and gender preference. But, I do know that if a man feels in every bone, blood cell and nerve end that they are a woman, that is their feeling. I have no right to limit them, or in any way hinder the way they want to or need to live their life.
North Carolina is doing that. It's supporters are saying that it is to protect the safety of all citizens. I don't think I'd ever feel unsafe if a transgender woman walked into the restroom after me. Why? Because we're both going in the same three stalled room to do our business. Their business is their business and my business is my business, the only way we may have an interaction in the midst of our businesses is if one of us runs out of toilet paper. God forbid one of us runs out of toiler paper. Can you imagine? Having to ask a transgender woman to pass the Charmin?? (note the sarcasm I am in NO WAY being serious here.)
I've actually kind of had an experience like this, but not quite. I was in the restroom at a restaurant just chillin, doing my thing. Then I hear male voices and I freak out. Not because I was scared, I just literally thought I walked into the wrong bathroom. I was worried about being caught and looking stupid, so I wait until they leave, wash my hands and walk out the door. But not without checking to see if it's a dress or a regular stick person on the door. It was a dress, and they two men were drag queens. I wasn't scared because of who they were, I was nervous that I had been extremely stupid and made a huge mistake.
The point is, this law is dumb. It plays into transphobia and only promotes the further discrimination harsh judgment that transgender individuals will face. Get over yourself, North Carolina, it's just a pee/poop room.
stay peaceful (and make a change)!!
Sunday, April 24, 2016
Friday, April 22, 2016
Happy Happy Earth Day!!
We have one Earth, and unless we change our ways, we won't have it for long. It's crazy to think of everything our planet has been through, isn't it? Generations and generations of our family members have lived here, that's crazy!! The first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22nd, 1970, which launched the modern Earth movement.
Earth Day is so much more than celebrating the Earth. It's about planning and taking action, to protect our planet. Earth Day Network (EDN) is the world's largest in the environmental movement, working in more than 196 countries. They work through campaigns, education and public policy, making sure their work makes it to everyone.
Earth Day Network's (EDN) main mission is to broaden and diversify the environmental movement and mobilize their mission to countries all over the world. They broaden by expanding the meaning on "environment", extending it to our daily lives and our health. They mobilize by creating innovative programs, to tackle new environmental issues.
Many people aren't educated on the specifics on environmental issues. How can they be? When we have candidates running for president that deny Global Warming? Global Warming is most definitely an issue, there's no use in denying it.
Nature Is Speaking is a collection of extremely powerful videos, narrated by well-known celebrities. There's videos on the Ocean narrated by Harrison Ford, Liam Neeson does Ice and Reece Witherspoon does Home. If you have just five minutes I greatly suggest that you click the link and watch a couple of these videos. They're more powerful than you would think.
Each video is different, there's Mountains, Ice, Home and Sky. These narrators bring voice to all of the parts of the world that sustain us. The first one I watched was "Ocean". Harrison Ford exuded the strength and might that the ocean possesses. He says that we take and take without any care. And get angry when the ocean doesn't provide. I think that's the main reason we have so many issues. Humans are selfish.
Each one of these "Nature Is Speaking" videos ends the same. With the phrase, "Nature Doesn't Need People" spelled across the screen. Nature doesn't need people, but people need nature, and unless we do something about our own actions, there won't be anything left for our future generations.
stay peaceful (and conserve)!!
Earth Day is so much more than celebrating the Earth. It's about planning and taking action, to protect our planet. Earth Day Network (EDN) is the world's largest in the environmental movement, working in more than 196 countries. They work through campaigns, education and public policy, making sure their work makes it to everyone.
Earth Day Network's (EDN) main mission is to broaden and diversify the environmental movement and mobilize their mission to countries all over the world. They broaden by expanding the meaning on "environment", extending it to our daily lives and our health. They mobilize by creating innovative programs, to tackle new environmental issues.
Many people aren't educated on the specifics on environmental issues. How can they be? When we have candidates running for president that deny Global Warming? Global Warming is most definitely an issue, there's no use in denying it.
Nature Is Speaking is a collection of extremely powerful videos, narrated by well-known celebrities. There's videos on the Ocean narrated by Harrison Ford, Liam Neeson does Ice and Reece Witherspoon does Home. If you have just five minutes I greatly suggest that you click the link and watch a couple of these videos. They're more powerful than you would think.
