TBT: That time back in 2002 when hundreds of Australians rolled up on the Woomera refugee internment camp in the middle of the desert, tore the fences and walls down, and helped the refugees imprisoned there escape. Details.
Aka, undoubtedly a big part of why the American government is so against gun control.
Oh the weather outside is frightful
And the people outside are frightful
And everything is absolutely frightful
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow
It’s been an emotional week. I wanted to share this encounter I had with a very hateful man on the Pittsburgh bus because it reminds me that there are brave people in this world. Let’s all do everything we can to stand up for each other.
Society: Why don’t people speak up about domestic violence? Why do they suffer in silence instead of seeking help?
Amber Heard: Provides photographic evidence, verbal accounts, and a police complaint to prove that Johnny Depp abused her. Files for divorce and a restraining order to prevent further domestic violence.
Society: “innocent until proven guilty”, “don’t jump to conclusions”, “we don’t know the full story”, “don’t believe everything you see on the media”, “he doesn’t seem like that type of guy”, “she’s a gold digger”, “she just wants his money”
Censorship of sexuality, especially while simultaneously violence, particularly sexual violence, is left uncensored, and the harmful implication this juxtaposition has on our collective sexual wellness, is something I’ve written a lot about, like here and here. Hell, I’ve even written a book about it.
So when I found out there is a new “kid safe” search engine called Kiddle designed to block adult search returns for children, I feared it had sex-is-bad-and-violence-is-normal disaster written all over it. When I learned the results are handpicked by humans and not a computer broadly banning based on keywords, I was extra curious to see if I was still right. I was.
I typed in a bunch of different searches that a child might reasonably want or *need* to anonymously ask the Internet. Well, I’ll let you see the results for yourself:
My girlfriend hits me” is also a bad word.
Inquiries about vaginal discharge are, you guessed it, also bad words.
Related bad words: menstrual care, menstrual pads, menstruation, and uterus.
When avoiding a gay dating website in the search results is considered a higher priority of “safety” for children than their homelessness, and you recommend confronting their abusive parents, we have a tish bit of a problem.
If I was 12, typed this into a search engine, and instead of results got a “bad word” finger wagging, I would take the answer to the “is it ok to be bisexual” question as a big fat NO it’s not OK 😦
But the human censors apparently allows kids to search for this one under their “kid safe” censorship policies.
So questions about puberty, health, identity, and seeking help for sexual abuse is not “safe”, but kids buying guns is. I feel like a broken record, so I’m going to let you all unpack it this time. Discuss:
Does anybody else want to strangle that robot?
Scary shit for the next generation.
Google should have known better than to even TRY. This shit happens every single time someone wants to make something “kid safe.”
This is apparently not associated with Google. It uses Google technology, but they didn’t build it and don’t run it. Which unfortunately just makes it harder to figure out whom to yell at. 😦
all i’m saying is if an all-girls school crashed on the island in lord of the flies then they would’ve been off the island in a week
lord of the flies doesnt show the base human condition, it shows the base privileged straight white male condition, incredibly when i point this out people get kind of annoyed
Might I direct you to Beauty Queens by Libba Bray, a YA novel in which a plane full of teen beauty pageant contestants crashes on a deserted island. Instead of descending into violent savagery, the girls are able to work together and become more truly themselves than they could in the patriarchal world outside. They repurpose the tools of beauty into tools of survival (and some of them work to keep up their appearances too, because that’s what makes them feel happy, while others decide they’re done with all the pressure to be a certain sort of beautiful.) They fight against evil corporations. Beauty Queens is enthusiastically feminist. (Never fear, the feminism is intersectional, exploring issues of race and sexuality as well as gender.) Also, this book is HILARIOUS, not to mention surprisingly exciting!
Oh, look at this thing I’m going to add to my reading list.
srsly read Beauty Queens, one of the girls is trans!!!
This coming Saturday, February 6, at 8pm local time, followers of “Roosh V”- noted sexist, racist, homophobic, and overall horrible monster (not a human being)- will be holding secret meetings to rally for rape to be legalized. You didn’t read this wrong THEY WANT RAPE TO BE LEGALIZED.
