#it includes liberation from restrictive clothing too

[floatingbook]

Someone chattered about « uncomfortable push-up bras » versus « normal everyday ones » in my inbox and I have to say, in what utopian world do you live, my dear? Because I’ve never worn or seen a bra that was anything but uncomfortable. No need to waste your money on them. Burning the bra might have started as a joke, but it doesn’t have to stay one.

#burn the bra #women’s liberation #it includes liberation from restrictive clothing too #if you don’t see the point dig deeper

[prettyboysdontlookatexplosions]

liberal arts major brain: while the modern reader may find it jarring that a heroine so full of vim and so enamored of shorthand and lady journalists as mina would distance herself from the New Woman, a few things bear keeping in mind. first, mina is intelligent and passionate and in her own very protestant way ambitious - she desires above all else to be useful - but she is also very much a normie, and joining the project of expanding the roles permissible for women to take has always required a greater comfort with being part of a cultural vanguard than most people have. we lose something important in our understanding of our history as women and as feminists if we forget how much boldness was once required for nearly every liberty which now we take for granted, and we lull ourselves into the same kind of arrogance that so endangers the cast of this novel if we assume that we are now at last so perfectly empowered that there are no rituals of gender to which we cling out of familiarity and fear, regardless of the story we’ve woven for ourselves about our preference and our choice. truly we ought to hope, every last one of us, that our metaphorical granddaughters will look back at some ordinary feature of our lives and think it hopelessly regressive, and wonder how even smart independent women could have found it acceptable. in some ways mina is every woman with a college degree and a job who isn’t a feminist, she just believes in equal rights, and who would never (contrary to mina’s later prediction about the New Woman!) dream of being the one to propose; she’s my mom, who raised me to be and call myself a feminist and who also literally would not allow me, even after a screaming match in the nordstrom shoe department, to go to my own prom in flats. it’s a mistake, and a misogynist one, to read the attachment of women to gendered norms as inherently revealing of their individual attachments to the constraints of womanhood rather than as a reflection of the genderless human resistance to breaking cultural taboos in the specific context of one of the fundamental organizing hierarchies of basically all human societies, including ours right now, and certainly including victorian england.

second, while the New Women represented an expansion of women’s liberties and possibilities, patriarchy over time has proved durably adept at ensuring that such evolutions always come with a cost. any rallying cry can be coopted into an ideal, and any ideal can be sold; as well as being both scorned and praised, the New Woman could be advertised to, and she was. her radicalism could be eroded as her image was diffused beyond the political and artistic circles in which she arose, and that image could be received by ordinary women as a standard to emulate or fail to live up to. it has been observed that if you trace the course of women’s rights and freedom from the first wave of feminism to the present day, you find moving in tandem with that progress a shifting series of expectations that the modern woman is asked that meet, goalposts keeping her ever at a distance from being permitted simply to exist. you can see this even just in the realm of fashion: as women’s clothing became less restrictive, the demands of bodily self-policing imposed on and internalized by became more so, as new beauty norms rose to prominence, often rebranded as health (thinness) or hygiene (hairlessness) or, in the twenty-first century, self-care (twelve-step skincare routines). it’s interesting that in this, the first and more negative mention of the New Woman, this is the aspect that mina seems to be referring to: the reason she imagines the New Women would look down on her and lucy is not their lack of worldly ambitions or interest in homemaking for their husbands - it’s that they eat too much!

and that’s what i find particularly interesting about the way the New Woman is first invoked in this novel of all novels: she is presented as a creation of modernity distinguished by her disciplined appetite, in a story about a creature from centuries past made terrifying by his monstrous appetite. i’m fascinated by that - by the fact that it would feel logical to me, from my smug vantage point in the future, for stoker to reinforce the virtuousness of his heroes by granting them some kind of bodily asceticism to stand in contrast to dracula’s defiling maw and even renfield’s obscene tastes, but he didn’t see it. it makes it feel, to me, like the novel is not against appetite but against its perversion - and while it’s obvious stoker and i would have rather different definitions of what counts as perverse, that categorical distinction feels significant as part of what has made it possible for me to become sincerely emotionally engaged in this book across our palpable and wide gap in sensibilities and ideology. it’s fine, in the world of the novel, for mina and lucy to have their capital “severe tea” and stroll lazily home on vacation. that’s a small thing, but not a meaningless one, i think.

dumbass brain: damn i can’t believe bram stoker literally said Real Women Have Curves

#dracula daily

[tea-cryptid]

i'd like to congratulate sex for winning the war on sex

for those of you not researching lesbian history, let me introduce you to:

THE LESBIAN SEX WARS OF THE 1980S

Historian Lillian Faderman writes 'In the lesbian community, the 1970s was dominated by cultural feminists - especially lesbian-feminists [women who believed choosing to be a lesbian was the ultimate rejection of patriarchy] and middle-class lesbians - who generally shared a mistrust of masculine/feminine roles, sexual "violence" (whether real or in play), and pornography, which they saw as a manifestation of the misguided male sex drive.' (Faderman, 2012: 249). Lesbian sex in the feminist community was all about equality, and the slightest whiff of anything "masculine", which could be anything from buying a woman a drink to vaginal penetration, was decried as politically incorrect.

However, in the early 1980s a group of lesbians grew which wanted to liberate lesbian sex the same way gay men and heterosexuals had found freedom and fun in sexuality over the course of the "free love" era of the 60s and 70s. They argued that restricting sexual practices in the way that was required of the radical lesbian-feminist was oppressive, and that assertive sexuality when employed in a consensual environment between two women couldn't possibly be replicating patriarchal gendered violence, and that assertive sexuality was not inherently male.

It was a backlash against the biological essentialism prevalent in feminism at the time which encouraged women to embrace their "natural" feminine traits. Although this often involved destigmatising female bodily functions and sexuality, it also uncritically privileged 'women's biological, natural capabilities over an examination of cultural gender differences' (Dolan, 1987: 158), which raised red flags for many feminists of colour at the time who recognised a biological essentialism all too similar to the type used in racist doctrines.

'And so, when some lesbians at the end of the decade began to encourage lesbian interest in pornography and even strip shows and certain forms of violent (albeit consensual) sex, cultural feminists felt betrayed and furious. It was to them as though the enemy - male-identified perverts in dyke clothing - had all the while been living in their own camp and were now attempting to weaken the ranks by disseminating propaganda in support of everything the cultural feminists most despised: pornography, sexual role playing (including s/m "violence" and butch/femme relationships), and even public sex.' (Faderman, 2012: 250)

A large part of the lesbian reclamation of sexuality was rediscovering the butch/femme roles that had developed in the bar culture of the 50s and 60s, and which had been wholeheartedly rejected by lesbian-feminists in the early 70s as replicating patriarchal heterosexual relationship structures. These neo-butches and femmes felt that this strict binary way of thinking about gender was more restrictive than any kind of role-play engaged in by a sexual minority, and further argued that by having a female body taking in and claiming the "male" appearance and role, it further undermines the assumption that masculine power is solely the domain of the man, and therefore undermining the male/female binary that is the cornerstone of patriarchal oppression.

