Why do we say that capitalism must be “dismantled”?

You’ll hear phrases like “Smash the state!” “Eat the rich!” and “Smash capitalism!”

And, yes, of course, but… :)

However relevant those sayings are, our work must be careful, highly organized and above all planned.

Because capitalism and all of its associated systems are not discrete, abstracted entities we can attack independently.

It is a structure, like a complicated machine with many thousands of working parts…

And right now it is connected to absolutely everything.

If we do this… [picks up huge hammer and smashes the machine]

Then a lot of vulnerable people will die.

The machine was built and improved and redesigned and patched over the course of generations. It is very good at its intended purpose, which is ultimately to generate profit.

Every human being alive today relies on the byproducts of the machine to survive, without exception.

The machine’s engineers want it to keep working like it does. In fact, they want to optimise it.

That will kill all remaining life on Earth.

So, we must destroy the machine, quickly and carefully

We must examine its deadly programs and mechanics and replace them with alternatives we built together.

The engineers don’t want us tampering with the machine.

However, we make it run…

So we can make it STOP. Together.

How will YOU help us to safely dismantle the machine?

iww.org

p.s. My computer is on its last legs. If you would like me to draw you a little cartoon and help me get a new computer, learn more at this post.

so this is an extremely cool resource

the JSTOR article by Catherine Halley

a list of series at Reveal Digital

awesome story. black doctors and nurses are the best.

We need more of this

I'm not a PoC but this is just incredible, *exceptional*, culturally sensitive patient care, period. Absolutely should be shared with every healthcare professional I know.

We should always keep in mind that we are treating an entire person, not simply their condition, and the effects seemingly minor kindnesses can have on them long after they leave our care.

Also not POC, but most of my family is in healthcare, and this kind of thing can actually improve patient outcomes. There genuinely is a connection between a patient’s attitude/sense of wellbeing, and how well they heal.

Being sensitive to the personal and cultural norms of any given patient is not just good medicine. It should be mandatory.

Go for it guys

since i’ve never seen a positivity post like this, here’s a shout out to all the intersex ppl who:

i’m here, i see you, and i understand. you’re not alone.

Happy international womens day to:

Everyone deserves the opportunity to dress their best. That’s why I’m so glad to be able to share Tommy Hilfiger’s innovative #TommyAdaptive collection with you. #TommyPartner

I know this is very important for people with disabilities and such but all I’m thinking is “Oh this is where super heroes get their shirts from.”

my mom’s arthritis makes buttons so hard for her omg 

Oh man that would be so nice for me, too, honestly. Buttons against my skin make me crazy with my autism. But fake buttons I might be able to do!

This is why we need diversity in design, these answer SO MANY problems that some people face every single day.

And now that we have them, who else would just enjoy these things? Who would use them to solve a problem they have with some activities? Or in some outfits?

Gawd I love diversity

oh, those are quick-rig fasteners!  they’re used in stage productions for those super fast costume changes.  it’s also called magnetic zipper tape and you can get individual sew-in pairs as ‘magnetic snaps’.  it’s not super cheap at about $15-25 a yard (paired), but you can get it at costume supply stores like here and ask a crafty friend or even a clothing repair shop to sew them in if you want to add them to a pre-existing garment. 

ID: [A person with shoulder length brown hair. Text in front of them reads “Hi again!”. The video changes to show them pointing to more text on screen that reads “A lot of you have been asking me how I got top surgery covered when I’m not trans masc or on hormones”. They point again to more text that reads “Its because WPATH standards of care says a diagnosis of gender dysphoria is valid enough reason to need top surgery without HRT and most insurances use this as a guide”.

Another change where they are holding their foot upside down with text above reading “I want to share this amazing resource with folks - its how I got two therapist letters diagnosising my dysphoria FOR FREE”. The video changes to a laptop screen with the text “Thegalap.org”.

The website loads and more text on screen reads “These therapists have pledged to write low cost and free letters to trans folks to get rid of some of the stress and lame gatekeeping we have to deal with when getting our nexessary precedures covered. They are all around the country and will see you remotely, usually over the phone or video.”. athe cideo cuts to the same person, this time giving a thumbs up.

Text reads “It was a pain free, validating process and my insurance accepted both letters no questions asked! Good luck!!! You’re valid!]

