one_voice
one_voice's JournalThis is for the tough days...
This is for the days when our hearts hurt like hell, pulsating with a fierce, fiery pain.
This is for the days when we bite back tears, trying too hard to swallow them whole.
This is for the days when our souls feel heavy, so we slump our tired shoulders down, down, down.
This is for the days when getting out of bed feels like a bad-ass, award-winning achievement.
This is for the days when we tremble with anger, our temper on super-short hairline-triggers.
This is for the days when we feel empty, useless and invisible, like a hungry ghost.
Yes.
This is for those really tough days.
The days that rip us wide open, leaving us naked and exhausted, shivering in the dark.
The days where we just want to give up.
The days where we want to run far, far, away.
But, we can’t.
We can’t run. Or hide. Or give up.
Because if we did, the only person we would be running from is ourselves.
We would giving up on ourselves.
Hiding from ourselves.
So, yes, we can try to bail and haphazardly fling ourselves under a fast-moving bus when the going gets tough.
But the thing is—we actually need ourselves the most on those f*cking tough, trying and terrible days.
Let’s stay.
Let’s stick it out.
We don’t need to understand what we’re feeling.
We don’t need to analyze it.
We just need to stay and support the sh*t out of ourselves.
How?
What can we do?
We can be bold and dive right into the toughness of the day, feeling the icy water drip into our hearts, freezing to form incredibly beautiful icicles.
We can run directly towards ourselves, sprinting with wide open arms, a supportive smile and a glass of succulent red wine.
We can buy our battered souls a big bouquet of blossoming flowers.
We can clear a space and cry a thousand crystalline drops till the skies clear and our salty tear-rain has passed.
We can run our soul a frothy bubble bath, slip into mile-high lavender bubbles and take a breath.
We can retreat from the world, burrow under our covers, sigh, moan and just hurt.
We can ask ourselves, “What can I do for you right now?”
We can be really ballsy, wear our heart on our sleeve and ask a trusted friend for an extra-large serving of support.
We can curl up in child’s pose and cry into our yoga mats.
We can write, paint, dance and sing our hurt, our passionate pain, our wicked grief, and express it no-holds-barred, creating magical art from our madness.
We can cue up an angsty, melancholy playlist and sob or scream or tremble till our hearts slip into a soothed state.
We can reach out, take our own hand and squeeze it hard.
Yes.
There are a thousand beautiful things we can do to support ourselves.
So let’s vow now to never, ever abandon our sweet selves again.
Ever.
Because, yes, some days are incredibly tough.
But they can be really juicy, too.
They can be transformative.
They can be beautiful.
They can be filled with inspiration.
They can be chock-full of creativity.
They can be exactly what we need.
So, let’s be bold and stick around.
Let’s be badass and meet those tough days head on.
http://www.elephantjournal.com/2015/02/this-is-for-the-tough-days/
This is one of my favorite sites.
Here's the story behind that striking photo of Baltimore girl, armed Guardsman
"Everyone thinks this picture is cute. I took it, and I think it's tragic," Amanda Moore wrote in a tweet about the photo she took Friday, which she hashtagged #BaltimoreUprising, just hours after city authorities announced criminal charges against six officers involved in the death of Freddie Gray.
The photo shows a young girl playing with a glow stick while kneeling in front of a National Guardsman. The soldier, sitting relaxed and leaning back amid a wall of riot shields, appears amused. His assault rifle rests upon his body, with the front of the weapon pointed on the ground just inches away from the girl.
"I just thought it was really strange, and it really was sad," Moore told TODAY.com. "It was sad for the National Guardsmen because they had to be there, it was sad for Baltimore. And it was sad to explain to your children what's going on."
Moore, a 26-year-old writer and blogger who has lived near Baltimore for most of her life, said she took the picture with her phone at a scene she found surreal. She was in Baltimore's Penn North neighborhood, right by the CVS drug store that had been set on fire early in the April 27 riots, and people were celebrating news about the criminal charges filed against the police officers involved in Gray's case.
"It was such a contrast. All these men in uniform, and all these riot cops next to them, and then all these happy, cheery people. And then to see this little girl go up and interact with them?" she said.
The 2-year-old little girl in the picture, Mckenna Mack, was being watched at the time by an aunt and several cousins who live around the corner from where the photo was taken, said the girl's mother, Danielle Farnsworth.
"I definitely wasn't against her being there. That's literally a block from their house, and that's the reality of the situation," she told TODAY.com. "Her family would not put her in a situation where she would be harmed."