Sources:

Odd Girls and Twilight Lovers: A History of Lesbian Life in Twentieth-Century America by Lillian Faderman (2012, New York: Columbia University Press)

'The Dynamics of Desire: Sexuality and Gender in Pornography and Performance' by Jill Dolan (1987, Theatre Journal Issue 39 Vol. 2, pp. 156-174)

See also:

Rebel Dykes dir. Siân A. Williams & Harri Shanahan (2021) (documentary)

#lgbt history #queer history #lesbian history #lesbian #queer #academia #hannah rambles #queer tag

[nshoward-blog]

Amazon.com  https://www.amazon.com/Slaves-Rogue-World-Praxton-Book-ebook/dp/B004W82RLG

Amazon.ca   https://www.amazon.ca/Slaves-Rogue-World-Praxton-Book-ebook/dp/B004W82RLG

Melange Books  http://www.melange-books.com/authors/nshoward/nshowardpraxton1.html

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun, sexy, entertaining and world-building at it's best!Reviewed in Canada on July 27, 2018

Verified Purchase

The government of Alliance Worlds take a decidedly dim view of a planet where woman wear collars, cuffs, revealing clothing and answer to male guardians. Praxton, a prosperous self-governing planet has resisted all efforts to conform, and has even opened up a tourist zone; attracting shiploads of visitors from neighboring planets who are encouraged to partake in activities representative of the Praxton lifestyle; with certain safeguards built in, of course. While the governing body of Alliance Worlds is concerned about the degrading of women in the area designated for tourists, their main focus is the real Praxton, where reportedly male guardians live with and control one or more submissive females. The inhabitants of the real Praxton and tourists don't interact and the real Praxton is off limits to visitors. Immigration is possible under very stringent conditions; particularly for women. But if a woman meets all of the requirements and is willing to accept Praxton customs, which include being under the protection of a male guardian, she may apply for immigration status. Alliance Worlds is baffled as to why women suppressed by and dependent on men, who discipline them regularly to keep them in line; literally slaves, have no desire to escape their life. More baffling still: why any outsider would want to make Praxton her home? To investigate deviant behavior in the tourist zone and infiltrate the real Praxton for answers, the Charter of Conduct Office sends in Terri Baxter. Using the cover of tourist so taken with her experiences that she wants to fully embrace the lifestyle, Baxter's mission is to observe and report back. Alliance Worlds needs right kind of evidence to mount a military campaign if the need arises. To fit in and not arouse suspicion, Terri trades her conservative attire for sexy clothes that leave little to the imagination, matched with appropriate accessories; decorative collars worn like jewelry among them. As she sheds her inhibitions along with her restrictive garments, the investigator finds Praxton culture and traditions rather liberating. Feeling that her sexuality and capacity for pleasure has been repressed on her own world, the pull of Praxton is strong. With a growing affinity for the Praxton lifestyle, Terri comes to see Alliance Worlds as a threat to a people they have no business interfering with. While the alliance of planets accuses Praxton's government of forcing females to submit without evidence that the females in question are anything but happy, they are trying to impose their code of conduct on a whole planet. Terry doesn't fail to see the irony and she's conflicted. Loyalty to the job means denying her true nature, betraying friendships and turning away from true love. As a reader new to science fiction with steamy adult content, I really enjoyed this book. I loved the plot and how author N.S. Howard introduces elements with real entertainment value that touch on issues surrounding judgmental thinking and intolerance. After a few chapters, I recognized that the use of the term "Slave" in the title reflected the attitude of a close-minded society and not as I first understood it. I don't want to get too philosophical and deviate from the fact that the first book in the Praxton series is a fascinating read. N.S. Howard has put a lot of effort into creating a distinct world that engages all five-senses. Add well developed characters; some just oozing sensuality, and those well-written sexy scenes, and it's a book that's hard to put down. If you're worried that there's cliffhanger because it's the first book in a series and you hate cliffhangers, don't be. Praxton Book 1: Slaves of the Rogue World, has a satisfying ending with the promise of an exciting new story around existing and possibly, new characters. You don't have to read next book to find out if Terri Baxter makes any life-changing decisions. But you're going to want to. You're probably going to want to visit Praxton again in all of the books that follow, like I do.

[hirenest]

Companies with Strict Dress Codes

What kind of company has strict dress codes? Learn more: https://blog.hirenest.com/companies-with-strict-dress-codes-what-to-know/

Companies with strict dress codes are usually very formal places where employees wear suits or dresses every day. They also require their workers to follow certain rules such as wearing ties at all times.

Some companies believe that dressing professionally makes them look professional. Others say that they want to create a positive impression on clients and customers. Whatever the reason, these companies enforce strict dress codes.

The most common type of business attire is a suit. Suits come in different styles and colors. A suit can include pants, a jacket, and a tie. If you work in an office environment, it's important to match your outfit with the rest of the staff. For example, if everyone else wears blue shirts, then you should too.

Why Dress Codes Are Important

Why should you care about dress codes at work? What does it mean for employees and employers? Is it really necessary? You can find out more in our article: https://blog.hirenest.com/companies-with-strict-dress-codes-what-to-know/

The workplace has always had its own unique culture. There are certain rules that apply to everyone, regardless of their job title or position within the company. These include things such as dress code, office hours, and even the type of food served at lunchtime.

Dress codes are important because they reflect the values of the organization. They also create a sense of belonging and identity among employees. In addition, they provide a clear message about the expectations of the company.

A study published in 2015 found that companies with strict dress codes were less likely to experience sexual harassment than those without them. This was true whether the dress code applied to men or women. Companies with a dress code may also see fewer complaints from employees regarding discrimination.

While some people might think that wearing a suit every day would be too restrictive, others might find it liberating. If you want to wear jeans and t-shirts all day long, then by all means do so! But if you feel like dressing up once in a while will help you focus better, then why not give it a try?

It’s common practice for employers to offer flexible working arrangements to attract and retain top talent. Some organizations allow staff to work remotely, while others let workers swap shifts around or take leave whenever needed. Flexibility can also come in the form of part-time roles or reduced hours.

Trends in Business Casual Dress

The business casual dress code has become increasingly popular among businesses around the world. It’s not just the suits anymore; it’s also the blazers, polos, and button downs. And if you want to look professional at work, then this trend is definitely worth considering.

