#Black Lives Have Value

[kyllaaky]

[fluffytimearts]

Happy Black History Month pt 2 🖤♥️💛💚

[cyarskj1899]

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naacp

We're rooting for everybody Black. 🖤

Congratulations are in order to these Black women who made history this week!

@im.angelabassett received her honorary Oscar, which was long overdue.

@keke is the first woman to win an Emmy for Outstanding Game Show host for her show "Passwords" — and is the first Black woman to win the award.

@stormreid won her first Emmy for the Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series for her role in "The Last of Us," making her the youngest winner in a guest acting category.

@iamjasmineguy won her first Emmy for Best Actress in a Short-Form Comedy for her role in "Chronicles of Jessica Wu." She is the third Black woman in the ceremony's history to win.

@Davinejoy won her first @goldenglobes for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in any Motion Picture for her role in "The Holdovers."

@ayoedebiri won her first @goldenglobes for Best Performance by an Actress in a TV series, Musical, or Comedy for her role in "The Bear."

[cyarsk52-20]

Imagine walking freely into AND out of the police station, after explaining to the cops what you just did to Ralph…

⁃Imagine miraculously surviving that attempted murder, and fighting for your life, while thousands of supporters fight for justice on your behalf.

•(Ralph’s GoFundMe https://gofund.me/b68601b2 )

•Contact Prosecutor Zachary Thompson to demand immediate arrest - James S. Rooney Justice Center - Address: 11 South Water Street Liberty, Missouri 64068 - 816-736-8300 - Email: prosecutor@claycopa.com

[rancidpancakebatter]

This Post is About BLM and Tyre Nichols so Buckle The Fuck Up

I am a black person. I come from a small, rural town with two stop lights run by a railroad tycoon and "footloose" university. (It's a Christian school and among their vast restrictions is a rule that you can't dance unless at a wedding- hence "footloose"). In my experience growing up, I was the only Black American I knew who wasn't adopted by a rich white family.

My father entered my life when I was thirteen. Before then I was being raised solely by my very gentrified Mexican mother. I knew that I was black but not because I recognised that identity. It was because that is how everyone labelled me. I was not Mexican, I was not white, I was black. Anytime I celebrated my heritage people would grow uncomfortable because why would a black kid speak Spanish? Why would they bring homemade tortillas to lunch? Why would they have a quiñceanera? You are black, act like it.

Since having my father in my life- having his influence, seeing our culture, not through the characterized lens in the media but his- I would say I feel black now. That identity now comes from me, not others. But unfortunately, that growth, that journey, is seen as irrelevant.

I first learned that I was black on the playground in the first grade. A little girl asked me why my hair looked "that way"? At the time I had an afro. I told her I didn't know, it wasn't something I had thought about. She continued to question my appearance: my nose, my lips, my skin. When I wore box braids, years later, for the first time I was chased around that same playground. The children pulled at them; they told me I looked like Medusa. They had created a game in which they would freeze anytime I looked at them. This applied at recess, in the gym, in art class, during lessons, at lunch, in the halls, etc.

That is a very minor form of racism spurred on more by ignorance than hatred, but I have suffered from hatred as well. What I mean to say is I am no stranger to racism. So when I say that as a citizen of the US, I am afraid, I don't say that lightly. I have been stopped randomly by police late at night. I have been unjustly blamed for an altercation just because I was there, so I must have "aggravated the situation."

But the fear I feel is not for me. At the end of the day, I am perceived as a weak woman and I am really good at "white-passing" with my language and mannerisms. However, my father isn't. And he shouldn't have to be. He dresses like a "stereotypical thug" with sagging pants, chains, and durags. He looks nice, I think he looks rather handsome, but I have watched WASP moms cross the street as we walk past them.

It doesn't matter that he is the sweetest man alive. It doesn't matter that he is so crazy in love with his wife and posts every craft she makes on Facebook to brag to all of his friends and family. It doesn't matter that he looks at me like I single-handedly hung every star in the sky. It doesn't matter that he asks for screenshots of my ios theme every week when I change it just so he can tell me it looks pretty. It doesn't matter that he still makes sure that he makes enough food for all of us and freezes my portion so I can have it when I visit. It doesn't matter that despite being a boomer he has a trans son and a queer, non-binary "daughter" that he loves and supports with everything in him. What matters is he's black, and he's dangerous.

Black men are killed every day in the US at the hands of cops. This upsets me of course, but it hurts me personally as well. How many others have nightmares where they get a call from their mother to tell them their father was killed for being in the wrong place at the wrong time? How many others see the headline "Cops killed another black man" and hold their breath as they scroll to see if it was their brother? How many others make sure to keep their hands in their jeans pockets and their hood off so they don't look as threatening. How many others were taught what to do when pulled over in a car before they learned how to turn the car on? How many others live in this reality?

