Mick's Shtick

[a-revolt-deactivated20171006]

Neo-Nazi and leader of the EDL, Ian Crossland, shouting for cops to intervene when confronted by local #antifa yesterday in Birmingham.

[micksweetman]

Such an iconic photo.

[riveralwaysknew]

I took my father to see Rogue One today. I’ve wanted to take him for a while. I wanted my Mexican father, with his thick Mexican accent, to experience what it was like to see a hero in a blockbuster film, speak the way he does. And although I wasn’t sure if it was going to resonate with him, I took him anyway. When Diego Luna’s character came on screen and started speaking, my dad nudged me and said, “he has a heavy accent.” I was like, “Yup.” When the film was over and we were walking to the car, he turns to me and says, “did you notice that he had an accent?” And I said, “Yeah dad, just like yours.” Then my dad asked me if the film had made a lot of money. I told him it was the second highest grossing film of 2016 despite it only being out for 18 days in 2016 (since new year just came around). He then asked me if people liked the film, I told him that it had a huge following online and great reviews. He then asked me why Diego Luna hadn’t changed his accent and I told him that Diego has openly talked about keeping his accent and how proud he is of it. And my dad was silent for a while and then he said, “And he was a main character.” And I said, “He was.” And my dad was so happy. As we drove home he started telling me about other Mexican actors that he thinks should be in movies in America. Representation matters.

[micksweetman]

Special extended edit of my audio report on Upping the Anti's panel discussion on understanding the US election and the rise of fascism. Featuring David McNally, Himani Bannerji, Chris Dixon and a former member of Anti-Racist Action-Toronto on how to organize and mobilize popular outrage in Canada against establishment politics within the climate of growing right-wing nationalism.

[antifainternational]

Yvette Felarca, a California anti-fascist The International Anti-Fascist Defence Fund helped out this past fall, has sent us a lovely holiday message, encouraging people to donate to the Defence Fund. 

In 2016, the Defence Fund donated over $8000.00  to more than fifty anti-fascists in Australia, Belarus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Poland, Russia, Sweden, Ukraine, the UK, and the US.  We were only able to do this because of supporters who made a donation to the Defence Fund.    We’re counting on your support in 2017 to ensure that every anti-fascist or anti-racist anywhere who needs support from their friends around the world gets it!  Make your donation today!

[goodmorningleftside]

[fuckyeahblackbloc]

Join the Rebel Clan

[micksweetman]

JOIN THE REBELLION!

[antifainternational]

Note to KKK members: next time you try to hold a public rally in Columbia, South Carolina, remember to wear diapers.

[micksweetman]

Halifax Public Gardens at night. #latergram #nofilter (at Halifax Public Gardens)

[micksweetman]

The Old Town Clock from Citadel Hill in #Halifax last night. #latergram #nofilter (at Halifax Town Clock)

[lavernecox]

On May 29, 2014, the issue of timemagazine magazine which proclaimed the “Transgender Tipping Point” was revealed with me on the cover. June 1, 2015 a year and 3 days later, Caitlyn Jenner’s vanityfair cover was revealed proclaiming #CallMeCaitlyn I am so moved by all the love and support Caitlyn is receiving. It feels like a new day, indeed, when a trans person can present her authentic self to the world for the first time and be celebrated for it so universally. Many have commented on how gorgeous Caitlyn looks in her photos, how she is “slaying for the Gods.” I must echo these comments in the vernacular, “Yasss Gawd! Werk Caitlyn! Get it!” But this has made me reflect critically on my own desires to ‘work a photo shoot’, to serve up various forms of glamour, power, sexiness, body affirming, racially empowering images of the various sides of my black, trans womanhood. I love working a photo shoot and creating inspiring images for my fans, for the world and above all for myself. But I also hope that it is my talent, my intelligence, my heart and spirit that most captivate, inspire, move and encourage folks to think more critically about the world around them. Yes, Caitlyn looks amazing and is beautiful but what I think is most beautiful about her is her heart and soul, the ways she has allowed the world into her vulnerabilities. The love and devotion she has for her family and that they have for her. Her courage to move past denial into her truth so publicly. These things are beyond beautiful to me. A year ago when my Time magazine cover came out I saw posts from many trans folks saying that I am “drop dead gorgeous” and that that doesn’t represent most trans people. (It was news to be that I am drop dead gorgeous but I’ll certainly take it). But what I think they meant is that in certain lighting, at certain angles I am able to embody certain cisnormative beauty standards. Now, there are many trans folks because of genetics and/or lack of material access who will never be able to embody these standards. More importantly many trans folks don’t want to embody them and we shouldn’t have to to be seen as ourselves and respected as ourselves . It is important to note that these standards are also infomed by race, class and ability among other intersections. I have always been aware that I can never represent all trans people. No one or two or three trans people can. This is why we need diverse media representstions of trans folks to multiply trans narratives in the media and depict our beautiful diversities. I started #TransIsBeautiful as a way to celebrate all those things that make trans folks uniquely trans, those things that don’t necessarily align with cisnormative beauty standards. For me it is necessary everyday to celebrate every aspect of myself especially those things about myself that don’t align with other people’s ideas about what is beautiful. #TransIsBeautiful is about, whether you’re trans or not, celebrating all those things that make us uniquely ourselves. Most trans folks don’t have the privileges Caitlyn and I have now have. It is those trans folks we must continue to lift up, get them access to healthcare, jobs, housing, safe streets, safe schools and homes for our young people. We must lift up the stories of those most at risk, statistically trans people of color who are poor and working class. I have hoped over the past few years that the incredible love I have received from the public can translate to the lives of all trans folks. Trans folks of all races, gender expressions, ability, sexual orientations, classes, immigration status, employment status, transition status, genital status etc.. I hope, as I know Caitlyn does, that the love she is receiving can translate into changing hearts and minds about who all trans people are as well as shifting public policies to fully support the lives and well being of all of us. The struggle continues…

[micksweetman]

I've got my map and am all set for my trip to the Maritimes.

[micksweetman]

Long line of cabs protesting #uber causing delays westbound on Queens Quay near Sherbourne. #TOpoli

[madalchemist]

“A foggy night in Odessa, Ukraine, when a digital billboard crashed and displayed a floating error warning in the night sky.”

[micksweetman]

One thing #georgebrowncollege does right is the human rights campaign posters in washrooms. Here's a court from the men's washroom at Waterfront campus. (at George Brown Waterfront Campus)

[micksweetman]

Against the spelling Nazis!

[micksweetman]

College Street, Toronto, Canada #stwts #latergram #streetart #stopstreetharassment

[micksweetman]

A rare example of #comics as advertising on Bloor Street West in Toronto. #annex

[micksweetman]

Hidden history of Toronto coffee shop ripping off a low-class chain of Toronto coffee shops. (at Christie Pits)