The business casual dress code has evolved into something more than just a simple uniform. Today, many companies offer employees options to wear pants instead of skirts or dresses. This allows women to feel comfortable wearing jeans and shorts without worrying about what they will look like. In addition, some companies allow men to wear slacks, too.

If you’re looking for a new job, then you may want to consider applying for one where you’ll be able to wear business casual attire. There are plenty of jobs out there that require people to dress casually, so don’t let yourself miss out on opportunities because you don’t know how to dress appropriately.

While the business casual dress code is becoming more common, it doesn’t mean that all clothing styles are acceptable. For example, you shouldn’t show up to work dressed in sweats and flip flops. Instead, you should choose clothes that fit well and that are appropriate for the environment you’ll be working in.

Dress Code Legality

The dress code at work is important because it affects your ability to do your job. If you feel uncomfortable wearing certain clothes, ask if you can wear something else instead. Some employers may require employees to wear specific clothing, like suits or skirts/dresses. This requirement could affect your ability to perform your job duties. For example, if you're required to wear a suit every day, you might not be able to meet deadlines or complete tasks during breaks.

In some states, employers cannot legally enforce a dress code. These laws protect workers from being discriminated against based on gender, race, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other factor protected by law. Check with your state's Department of Labor & Industries (DOLI) website to find out whether your state has a law protecting workers from discrimination based on sex, race, etc. The DOLI website will tell you if your state protects employees from workplace discrimination based on sex, age, race, religion, etc. If so, then it may not matter what your employer says about clothing. Your boss can't fire you because you're wearing jeans instead of a skirt.

Conclusion

A study by Harvard Business School found that employees who dress more casually tend to be less productive than those who wear business attire. A survey conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) found that nearly half of all employers surveyed had policies prohibiting jeans, shorts, T-shirts, flip flops, sneakers, sandals, athletic shoes, tank tops, spaghetti straps, halter tops, low cut shirts, sleeveless shirts, short skirts, midriff tops, and/or revealing clothing.

The researchers concluded that “the results suggest that casual clothes may signal to others that one does not take his or her job seriously. This finding has important implications for organizational culture because it suggests that organizations should consider changing their informal dress codes if they want to increase employee productivity.”

In addition to being distracting, wearing casual clothes at work could lead to workplace accidents. For example, according to the National Safety Council, workers who were distracted by cell phones or texting were three times more likely to suffer injuries on the job than those who weren’t distracted. If you want to know more about Companies with Strict Dress Codes: What to Know about Dress Codes 2022?, read this article: https://blog.hirenest.com/companies-with-strict-dress-codes-what-to-know/

#hirenest #hirenest blog #pre employment tests #pre-employment assessments #pre-employment tests #human resources #soft skills #Dress Code #Strict Dress Codes

[clarkeayers5]

Mens Designer Belts

Framework plan limit is significant as will most likely be the method in which to proficiency. It includes a water weight verify, fixture, and water meter. Estimations, for instance, static water weight and water volume are likewise expected to make a graph. The define will help decide the framework plan restrict of your sprinkler institution. Such particulars are greatest recommended with an expert sprinkler installer. Burberry steadily grew its reputation, and in 1891, the founder moved the company to London. It was there the place his much more popular designs rapidly loved fantastic success. He made a tightly woven materials generally recognized as Gabardine that represented some type of liberation. On Wednesday Burberry joined Nike, H&M and Gap in signing as a lot as an initiative that goals to enhance the industry’s record on sustainability after a research discovered that lower than 1% of clothes is recycled. Burberry's artistic director, Christopher Bailey, advised Women's Wear Daily that the line came about as a outcome of he was bored with make-up in the incorrect colors being applied on fashions throughout his style reveals. In order to rectify the recurring downside, he decided to create his personal makeup line for the brand. https://phoenet.tw/replica-designer-belts/replica-burberry-belt.html Much of the work is completed by hand, such as the coat's again pleat and the detailing of its cuffs and straps. The gabardine material used to make the coat isn't woven by hand, however it, too, gets a personal contact. Craftsmen personally examine the fabric to guarantee that it's perfectly produced. The firm went into harm management mode and have become extra protecting of the model, regaining management of their signature verify design. Gradually, the company rebounded and as quickly as again established itself as a luxurious model. Best costs on Burberry belts in Men's Belts / Suspenders online. In March 2021, Burberry was the primary luxurious model to be focused in China as part of the backlash concerning sanctions against the systematic human rights abuses and genocide in Xinjiang. Brand ambassador and Actress Zhou Dongyu terminated her contract with Burberry. I just surprise how the belt works, it appears impractical. It’s a cute bag and would have potential however the costs aren’t matching. If the belt converted to a shoulder strap then I would perceive the aim otherwise, I don’t like the look. If the belt has a metallic buckle, make certain it’s freed from scratches or scuffs. Examine the belt band for cracks, tears, and unfastened threads, notably on the sides. Finally, examine the holes within the belt and ensure that they give the impression of being neat and round quite than stretched or torn. So, I appeared at the coat once more and realize that it is actually very long. I could make a very good-looking belt from the hemline with little or no effort. The type is secured with a palladium-plated Monogram motif plaque buckle. Archive beige/black cotton/leather monogram-buckle belt from BURBERRY that includes reversible, Vintage Check sample, emblem buckle fastening, silver-tone hardware, pre-drilled holes and adjustable match. The style is secured with a Monogram motif plaque buckle. I was given a stunning black trench coat and it doesn't have the belt. I am a skilled seamstress and it did not even happen to me to cut off the hemline. Your concept saved me bunch of time going to the material store, attempting to match...or, worse, attempting the thrift retailers. A reference among composable belts, the 32 mm belt is on the market in a wide range of signatures, from the enduring H to the revisited Chaîne d’ancre hyperlink. All the Burberry Belt we bought are come from original manufacturing unit and underneath the extraordinarily quality management. Shop from freebuy.co, you'll have the ability to take pleasure in free transport and quick supply. Since you're importing luxurious goods immediately from Italy, all returns might be processed by customized in Italy. Read reviews on Clothing & Accessories merchants and purchase with confidence. Crafted in Italy from calf leather-based with distinction topstitching, this belt from Burberry features the new TB monogram in gleaming golden hardware. [newline]Its hand-painted edges prove that the label pays consideration to each single element. wikipedia handbags Stores are responsible for providing Bizrate with correct and present costs. Sales taxes and shipping costs are estimates; please verify retailer for exact amounts. Product specs are obtained from retailers or third events. Although we make every effort to present accurate info, Bizrate is not responsible for inaccuracies.