I see the conversation around Tyre Nichols and it breaks my heart. He was nine years my senior with a wife and child. He was active in his community. He liked to skateboard. He was a lot like me. And he was brutally beaten and murdered. That's insane. That could have been me. That could have been my brother, or his. It could have been my father. And my heart breaks for his family. I respect them for the spotlight they are taking. The justice that they are demanding.

Recently one of his family members posted a video of him. They said that when the body cam footage was released that it was going to circulate. That his death was going to circulate. And they wanted to share a video of him living. And I think that's really beautiful. Often times we get swept up in our anger, our fear, and we forget momentarily that their life was not just this one instance. Tyre Nichols existed before this.

I will always be afraid of when I will have to do the same thing. When I will have to beg people to remember that my father, my brother, were so much more than just victims. My father is a chef, he is a kind neighbour, he is an amateur gardener. My brother is loved, doing well in his transition, a shoulder to cry on, and the life of the party. They are such beautiful and important people.

So, I beg you. Be angry. Protest. Riot. Make your voice heard. Help this family try and right a wrong that can never be brought to true justice. But don't forget who they're fighting for. Say his name. But also share his story. Not just the ending.

[cheesed-to-meet-you]

The anniversary of Michael Brown's death just the other day on August 9th. It has been ten years and there still hasn't been any justice. Please do whatever you can to continue fighting. Here are some petitions to get started with

https://www.change.org/p/missouri-governor-michael-brown-arrest-darren-wilson?recruiter=1101583034&recruited_by_id=1e567d60-a413-11ea-a910-dd6a885a6708&utm_source=share_petition&utm_campaign=psf_combo_share_message&utm_term=psf&utm_medium=copylink&utm_content=cl_sharecopy_23203015_en-US%3A8

https://www.change.org/p/reopen-michael-brown-s-case-permanently-disbar-prosecutor-robert-p-mcculloch?recruiter=1101583034&recruited_by_id=1e567d60-a413-11ea-a910-dd6a885a6708&utm_source=share_petition&utm_campaign=psf_combo_share_initial&utm_term=psf&utm_medium=copylink&utm_content=cl_sharecopy_22960745_en-US%3Acv_606251

https://campaigns.organizefor.org/petitions/charge-darren-wilson-for-the-murder-of-michael-brown?source=twitter_share_button&utm_source=twitter&share=93e0147d-3f61-40dc-9e0c-b5d62512373a

[leafypants]

These two pieces of art were found "too offensive" for Florida State University. This is clearly an attempt by the DeSantis administration to further along a dark, toxic message. Please spread these around with friends, mutuals, and loved ones so he doesn't succeed!

[thegiftedoneishere]

It spurred a movement, but he was so much more. RIP young king.

[b-m-s-c]

[cl3opatra]

your gentle hands, the twitch of your body in sleep,

slight snores and silent affection,

gin and cigarretes,

i get caged, a captive of your expanse

i slowly make this my home,

even when i have been homeless,

for an eternity

[hamburgernotsohelpful]

Being black in America, is it’s own X games, why do I need to bungee jump when I step outside my house and risk my life everyday.

[cyarskj1899]

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bet

🗣️Philly check-in!

The facts are in: And there would be no Fresh Prince without the DJ behind it all. DJ Jazzy Jeff gave us classic hits like ‘A Nightmare On My Street’ and ‘Summer Time.’

In 1989, DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince won the first ever hip-hop GRAMMY Award for Best Rap Performance for their 1988 hit single, “Parents Just Don’t Understand. An innovator, A pioneer and Cultural Icon.

Let’s show some birthday love to DJ Jazzy Jeff! #BET #WhereBlackCultureLives

[wildflowersnweed]

If you think All Lives Matter, GTFO. We are going to talk on how Black Lives Matter. Because white people will never understand what they face and go through on a daily basis. You only see what you wanna see. Black Lives Matter because black lives are being taken daily due to racism. White lives are not. I don’t care to hear about how you’ve faced racism as a white person. This is not about YOU. This is about THEM. Let these people shine for fuc*ing once in their lives. Let these people scream that they are TIRED! Let us Allie’s support these people and help get their story out there. Be a part of the solution, not a part of the problem!!!

[imaslutforcuddles]

JUSTICE FOR TYRE NICHOLS

Tyre Nichols was a father, son, and overall good soul. He deserved to life a long and beautiful life. He loved Photography, Skateboarding, Sunsets, and many other things. REMEMBER TYRE NICHOLS FOR WHO HE WAS NOT HOW HE DIED!!!!

His mother has set up a funding for her family and a memorial state park in his name. If you can’t donate, please spread awareness, share, and remember him.

HE DESERVES JUSTICE JUST LIKE ALL OF THE OTHER VICTIMS OF POLICE BRUTALITY. SAY HIS NAME!!!!