Nervous Pills

dis a log book

[motherlands-blog]

Motherlands an independent arts zine for and by people of colour and is now taking submissions for issue 2. The theme for this issue is PROPAGANDA. 

We accept art of any kind in jpeg or tif format, 300dpi, hires.

As well as written submissions including but not limited to essays, interviews, fiction, poetry, these should be sent as a doc. or pdf. not exceeding 1500 words (though we can be flexible on this). We love receiving original work but also accept submissions which have been published previously.

Please send all submissions and any questions to [email protected] by midnight (your local time) 14 February 2016

view the previous issue here

[durgapolashi]

Your novels seem to be concerned with boundaries — emotional, geographical, social — and what happens when those boundaries are crossed or broken down. Is that something that particularly affects women of a certain age or class, or does it apply to all?

“The awareness of limits keeps weighing down on women — I’m talking about women in general. This isn’t a problem while we’re dealing with self-regulation: it’s important to set limits for oneself. The problem is that we live within limits set by others, and we are disapproving of ourselves when we fail to respect them. Male boundary-breaking does not automatically entail negative judgments, it’s a sign of curiosity and courage. Female boundary-breaking, especially when it is not undertaken under the guidance or supervision of men, is still disorientating: it is loss of femininity, it is excess, perversion, disease.”

Elena Ferrante

[p6545-deactivated20150618]

Our mothers do to us what their mothers did to them and what the mothers of their mothers did to them until one of us stands up and refuses to take it anymore but it isn’t a gesture of self-emancipation or a strengthening of personhood; it is simply an anguished strike against the cycle, the nature of affairs, the ever persistent convention that went on at the expense of the tender hearts of little girls who, like their brothers, deserved to sleep well and dream colorful but would only dream of an escape. Some wounded themselves, other shut down, even more gave up but there is always one child - ferocious of heart and robust of soul - who sees circumstance as chance and chance as a window out of a dark room. And to be that child is agony long before it is freedom.

[bemusedbibliophile]

As Kwame Nkrumah observed, Western powers realized that if they attempted to assert control in the old-fashioned (i.e., colonial) way, they would be met with “colonial war.” Neocolonialism, thus, denoted a set of strategies by which Western nations could assert control without provoking insurgency, helping assemble an emergent mode of whiteness that could acknowledge independence and sovereignty without ever changing the given distribution of resources.

Roderick A. Ferguson, “The Distributions of Whiteness,” American Quarterly, Vol. 66, No. 4 (December 2014), pg.1102. (via sukoot)

[thatadult]

The thing is, I DO care about the environment but I cannot stand it when white people pretend they are all connected to the earth and refuse to understand that many of us — Migrant Brown People — come from backgrounds where “environmentalism” is not talked about because we grow up doing unintentional “green” things. For some reason mainstream culture has done a great job of erasing people of color’s legacy on anything “green” or “environmental.” Mainstream media falsely frames sustainable practices as practices spearheaded by white people. A very annoying example of this is permaculture, a “design system” that you can learn if you have thousands of dollars — mind you, a lot of the principles of permaculture are practiced by people of color worldwide, from reusing water to wash dishes and water plants to using food scraps to enrich soil for plants. People of color that come from families that need to recycle and reuse to make ends meet have incredible amounts of knowledge. I know many folks that talk about sustainability in their communities and practice sustainable living, but our stories are not legitimized by books or newspaper articles nor are they studied in a Global Sustainability class. Acknowledging people of color’s legacy in the mainstream would undermine the classist, racist and xenophobic ideals that our society stands on. We pass down traditions and knowledge that are unintentionally green or sustainable. We do not call them “eco-friendly” practices, we just do them. I call this passed down knowledge, Abuelita Knowledge because so much of these “new age” practices are the ways in which my grandmas and elders live their lives .

La Loba Loca, Reclaiming Abuelita Knowledge As A Brown Ecofeminista. (via sukoot)

[sukoot]

Non-occidental knowledge is welcomed by the global agendas of Empire because it is useful to the capitalist project of biodiversity. The tolerance of cultural diversity has become a ‘politically correct’ value in Empire, but only in the sense that diversity is useful for the reproduction of capital. 