#replica burberry belt #fake burberry belt #cheap burberry belt #replica burberry belt mens #replica burberry belt womens

[munn62savage]

High Quality Replica Designer Footwear, Clothing, Equipment

Framework plan restrict is important as it will be the best way to proficiency. It includes a water weight verify, fixture, and water meter. Estimations, for example, static water weight and water quantity are likewise expected to make a graph. The define will assist decide the framework plan limit of your sprinkler establishment. Such details are greatest recommended with an professional sprinkler installer. An skilled and talented glass window establishment specialist organization could be very experienced, ready, and realized as regards to fixing and supplanting any kinds of windows. wikipedia handbags In this fashion, it’s profoundly basic that you just go along with anyone who completely comprehends what sort of window your non-public or business property has. Notwithstanding that, your picked reliable window installer or window substitution specialist group should realize the well-ordered process of introducing or supplanting windows. With regards to your home windows, you should never employ an amateurish and unpracticed particular person since you want to spare a couple of bucks as it could just value you a ton of cash in a while. It’s also important to consider the pros and cons of hiring an expert like a skilled window restore and dangers of not handling a window correctly. Add a luxurious finishing touch to your ‘fits with this stylish belt from Burberry. Made from sturdy vegan leather, it’s designed with an archive beige check pattern and completed with a statement, gold-toned monogram buckle, creating a daring, elevated piece. While Burberry is, of course, finest identified for its trend, there's extra to the brand than gabardine trench coats and checked scarves. In the late 2000s, Burberry began to branch out into cosmetics. Burberry steadily grew its status, and in 1891, the founder moved the corporate to London. It was there the place his much more well-liked designs quickly loved incredible success. He made a tightly woven material known as Gabardine that represented some kind of liberation. By World War II, the ditch coat was each a fashion assertion and army dress, and was worn by troops the world over. Army, Army Air Corps, and Marine Corps all wore trench coats throughout World War II. Calfskin belt in black featuring signature examine pattern in beige, white, pink, and black throughout. Burberry drastically decreased the usage of its signature product as a end result of soccer hooligans have been broadly utilizing the examine. The seedy nature of football thugs was beginning to erode the brand value, so Burberry determined to make the verify much less ubiquitous. After growing its fabled check design, the company endured an period of mass imitation from rivals that tested it to the limit. But shrewd recruitment and revocation of licenses helped the corporate reclaim its image, and it has since grown in leaps and bounds. The inscription is usually used alone, but it’s generally accompanied by the slogan “England London,” which can be rendered in capital letters. The “equestrian knight” has been accomplished away with from the brand, however it’s nonetheless on the brand’s tags and packaging, to not mention the patterns of branded clothes and equipment. Based in London, underneath the creative path of Riccardo Tisci, Burberry combines its heritage of innovation and craftsmanship in its design of womenswear, menswear and accessories. I have it in the small black with the tan belt and it's beautiful. It’s not too huge and the distinction within the belt shade makes it pop. The belt can be removed and changed out for other colours. Considering a variety of the costs on LV, Chanel, SL and others, I thought it was priced higher than most and I received a 15% discount from a price match at Nordstroms a few weeks in the past. IDK who they were price matching, however I took benefit of the low cost since I even have been eyeing this bag since it came out. Open up the buckle, trim your belting to have half" underlap, and glue the underlap collectively. Metallic buckle engraved with the Burberry brand.One belt loop. This Burberry belt is crafted from green leather, completed with muted tones and is designed to be wrapped in a number of methods. The new austere Burberry emblem has the brand name written in uppercase letters and a smaller “LONDON ENGLAND” textual content below it. It appears that Burberry took the well-trodden path of straightforward design approaches employed by Chanel, Tom Ford, Fendi, Céline, or Louis Vuitton. Aside from including colour to the Christmas season, the Christmas wreath is definitely greater than just a bunch of flowers and leaves. In 2009, the company announced they have been launching a make-up line. "It provides one other dimension to the brand," Philippe Benacin of Burberry collaborator Inter Parfums SA informed Women's Wear Daily . https://phoenet.tw/replica-designer-belts/replica-burberry-belt.html Today, the Burberry examine pattern is arguably the model's most iconic design. Instantly recognizable whether or not it's on a scarf or a handbag, the check design is a coveted standing image.

#replica burberry belt #fake burberry belt #cheap burberry belt #replica burberry belt mens #replica burberry belt womens

[clancystallings04]

Burberry For Women Ss22 Collection

All orders are shipped worldwide via our affiliate courier DHL. Please see the shipping methodology in addition to delivery costs and supply instances in your destination right here. That was my suggestion, to check thrift shops and attempt to find a jacket low cost with a belt that would match. It can be good if thrifts offered even stray belts separately as lots of people take them off and misplace or lose them. The future of one other Bailey-led project, the set-up of a new £50m trench coat factory in Leeds, additionally remains unclear. Burberry steadily grew its status, and in 1891, the founder moved the corporate to London. https://phoenet.tw/replica-designer-belts/replica-burberry-belt.html It was there where his much more well-liked designs quickly enjoyed unbelievable success. He made a tightly woven materials often identified as Gabardine that represented some type of liberation. On Wednesday Burberry joined Nike, H&M and Gap in signing as a lot as an initiative that aims to improve the industry’s record on sustainability after a research discovered that lower than 1% of clothing is recycled. Burberry's creative director, Christopher Bailey, told Women's Wear Daily that the line came about as a end result of he was uninterested in makeup within the incorrect colors being applied on models throughout his trend exhibits. In order to rectify the recurring downside, he determined to create his personal makeup line for the model. If you want what you see, try a Burberry belt bag too. In collaboration with graphic artist Peter Saville, Burberry reinvents the label’s signature logo with this clean leather belt. Paying homage to the founder’s initials, it fastens with a TB Monogram plaque buckle in a model new kind and is completed with hand-painted edges. It's all in the details, and Burberry belts will add a refined finishing touch to any look. Burberry was an independent family-controlled company till 1955, when Great Universal Stores assumed possession. There are two major Burberry signatures – the enduring check and the ditch coat, and there’s about to be three thanks to Riccardo Tisci. Delving into the archives, the designer has reworked Thomas Burberry’s initials into a model new emblem for the brand. You’ll find this TB monogram throughout our edit of Burberry belts. Italian-tanned black and brown leather-based is accentuated with new and traditional home signatures, together with the Thomas Burberry monogram as a clasp and a sample, ‘Kingdom’ slogans and the Vintage examine. It started, of course, with Thomas Burberry's invention of gabardine, nevertheless it did not stop there. The brand is continually attempting new things and has tailored very quickly to the fashionable digital world. According to the South China Morning Post, Burberry was the first fashion model to live-stream fashion shows, which it did in 2009. Framework plan restrict is critical as it is going to be the greatest way to proficiency. It features a water weight check, fixture, and water meter. Estimations, for instance, static water weight and water volume are likewise anticipated to make a graph. The define will help decide the framework plan restrict of your sprinkler establishment. Such particulars are finest recommended with an expert sprinkler installer. Crafted from every little thing from leather and canvas to alligator pores and skin and suede, add the British brand's sturdy designs to any outfit and you may be good to go. All styles are completed with an announcement buckle so wear yours now and it'll immediately show to be a properly worth funding. A set consisting of a Burberry handbag and A Burberry belt. The objects are made from nylon with Nova Check and black leather. Fashioned in Italy, each carryall includes a prime aspect zip closure, an interior slip pocket, a rear zip compartment, polished metal hardware and premium leather trim noticed throughout. wikipedia handbags Priced at $590 USD, you can search for this new Burberry belt bag now via the label’s official webshop.