*snip*
http://www.today.com/news/cute-photo-baltimore-girl-armed-guardsman-called-tragic-t19131?cid=par-huffingtonpost
Manda Moore @manda_writes
Everyone thinks this picture is cute. I took it, and I think it's tragic. #BaltimoreUprising http://wp.me/p4o2K7-cr
8:15 PM - 2 May 2015 · Maryland, USA, United States
This little girl is blowing kisses at the National Guard.
I knew this young man....
He was friends with my son, my daughter and my nieces & nephews.
A young man died after a fight nearly 10 days ago but, so far, investigators say there is no evidence a crime occurred.
Not satisfied, his family is now demanding answers.
Ty Sawyer, 20, died after what police described as a mutually agreed-upon fist fight with a person he'd known since childhood. The fight happened at a party in New Castle County.
His parents, Lisa Sawyer and Terence Garnett, say he would have never agreed to a fight.
"I know this kid was harassing my son prior to the incident at the party, on various occurrences. It wasn't just one occurrence, he harassed him multiple times," said Lisa.
"Here you have them agreeing to fight. We know this from five very detailed accounts from witnesses. We don't believe the fight itself - not based on the autopsy - that that's the cause of death," said Col. Elmer Setting of the New Castle County Police.
Ty's parents say, after talking to their son's friends, they believe Ty was beaten and kicked to death.
"I just want the truth. That's it," Lisa said.
Police say they have already ruled out homicide in the death of Ty Sawyer, and are waiting for a toxicology report from the state medical examiner.
"The trauma is not there to say this was a homicide," Setting said.
"My son didn't want to fight this kid. We had already talked about it before, when that kid came to our home and bashed up our mailbox," said Lisa.
http://6abc.com/696000/
Ty died just over a week ago after a fight at a party here in Middletown. It was determined by the police that his death was not a homicide and no charges would be filed. It was determined that there would be no further investigation. To many of us, there was no investigation. For everyone in this community, whether we knew Ty or not, this hasn't settled well. After hearing and reading many accounts of that night, there is a very real possibility that this young man was beaten to death and that his attacker's parents, who are apparently retired law enforcement, may have had a hand in trying to sweep this under the rug. The events from that night are not clear, but one thing that is clear is that the truth needs to be told. As a mother, I cannot imagine what this family must be going through. I do know that Ty's mom and dad deserve the truth. A thorough investigation needs to take place and, if in fact, it is determined Ty was beaten to death as many accounts from that night have indicated, justice needs to be served. I don't care who you're related to, nobody is above the law. NO-ONE. So I share part of his story in the hope that others will share as well, and that a thorough and immediate investigation takes place into the events of that night. I promise that I will do my part to productively and peacefully demand justice for Ty. I hope you all look into this story more and do the same.
This family deserves a full and thorough investigation.
Justice for TY.
Koch Bros - It's the evil thing.
Ok, so this is old...I just came across it. It's pretty good...I don't think this goes 'out of style' so to speak..
Went to see Avengers: Age of Ultron today...
Complete awesomeness!!!!! I loved it.
Totally worth the money.
Prosecutor Resigns over Tweet About Baltimore Protesters: ‘Shoot Em. Period.’
Teana Walsh posted this on Facebook after seeing some of the more violent protesters on the news:
According to MyFoxHouston, a Detroit defense attorney spotted the post and Walsh called Prosecutor Kym Worthy to offer up her resignation.
Worthy said, “The post was completely out of character for her and certainly does not reflect the person that we know.”
http://www.mediaite.com/online/prosecutor-resigns-over-tweet-about-baltimore-protesters-shoot-em-period/
Baltimore Police Release Mugshots of 6 Officers Charged in Freddie Gray’s Death
The Baltimore Police Department tonight released mugshots of the six officers charged in the death of Freddie Gray while in police custody.
The officers were identified last month as Lt. Brian Rice, Officer Garrett Miller, Sgt. Alicia White, Officer William Porter, Officer Edward Nero, and Officer Caesar Goodson
Officer Edward Nero
Officer Caesar Goodson
Officer Garrett Miller
Lt. Brian Rice
Sgt. Alicia White
Officer William Porter
http://www.mediaite.com/online/baltimore-police-release-photos-of-6-officers-charged-in-freddie-grays-death/
eta: names with pictures
Meet Marilyn Mosby, the Badass Female State's Attorney Bringing Justice for Freddie Gray
Mosby's November 2014 election was a turning point in the struggle to hold police officers accountable for brutality against black men. Mosby, a young, black woman, defeated white incumbent Gregg Bernstein in a Democratic primary largely on a promise to rein in police violence, the Associated Press reported.
Those familiar with Mosby's work said the Gray case would be in good hands.