[…] The ‘recognition’ that is given to non-occidental systems of knowledge is pragmatic rather than epistemical. Although the wisdom of indigenous communities or black communities can now be seen as ‘useful’ for the conservation of the environment, the categorical distinction between ‘traditional knowledge’ and ‘science’, elaborated in the Enlightenment of the eighteenth century, is still in force. The former continues to be seen as anecdotal knowledge, not quantitative and lacking methodology, while the later continues, in spite of the transdisciplinary efforts of the last decades, to be taken as the only epistemically valid knowledge.

Santiago Castro-Gómez, The Missing Chapter of Empire: Postmodern Reorganization of Coloniality and Post-Fordist Capitalism.

[catapultbooks]

Eileen Myles & Ben Lerner in conversation for Lit Hub.

[oomkzine-blog]

OOMK + Friends TRAVELLING ZINE STALL

We’re curating a zine stall which will be travelling to a few events over the next two weeks. As well as OOMK 4 you’ll be able to pick up British Values issue 1, Bradical issue 2, Intifada Milk + more tbc 🔥

Friday 25 Sep- FLOWMAD with SOAS Students’ Union and BARBEDOUN at SOAS JCR 

Tuesday 29 Sep- Preventing Prevent with Decolonising Our Minds Society at IOE 

Saturday 3 Oct- Zine Fair for Food Banks at the Cowley Club in Brighton 

[cancelthesundaysalon]

Overwhelmed w how great the latest OOMK zine is oh my god 😭

[themnervouspills-blog]

popular mechanics (2013)

[themnervouspills-blog]

the big screen (2011)

[academic-illiterati-deactivated]

The process through which facts, knowledge, truth, and so on are discovered, made, known, reaffirmed, and altered by the members of a society is called the social construction of reality (P. L. Berger & Luckmann, 1966). This concept is based on the simple assumption that knowledge is a human creation. Ironically, most of us live our lives assuming that an objective reality exists, independent of us and accessible through our senses. We assume this reality is shared by others and can be taken for granted as reality (Lindesmith, Strauss, & Denzin, 1991).

Newman, David M. Sociology: Exploring the Architecture of Everyday Life, Brief Edition. 4th ed. Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications, 2015. Print.

Chapter 3: Building Reality: The Social Construction of Knowledge

(via socio-logic)

[michellekpoems]

I treat myself like I would my daughter. I brush her hair, wash her laundry, tuck her in goodnight. Most importantly, I feed her. I do not punish her. I do not berate her, leave tears staining her face. I do not leave her alone. I know she deserves more. I know I deserve more.

Michelle K., I Know I Deserve More. (via sadlittlewords)

[oomkzine-blog]

OOMK 4 had landed, come to the launch!

https://www.facebook.com/events/990082477668800/

OOMK ISSUE 4: The Internet Tuesday 4th August 6.30pm- late Iklectik Art Lab 20 Carlisle Ln, London SE1 7LG

Issue four features: Sarah Ahmed, Fatimah Aj, Damilola Odelola, Esther Stanford-Xosie, Arwa Aburawa, Tabita Rezaire, Helena Wee, Aleesha Nandhra, Gail Chester, Isaac Kariuki, Fatuma Khaireh, Mayme Shaheem, Tara McInerney, Maximillian Hartley, Anna Valdez, Alana Questell, Radical Monarchs, Ru Raynor, Saira Niazi, Abeera Kamran, Aurella Yussuf, Nouf Alhimiary, Rianna Jade Parker, Lena Mohamed, Occupy Design UK, Crumb Cabin, Chimurenga, Divya Osbon, Zarina Muhammad, Ima-Abasi Okon, Sana Badri, Momtaza Mehri, Abi Lewis.

7pm OOMK interviews selected artists from issue 4 8pm live music from suficore band The Friends of Design

[kjrejngjkesdfjmsejkfdgmnrjeskd]

the line between girl and woman is blurred so much that a lot of us don’t even know which to call ourselves because neither feels right

[slaybia-majora-deactivated20160]

This is due to the oversexualization of young girls and the treatment of women as being incapable of doing anything for themselves.

[iwriteaboutfeminism]

Transcript of Sandra Bland arrest video [8:40-15:25]

FULL VIDEO (new link)

Cop: Ok, Ma’am. You ok?