This shit is dangerous af, and as they have barred anyone who isn’t male or straight, so we need all our white male allies to gather and shut this shit down. If you are a straight man of colour, please be careful. Even though the website says the meeting is for straight men of all races, the Roosh V following has also been known to be very racist and xenophobic.
Here is how the meeting will take place, as according to their website (I’m not going to link it because it does not deserve any hits, but all the info here is authentic- you may google and see for yourself):
We will have 165 meetings in 43 countries for our international meetup day on February 6, 2016 at 8PM local time. Hosts have been instructed to wait at the meeting point from 8:00-8:20pm before moving on to the final location. If you arrive at the meeting point at 8:21pm, you will miss the meetup. Arriving on time within the window is absolutely paramount.
To identify your fellow tribesmen, ask the following question to a man you suspect is there for the meetup: “Do you know where I can find a pet shop?” If you are asked this question, answer in the affirmative: “Yes, it’s right here.” You can then introduce yourself and get details about where to proceed at 8:20. If you ask someone for the pet shop and they appear confused or actually try to direct you to a real pet shop, they’re not there for the meetup.
If you are a woman, DO NOT GO, your safety is at risk. Roosh V has made it very apparent that your presence might be met with violence.
I won’t be able to attend a shut down (obvs- brown gay turban guy), but we need to shut this down ASAP. So to all my white brothers who identify as allies, now is your time to stand up and act.
I will be calling the RCMP and reporting this, make sure you report this to your local police as well.
Here is a list of all the locations where these men will come together (Roosh V himself will be at the Washington DC location):
UNITED STATES
Alabama
Birmingham – In front of Ohenry’s coffee shop, downtown Homewood (not the Brookwood Mall Ohenry’s)
Alaska
Anchorage – Elderberry Park, near the Oscar Anderson House, a museum. Meet by the chairs and table. Address: 1297 West Fifth Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska 99501.
Arizona
Phoenix – Meet in front of main entrance of tallest building of Phoenix Plaza (Qwest Tower).
Tucson – Arizona Historical Society (949 E 2nd St, Tucson, AZ 85719). Meet at statue near corner of N Park Ave and E 2nd St. Image.
Arkansas
Little Rock – First Security Amphitheater , 400 President Clinton Ave, Little Rock, AR 72201. Image.
California
Long Beach – Parking lot of Glory Days Sports Bar, Carson Blvd and Woodruff Ave.
Los Angeles – L.A. Live in front of Starbucks entrance. Address: 800 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90015
Newport Beach – The outdoor fountain directly in front of Macy’s department store at Fashion Island. Image.
Orange County – The fountain in front of the Ferris wheel at the Irvine Spectrum Mall.
Palm Springs – Fountain at Mercado Plaza (Palm Canyon Drive)
Redwood City – Parking lot of IHOP. Address: 491 Veterans Blvd, Redwood City, CA 94063
Roseville – Royer Park (the large park on Douglas Blvd), next to the gatling gun statue. Image.
San Diego – Corner of 16th & Broadway, in parking lot of the Goodwill
San Diego (North) – The Village at Pacific Highlands Ranch. Meet in front of The Baked Bear Shop.
San Francisco – Balboa Park Bart station, by the arched exit. Image.
San Leandro – Northwest corner of the intersection of E. 14th St. and Estudillo Av. Meet at the public fountain.
Santa Barbara – Steps of the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, located on the corner of State Street and Anapamu Street in downtown Santa Barbara
Sherman Oaks – Sherman Oaks Galleria, between the fountain and Cheesecake Factory entrance. Image. Address: 15301 Ventura Blvd.
Colorado
Boulder – North Boulder Park, beside the shelter. Image.
Denver – 19th Ave and Gilpin Street, on the south side of Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center. Image.
Connecticut
New Haven – World War I Memorial, beside flagpole
Stamford – In the little square on the corner of Franklin St and Broad St. Image.