"Let me tell you something, this woman does not play," Russell Barnes, father of a murdered rape victim whose case Mosby is prosecuting, told Mic. "She'll do what she says she's gonna do. I just love her."
Barnes' confidence gives added weight to a series of knockout statements Mosby made during Friday's press conference. Here are eight lines from the presser that embody Mosby's priorities and demonstrate how committed she is to bringing justice to Freddie Gray and all of Baltimore
1. Mosby will not put anybody above the law.
"I need to express, publicly, my deepest sympathies for the family of the loved ones of Mr. Freddie Gray. I had the opportunity to meet with Mr. Gray's family to discuss some of the details of the case [...] I assured his family that no one is above the law and that I would pursue justice on their behalf."
2. Mosby is committed to justice.
"As the city's chief prosecutor, I have been sworn to uphold justice and to treat every individual within the jurisdiction of Baltimore city equally and fairly under the law. I take this oath seriously."
3. Mosby didn't cut any corners.
"My team worked around the clock, 12- and 14-hour days, to canvass and interview dozens of witnesses, view numerous hours of video footage, repeatedly reviewed and listen to hours of police video tape statements, surveyed the route, reviewed voluminous medical records, and we leveraged the information made available to us by the police department, the community and the family of Mr. Gray."
4. Mosby understands young people.
"To the youth of this city: I will seek justice on your behalf. This is a moment. This is your moment. Let's ensure that we have peaceful and productive rallies that will develop structural and systemic changes for generations to come. You're at the forefront of this cause. As young people, our time is now."
*snip*
http://mic.com/articles/117166/meet-marilyn-mosby-the-badass-female-state-s-attorney-bringing-justice-for-freddie-gray
Afraid of justice...
Latest updates on Baltimore unrest and Freddie Gray case
The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 3 is asking Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby to appoint a special prosecutor to the Freddie Gray investigation because of her personal connection to the Gray family’s attorney, William H. “Billy” Murphy Jr., and her marriage to a City Councilman.
The letter from FOP President Gene Gyan also states that none of the six officers involved in Gray’s arrest and death were responsible for the 25-year-old West Baltimore man’s death that spurred a night of rioting, looting, protests and unrest. The letter was released just minutes before Mosby announced charges against the officers.
“Not one of the officers involved in this tragic situation left home in the morning with the anticipation that someone with whom they interacted would not go home that night,” the letter states. “As tragic as this situation is, none of the officers involved are responsible for the death of Mr. Gray.”
Ryan requests that Mosby “appoint a Special Independent Prosecutor.”
“I have very deep concerns about the many conflicts of interest presented by your office conducting an investigation in this case,” the letter states.
“These conflicts include your personal and professional relations with Gray family attorney, William Murphy, and the lead prosecutor’s connections with members of the local media,” the letter states. “Based on several nationally televised interviews, these reporters are likely to be witnesses in any potential litigation regarding this incident.”
*snip*
http://live.baltimoresun.com/Event/Latest_updates_from_the_Freddie_Gray_case_in_Baltimore/161526165
Unarmed Teen Shot By Police, Cried For His Mother As He Died: ‘Mommy, Mommy, Please Come’
Those words now haunt Lucia Morejon, Hector’s mother. She tells us that Long Beach police thought the 19-year-old was in possession of a firearm. They were wrong. But this alone seemed cause to the Long Beach officers to open fire and kill Hector on Thursday afternoon.
Lucia Morejon’s attorney says Hector was clearly unarmed, and had nothing that resembled a firearm when police unloaded on him.
Hector’s final words to his mother came as he was being placed into an ambulance, the attorney alleges. They desperate cry was a response to police refusing to allow Lucia see her dying son before the ambulance drove away.
“He was reaching for her – reaching out to her for help,” Sonia Mercado, the lawyer for the family told The Huffington Post.
“She identified herself as his mother, expecting to ride with him to the hospital, but they refused to let her in.”
Now, Lucia says she hears these dying words of her innocent son, every day, echoing in her mind: “Mommy, Mommy, please come, please come.”
*Snip*
“The officer observed [Morejon] turn towards him, while bending his knees, and extending his arm out as if pointing an object which the officer perceived was a gun,” a press release from the Long Beach Police Department attempted to rationalize.
“At this point, an officer involved shooting occurred,” the statement continued, in noting the obvious.
All in all, Friday’s press release said nothing of any substance or value. The police have made it clear that they will protect their own, even when they gun down innocent, unarmed teenagers.
*snip*
http://countercurrentnews.com/2015/04/justice-for-hector-morejon-now/
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Gender: FemaleHometown: Delaware
Current location: Delaware
Member since: Mon Feb 8, 2010, 10:25 PM
Number of posts: 20,043