Live a Little

Life is what you make it!

[psych2go]

I like being alone. Therefore, in order to win me over, your presence has to feel better than my solitude.

(via psych-facts)

[npr]

New data from the U.S. Census Bureau presents the most detailed picture yet of the dramatic rise in the number of people covered by health insurance since the Affordable Care Act went into effect.

County-level data going back to 2010, when the law was signed, shows a patchwork of people living without health insurance that ticked down slowly for the first three years under the ACA. But, once the online insurance exchanges opened at the end of 2013 and Medicaid expanded, the population living without coverage dropped noticeably.

The recently released Census report is county-level data for 2015. Overall, the nationwide uninsured rate dropped 7.7 percentage points for people under 65 years old between 2010 and 2015, from 18.2 percent in 2010 to 10.5 percent in 2015.

Maps Show A Dramatic Rise In Health Insurance Coverage Under ACA

GIF: NPR

[all-about-psychology]

Visit –> www.all-about-psychology.com/7-brilliant-cartoons-introverts-will-love.html to see more fab cartoons introverts will love!

(Cartoon by Maureen ‘Marzi’ Wilson via introvertdoodles.com)

[david]

Proud to join friends, colleagues, and fellow New Yorkers at Terminal 4 today

[staff]

To everyone alongside us at JFK today, to everyone who brought their passion, their anger, their pride, and their legal expertise to airports around the country: Thank you. Thanks to your efforts, the ACLU has successfully sued to temporarily block parts of this unconscionable abuse of executive power.

There’s plenty more to do, and plenty of ways to do it. If you want to do something right now, consider a donation to the Muslim Public Affairs Council, or sign this petition (started by the great George Takei!) to stand up for Muslims in the U.S., and stand against the fear and xenophobia that threatens our community, our nation, and our world. 

History will remember how we responded. Don’t give up. 

[npr]

To me, even one person makes a big difference. Because now when that person goes out to his circle of friends, and if there is some anti-Islamic, Islamophobia sort of environment, I know that he will speak up in that moment and say, ‘You know what? No. Let’s not paint everybody with a broad brush.’ So I don’t feel my efforts are wasted in any way. I think if I get to make a difference or change the thought process of one individual, I feel very satisfied.

Mansoor Shams on the impact of these one-on-one conversations

Muslim Marine Answers Questions In Effort To Fight Islamophobia

(via npr)

[npr]

This weekend, hundreds of thousands of Americans will be taking to the streets — some to celebrate, some to protest the inauguration and others to demonstrate for issues that the president-elect cares about.

If you happen to be one of those people, you might have this nagging question in the back of your mind: Will any of it make a difference?

That’s the topic that Duncan Green explores in his new book, How Change Happens. Published in December, it’s a field guide for those seeking to make real and lasting political and social change. And he’s got advice for everyone: first-time petition-signers, seasoned campaigners and full-time lobbyists.

Green, head of research at Oxfam Great Britain, an international aid organization, and the blogger behind From Poverty To Power, has worked in the advocacy world for 35 years. He’s found that no matter what issue you’re fighting for — U.S. politics, ending the Syrian civil war or bringing down a Ugandan warlord — reform has the best chance of happening when you have a deep understanding of the system you’re trying to change.

Thinking About Going To A Rally? Read This Activist’s Advice First

Photo: Ben de la Cruz/NPR 

[npr]

Vernon Dahmer was a civil rights leader in the mid-1960s, when Mississippians were still required to pay a poll tax in order to register to vote. In January 1966, the successful farmer and businessman publicly offered to pay that tax for black people who couldn’t afford it.

That night his house was firebombed by the Ku Klux Klan. His wife and three of his children were at home.

“We didn’t think anybody would bother the children, but we were wrong, they intended to get all of us January the 10th, 1966,” Vernon’s widow, Ellie Dahmer, told their daughter Bettie during a recent visit to StoryCorps.

“That night, when I waked up, the house was on fire, and it was so bright and so hot. You was screaming to the top of your voice, ‘Lord have mercy. We’re going to get burned up in this house alive.’ I raised the windows up, and then your father was handing you out the window to me.”

What One Family Sacrificed To Help Black People Vote In 1966

Photo: StoryCorps Caption: Ellie Dahmer holds a photo of her late husband, Vernon.

[staff]

12 days into the new year, 353 to go

Maybe you made a New Year’s resolution, maybe you didn’t. Either way, you probably deserve to feel happy and encouraged in this new year. Consider adding a hearty dose of encouraging, kind animals to your dashboard.

Badly Drawn Everything (@badlydrawneverything) 

Reportedly features badly drawn things, yet this bee is not bad at all. This bee’s message is both positive and realistic. Cool.

Toria (@toriascribblingalonewithcomics)

This Tumblr has a whole tag dedicated to motivational animals. Listen to this sloth. Don’t you dare hurt their feelings.

The Latest Kate (@thelatestkate​)

Even more positive Animalia. Maybe it’s an otter. It’s at least a cousin of the otter. Maybe it’s a polecat? Could be a ferret. Let’s not get caught up on the details, let’s just enjoy this long mammal. 

[liladyanime]

[kailamcd]

May I give you an alternative for today?

Choose passion instead of anger. Choose action instead of fear. Choose to surge forward instead of shutting down. Choose to search out the light instead of despairing at the darkness. Choose to add to the songs of the the fighters, rather than the din of the mourners.

To do anything less is to join forces with a rhetoric that would see you destroyed. To do anything less would be looking into the eyes of your enemy and begging for mercy.

Fight.

[plannedparenthood]

[letsgetontopcampaign]

A good, SAFE sex life. Pledge to practice safe sex and we’ll donate a condom to a woman in need. 

[study-well]

[theyuniversity]

[theyuniversity]

If you need help on using commas, we’ve got you covered.