Florida
Orlando – The Red Chinese Tang pavilion at Lake Eola, beside red pagoda.
Tampa – Curtis Hixon Park, between fountains and grass. Image.
West Palm Beach – Clematis Street Fountains, on the side of North Clematis street
Georgia
Athens – The Arch at the University of Georgia
Atlanta – Piedmont Park, corner of 10th street and Charles Allen Dr by the sign. Image.
Hawaii
Honolulu – Pearl Ridge Downtown, underneath globe sign. Image. Address: 98 – 1005 Moanalua Rd, Aiea, HI 96701
Idaho
Boise – Idaho State Capital Building, 700 W Jefferson St, Boise, ID 83702. Met by the statue of Abraham Lincoln.
Illinois
Chicago – Rogers Park, beside the flagpole. Image. Google Map.
Chicago (Homewood) – Parking lot of Balagio’s. Address: 17501 Dixie Hwy, Hazel Crest, IL 60430.
Iowa
Cedar Rapids – In Sokol Park beside the gazebo. 16th Ave SW
Des Moines – Parking lot of the VA Hospital beside pictured tree.Image. Address: 3600 30th St. Des Moines, IA. 50310
Louisiana
New Orleans – Magazine Street and Lawrence Square, besides the big tree, across the street from 4318 Magazine Street. Image.
Maine
Bangor – Bangor Public Library, in front of main entrance below the stairs (145 Harlow St)
Maryland
Annapolis – Downtown/Historic Annapolis Harbor, Main Street, by the Kunte Kinte memorial statue. Image.
Baltimore – In front of Cross Street Market entrance in Federal Hill
Massachusetts
Boston (North End) – Paul Revere Statue in Paul Revere Mall
Michigan
Ann-Arbor – Nickel’s Arcade in downtown Ann Arbor. Meet at the center column near the entrance off State Street.
Lansing – Lansing River Trail, top of the fish ladder steps. Image.
Macomb County/Clinton Township – The Mall at Partridge Creek. Meet in front of the fountain between Brio Tuscan Grille and P.F. Chang’s. Address: 17420 Hall Rd, Charter Twp of Clinton, MI 48038
Rochester Hills – Elizabeth Park, beside center bush. Image.
Minnesota
Duluth – Leif Erickson Park by the stage. Address: 12th Ave E & London Road, Duluth, MN 55802
Missouri
Kansas City – North side of the World War 1 Museum, on sidewalk directly above monument. Image.
Portsmouth – In front of main entrance of The North Church. 2 Congress St, Portsmouth, NH 03801
New Jersey
Atlantic City – On the Boardwalk in front of main Taj Mahal entrance
Hoboken – In front of Mulligans Pub underneath the canopy. Address: 159 1st St.
New Mexico
Albuquerque – East side of University Of New Mexico Bookstore. Address: 2301 Central Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106. Image.
New York
New York – St. Catherine’s Park, next to the spiral kids slide. 1245 1st Ave between 67th and 68th st
New York – Washington Square Park under the arch
Rochester – Eastman School of Music, Kilbourn Hall (26 Gibbs St, Rochester, NY 14604), Meet at intersection at Gibbs and Main, where the concert hall entrance is. Image.
Syracuse – Columbus Circle, next to the statue. Address: East Onondaga Street, Syracuse, NY 13202
North Carolina
Charlotte – Romare Bearden Park. Meet by the benches behind the gazebo-like structure on the corner of W Martin Luther King and Church St. Image.
Wilmington – Riverfront Park, across the river from USS North Carolina, beside map kiosk. Image.
Ohio
Cincinnati – I-75 and Sharon road has a large parking lot with a grass field next to a Speedway Gas Station. Meet on the grass.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma City – In front of Harkins Theater at 150 E Reno Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73104. Image.
Pennsylvania
Harrisburg – Steps of Capitol on the west side. Image.
Philadelphia – Washington Square Park, between 5th and 6th St right off Walnut Street (it is the size of a city block). Meet specifically by the memorial to the Revolutionary War Soldiers eternal flame.
