I have spent a long time thinking about my blog. In light of the protests in the US and around the world, I don’t feel comfortable carrying on as usual. I’m trying to do my part by signing petitions, donating money, and working as a technical assistant to workshops on recognizing and unlearning racism. However, I’m still not sure what I should do with my blog. I just stopped posting because I didn’t feel like it was an appropriate time to post my own content but I also feel like I should be using my platform in this time. I’ve decided to continue posting but in a new format. I usually caption my photos with a quote and I have decided to use this space to highlight writers of the Harlem Renaissance. The following excerpt, describing the Harlem Renaissance, is taken from the Poetry Foundation.
“In the 1920’s, creative and intellectual life flourished within African American communities in the North and Midwest regions of the United States, but nowhere more so than in Harlem. The New York City neighborhood, encompassing only three square miles, teemed with black artists, intellectuals, writers, and musicians. Black-owned businesses, from newspapers, publishing houses, and music companies to nightclubs, cabarets, and theaters, helped fuel the neighborhood’s thriving scene. Some of the era’s most important literary and artistic figures migrated to or passed through “the Negro capital of the world,” helping to define a period in which African American artists reclaimed their identity and racial pride in defiance of widespread prejudice and discrimination.
The origins of the Harlem Renaissance lie in the Great Migration of the early 20th century, when hundreds of thousands of black people migrated from the South into dense urban areas that offered relatively more economic opportunities and cultural capital. It was, in the words of editor, journalist, and critic Alain Locke, “a spiritual coming of age” for African American artists and thinkers, who seized upon their “first chances for group expression and self-determination.” Harlem Renaissance poets such as Langston Hughes, Claude McKay, and Georgia Douglas Johnson explored the beauty and pain of black life and sought to define themselves and their community outside of white stereotypes.
Poetry from the Harlem Renaissance reflected a diversity of forms and subjects. Some poets, such as Claude McKay, used culturally European forms—the sonnet was one––melded with a radical message of resistance, as in “If We Must Die.” Others, including James Weldon Johnson and Langston Hughes, brought specifically black cultural creations into their work, infusing their poems with the rhythms of ragtime, jazz, and blues.”
media interest may have died down, and corrupt people in power may insisit that we’ve won, so “it’s time to stop protesting”, we must still help the cause however we can, because it’s still ongoing. it’s always ongoing. whether that’s showing support, donating or protesting in the streets, we must do what we can.
26-year-oldJamarion Robinson’s grandmother Beverly Nixon said her grandson was bipolar and schizophrenic. Still got shot 76 (!!!) times. Would a white person get the same treatment?
The witness said he saw more than a dozen patrol cars at the complex where US Marshals killed Robinson on August 5, 2016. Why were there no behavioral specialist? Surely one of them would know how to interact with a bipolar schizophrenic better than the police.
John Boyega speaking today during a Black Lives Matter peaceful protest in Hyde Park, London
Seeing this video I now know what a real leader looks like. I know I don’t understand the weight of his words as a white person, but I can recognise the pure unity and strength and honesty here and even to me it’s bloody awe- inspiring and if this doesn’t make people listen I don’t know what will.
Non-black allies, take note of the lady holding a microphone to his megaphone. For us, she’s an example of what we should be doing. Amplify their voices, don’t drown or talk over them. Stand beside them, not in front of them and lend our resources however we can. And if John Boyega’s career is in danger, or even if it’s not, we can watch, stream, boost and generally elevate the shit out of anything he’s ever been involved in- even instagram posts- so white casting directors and producers cannot ignore him because whatever anyone says, Hollywood is about profit and ifthey think audiences, especially white audiences, will pay to see him they won’t drop him so easily
Dear BLM protestors, organisers, leaders and general black tumblr,
I had an idea for allies to be more helpful but I’m not sure how to start and don’t want to do it if it will be more unhelpful so I wanted to check with you first
I know a lot of white allies have been unsure how to help so either don’t do anything or actually drown out the voices we’re trying to amplify e.g flooding #blm with black squares. My idea is kind of an ‘ally passport’, a basic template you can post to your social media (or even put up irl if needed) with info like where you are and what you can do to help. E.g for me it might be England, can sign petitions, do research and be a friend (because I’m not well enough to do other stuff). That way all the info is there clearly for black organisers to see and easily direct allies without having to sift through flooded tags or answer loads of individual questions when they have enough to deal with. Basically a system to spend less time herding cats and more time pointing people where you want them
So many people have heard of the term clairvoyance and are often disappointed when they find out that they do not fit in that category. However, fear not! There are plenty of other “Clairs” out there, so of you felt some sort of connection to clairvoyance, you might be on the right track to deciphering your abilities!
I, too, had a similar beginning to my journey as a clairsentient. There is barely any information out there about what clairsentience is, so I’m here to help!
Define clairsentience
Clairsentience literally means “clear feeling.” It describes the heightened sensitivity around people, animals, objects, etc
What is the difference between clairsentience and being an empath?
The difference can be tricky to understand, but to put it simply, clairsentients not only pick up emotions like an empath, but they experience them on a higher level. Keep reading to understand what this means
How can I tell if I’m clairsentient?