[huffpost]

12 Powerful Responses To People Who Think The Baltimore Protests Are Unnecessary

Protests over the death of 25-year-old Freddie Gray in Baltimore, Maryland

gripped the city this week

and prompted a series of news reports and social media posts reflecting the unrest that has unfolded.

See the best Tumblr responses here. 

[durito]

Alright I can’t take this anymore. Hello, I want to clear up some misinformation about what is happening in Baltimore city right now. I am just going to tell you my story since you know…I live here. So it all started out with a very nice and peaceful protest for justice for Freddie Gray on Saturday 4/25/15: 

my teachers and friends told me about how nice and great it was. There was a bit of rioting but it was very minor and didn’t represent the protest AT ALL!

The above pictures are FALSE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CURRENT SITUATION PEOPLE. The walkout was on Friday 4/24/15 and was SUCCESSFUL! 4/27/15 was not the date of the walkout, in fact schools were let out early because of threats of riots and school shootings. City schools told us to leave and go home IMMEDIATELY. THE MTA (city bus) WAS STILL OPERATING UNTIL 5 PM. LET ME REMIND YOU THAT SCHOOL ENDED TWO HOURS BEFORE. The riots were already there, the police aren’t just going to see a bunch of highschool kids “””protesting””” and gas them. I mean their children go to these schools too. Baltimore is family, everyone knows everyone. 

So here’s what happened to me. My school was evacuated and we were told to go home IMMEDIATELY AND TO STAY AWAY FROM DOWNTOWN BECAUSE OF THESE RIOTS. It was very dangerous just getting home. not because of the cops, but because of the rioters. The rioters are not trying to get justice for Freddie Gray at all, instead they’re using his name as an excuse to loot and set fire to their own community. Freddie Gray’s family have explicitly stated that they DO NOT WANT THIS!!! THIS IS NOT WHAT THEY WANT. they liked the peaceful protest however the rioting is RIDICULOUS.  

The kids who are in this mess don’t even know what theyre doing they just want to have a thrill. 

peaceful protesting does not equal PURGE (stage of anarchy) also no where does it say that its for Freddie Gray. LIKE I SAID THEYRE USING HIM AS AN EXCUSE. THEYRE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE SITUATION. THE POLICE HAVE NOT KILLED OR INJURED ANY OF THESE RIOTERS HOWEVER THE RIOTERS HAVE INJURED MANY CIVILIANS AND COPS. 

Lets get to the looting. So these rioters think that looting businesses and pharmacies and malls is helping. Well no, not really. The rioters are just looting doritos, sodas, they even stole toilet paper and napkins and spread them across the street and set it on fire in front of your local cvs. 

they also caused destruction to not only police cars 

but aslo CIVILIAN CARS

this is just the beginning though. 

The reasons for the barricades was because the police were trying to block the rioters from going into communities where people live, and yes they gassed them but it wasnt severe they were only trying to break up the riots WHICH IS PRETTY FUCKING JUSTIFIABLE SINCE THE RIOTERS WERE SCARING THEIR OWN COMMUNITY. 

AND THEN

the rioters set fire to THE CITY

THIS FIRE ALSO ENGULFED INNOCENT PEOPLE’S HOMES AND IS NOW ON FEDERAL STREET. OUR FIREFIGHTERS ARE STILL TRYING TO PUT IT OUT.

Because that’s what baltimore citizens want right? they want fire and destruction to their own city. I love how everyone who doesn’t live here is basically justifying these riots with “white sport riots” like as if those white people didnt get arrested. these guys arent trying to make baltimore safer for us living here. theyre setting our city on fire. YES THIS IS GREAT. THANKS TUMBLR FOR ENCOURAGING THIS. THIS DOESNST  EVEN HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH FREDDIE GRAY CASE ANYMORE. THESE PEOPLE ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE SITUATION. AND JUST FUCKING SHIT UP FOR ALL OF US. WANT TO KNOW HOW BALTIMORE CITIZENS FEEL? 

THATS HOW WE FEEL. 

DONT LET OUR VOICES BE UNHEARD. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE BY OUR COMMUNITY. NO RIOT IS.  IF THESE RIOTERS DONT STOP THEY MIGHT GET SERIOUSLY INJURED OR EVEN KILLED BECAUSE NOW THE NATIONAL GUARD IS INVOLVED. 

BALTIMORE NOW HAS A CURFEW FOR THIS WEEK

MUST BE IN HOMES WHEN ITS 10pm-5am 

PLEASE TRY TO UNDERSTAND OUR SITUATION. PLEASE TRY TO UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS NOT WHAT FREDDIE GRAYS FAMILY WANTS. PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT PEOPLE’S HOMES, BUSINESSES, CARS, NEIGHBORHOODS WERE DESTROYED BY FIRE. THAT IS IN NO WAY SHAPE OR FORM JUSTIFIABLE. THESE RIOTS ARE ONLY DESTROYING MY HOME PLEASE DONT SPREAD FALSE INFORMATION ABOUT WHATS GOING ON UNLESS YOU HAVE A SOURCE OR YOU ACTUALLY FUCKING LIVE HERE AND UNDERSTAND WHATWERE GOING THROUGH RIGHT NOW

[ironcites]

This is what those “activists”, the self serving false martyrs, those who spread an ideology of perpetual victimhood don’t want you to see.

Don’t let yourself be fooled by the archaic childlike fantasy of “rebels” vs “the empire” because it just isn’t reality.

[micdotcom]

The side of the Baltimore riots you won’t see on TV:

On Monday, the media was quick to paint a single picture of Baltimore: a chaos scene of violence and mayhem filled with images of looting, rioting, the burning of a CVS and the torching of a police car. But on the ground, a very different story unfolded — and these remarkable photos and videos are proof.