Each video is different, there's Mountains, Ice, Home and Sky. These narrators bring voice to all of the parts of the world that sustain us. The first one I watched was "Ocean". Harrison Ford exuded the strength and might that the ocean possesses. He says that we take and take without any care. And get angry when the ocean doesn't provide. I think that's the main reason we have so many issues. Humans are selfish.
Each one of these "Nature Is Speaking" videos ends the same. With the phrase, "Nature Doesn't Need People" spelled across the screen. Nature doesn't need people, but people need nature, and unless we do something about our own actions, there won't be anything left for our future generations.
stay peaceful (and conserve)!!
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
Harriet Tubman on the $20 Bill
I, as many others are overjoyed. Harriet Tubman will be the next face on the $20 bill. This is amazing news. It's 2016, about time we see a woman so gloriously recognized, and there's no better way to start this transition in society, than with Harriet Tubman.
For those of you who don't know, Harriet Tubman was an outrageously strong woman. She was born into slavery, but escaped and became the leading "conductor" of the Underground Railroad, which was a series of safe houses leading hundreds of enslaved individuals to freedom in the north.
Today, treasury secretary, Jacob J. Lew, announced the switch of $20 bill face. Harriet Tubman, the strong abolitionist will replace Andrew Jackson. Andrew Jackson, slave-owning, president greatly known for his pushing out of the Native Americans.
Sojourner Truth, Lucretia Mott, Susan B. Anthony, Alice Paul and Elizabeth Cady Stanton will be featured on the back of the new $10 bill. These women were extremely strong advocates for women's rights and equality. Eleanor Roosevelt, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Marian Anderson will be depicted on the back of the new $5 bill. These changes will be huge landmarks in the way our country is run, and how society views certain people.
Some people don't really understand the change. What was wrong with the old $20 bill? Nothing was necessarily wrong with it, but change isn't bad. Change should be embraced and celebrated, especially if it's the addition of a woman onto such a powerful aspect of our country.
The addition of Harriet Tubman to the $20 bill came with great political response, especially form ours truly, Donald Trump. Now, when I read his thought on the change, I was rather surprised. He stated that this change represented, "political correctness." He also made sure to let everyone know that he loves Harriet Tubman, but he also wanted to keep Andrew Jackson, and add Tubman to a $2 bill or another denomination.
The response on social media is overwhelming. More people than not are celebrating this change. My twitter feed was full on celebrative tweets and smiley face emojis.
This change does come as a surprise though, as many thought Andrew Hamilton on the $10 was going to be changed. But the hit broadway rap-musical has made Hamilton, the United State's first treasury secretary outrageously popular.
The main point of this blog is to celebrate the change that our country will experience in 2020 when the new bills begin to cycle in for use. The addition of Tubman to the $20 bill is such a large step for women, African Americans and other minority groups who are starting to have their voices heard.
"Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world." -Harriet Tubman
stay peaceful (and open-minded)!!
For those of you who don't know, Harriet Tubman was an outrageously strong woman. She was born into slavery, but escaped and became the leading "conductor" of the Underground Railroad, which was a series of safe houses leading hundreds of enslaved individuals to freedom in the north.
Today, treasury secretary, Jacob J. Lew, announced the switch of $20 bill face. Harriet Tubman, the strong abolitionist will replace Andrew Jackson. Andrew Jackson, slave-owning, president greatly known for his pushing out of the Native Americans.
Sojourner Truth, Lucretia Mott, Susan B. Anthony, Alice Paul and Elizabeth Cady Stanton will be featured on the back of the new $10 bill. These women were extremely strong advocates for women's rights and equality. Eleanor Roosevelt, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Marian Anderson will be depicted on the back of the new $5 bill. These changes will be huge landmarks in the way our country is run, and how society views certain people.
Some people don't really understand the change. What was wrong with the old $20 bill? Nothing was necessarily wrong with it, but change isn't bad. Change should be embraced and celebrated, especially if it's the addition of a woman onto such a powerful aspect of our country.