Here are some common traits that clairsentients share:
“I just know” is something you say to people on a daily basis
If you tell your friend not to touch an object, or not to interact with a person without any justification other than your gut feeling, you may be clairsentient. Whether the spirits are telling you or you are picking up on a lot of negative energy, that is your abilities sensing more than the average person could possibly know.
2. You know what is on a person’s mind before they say it
This is not “mind reading,” it is instead sensing their emotions and thoughts before they reach the physical plane. That is why clairsentients make great psychics and mediums, because they can feel what the person wants to ask before a single word comes out!
3. You have a gift with divination
Whether it’s tarot readings, pendulum boards, or scrying, clairsentients are able to give very accurate readings because of their abilities. They don’t need to look at a reference book to see what tarot cards mean, they know it once they look at them.
Some of your abilities may overlap eith empathic abilities, which means that you are an empathic clairsentient! I have been blessed with that special gift, and I love sharing it with the world through my friendship and tarot readings.
This! When I first became housebound, it took me a while to learn how important it is to count the small victories, and I remind myself every day. This is an emotional time, please be patient with yourself and count the small victories!
Want some good movies to watch but don’t want to support the careers of racists, r!pists and general jerks?
Worry not! There are plenty of good movies out there that you might not know about
If you liked:
Baby Driver
Watch:
Scott Pilgrim vs the World
Why?
They have the same editors (Paul Machliss and Jonathan Amos), director of cinematography (Bill Pope) and the same director (Edgar Wright) so that cool style and pace is there that a lot of people love about Baby Driver
And if you loved the music aspect of Baby Driver, Scott Pilgrim Vs The World is full of it! The soundtrack is awesome and includes original songs written for the film (and performed in it) including ‘Black Sheep’ by Metric, and you can even listen to songs by the bands in the film on Spotify. Another great addition to the album is 'It’s getting boring by the sea’ by Blood Red Shoes.
Here’s a gif that showcases the classic whip-pan that Wright’s work often uses so well
Note: Given the context that prompted this post, I feel I should make you aware that at the start of the film, Scott (22) is dating 17-year old Knives. Although they only ever hold hands, are never alone together and her parents are aware and ok with it, please don’t watch if this will be triggering for you. To give an example of the nature of their relationship, Knives wants to kiss Scott and says “I’ve never kissed a guy before”. Instead of kissing her or initiating any contact, Scott responds “Hey… me neither”. Scott decides he’s too old for her but doesn’t handle this particularly well, not wanting to upset her (don’t worry- he gets called out for it) She remains a key character throughout the film and really develops as the story goes on. Bonus points for having her own arc and not being there as the foil for the white love interest. I love you Knives!
I also love the female characters in general they’re so different but cool here are some gifs ok bye
Attack the Block
Why?
Attack the Block has the same composer as Baby Driver (Steven Price), and is also edited by Jonathan Amos (Baby Driver, Scott Pilgrim vs the World) and co-produced by Edgar Wright.
It stars John Boyega, which is of course a reason itself to watch it, especially because supporting his work makes it harder for Hollywood to drop him (if you didn’t know, he is a vocal leader of the BLM movement in the UK and so stated he might lose his career). He is also just a good actor and general good person which seems rare these days.
Its cast were mostly unknown at the time, and a lot of the dialogue is based on quotes from real teenagers- in the same demographic as the characters- spoken to during research. Joe Cornish (writer/director) also discussed with the actors any changes they wanted to their characters’ dialogue and the last drafts were influenced by their choices.
This is especially important as the movie also deals with race and class issues, as well as treatment of black British people and people of colour by authority
I won’t write a lot about it since I don’t know it as well as I do Scott Pilgrim, but will be rewatching soon and if you need to know if there’s any subjects that might be triggering for you check the website doesthedogdie
I’ll just leave this quote from the film here:
“They arrest us for nothing anyway”
“No, I reckon yeah, I reckon, the Feds sent them anyway. Government probably bred those things to kill black boys. First they send in drugs, then they sent guns and now they’re sending monsters in to kill us. They don’t care man. We ain’t killing each other fast enough. So they decided to speed up the process”
Cast members you may also recognise!
Jodie Whittaker (Doctor Who)
Frank Drameh (The Flash, Legends of Tomorrow)
I can do a pt.2, if there’s particular films/actors you want alternatives to let me know
Dear BLM protestors, organisers, leaders and general black tumblr,
I had an idea for allies to be more helpful but I’m not sure how to start and don’t want to do it if it will be more unhelpful so I wanted to check with you first
I know a lot of white allies have been unsure how to help so either don’t do anything or actually drown out the voices we’re trying to amplify e.g flooding #blm with black squares. My idea is kind of an ‘ally passport’, a basic template you can post to your social media (or even put up irl if needed) with info like where you are and what you can do to help. E.g for me it might be England, can sign petitions, do research and be a friend (because I’m not well enough to do other stuff). That way all the info is there clearly for black organisers to see and easily direct allies without having to sift through flooded tags or answer loads of individual questions when they have enough to deal with. Basically a system to spend less time herding cats and more time pointing people where you want them