#replica burberry belt #fake burberry belt #cheap burberry belt #replica burberry belt mens #replica burberry belt womens

[frommarcher6]

American indian Fashion Industry

Colourful fashion trends of India Together with the end of the 20th century arrived the conclusion of most hype which includes created a more functional and pragmatic surroundings and has offered an even more stable picture with the fashion organization. Within the 50s, 60s and 70s, the particular Indian fashion circumstance wasn't exactly without color. It was exciting, trendy and intensely graceful. Right now there were no makers, models, star or even fashion design labels that the nation could show off. The value associated with a garment was judged by it is style and textile and never by who managed to get. It has been regarded as very chic and trendy to approach any kind of unfamiliar tailor, that could make an outfit for a couple rupees, supplying an ideal fit, finish off and elegance. The great society lady, who wore it, was proud for getting a new good bargain as well as for giving her name to the end result. In 60s, tight 'kurtas', 'churidars' and high coiffures were a trend among ladies. This was an period filled with naughtiness in addition to celebration in disciplines and music plus cinema, manifested simply by liberation from restriction and acceptance regarding new varieties of materials such as plastic-type material film and layered polyester fabric. Typically the 70s witnessed an increase in the export regarding traditional materials away from country as effectively as within. Hence, international fashion appeared in India much before the MTV culture with the bold colors, flower prints and bell-bottoms. Synthetics turned cool and the single culture affected the style scenario. It had been within the early 1980s if the first trend store 'Ravissant' opened up in Mumbai. From that time apparel were retailed for a four-figure price marking. The '80s was the era associated with self consciousness in addition to American designers love Calvin Klein became popular. In Indian too, silhouettes grew to become more masculine along with the 'salwar kameez' was created with shoulder safeguards. With the evolution of designer retailers in Mumbai, the particular elegant fashion style and design culture was a pattern among Indians alongside with their major prices. No question that a clothing with a heavy price tag was at the bottom stage of fashion. But consumers immediately transformed directly into benefit fashion flip where they have been convinced how the phrase 'elegant style structure culture' means, completely in order to have a higher price. Garments were bought at unbelievable rates only because the creative designers had decided to get themselves discovered by making showy outfits and obtaining associated with the right shows, superstars and events. Later, fashion shows moved to competitive occasions each attempting to be able to out-do another inside theme, guest checklist and media coverage. For any beginner, the fashion organization was your number one particular professional art that time. In the 90's, the last decade from the millennium, a move towards the drastic combining down returned with ethnic wears (Today, ethnic wear marketplace in India is usually accounted to Rs. 9000 crore). This particular led to typically the decline and the recession, the force to sell whatever it takes and keep being in the limelight. With heavy trim throat competition in addition to sound awareness of the consumer, the inescapable occurred. The cost tags, which had once reached at a peak, commenced their downside voyage. At those instances the downturn seemed to be not only becoming experienced in the prices of the particular garments, but additionally in the business of fashion shows. Even more models, choreographers, cosmetics men, hairstylists plus designers streamed along into their organization. The fun plus party time inside the Indian trend scenario had not finished with this, but continued. It was basically an area, where this reached at some sort of certain steady stage and following that, inside of the beginning involving the 21st centaury, with new designers and models plus some sensible developing; the fashion media hype accelerated its speed. Indian fashion industry spreads its wings globally For the particular global fashion business, India is definitely a big exporter of fabrics and even accessories. Across the world, Indian ethnic designs and materials are viewed as as a significant aspect for the style houses and outfit manufacturers. In fabric, while sourcing intended for fashion wear, Indian also plays a new vital role because one of the particular biggest players in the international fashion arena. India's advantages not only depend on its tradition, and also on its recycleables. World over, Of india will be the third largest producer of organic cotton, the 2nd largest developer of silk and even the fifth most significant producer of man-made muscles. In the worldwide market, the Native indian garment and cloth industries have several fundamental aspects that are compliant, in terms of price effectiveness to make, raw material, quick adjusting for selling, plus a wide amounts of preference inside the designs in the particular garments like with sequin, beadwork, aari or chikkon standalone etc, and also less costly skilled employees. Of india provides these style garments towards the global fashion houses at competitive prices along with shorter lead time and an effective monopoly in patterns which covers elaborated palm embroidery - recognized world over. India offers always been viewed as a default resource inside the embroidered clothing segment, but typically the changes of rupee against dollar has got further decreased the particular prices, thereby attracting buyers. So typically the international fashion houses leave with personalized stuff, and inside of the end crafted works are marketed at very cheap rates. As much as typically the market of fabric is concerned, the ranges obtainable in India can easily attract as well as confuse the buyer. A basic judgmental expectation in the particular choosing of fabrics is typically the present trend within the international market. Much of the production tasks take place in components of the little city of Chapa within the Eastern state of Bihar, a name one would have never even read of. Here cloth making is really a loved ones industry, the varies and quality of raw silks churned out here belie the crude generation methods and equipment used- tussars, matka silks, phaswas, alla t?nkbara sj?kl?der and they can design it. Surat in Gujarat, is usually the supplier involving an amazing pair of jacquards, moss crepes and georgette sheers - all fabrics utilized to produce dazzling silhouettes demanded everywhere. Another Native indian fabric design that will has been specially designed for the fashion history is the particular "Madras check" originally utilized for typically the universal "Lungi" a basic lower body place worn in The southern part of India, this product or service has now traversed it is way on to be able to bandannas, blouses, home furnishings and practically whatever one can think of. Just lately many designers have started using standard Indian fabrics, designs and cuts to enhance their fashion collections. Ethnic Indian models with batik cravat, tie-and-dye or vegetable block print is usually 'in' not merely in India nevertheless all around the globe. In Of india, folk embroidery is always linked to women. It is a method of their self manifestation, and they make designs that illustrate their native tradition, their religion plus their desires. Girls embroider clothes with regard to their personal use, and the folks associated with the pastoral profession prepare embroidered animal decorations, decorative covers for horns and foreheads and even the Rabaris of Kutch in Gujarat do some from the finest embroidery. Stitched pieces are made in the festivals plus marriages, which are usually appliqu� work named 'Dharaniya'. One of many substantial styles of Saurashtra is 'Heer' standalone, which has strong geometric designs, stiched on silks. The Mutwa women regarding the Banni area of Kutch possess a fascinating embroidery w here ver they make right embroidery works along with designed motifs and mirrors within the dimension of pinheads, the Gracia jats employ geometric designs within the yoke of very long dresses. Moreover, the finest of quilts together with appliqu� work are made in Kutch. Garments embellishment together with bead work is another area in which it widely used inside the international promote. Beads are used to prepare garlands and other equipment items like belts and bags in addition to these patterns today available for haute couture evening use too. According in order to a survey, inside recent times Indian women have given up their traditional sari for western might wear like t-shirts and even shorts, as they will feel more secure in skirts plus trousers as opposed to saris and salwar kameez online. It's been noted that girls spend just $165 million on slacks and skirts towards 1. 74 million dollars spent by men on pants. With more women coming out to work, the (combined) brand name trouser and skirts market has been raising at a large 27 per dollar in sales terms. Women feel of which Western clothes are even more suitable, particularly if working or employing public transportation. Many corporate and business offices are likewise in favor regarding their employees putting on Western wear. Found in India, Western ideas is increasing thanks to the impact of TV and films. Besides, shopping malls selling branded clothes have also mushroomed in India plus are fascinating the particular youngsters. Recently, artist wear is being promoted through retail store chains such as Shopper's Stop, Pantaloons, Westside, and so forth Organizations such as Raymond and TCNS have set up their own exclusive stores regarding designer wear these kinds of as Be: in addition to W. The market industry involving India fashion sector