The addition of Harriet Tubman to the $20 bill came with great political response, especially form ours truly, Donald Trump. Now, when I read his thought on the change, I was rather surprised. He stated that this change represented, "political correctness." He also made sure to let everyone know that he loves Harriet Tubman, but he also wanted to keep Andrew Jackson, and add Tubman to a $2 bill or another denomination.
The response on social media is overwhelming. More people than not are celebrating this change. My twitter feed was full on celebrative tweets and smiley face emojis.
This change does come as a surprise though, as many thought Andrew Hamilton on the $10 was going to be changed. But the hit broadway rap-musical has made Hamilton, the United State's first treasury secretary outrageously popular.
The main point of this blog is to celebrate the change that our country will experience in 2020 when the new bills begin to cycle in for use. The addition of Tubman to the $20 bill is such a large step for women, African Americans and other minority groups who are starting to have their voices heard.
"Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world." -Harriet Tubman
stay peaceful (and open-minded)!!
Sunday, April 17, 2016
Why can't he speak Arabic on a plane?
Islamophobia is no joke, especially in the United States. It's frustrating, and frankly, I'm tired of people jumping to conclusions about others simply because of the language they are speaking or the religion that they practice.
Earlier this month, Khairuldeen Makhzoomi a college student at the University of California Berkley, was removed from a South West Airlines flight after another passenger had overheard him speaking Arabic.
Makhzoomi had recently attended an event and listened to a speech by the United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon. He was speaking Arabic so he could tell his uncle, who lives in Baghdad, about the chicken they ate at dinner and how he was able to speak to the secretary general.
He was literally talking about chicken, but because he was speaking in Arabic it was suspicious. Another passenger on the overheard him and was immediately alarmed because he was speaking Arabic.
Islamophobia is real and it's a problem. If it wasn't a thing, or it wasn't real, an innocent man speaking about chicken would have made his flight. He wouldn't have been embarrassingly escorted off of a plane.
Things won't change until we realize that radical Islam is the problem, not solely Islam. Read the full article here!
stay peaceful (and know the difference)
Earlier this month, Khairuldeen Makhzoomi a college student at the University of California Berkley, was removed from a South West Airlines flight after another passenger had overheard him speaking Arabic.
Makhzoomi had recently attended an event and listened to a speech by the United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon. He was speaking Arabic so he could tell his uncle, who lives in Baghdad, about the chicken they ate at dinner and how he was able to speak to the secretary general.
He was literally talking about chicken, but because he was speaking in Arabic it was suspicious. Another passenger on the overheard him and was immediately alarmed because he was speaking Arabic.
Islamophobia is real and it's a problem. If it wasn't a thing, or it wasn't real, an innocent man speaking about chicken would have made his flight. He wouldn't have been embarrassingly escorted off of a plane.
Things won't change until we realize that radical Islam is the problem, not solely Islam. Read the full article here!
stay peaceful (and know the difference)
Therapy??
Therapy is a foreign concept for some, and for others it can be a saving grace.
What do you think of when you hear the word, "therapy"? Do you think of a cold room? A couch? Ink images where you say what first comes to mind? A man or woman sitting behind a legal pad with their glasses at the tip of their nose, asking the occasional, "and how does that make you feel?"?
If so, you're probably at the same level as most Americans, who don't really understand the concept behind therapy and how much it can actually help someone.
I've written semi-personal pieces on this blog. And this one will probably be another one, but it's not as difficult for me to talk about as some other topics.
I go to a psychiatrist. I think a lot of teenagers probably do, they're just scared to admit it. It helps a lot actually. It's hard for me to talk about what's upsetting me, most of the time. Then other times it all rambles out and I can't stop talking, but that's not good either.
I tried therapy before and it never really helped. But this time I'm talking to a man, I'm not sure if that's why it's easier but it does help. It might also be because I just need it more, either way, it's helping.
This blog post isn't just about me though, it's about people that knowingly, or unknowingly make light of therapy. Most people probably don't know that they're making fun of it.
"I need therapy, I'm going crazy." or "I need therapy, I'm stressed." I'm not saying therapy is the same for everyone, but it's certainly usually more than a one time deal. I go once every other week. You may go once and feel better, but either way. It's not something to make light of.
