Dissenting Opinions

Rants and raves and cute animals and sexy ladies and feminism and Doctor Who and Swahili and Ponies and East Africa and politics and, of course, my dog, Light. Among other things.

[gardenofthefareast]

Xi’an: The Eternal City of Great China

[kayla-bird-deactivated20190505]

why are there so many straight people in books? it feels like inclusivity for inclusivity’s sake. don’t just throw in straight people to seem “cool” or “progressive.” you have to explain why straights are needed by the plot

[brutereason]

I think one thing you can do to help your friends who are depressed is to reach out to them not in the spirit of helping, but in the spirit of liking them and wanting their company. “I’m here to help if you ever need me” is good to know, but hard to act on, especially when you’re in a dark place. Specific, ongoing, pleasure-based invitations are much easier to absorb. “I’m here. Let’s go to the movies. Or stay in and order takeout and watch some dumb TV.” “I’m having a party, it would be really great if you could come for a little while.” Ask them for help with things you know they are good at and like doing, so there is reciprocity and a way for them to contribute. “Will you come over Sunday and help me clear my closet of unfashionable and unflattering items? I trust your eye.” “Will you read this story I wrote and help me fix the dialogue?” “Want to make dinner together? You chop, I’ll assemble.” “I am going glasses shopping and I need another set of eyes.” Remind yourself why you like this person, and in the process, remind them that they are likable and worth your time and interest. Talk to the parts of the person that aren’t being eaten by the depression. Make it as easy as possible to make and keep plans, if you have the emotional resources to be the initiator and to meet your friends a little more than halfway. If the person turns down a bunch of invitations in a row because (presumably) they don’t have the energy to be social, respect their autonomy by giving it a month or two and then try again. Keep the invitations simple; “Any chance we could have breakfast Saturday?” > “ARE YOU AVOIDING ME BECAUSE YOU’RE DEPRESSED OR BECAUSE YOU HATE ME I AM ONLY TRYING TO HELP YOU.” “I miss you and I want to see you” > “I’m worried about you.” A depressed person is going to have a shame spiral about how their shame is making them avoid you and how that’s giving them more shame, which is making them avoid you no matter what you do. No need for you to call attention to it. Just keep asking. “I want to see you” “Let’s do this thing.” “If you are feeling low, I understand, and I don’t want to impose on you, but I miss your face. Please come have coffee with me.” “Apology accepted. ApologIES accepted. So. Gelato and Outlander?”

#613: How do I reach out to my friends who have depression? | Captain Awkward

P.S. A lot of people with depression and other mental illnesses have trouble making decisions or choosing from a bunch of different options. “Wanna get dinner at that pizza place on Tuesday night?” is a LOT easier to answer than “So wanna hang out sometime? What do you want to do?”

(via startrekrenegades)

[thisiseverydayracism]

"Slavery was so long ago"

[nothingforkings]

[btwnrageandserenity]

Have you guys seen this shit

[blackwoolncrown]

ohhh my god

[thearcherballet]

yeah I’m angry

[turningtricksbdwozhere-deactiva]

More white ‘artists’ profiting off the misfortune of oppressed groups: the sequel

[beebebruiser]

Oh

[dreamy-jeongin]

•BISEXUALITY IS NOT A PHASE

•FEMINISM IS NOT ABOUT BEING BETTER THAN MEN

•RAPE IS NOT ENJOYABLE

•SEXUALITY IS NOT A CHOICE

•ANXIETY IS NOT “CUTE”

•EATING DISORDERS ARE NOT A BODY TYPE

[altairastralia]

Heard Leelah’s mom was gonna remove the suicide note. 

GUYS WE HAVE TO KEEP THIS. THIS NEEDS TO STAY. IT NEEDS TO SPREAD. LEELAH HAS TO BE REMEMBERED. I WON’T BE SATISFIED UNTIL SHE TRULY RESTS IN PEACE. AND FOR THAT TO HAPPEN WE HAVE TO CHANGE SOCIETY.

[sarahpaulsn]

Poehler-oids [x]

[bonjourabby]

My life is complete now.

[synplynatural-deactivated201601]

Profile portrait of a ruffed lemur by Tambako the Jaguar on Flickr.

Via Flickr: A nice (half) profile portrait of a ruffed lemur.

[land-of-propaganda]

#Ferguson #ShawShooting

Cops dress down for an armed white protest, but get on full riot gear for unarmed black protesters. But it’s not a race issue right?

(10/25)

[collectivelyfrivolous]

Did you know?

[mangopussy]

collectivecrack:

White American males constitute only 33% of the population. Yet, they occupy approximately:

80% of tenured positions in higher education

80% of the House of Representatives

80-85% of the U.S. Senate

92%of Forbes 400 executive CEO-level positions

90% of athletic team owners

97.7% of U.S. presidents

tell me how racism doesn’t benefit you again please go ahead

[micdotcom]

7 things men get wrong about street harassment

Harassment is an unwanted, aggressive act of intimidation, whether it’s transmitted in person or online. However, many cite women’s mere existence as a “cause” of harassment, as if men are reactionary beasts without an iota of free will, decorum or respect. It’s also an act of petulance: Men want your attention, ladies, and they want it now.

Here are seven misconceptions about street harassment, and why they’re painfully, unambiguously wrong.

"It’s innocent, how does she feel unsafe?"

[billy-on-a-walk]

1. Bleeding Tooth Fungus

2. Schizophyllum Commune

3. Rhodotus Palmatus

4. Porcellain Fungus

5. Leratiomyces

6. Cup Fungus

7. Cyathus Striatus

8. Phallus Indusiatus

9. Clathrus Ruber

10. Geastrum Minimum

more

[note-a-bear]

weirdo mushrooms

[witchyleaf]

brokenfishstick

ur a fungus

[666-hotline-deactivated20220208]

WOW R00D

[formerlyknownasemily-deactivate]

they look like candy and one is called phallus this post makes me happy

[hellotailor]

Photos from the #BlackLivesMatter protest happening right now at the Mall of America. [x] [x] [x]

[joygucci-deactivated20160123]

Millions March in New York City. #BlackLivesMatter