The Gender Affirming Letter Access Progam

indigenous terminology in north america

it's indigenous peoples' day in the usa! to celebrate i am here to help non-indigenous folks in north america to think about the terminology they use because i know not all of y'all know how the nuances of the many things we're called. in general, when talking about an indigenous person or character and referring to their indigeneity, referring to their specific culture is the best option. i am indigenous, but more specifically i am cree. that said, let's talk about terminology while recognizing that the following list is super simplified to give you a brief overview.

indigenous is an umbrella term that refers to the original inhabitants of a land. it is used to talk about indigenous people worldwide. we use it as a collective term because we share many interests, but we are all different peoples and nations. people who are māori or sámi or ainu are all indigenous, but they're all from very different places and cultures. indigenous as a term unites us, but shouldn't be used to erase our differences.

aboriginal is, like indigenous, an umbrella term that refers to the original inhabitants of a land. aboriginal was a favoured term in canada for many years and is still used by some multi-nation organizations. canada's indigenous peoples' day (‪june 21‬) is also sometimes called aboriginal peoples' day.

native american is a term that refers specifically to indigenous people living in what is currently the contiguous united states of america. people living in alaska or hawaii may prefer the term native hawaiian or native alaskan. if you call someone in canada native american they'll know what you mean, but it's not the preferred term. like indigenous, it is an umbrella term and covers many different tribes/nations. it is a term assigned to indigenous people and adopted by us, but not one we came up with ourselves.

native alaskan is an umbrella term that refers to indigenous people living in what is currently alaska. they are culturally distinct peoples from native american cultures. you may be used to calling native alaskans "esk*mos" and if you are you should stop that right fucking now because esk*mo is a derrogatory term that comes from cree slang. some native alaskan people are inuit (see below), but not all are.

native hawaiian is a term for indigenous hawaiians. this is another umbrella term. native hawaiians were not included in federal programs for native americans until the 70s and some programs still exclude them, as do many discussions about native american issues even though they are also an indigenous group colonized by the usa.

native is an umbrella term used by indigenous people to refer to themselves. in north america, it may be socially acceptable to refer to indigenous people as being native, but ymmv and elsewhere in the world, it carries more racist, colonial baggage than it does here, where it is generally understood as a shortened form of native american.

american indian is a dated term that is still used in some official spaces in the united states. older indigenous people may use this (or the term indian) because they're used to saying it. if you're not indigenous, you should probably say native american or indigenous. amerindian is a portmanteau of this term and similarly isn't really favoured anymore.

indian is a dated term for indigenous people in canada and the united states. it stems from the time of christopher columbus when columbus decided to call us "indian". if you are non-indigenous, do not refer to indigenous people as indian. in canada, it is also a legal designation tied to the indian act that means some indigenous people hold "indian status," which grants them certain rights. some indigenous people in north america have reclaimed the term indian to refer to themselves.

ndn is a slang term we use to refer to ourselves online. if you're non-indigenous then bro. do not. it just stands for indian, you can't!

first nations is a term analogous to native american. it is used in canada to refer to the many indigenous nations south of the arctic circle. as someone who is cree, i'm first nations. it is an umbrella term, but not every indigenous person in canada is first nations. unlike "indian", it is not a legal term.

inuit is the term for indigenous peoples that live in what is currently canada's north. some indigenous people in alaska (and elsewhere) may also identify as inuit because the american/canadian border is a new addition in the grand scope of their histories. inuit are culturally distinct from first nations/native americans. also inuit means "the people" and y'all my inuk friend is so fucking amused every time someone says "the inuit people" because y'all are out here saying "the the people people." not all indigenous people in the north are inuit.

métis is a term for people who are descended from specific communities where indigenous people and non-indigenous settlers intermarried and created their own culture. they are specific, cultural communities within canada with their own culture and language. not everyone with mixed indigenous and settler ancestry is métis. for example, my dad is white and my mom is cree. i am not métis because i don't have any connection to a historic métis community. again, this is not a legal term the way indian is.

redsk*n is a derogatory term for native american/first nations people. the term originates from the genocide of our peoples, tied with the practice of collecting bounties for the scalps (the "red skins" in question) or other body parts of indigenous people in the west. do not use the term. even if you're talking about the football team that recently changed its name, say "the washington team" or something similar. it's a slur. (source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/a-brief-history-of-the-word-redskin-and-how-it-became-a-source-of-controversy/2016/05/19/062cd618-187f-11e6-9e16-2e5a123aac62_story.html)

esk*mo is another slur. it's an anglicized version of askipiw, a cree word which is more or less saying that inuit eat raw meat (i.e. that is implying they're more akin to animals than people). again, even when you're referring to sports teams that use the term in their name, don't say it. it doesn't matter what some white dude on QI told you, it's not a "more acceptable" umbrella term for northern indigenous peoples. some people might use it to refer to themselves still, but, as with other terminology on this list, if you're not indigenous, don't say it!