Therapy is serious and can be the only thing keeping a person afloat. They don't get asked how various scenarios make them feel, or if they're happy or sad. They get asked questions, about them, about how they think, and about the people in their life.
Keep this in mind the next time someone tells you they've just been or they're going to therapy.
stay peaceful (and considerate)!!
What do you think of when you hear the word, "therapy"? Do you think of a cold room? A couch? Ink images where you say what first comes to mind? A man or woman sitting behind a legal pad with their glasses at the tip of their nose, asking the occasional, "and how does that make you feel?"?
If so, you're probably at the same level as most Americans, who don't really understand the concept behind therapy and how much it can actually help someone.
I've written semi-personal pieces on this blog. And this one will probably be another one, but it's not as difficult for me to talk about as some other topics.
I go to a psychiatrist. I think a lot of teenagers probably do, they're just scared to admit it. It helps a lot actually. It's hard for me to talk about what's upsetting me, most of the time. Then other times it all rambles out and I can't stop talking, but that's not good either.
I tried therapy before and it never really helped. But this time I'm talking to a man, I'm not sure if that's why it's easier but it does help. It might also be because I just need it more, either way, it's helping.
This blog post isn't just about me though, it's about people that knowingly, or unknowingly make light of therapy. Most people probably don't know that they're making fun of it.
"I need therapy, I'm going crazy." or "I need therapy, I'm stressed." I'm not saying therapy is the same for everyone, but it's certainly usually more than a one time deal. I go once every other week. You may go once and feel better, but either way. It's not something to make light of.
Therapy is serious and can be the only thing keeping a person afloat. They don't get asked how various scenarios make them feel, or if they're happy or sad. They get asked questions, about them, about how they think, and about the people in their life.
Keep this in mind the next time someone tells you they've just been or they're going to therapy.
stay peaceful (and considerate)!!
Tuesday, April 12, 2016
Equal Pay Day
Scrolling through my Instagram feed I came across a post, in big bold letters it said, "Celebrate Equal Pay Day!" This was posted by the account "UNWOMEN", I highly suggest you give them a follow. However, when I saw this post and read the caption I was kind of upset. When I read, "equal pay" I thought it meant that we had finally gained equality. We had finally made the extra 21 cents and were finally considered equal. I was wrong.
Equal Pay Day signifies the day that marks how far into the year women had to work to make the same amount of money that men had made the previous year. So essentially, if I was part of a full time workforce, I would have to work sixteen months and twelve days instead of twelve months for me to make the same amount of money as my male counterpart.
Equal pay is such a large step towards equality that would not only benefit women, but everyone. What's wrong with women being paid the same? Absolutely nothing. If you can stand in front of me, look me straight in the eyes and tell me why women who do the exact same job should get paid less than their male counterparts, solely because they have two X chromosomes and not an X and a Y, I'll give you a round of applause. Because I firmly believe you can't.
There has been a little step up towards equality. The wage gap was previously 78 cents for every one dollar earned and it has jumped to 79. It's not a big step, but hopefully it leads to strides. This is only the average for all women though. Women of different races make far less, and sometimes more than white women. Asian-American women make $0.84 for every dollar a man earns, while African-American women make $0.60 per every dollar. And women of Hispanic ethnicities make only $0.55 per every dollar. In Germany, women can only expect to make 49% less than men throughout their lifetime.
Women aren't the only population being harmed by this inequality. Families aren't able thrive as much as they should be. Children aren't provided for as best as they could be, especially in single-mother homes. By having equal pay between genders, we would only be increasing the standard of living for families all over the United States, and the world.
Some people like to dispute the wage gap, by saying that there is no wage gap, women make less because they take off family time and even that women make less because they are less educated.
facts taken from Cosmopolitan and UNWomen
stay peaceful (and close the gap)!!
Equal Pay Day signifies the day that marks how far into the year women had to work to make the same amount of money that men had made the previous year. So essentially, if I was part of a full time workforce, I would have to work sixteen months and twelve days instead of twelve months for me to make the same amount of money as my male counterpart.
Equal pay is such a large step towards equality that would not only benefit women, but everyone. What's wrong with women being paid the same? Absolutely nothing. If you can stand in front of me, look me straight in the eyes and tell me why women who do the exact same job should get paid less than their male counterparts, solely because they have two X chromosomes and not an X and a Y, I'll give you a round of applause. Because I firmly believe you can't.
