10
Apr
06
Apr
Anonymous asked: With housing projects being torn down left and right here in Chicago (most recently the Harold Ickes on S. State St.), I was curious to know your views on gentrification? Many people feel that while the CHA may be making our city more appealing to the masses by knocking down those towers of failure, they're also displacing entire families from everything they've ever known. Do you agree? What are your thoughts?
I wrote a rant about gentrification in Chicago here more specifically about Cabrini Green. They certainly were towers of failure and Chicago has become increasingly manicured over the past ten years (in particular), which makes such mass accounts of gentrification not much of a surprise. I find it ironic that two of the cities most high-profile projects are these “redesigning the city-scape” projects and the ending homelessness. How can you get people off the streets if you’re kicking thousands out of their homes each year. Its insanity. Its disgusting the way they go on to refer to these neighborhood as mixed-income housing, when they’re not. I am a huge advocate of the plight of displaced people having been displaced myself so I take it personally and I do what I can to help.
bennybing asked: Would you accept twenty years of extraordinary happiness and fulfillment if it meant that you would die at the end of the period?
I don’t know that I would. Sure sometime I complain and wish things could be perfect but I don’t think true fulfillment is possible without some pain and unhappiness. Additionally I do feel happy and fulfilled most of the time and when I don’t, I change. So, no, I would choose this life filled with all its glorious uncertainty. What about you Benny?
04
Apr
On this day in 1968, Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. He was standing on the balcony of his room on the second floor at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis when, at 6:01 p.m., he was shot in the right jaw. The day before, he’d given a speech at the Mason Temple in Memphis. He was addressing a rally for the Memphis Sanitation Strike, which involved 1,300 black sanitation workers protesting dangerous working conditions and discrimination. He’d been delayed getting into Memphis because there was a bomb threat to his plane. Toward the end of his speech, he acknowledged the recent death threats and said:
“Well, I don’t know what will happen now. We’ve got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn’t matter with me now. Because I’ve been to the mountaintop. And I don’t mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will. And He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I’ve looked over. And I’ve seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land. So I’m happy, tonight. I’m not worried about anything. I’m not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.”
via roguepanda
29
Mar
Darth Dream: Thank You [Version 2] Part. 1
Thank You [Version 2] Part. 1
Back In April/May Of Last Year, I Went On A Thanking Spree Because 1. I Was Bored & 2. I Just Think It’s A Dope Thing To Do When You Show Appreciation For People.
I Figured This Would Be A Good Day To Thank Some New People That I Enjoy On Tumblr. It Might Seem Sappy, But I Really Don’t Care. I DO WHAT I WANT! [/Cartman]
Mz. Report - For Being A Muse To Any/Everyone Wanting To Do Something In Their Lives. You Embodies What It Means To Be A Queen As You Always Demand The Same Respect That You Give Out. I Could Think Of All The Best Positive Adjectives To Describe You (i.e.Beautiful, Smart, Cultured, Fun-Loving etc.) But Then I’d Just Be Going On For Months. I’ll Stop Here By Saying, You Are One Of A Kind, And You’re Too Much Of A Good Person Not To Get Anything You Want. <3
Oh darling, you make me what to cry. Given that I’m crazy stressing out right now, this is exactly what I needed to hear. It might be cheesy or sappy to say such kind words about people but the truth is none us do it enough, so thank you. You are undoubtedly an amazing man. All those kind words you used to describe everyone else could just as easily be said about you. El Amor, Tu Musa.
via darthdream28
Mar
25
Mar
Badu is no joke. You know that right? Here she is leaving the Wendy Williams show. (Stolen From here)
21
Mar
This is what change looks like.
-The President of the United States of America
20
Mar
Alek Wek for ELLE South Africa
“Racism is evil because its ultimate logic is genocide.”
MLK
17
Mar
The only difference between where you are right now, and where you’ll be next year at this time, are the people you meet and the books you read.
-Unknown. YES!
12
Mar
blackfashion: beatsbytre: Look at this baby doing his Dougy y’all lmao
My future baby. End of story.
via blackfashion10
Mar
rillawafers:crookedindifference:
Save the Elephants: STOP BLOODY IVORY
This week, two countries are seeking to break the worldwide ban on ivory trading — a decision that could wipe out whole elephant populations and bring these magnificent animals closer to extinction.
But many African states and conservationists support extending the ban on elephant-slaughtering ivory trade. The decision will be made at a UN meeting in Doha on 13 March, and global public opinion could tip the balance!
Sign the petition now
via rillawafers