#gwynnie bee reviews #click here #more info #here #read more #check here

[kimmyyang]

210408 Zhang Zhehan's interview with Elle Magazine

"I want to be like Ah-Xu, be a gentle yet strong person."

On the day of the photoshoot, it was a rare windy day in Bei Hai. The weather forecast reported it will rain, which made everyone slightly heart-stricken. "Can we still take photos by the seaside?", "how about changing the location?", we were worrying, but fortunately it didn’t rain, only left with steer drop in temperature and roaring wind.

On the way to the photoshoot location, Zhang Zhehan recorded the sound of wind outside of the window. To be able to use the last bit of daylight before the sun sets completely, after filming, he only had one hour and a bit to go back to the hotel, have dinner, change clothes, and get his makeup done. And now, when we have done everything, he uses the time in the car to chat with the long-waited fans in the drama interactive zone.

Busy is an expected state. But when we saw him at the location, you can’t tell any trace of being busy from his face. The strong wind blew the gravels on the beach in the sky. During the interval of the photoshoot, everyone couldn’t help but complained about the cold wind and getting sand all over their faces. Only Zhang Zhehan looked more relaxed as if he came back from a different beach as us.

When we moved to the coffee shop, we finally had time to sit down and talk. He asked the staff to give him a cushion for his back, at that moment, it was probably the first time that made us realize that he is actually very tired. "It’s tough and tiring to be an actor, right?" we haven’t even finished the sentence, and he disagreed, "it’s all the same, every job is tough and tiring."

It seems that he has a big heart.

He chose to ride to Tibet with his friend for his graduation trip. Like his mum said he always has the spirit of seeking out suffering. Speaking of this journey, he said: "we’re living too happily, most families don’t have to worry about clothes and food, don’t need to go through a lot of hardships. I like what Huang Lei teacher once said, ‘people will only have faith after suffering, people will understand kindness after suffering.’ I think after seeing the suffering in the world and feel the suffering yourself - you will be kind to others."

After hearing what he said, you will realize that ‘big heart’ could have been a misunderstanding. He can’t dilute ‘sufferings’ more than others, instead, in the moments of ‘seeking out sufferings’, his feeling towards ‘sufferings’ is stronger and more abundant compared to most people.

He has a very meticulous side, he feels, understands, and hides his ‘sufferings’. Then, those experiences and feelings related to sufferings become something that is hard for others to spot on him.

He said, "when we’re going through a hardship, we can only see the hardship itself, you don’t realize that it’s actually reminding you something and teaching you something else." This is also his understanding of being mature – you can see the many sides of one thing.

‘Bruce Almighty’， ‘The Pursuit of Happyness’， ‘The Bucket List’ are his favorite movies. He said, "there’s a line from Bruce Almighty that left a deep impression – do you really hope God will give you happiness? Maybe everyone’s interpretation of happiness is different, but in the movie, the protagonist only realized it at the end, God was giving him happiness, but not the so-called happiness, God taught him the ability to gain happiness." He pressed his thumb again his chin, slightly looking down, earnestly sharing his impression of the movie.

He added, "you’re actually changing your perspective of the problem." Like what he wrote before, "being mature is being able to see the things that you couldn’t see before."

Maybe if the settling time is long enough, you will be able to stay calm in the change of tides and guard yourself in the quicksand under your feet. Speaking of popularity, he was calmer than we expected.

He said, "popularity is very important for an actor. I think it’s complementary, when you’re popular, you will receive more attention. You will be able to carry some things on your shoulders, first, it can prove that you have the ability, second, it can prove you’re acknowledged by the market."

He continued, "as actors, we also need to be acknowledged by the market. I have seen some amazing actors, they put so much effort into every character but maybe haven’t been acknowledged by the market yet, so they remain unknown. Therefore, a lot of great characters won’t fall into their hands.” It sounds cruel but it’s an undeniable fact. He added, “if you’re not popular, good scripts won’t even land in your hands."

The success of ‘Word of Honor’, to Zhang Zhehan, is like winning the lottery.

He said, "the success of a drama depends on timing, geographical and social conditions, none of these is dispensable. There are hundreds and thousands of dramas filmed each year, but in the end, there will only be one or two that everyone would love. That kind of feels like winning the lottery."

Working hard is very common, it’s nothing special, he thinks it’s unreasonable if you just use ‘working hard’ and ask why you are ‘under appreciated’. Just like how everyone praises him for being an experiential actor and praises his immersive acting. But he thinks, this is the passing line to be an actor, this is what actors are supposed to do.

He said, "if you’re an actor and you don’t experience the character, how could you portray it well, if you don’t get into the character, how could you make the character come to life?"

