Fortune Favors the Brave

Memorial Day (Taken with Instagram at Rolling Hills Memorial Park)

“On Memorial Day we mourn the countless lives destroyed by the war criminals Bush & Cheney” (Taken with Instagram at Oakland, CA)

Collage for my new freakin obsession . Listen to the live @NPR tiny desk concert if you can. (Taken with instagram)

(via theweek-nd)

aitypical:

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month

        Right on the heels of Women’s Month in March and International Women’s Day (the 8th). We’ll see a lot of “It’s time to talk” articles floating around, and the proposal is entirely warranted. Far too many acts of violation go unreported, leaving victims to deal with the event in solitude. For some, it will be time to talk, and for some it will be time to listen. It’s time for compassion. It’s time for old adage “she (or he) was asking for it” to be lain to rest, along with all of the judgement behind the insinuation.

       A few weeks ago, twitter hashtags to voice assault experiences flooded timelines around the world. A blogger from London Feminist began the campaign and opened the floor to victims with #ididnotreport and #webelieveyou. I was moved and simultaneously heart broken to see that so many people carry the scars of their experiences in silence, sometimes burdening themselves with guilt and shame.

       Since then, I’ve been sitting on a story about the process of sharing, confiding and concealing. The strength that it takes to endure that type of offense is immense, and the courage one needs to open up about it is even greater. It can be difficult to stomach the news that a loved one has been hurt, and no one expects you to have all of the answers. Take the moment to appreciate the trust between yourself and the victim and offer support the best way you know how to.

       This month isn’t about demanding secrets to be revealed, or vigilante acts against the offenders. This time is about assault awareness, protecting victims rights and preventing future crimes.

       If you feel so compelled, get involved in the local events that are championing empowerment and justice. If you’re in the Bay Area, San Francisco Women Against Rape will be having their 7th Annual Walk Against Rape on April 28th. The event extremely positive, uplifting and culminates at a festival in Potrero del Sol Park. I’ll be attending again this year, hope to see you there!

      And if you’re not in the Bay, here are some ways to support RAINN (Rape Abuse & Incest National Network) during the month of April and year round. 

wonwherefound:

Consent is sexy. Sex without consent isn’t sex at all; it’s violence or robbery.

(via thefrisky)

jaymug:

It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.

(via thefrisky)

(via thefrisky)

(via theweek-nd)