SB: I’m waitin’ on you. This is your job. I’m waitin’ on you…

Cop: You seem very irritated.

SB: I am. I really am because I feel like what I’m getting a ticket for, I was getting out of your way. You were speeding up, tailing me, so I move over, and you stop me. So, yeah, I am a little irritated, but that doesn’t stop you from giving me a ticket.

Cop: Are you done?

SB: You asked me what was wrong and I told you. So now I’m done, yeah.

Cop: Ok. You mind putting out your cigarette, please?

SB: I’m in my car. Why do I have to put out my cigarette?

Cop: Well you can step on out now.

SB: I don’t have to step out of my car.

Cop: Step out of the car. [Cop opens the car door] Step out.

SB: No, you don’t have the right-

Cop: Step out of the car!

SB: You do not have the right to do that.

Cop: I do have the right. Now, step out or I will remove you.

SB: I refuse to talk to you other than to identify myself-

Cop: Step out or I will remove you.

SB: I am getting removed for a failure to-

Cop: Step out or I will remove you. I’m giving you a lawful order. Get out of the car now or I’m gonna remove you.

SB: I’m calling my-

Cop:[Cop reaches into the car] I’m gonna yank you out of here.

SB: Okay, you gonna yank me out of my car?

Cop: Get out.

SB: Ok. Alright. Let’s do this. Don’t touch me.

Cop: Get out of the car!

SB: Don’t touch me! I’m not under arrest. You don’t have the right to-

Cop: You ARE under arrest.

SB: I’m under arrest for what? For what? For what?

Cop: Get out of the car. Get out of the car! Now!

SB: Why am I being apprehended? Because you’re trying to give me a ticket for a failure-

Cop: I said get out of the car.

SB: Why am I being apprehended? You opened my car door-

Cop: I am gonna drag you outta here.

SB: So you’re threatening to drag me out of my own car?

Cop: Get out of the car!!

SB: And then you-

Cop: [Cop points his taser at her.] I will light you up!!

SB: Wow.

Cop: NOW!!

SB: Wow. [Sandra steps out of the car.]

Cop: Get out of the car!

SB: For a failure to signal, you’re doing all this. You’re doing all this for a failure to signal.

Cop: Get over there. [Cop points her over to the sidewalk, while pointing his taser at her.]

SB: Right. Yeah. Let’s take this to court. [Sandra continues to walk toward the sidewalk.] Let’s do this for a failure to signal. Yep, for a failure to signal. [Sandra is led out of the view of the dashcam video.]

Cop: Get off the phone.

SB: I’m not on the phone. I have a right to record-

Cop: Put your phone down.

SB: This is my property.

Cop: Put your phone down.

SB: Sir?

Cop: Put your phone down. Right now! Put your phone down.

SB: [Sandra puts her phone down on the trunk of her car.] For a fucking failure to signal, my goodness.

Cop: Come over here!

SB: Y’all are interesting. You feelin’ good about this whole thing?

Cop: Stand right here.

SB: You feelin’ good about yourself? For my failure to signal, you feel real good about yourself, don’t you?

Cop: Turn around.

SB: You feel good about yourself, don’t you?

Cop: Turn around. Turn around now. Put your hands-

SB: Why am I being arrested?

Cop: I’m giving you a lawful order. I will tell you-

SB: Why am I being arrested? Why can’t you tell me that part?

Cop: I’m giving you a lawful order. Turn around.

SB: Why will you not tell me what’s going on?

Cop: You are not compliant.

SB: I’m not compliant ‘cause you just pulled me outta my car.

Cop: Turn around!!

SB: Are you fucking kidding me? This is some bullshit.

Cop: Put your hands behind your back.

SB: Cause you know this is straight bullshit, and you full a shit. Full a straight shit. That’s why y’all are some scary fucking cops. South Carolina got all y’all bitch asses scared. That’s all it is. Fucking scared of a female.

Cop: If you would have just listened-

SB: I was tryin’ sign the fucking ticket. Whatever.

Cop: Stop movin’!

SB: Are you fucking serious?

Cop: Stop movin’.