Working hard, experiencing, and immersing… he views them as a refined definition of actor, these are the preconditions of the lottery ticket. As for whether you can win the lottery in the end, no one can predict it. At least in his experience, he waited for 11 years for that winning lottery ticket.

After the filming ended, he wrote ‘jianghu, goodbye’ on Weibo, when the last episode aired, it was exactly 6 months after the last day of filming. His Weibo is on the setting of showing only the recent 6 months’ posts, as if it was a ‘long been destined’ farewell.

Perhaps the character Zhou Zi Shu is destined to be his. During the four months of filming, he had to gradually reveal Zhou Zi Shu’s two thousand layers of gray, he had to find him, become him, and lastly live the rest of his life for him.

Actors are probably all like this, they always must pour in their own life, emotions, and experience to make the character come to life. The process of making the character come to life means the actors get to experience life and emotions once again.

"Life is experience, you need to put some of your experiences into your characters."

Hegel mentioned in ‘Lectures on Aesthetics’ - 艺术通过供观照的形象可以缓和最酷烈的悲剧命运, 使它成为欣赏的对象。(thank you @sixteenthshen for providing the original quote!)

the specific lines zzh mentioned is bolded: If we are in a general way permitted to regard human activity in the realm of the beautiful as a liberation of the soul, as a release from constraint and restriction, in short, to consider that art does actually alleviate the most overpowering and tragic catastrophes by means of the creations it offers to our contemplation and enjoyment, it is the art of music which conducts us to the final summit of that ascent to freedom.

The reason why those so-called pains are endowed with aesthetic tension may lie in ‘being watched with pleasure’. Those most beautiful things aren’t been torn in our real lives, they become one ‘tearing performance’ after another, being shown on the stage, shown on the screen. The existence of aesthetic distance made ‘those so-called pains’ into something that can be bearable, having its own appreciation.

That so-called ‘pain’ experience comes more direct towards actors, there’s not much room for leeway. In his previous interview, he commented that Zhou Zi Shu is the most memorable character, the character that hurt him the most. Talking about ‘getting hurt’ again, he thinks that is unavoidable.

"I say that an actor has to get into the character and get out of character quickly. But when you’re acting in a happy scene, that happy feeling might last for a day or few days. When you’re acting in a sad, heart-broken scene, even you say it’s ok, it’s fine, it won’t affect me. But it will affect your mood, including your actions. When I go back to my room, I can’t help but to think about that scene, I might not be willing to go out and walk around."

"So, do you think acting is a process of wearing yourself out and wearing emotions down?"

"Of course, of course, of course, it’s wearing myself out." He said of course three times consecutively, "it’s not just wearing my emotions down, it also wears my physical strength out, wears my experience out, and a lot of my own things. So, if I want to do well in a piece of work, I can’t go into the next crew right after I have finished filming. Because you will have traces of the last piece of work, it’s actually hard to accept and get into the next character."

"I personally really like to stay in the filming crew, the reason why I said Zhou Zi Shu is great is that we couldn’t have any other work due to COVID-19 restrictions. I was in the crew for 4 months, in peace. I was looking into and experiencing the character carefully."

On the day of the interview, the Q&A part about acting was the most ‘unrestrained’. Every time we throw out a question, we would always get a powerful and resonating reply. From the perspective of a bystander, you could feel that he is the kind of person that is shining in his professional field.

At the end of every drama/ film, he would choose to leave that environment, and go out to have fun for few days. "I’m not insisting that I need to disengage from the drama/ film, I just want to relax, return to myself, return to Zhang Zhehan’s life."

"So, when you’re looking at Zhou Zi Shu again now as a viewer, do you have any different sentiment?"

"Of course, I would think of the funny parts and incidents. A lot of interesting bits that I’ve added in myself, you can see it in the character." Fortunately, as an actor, he can also feel the happiness that ordinary viewers have.

In our conversation, the words that he mentioned the most were 'gentle yet strong'.

"I really like netizens' comments that Zhou Zi Shu is gentle yet strong."

"The quality that I admire the most now is gentle yet strong."

"I feel like now I want to be like Ah-Xu, someone who is gentle yet strong."

"I want to be like Ah-Xu, become a bit gentler."

He thinks this seemingly contradictory combination is very interesting, "strong describes a person who is strong, whereas gentle is soft. These two words may seem to have no connection, but when they’re put together, it’s also a perfect connection."

"I didn’t feel this way before. I used to think people have to be strong, powerful, how can you be gentle yet strong? I think that’s something I need to learn now. This person must make everyone around them feel comfortable and think of others, but at the same time he/ she is also an individual who’s very strong and full of capabilities."

"Like water, it’s like this when it’s calm, it’s like that when it’s surging high."

He used as many hand gestures as he could as he wanted to express what’s on his mind as much as possible.

Gentle yet strong, this is what he saw, felt from Zhou Zi Shu, and it’s also the character experience he most wants to leave behind.

"Speaking of what hasn’t changed for 11 years, is that I’m still acting; speaking of changes there are a lot. All these years of experience, it became my understanding of each character, in contrast, 11 years of acting experience allowed me to learn a lot from my characters."

To him, every big or small character he had in the past 11 years is a mutual encounter, he gave something to the characters, and the characters also left him with something.

Those who have seen his acting praise him that he truly understands Zhou Zi Shu, so we asked how he could stand in the perspective of Zhou Zi Shu to understand his words and actions. He doesn’t think that it was understanding, it just naturally happened.

"I didn’t deliberately try to understand him, I think what he did was just following his heart, that’s how I feel, so that’s how it should be. I would ask if it was myself, can I do that? Is it acceptable? If I think it’s ok, then it’s right. If I think it’s unacceptable, I will definitely tell the director - 'I don’t want to act this way.'"

"I read another book today, the main idea is the most important thing for people is to know themselves. Know yourself, know what kind of person you are, then you will know the world. You need to learn how to reconcile with yourself, learn how to communicate with yourself, tell yourself when you need to keep going, when to compromise, when you need to understand, when you need to be strong… you need to keep being yourself and convince yourself at certain times."

Meeting Zhou Zi Shu, to Zhang Zhehan is also the process of meeting and knowing himself. "But I’m probably not as mighty as Zhou Zi Shu," he laughed.

He thinks that he’s not at the age of looking back, the things that have happened, just let them go. "There’s nothing to remember in particular, there’s nothing memorable. And my occupation, a lot of people will remember for you, they will remember your good, remember your various moments, so I don’t need to remember. What I need to do now is to live well, my current life, future life, and get into the next role."

"When I can’t act anymore, I think I will look back more."