South Carolina
Anderson – The Carolina Wren Park located downtown at 111 E. Whitner St. 29621 in the Pavilion. Meet beside the fountain.
Camden – King Haigler Tower, main entrance. Image. Address: 950 Broad Street, Camden SC 29020
Tennessee
Chattanooga – In front of Dollar General. Image. Address: 5952 E. Brainerd Road
Mount Juliet – Parking lot in front of entrance to Big Star Cigar Lounge. Address: 3384 N Mt. Juliet Road, Suite 1100, Mount Juliet, TN 37122
Nashsville (North) – In front of Baileys in Rivergate Plaza Shopping Mall
Texas
Austin – Palm Park by the stone structure. Image. Address: 711 East 3rd Street, Austin, TX 78701
Dallas – Meet at the old school phone booth In front of British Beverage Company (BBC). Address: 2800 Routh St, Dallas, TX 75201″
Denton – Denton Square, beside the little arch. Image. Address: 110 W Hickory St, Denton, TX 76201.
El Paso – 301 W Missouri Ave, El Paso, TX 79901. Meet on corner next to statue of man. Image.
Houston – Near the arch of the Sam Houston Monument, adjacent to Houston Museum of Natural Science (5555 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77030)
Nederland – By the gazebo in Doornbos Park AKA “Duck Park”. Address: S 24th ½ St, Nederland, TX 77627
San Antonio – In front of main door of the Alamo
Utah
Provo – Provo City Center Temple on the corner of University Avenue and Center Street. Meet at circle pathway in front of main entrance.
Salt Lake City – Salt Lake City Library, at the top of the amphitheater. Address: 210 E 400 S. Image.
Virginia
Charlottesville – Lee Park, beside the statue of Lee
Virginia Beach – Mt. Trashmore, at bottom of stairs. Image. Address: 310 Edwin Dr, Virginia Beach, VA 23462
Washington
Everett – Clark Park, next to the gazebo. Address: 2400 Lombard Avenue, Everett, WA 98201.
Seattle – In front of main entrance of Seattle Public Library. 1000 4th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104.
Seattle (North) – Statue of Lenin. Address: Corner of Fremont PI N and N 36th St. Image.
Washington DC
Dupont Circle, on the north side by the Starbucks. Image.
Wisconsin
Kenosha – In front of Brat Stop. Address: 12304 75th St. Kenosha, WI 53142.
La Crosse – The large water fountain at Riverside Park.
GLOBAL (Alphabetically)
Australia
Brisbane – In the middle of King George Square in front of City Hall.Image.
Melbourne – In the middle of Federation Square. Image.
Windsor – The Burt Weeks Memorial Gardens, on mini-pier. Image.Homepage.
Winnipeg – St. Vital Mall right outside the entrance to Chapters.Image.
Chile
Santiago – Plaza Italia, next to the statue
China
Shanghai – People’s Square Exit 1, street-side, left corner. Image.
Colombia
Bogota – In the center of Parque de Usaquen
Czech Republic
Prague – Republic Square.
Finland
Helsinki – Kolmen sepän patsas (Three Smiths statue) in Helsinki next to Stockmann department store. Google Map.
France
Nantes – Crossing of Rue du Chateau and Rue Mathelin Rodier. In front of the main entrance of the castle is a little square with a statue of Anne de Bretagne. Meet beside the statue. Image.
Paris – Place de la République, beside the lion statue. Image.
Germany
Aachen – In the center point of Katschhof
Berlin – In front of main entrance to Cafe Lichtburg. Behmstrasse, 13357 Berlin. Map.
Frankfurt am Main – Bank entrance of Frankfurt Dome / Frankfurter Dom, in front of the souvenir shop with the red sign. Image
Hamburg – Hamburg Rathaus, in front of the main entrance
Munchen – München Olympiazentrum, BMW Welt, main entrance.Image 1. Image 2.
Nurnberg – Willy-Brandt-Denkmal (monument) at the Willy-Brandt-Platz, next to statue. Image.
Kimchi and Justice 