There has been a little step up towards equality. The wage gap was previously 78 cents for every one dollar earned and it has jumped to 79. It's not a big step, but hopefully it leads to strides. This is only the average for all women though. Women of different races make far less, and sometimes more than white women. Asian-American women make $0.84 for every dollar a man earns, while African-American women make $0.60 per every dollar. And women of Hispanic ethnicities make only $0.55 per every dollar. In Germany, women can only expect to make 49% less than men throughout their lifetime.
Women aren't the only population being harmed by this inequality. Families aren't able thrive as much as they should be. Children aren't provided for as best as they could be, especially in single-mother homes. By having equal pay between genders, we would only be increasing the standard of living for families all over the United States, and the world.
Some people like to dispute the wage gap, by saying that there is no wage gap, women make less because they take off family time and even that women make less because they are less educated.
- There definitely is a wage gap and if you dispute if you're an ignorant coward. Some people claim that women just choose jobs that don't make as much as men. I call bullcrap. When you break down salaries inside certain industries, women still make less than men. Research released last month showed that in the tech industry, specifically dentistry, men earned roughly 28% more than the women in their fields.
- Women don't earn less because they're having children. Companies and large corporations assume that women will prioritize their families over their work. The, "Motherhood Penalty" as it's known is proved by the fact that men's wages go up when they have children, while married women's wages go down when they children.
- FALSE. There are actually more women graduation college and more women receiving masters, doctorates and other degrees. A higher education doesn't get rid of the wage gap, it still remains the same.
facts taken from Cosmopolitan and UNWomen
stay peaceful (and close the gap)!!
Sunday, April 10, 2016
feminist vs. misandrist
There is a difference between feminism and misandry, a rather large difference actually.
Merriam-Webster defines misandry as the hatred of men. Essentially, misandry is the exact opposite of misogyny, which is the hatred of women.
Unfortunately, many uneducated men (and women) believe feminism and misandry go hand in hand. They don't. Feminists don't hate men. They advocate for equality of everyone, women and men. But because feminists want women to be equal to men, it automatically makes them a misandrist and an avid "man-hater".
If anyone considers themselves a feminist, they shouldn't also say that they hate men. They shouldn't constantly call all men pigs and rapists. They shouldn't constantly degrade and attack all men, just because they are men. That is not the definition of a true feminist.
A true feminist aims to educate those men that don't "understand" feminism, even though equality shouldn't be that confusing. A true feminist aims to work with men to create a more equal society for everyone. Every man and woman of every race, religion, gender and sexual orientation. Equality is equality.
I'm a feminist. I'm pretty kicka$$ feminist too. I don't hate all men, some men and boys get on my nerves, but I don't hate them. I don't think all men are evil, and sure as heck don't think all men are rapists.
There's a fine line between feminism and misandry and we can't work together for equality until that line is defined and we get rid of misandry and misogyny.
stay peaceful (and fight for equality)!!
Merriam-Webster defines misandry as the hatred of men. Essentially, misandry is the exact opposite of misogyny, which is the hatred of women.
Unfortunately, many uneducated men (and women) believe feminism and misandry go hand in hand. They don't. Feminists don't hate men. They advocate for equality of everyone, women and men. But because feminists want women to be equal to men, it automatically makes them a misandrist and an avid "man-hater".
If anyone considers themselves a feminist, they shouldn't also say that they hate men. They shouldn't constantly call all men pigs and rapists. They shouldn't constantly degrade and attack all men, just because they are men. That is not the definition of a true feminist.
A true feminist aims to educate those men that don't "understand" feminism, even though equality shouldn't be that confusing. A true feminist aims to work with men to create a more equal society for everyone. Every man and woman of every race, religion, gender and sexual orientation. Equality is equality.
I'm a feminist. I'm pretty kicka$$ feminist too. I don't hate all men, some men and boys get on my nerves, but I don't hate them. I don't think all men are evil, and sure as heck don't think all men are rapists.
There's a fine line between feminism and misandry and we can't work together for equality until that line is defined and we get rid of misandry and misogyny.
stay peaceful (and fight for equality)!!
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