Black people do not have to be exceptional for their right to life!!!!

Repeat after me:

Black people do not have to be exceptional for their right to life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This hardly has any notes but can I just say that non black people and white people you can in fact reblog this, thanks x

I’d encourage non black people and white people to reblog this so we at least know ya’ll understand and that we’re on the same page.Thanks.

“george floyd wasn’t a saint!” perhaps he wasn’t, bitch!!! he still did not deserve to die!!!! 

I totally understand that many people admired the accomplishments of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and that she meant a lot to people, especially women, in the US, but… all this canonising of her as a saint-like figure is starting to feel very Catholic, and I urge you to consider that maybe this isn’t the best way to honour the memory of Jewish woman.

this is the dumbest thing to ever assault my eyes and brain. respecting someone for their accomplishments is not a catholic exclusive and she’s not being fucking canonized

I’m so sorry I assaulted your “eyes and brain.” You’re right, what could have possibly led me to say that any of the ways people are memorialising RBG is even remotely Catholic-y?

My deepest apologies again for assaulting your gentle sensibilities.

Lol at least they’re honest abt it

I mean she most likely didn’t die she just got promoted

(also Catholicism was developed from Christianity was developed from Judaism, not the same religion but still)

RBG is a legend

No, that’s… that’s exactly the type of thing we’re objecting to, here. I’m sure you mean well, but RBG was not “promoted” to anything. She was a Jewish woman who fought a lot for equality in her life, and then died. Judaism doesn’t have people who ascend to some all powerful level of sainthood. There are particularly righteous people on earth who are notable and admired (tzaddikim) but it’s an informal and totally observational designation, and we don’t worship individuals we considered a Tzaddik at all, we just admire them. RBG is not some heavenly judge now sending flies to bother Mike Pence. That’s not how Judaism works. Moreover, as a Jewish person, I’m asking you to please not mistake our foundational texts being appropriated from us and then reinterpreted to have a totally different meaning as some sort of “developmental” line. Christian/Catholic thought has nothing to do with Jewish thought. Our entire worldview is different. Please respect that.

At the moment? No. I can't.

Plants are just like… Too much sun. Not enough sun. Ground too wet. Ground too dry. The pH balance is wrong. There’s not enough drainage. I don’t like terracotta. Feed me. Stop feeding me. God was killed here. I do not vibe with this soil.

Hence my sneaking fondness for gazanias and blackberry vines.

Who’s cutting onions? 😭 Also they are SERVING

Source

I love this!!!

i hope the younger lgbt+ youth (12-16) on here knows that it’s okay to play with identities. it’s okay to try out a label for a month, decided it’s not for you, and then pick up another one. you aren’t “betraying your community”, you’re figuring yourself out at an age that- you know- you figure yourself out in! do what works for you. if you don’t like labels, ditch them! if a label resonates with you deeply, try playing around with it! it’s normal. don’t be afraid.

adhd is so funny it's like being possessed but with myself

me, desperately: can we please get something done?!

my inner demon, who is also me: IF YOU LIKE PIÑA COLADA

that’s how I wanna go

Okay but if you read the article he wasn’t stabbed

he literally walked into the blade thinking it was a toy and not that it was a replica actual sword

HE LITERALLY WALKED INTO MY SWORD OFFICER

HE WALKED INTO MY SWORD TEN TIMES

HE HAD IT COMING

HE HAD IT COMING

HE ONLY HAD HIMSELF TO BLAME

Zelda to Chicago in 0.2 seconds

Gotham police: Batman! Quick! Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy have broken into Money McBillionaire’s mansion.

Batman: You mean the one who’s been in the news because their factories haven’t been properly disposing of toxic waste?

cops: uh yeah?

Batman: and didn’t he get caught up in a domestic violence scandal a few years ago?

Cops: shouldn’t you be stopping them? 

Batman: right, on it.

*Later* 

Batman: Harley! Ivy! Stop! Don’t beat up Money McBillionaire! And don’t take this flashdrive which contains documents detailing his company’s dangerously lax safety practices as well as formal complaints and lawsuits from workers who have gotten sick off of toxic fumes. And definitely don’t take this other one revealing exactly how much he paid to have those domestic violence charges dropped, including the names of the people who accepted the bribe. And please, for the love of humanity, don’t send them to Clark Kent at the Daily Planet lest he publish these private documents for all to see.

Harley: Got an address?

Batman: Yeah, I’ll have Nightwing text it to you. Include a note that says B pointed you in his direction. 

If you don’t write Bruce Wayne like this, the correct way that is, then just stop writing Batman stuff this has been a PSA thank you and goodbye