I do not like the expression ‘African-American.’ It’s patronizing, condescending, and racist. It was coined, rumor has it, to help counteract the corrosive effect of racism on the self-esteem of black Americans. But how is that supposed to work? In practice, I would argue, the effect is unavoidably the reverse. White Americans are never referred to as ‘European-Americans,’ so to identify black Americans as ‘African-American’ is to suggest that they are only half American… In fact, you almost never hear blacks refer to themselves as ‘African-American,’ unless it is to please a white audience, and there is a good reason for that: They do not think of themselves as African-American. They do not identify with Africa, at least not until we remind them, by referring to them as ‘African-American,’ that they are supposed to.

— M.G. Piety: Why “African-American” is a Patronizing, Even Racist Term (via prshnth)

Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes) // Edison Lighthouse

(Source : anatinus)

my-deceitful-heart:

Gabby Young & Other Animals - In your head

amydentata:

skysquids:

so here is what happens to me when we do the ‘urinals’ vs ‘no urinals’ bathroom setup.  it becomes an opportunity to out me, make assumptions about my genitals, essentialize my gender according to my birth sex, and push me into the men’s room.  this is actually what happens to me when we do this.  let’s not do this, ok?  spread the word.

Cis women who don’t know they can use urinals too.

whatsapalindrome:

“We need women who are so strong that they can be gentle, so educated that they can be humble, so fierce that they can be compassionate, so passionate that they can be rational, and so disciplined that they can be free. We need uncommon women. And here you are. And how deeply reassuring to me it is to know that wherever we go—there you will be.” -Kavita Ramdas, Mount Holyoke College Keynote Speech

… the socialization of boys regarding masculinity is often at the expense of women. I came to realize that we don’t raise boys to be men, we raise them not to be women (or gay men). We teach boys that girls and women are “less than” and that leads to violence by some and silence by many. It’s important for men to stand up to not only stop men’s violence against women but, to teach young men a broader definition of masculinity that includes being empathetic, loving and non-violent.

— Don McPherson, former NFL quarterback, feminist and educator (via albinwonderland)

(Source : spikyhairjon)

I see now that dismissing YA books because you’re not a young adult is a bit like refusing to watch thrillers on the grounds that you’re not a policeman or a dangerous criminal, and as a consequence I’ve discovered a previously ignored room at the back of the bookstore that’s filled with masterpieces I’ve never heard of.

— Nick Hornby, Shakespeare Wrote For Money (via jobberwacky)

Claude Monet in his studio

(Source : arpeggia)