SB: Oh, I can’t wait till we go to court.  OH, I can’t wait! I cannot WAIT ‘till we go to court! I can’t wait. OH, I can’t wait. You want me to sit down now?

Cop: No.

SB: Oh, you gonna throw me to the floor? That’ll make you feel better about yourself?

Cop: Knock it off.

SB: Ah, that’ll make you feel better about yourself? That make you feel real good, won’t it? Fucking ass. Fucking pussy. For a failure to signal, you doin’ all of this. In little ass Prairie View, Texas. My god. They must-

Cop: You were getting a warning, and now you’re going to jail.

SB: For what??

Cop: You can come read right- [Cop leads Sandra back over to the trunk of the car.]

SB: I’m getting a warning for what?

Cop: Stay right here.

SB: You just pointed me over there!

Cop: I said stay right here.

SB: Get your fucking mind right. OH, I swear on my life, y’all some pussies. A pussy ass cop pulls for a fucking signal, you’re takin’ me to jail. What a pussy. What a pussy. What a- you about to break my fucking wrist.

Cop: Stop movin’!

SB: I’m standin’ still! You keep movin’ me, goddamn it!

Cop: Stay right there.

SB: Don’t touch me. Fucking pussy, for a traffic ticket.

Cop: [Goes around the car and closes the front door. Walks back off screen to where Sandra is on the sidewalk.] Come read right over here. [He stands by the trunk of the car and shows her the written warning.] This right here says a warning. YOU started creating a problem. [Cop walks out of shot, toward Sandra.]

SB: You asked me what was wrong!

Cop: Do you have anything in your purse that’s illegal?

SB: Do I look like I have anything on me? This a fuckin’ maxi dress!

Cop: I’m removing  your glasses.

SB: This a maxi dress.

Cop: Come on over here.

SB: Fucking assholes. For a- you about to break my wrist! Can you STOP!? You are mother fuckin’ about to break my wrist! [Sandra makes sounds of pain.] STOOOPP!

Cop: [Sounds of struggle.] Stop! Now! Stop it!

Cop 2: Stop resisting, ma’am.

Cop: If you would stop then I would tell you!

SB: [In pain.] For a fucking traffic  ticket.

Cop: Now stop!

SB: [In pain.] You are such a pussy. You are such a pussy.

Cop 2: No, you are.

Cop: You were yankin’ around.

SB: [In pain.] For a traffic signal.

Cop: You were yankin’ around. When you pull away from me, you’re resisting arrest.

SB: This make you feel real good. This make you feel real good, don’t it? A female for a  traffic signal. For a traffic signal. I know that makes you feel good, officer.

Cop 2: I got her. I got her.

SB: I know it make you feel real good. You a real man now. You slam me, knock my head into the ground, I got epilepsy, you mother fucker.

Cop: Good. Good.

SB: I hope I-

Cop 2: You should have thought of that before you start resisting!

SB: Yeah, this is real good. Real good for a female. Yeah. Y’all strong, ooh. Y’all real strong.

Cop: I want you to wait right here. Wait right here.

SB: I can’t go nowhere with your fucking knee on my back. Duh.

Cop: [To Cop 2] I’m gonna open your door. [To man recording the brutality.] You need to leave. You need to leave. You need to leave.

SB: [inaudible] For a fucking traffic ticket.

Cop: For a warning. For a warning. You’re going to jail for resisting arrest. Stand up.

SB: If I could!

Cop: Roll over.

SB: I can’t even fuckin’ feel my arm!

Cop: Tuck your knee in.

SB: I can’t-

Cop: Listen, listen, you’re gonna sit up on your butt.

SB: You just slammed my head into the ground. Do you not even care about that?

Cop 2: He’s telling you to getup.

SB: I can’t even hear!

Cop 2: Yes you can.

Cop: Sit on your butt.

SB: You slammed my head into the ground.

Cop: Sit up on your butt.

SB: He threw my fucking head to the ground. What the hell?

Cop: Now stand up.

SB: All this for a traffic signal. I swear to god. All of this for a traffic signal. [To witness.] Thank you for recording! Thank you! For a traffic signal. Slammed me into the ground and everything. Everything. I hope y’all feel good.

[dionysian-sadness]

Mustafa Abu Ali “They Do Not Exist“ - (1974)