Now, he wants to challenge a new area, "I really want to act in movies, act in more movies. 40 episodes of acting and 2 hours of acting are different, condensed acting is the quintessence. I still need to learn how to act well in the 2 hours."

And "I hope I can be a director one day."

The beautiful scenery in spring is as deep and wide as the sea, it’s fortunate that we get to meet.

"My occupation, many people will remember every moment of yours."

"Immerse into my next character, and live well - that's what I need to do now. "

Translation by: KIMMYYANG

#zhang zhe han #zhang zhehan #word of honor #shan he ling #shl #shl cast #zhou zishu #zzs #zhou zi shu #my translations #chinese translation #i bought it on wechat but i won't be sharing the photos #just used one of my most fav photos ;----; #真的直接击中了我 #please support Zhang Zhehan if you can!!! #想看他以前写的随笔 #i feel so touched when i read this like T ^ T #he is a gem!!! #he deserves to be seen by more people #and i regret that i couldn't get into his previous dramas #//o\\ #张哲瀚 #山河令 #我很喜欢这句话： 不是我慧眼识珠发现了你，而是你披荆斩棘走到了我面前。感谢岭让我们相遇，相见未晚幸未晚，不再辜负张哲瀚。 #zhang zhehan magazine #haven’t done such a long in-depth interview in so many years ;-;

[plannedparenthood]

Racism is a Public Health Crisis Experienced in Personal Tragedies

I was 12 when my 17-year-old brother died. He was not shot by police or targeted by white supremacists, but racism killed him.

Richard had bipolar disorder, and our family relied on Medicaid for health care. After a brief stay in one of very few mental health facilities that accepted Medicaid in Chicago, he became extremely ill with a high fever and trouble breathing. We took him to the hospital, where he was not tested or x-rayed. Instead, he was given an inhaler and told to take ibuprofen. When his condition worsened, we went back to the ER, where staff diagnosed him with pneumonia in both lungs. He was admitted to the ICU and put on a ventilator. Five days later, as my mother and I finally took a break from living in the ICU to shower and change clothes at home, Richard died.

It is not a question to me whether Richard would have received better care if he wasn’t Black. There is a straight line from his Blackness to the health care options available to him to his treatment to his death.

Racism is a public health crisis. It manifests in dramatic inequities in health outcomes across the board — including three times as many COVID-19 infections among Black people and nearly twice as many deaths than white people. It manifests in the daily grind of discrimination and stress on Black bodies. It manifests in where we live, the health care available to us, and how we are treated. It manifests in which mothers must mourn sons who died too early, which sisters grow up without brothers.

Because of the long legacy of redlining and an economic system built on racism, Black Americans are disproportionately relegated to living in poverty-stricken areas. And since most health outcomes are determined by things like poverty, income inequality, wealth inequality, food insecurity, and the lack of safe, affordable housing — the social determinants of health — in all of these areas, Black people have to overcome 400 years of the deck being stacked against us.

If we do manage to get care, we often receive a poorer version in comparison to white people. In 2016, half of white medical students and residents surveyed held false beliefs about biological differences between Black people and white people — beliefs with deep roots in slavery, when physical violence was seen as acceptable because people believed enslaved Black people had “thicker” skin than white people. The medical students and residents with these false beliefs rated Black patients’ pain lower and made less accurate treatment recommendations.

Black women are doubly dehumanized. For centuries, we have been denied the rights and resources to make our own decisions about our bodies. Our desires are dismissed, our pain is ignored, and our needs go unmet. And it kills us. It’s why Black women are more than three times as likely to die of pregnancy and childbirth-related causes.

The racism in the U.S. health care system is borne out in these numbers, and in stories like my brother’s … and mine.

In 2018, I made the decision to get an abortion. I went to a local clinic in Brooklyn. I did not feel ashamed about having an abortion, but I was treated as if I should be. I was forced to have two visits with two ultrasounds before the procedure, and was ordered to go from room to room without being given any information about what was going on or what would happen next. I was seen by several doctors who didn’t even attempt a decent bedside manner and couldn’t pronounce my name.

The first doctor simply told me, “You can’t smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol,” without giving me any information on my options or asking me if I’d like to continue the pregnancy. I had to ask several times for information on abortion. I was then reluctantly, coldly told that medication abortion was “out of the picture” because insurance wouldn’t cover it. I felt like I had no control over my body.

If this was my experience in Brooklyn, in a state with liberal abortion laws, I can only imagine what people in states where access to abortion is even more restricted must be experiencing.

Trust me when I tell you: Black people feel pain. And we thrive in spite of it. For decades, Black people — Black women in particular — have been at the forefront of the movements to hold this country accountable to its promise of equality and justice — the Civil Rights movement, women’s suffrage, the LGBTQ+ movement, and reproductive justice. Black women started Black Lives Matter, now recognized as among the largest protest movements in U.S. history.

It isn’t enough to tear down statues of Confederate generals (as much as they should be). As American white supremacy meets this moment of reckoning, Black people still suffer from health inequities because of racism and a for-profit health care system.  We will only see change when we start to break down and rebuild the longstanding institutions that have historically been used as tools of oppression. We need to tackle the racial inequities in health care head on. Racism as a public health issue needs to be widely understood, especially by all who enter the medical field.

The health care system is killing us, as surely as police are. No more Black people should die from racist violence, or from illnesses that could be treated with just a little more care. No more Black women should experience the dehumanization I felt while getting care that is my right to have.

Racism is a public health issue, and all lives will matter when Black lives do.

-Leanna at PPFA

Leanna Burton is a media assistant in the Communications & Culture division at Planned Parenthood Federation of America. She was born and raised in Chicago, IL and studied journalism at City University of New York - Brooklyn College. She is also a musician and freelance writer whose main focus is lifting the voices of people in underserved and undervalued communities.

#Racism #Public Health #Black Community #Health care #Justice

[nightswithkookmin]

NO CAPTION

I love how this conversation is bringing out the homophobia in y'all's eyes😌

'Yall are scared Jimin will stop looking like a submissive gay man if he builds muscles'

So y'all think Jimin looks like a submissive gay man without his muscles????????

Huh????

Isn't this the very thing I'm ranting over in these posts? That people think he looks gay and a sub/bottom and that he doesn't look like a real man because of the way he looks??

Isn't that why they are fixing him to look more masculine in these ads????

Y'all think him building muscles will change his sexual orientation if he is in deed gay and a sub???

There is nothing wrong with being gay or sub or bottom or whatever any gay queer person might be into. THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT! Omg!

Muscle building is not for men only.

This is Namjoon's cousin. What about her makes her less feminine??????????????

Should she get longer nails? Bigger hoops? May be a Brazilian butt lift? