Words from a 20 Something

So here I am, a twenty-something Jamaican-Canadian living and learning in Toronto Canada. I'm determined to become successful in my future career, though i'm still not sure what it'll be. Not to mention I'm kind of a hopeless romantic who hasn't quite figured out this whole love thing yet; So for now when I have spare time i'll be writing about the ups and downs of my life as a single-stuggling-striving 20-something.

[niggazinmoscow]

LISTEN TO HIM!

[uglyassprettyboy]

Wow

[iamvenusmonroe]

Wow, sad to hear about the passing of Fidel Castro. I’ve always been torn on his politics because I probably would consider myself a socialist but am grateful for the many freedoms that democracy affords me. He has been known to stifle individuality and private financial success while keeping an iron fist on any opposition. However he has brought Cuba to the forefront in free education, with a 97% literacy rate, higher than anywhere in the Americas as well as free healthcare. Jamaica as well as many Caribbean islands have benefitted greatly from the Cuban healthcare and their medical aid during times of need. I also cannot help but to be impressed by his unwavering will to defy America and it’s capitalist policies, pulling Cuba through a decades-long US trade embargo. But perhaps one of the most inspiring things was his dedication to supporting other revolutions around the world, from sending troops to help Angolans in the fight against the South African apartheid government, to him providing refuge to Black revolutionaries Assata Shakur and Nehanda Obiodun. I’m saying all this to say that though I can't over look the many ex-Cubans who've been negatively affected by his rule, I am hurt to hear of his passing and though not always in agreement with it - have great respect for his leadership and tenacity.

R.I.P Commander Fidel Castro Ruz

[pisceanpizza]

I AM FUCKING PROUD TO BE BROWN

[iamvenusmonroe]

Argonauts open doors to tailgating, with a Toronto twist | Toronto Star

Because of existing liquor laws, an Argos official says the team will be selling the liquor but promises to make them affordable.

This will be interesting to see as the season progresses. As a fan of Tailgating at football games in the States, I have a hard time believing that this concept will provide Torontonians with an authentic tailgating experience. Our strict liquor laws will interfere with the holy trinity of tailgating; the bonding of families, friends, and strangers over food, football and alcohol. Buying it from the venue (even if its made to be affordable) just wont be the same.

[iamvenusmonroe]

Dear anyone who is not black, When black people are talking about black things, issues and/or circumstances it is NOT your place to comment. This does not mean you can't join us in informed conversations or debates, it just means that there are some conversations that only a black person can have. Sincerely yours, Your black friend

[iamabeautifulruin]

So I’m joining the bandwagon because… Why not! Its late but here are my Fav Selfies of 2015. The goal for 2016… Smile more in my selfies lol

[iamvenusmonroe]

Re-blogging myself... Why not. 😊

[iamvenusmonroe]

2015 - a lesson learned

I have been trying to think about how to write what this year has been like for me. To reflect on both the positive and negative aspects that made this year the roller coaster it was. But, no matter how many drafts I write I can't make it sound poised or well-written. I just can't seem to get it right.

So I'm just going to type exactly how I feel. 

This year sucked. There it is. No if, ands or buts. It plain ole sucked! 

And that's okay, that's life I suppose, we have good days and bad, up years and down ones. It's not always about making it perfect or getting it right, it's about the lessons we take from it. 

What I've learned this year is I can work harder than I've ever thought or wanted to. I can put my heart into something even if it's not what I want to do because sometimes you've just got to do what you've got to do. I've also learned that in order for me to get where I want to be in the future I need to continue to push myself to learn new things. In this day and age I can't afford to put all my eggs in one basket. I've got to be better than I was yesterday and even better than I am right now. I've got to push myself outside of my comfort zone, cry and get up again. And most importantly I've got to really learn that it's okay if I fail. 

I've always lived my life in the future, caring about all my plans of life down the road. I've never been the type to stop and be grateful for how far I've come, and I've never truly applauded my resilience. It's not easy, but I'm realizing life should be worth it and in order to make it worth it I've got to look at it for what it is. A one time deal. 

New Years is often a time for resolutions so here is mine... 

Stop and look around. There's always a silver lining even when the sky is grey, the wind is blowing, and the rain is falling. Appreciate the small moments of joy and peace. Thank the people who want to see me succeed in the way I know I can. Respect the people who support my goals. Be patient and gentle with myself. Life is a journey full of rollercoasters; accept each twist and turn, fall and rise that it provides, it only helps to makes the end result worth it.

I hope that life gives anyone who happens to read this a break this year. Something for you to find happiness in, or something that gives you peace. Whatever it is, I pray you will be patient and gentle with yourself as well until it happens. Be strong, find support in the people around you, but most importantly, love yourself. There is only one you and you're more than worth it.

With love, 

Venus Monroe 💋 

P.S. Happy New Year! 🎇

[iamvenusmonroe]

If your black feminism doesn't include 'ratchets,' 'bad bitches,' 'ghetto/hood girls,' or 'sex workers,' I don't want it around me.

Point Blank. Period. ✌🏾️

Venus Monroe 💋

[averageblackteen-deactivated201]

Reblog if Black Lives Matter to you

[taint3edcakes]

PSA to whites

Just cause you date a black person, it does not mean you are exempt from being a racist. Sexist men still fuck women do they not???? Sexist men still have children with women do they not? They still marry them do they not? So you’re not any different. Try again.

[manimoonz]

@non black ppl in general tbh

[upworthy]

If your nude photos are posted online without your permission, Microsoft and Google want to know.

For years, most victims of revenge porn — people who have had their nude photos shared online without permission — basically couldn’t do anything about it.

According to one study, over 50% of all adults engage in sexting, and 70% admit to having received a nude photo online or over the phone.

And yet, despite the fact that we all (or at least more than half of us) do it, there’s still this weird, persistent, harmful notion that if your naked pictures get leaked or shared maliciously by an ex online, it’s your fault for taking them in the first place.

It’s completely backward, but sadly, the law seems to at least kind of agree.

As of September 2014, New Republic found, putting someone else’s illicit photos online without their consent was illegal in just 16 states, though laws have been proposed in more states. Not only is it typically impossible to prosecute the perpetrator, they note, it’s impossible to legally compel websites to take the images taken down most of the time.

But thankfully, Microsoft and Google — which operate two of the biggest search engines on the web — don’t think it’s your fault. And they’re finally saying “Enough is enough.”

[gjmueller-deactivated20181226]

Here’s how to report a non-consensual image posting on Bing.

And here’s how to do it on Google.

[marieluc76]

Boost!

[iamvenusmonroe]

263 Years (Trigger Warning)

The Trial of Daniel Holtzclaw, former Oklahoma City Police Officer has ended with the jury recommending 263 years for 18 of the 36 counts he faced. Holtzclaw was charged for sexually assaulting 13 women while on duty. Important facts to know is that all 13 women were black. This trial had an all-white jury that was initially protested against by activists.

While the verdict was being read Holtzclaw was seen crying and perhaps it was the realization that he will now likely spend the rest of his life in prison. However, I can only hope that he was also tearful because he realized that our black bodies mean something; black women are worth something.

As a black woman in North America our bodies are often sexualized, brutalized and objectified to appease men. This guilty verdict is only a small step in combatting the abuse black women face on a daily basis. However small, I am grateful for this progress, maybe one day brown and black women can live our lives without the fear of abuse and degradation.

To the black women who were assaulted by Daniel Holtzclaw I want you to know that you are not just victims like the media tells you, you are survivors. You are beautiful and strong and worthy of love and life and I pray you may find peace after this. 263 years won’t take away what he has done but I hope it will provide you some comfort in knowing he is off the street and can no longer do this to anyone else.

To my brown and black sisters, please take care of yourselves, love one another and support one another.

With Love,

Venus Monroe 💋

[ohlovequotes]

Don’t let anyone rent a place in your head unless they’re a good tenant.

(via psych-facts)

[bombshellssonly]

[staytrueorstaysingle]

!!!!!

[iamvenusmonroe]

Congrats to lesbians and gays across American. The U.S. Supreme Court has finally decided to support equal love with this ground breaking 5-4 vote. We've come such a long way. This is another great step in the right direction but we still have so far to go. Until everyone, no matter their race, sexual orientation, gender, nationality etc are seen as equal, we have work to do. But for now let's celebrate! 😊❤️💛💚💙💜 xo Venus xo

[nikkiyayo]

[joeydeangelis]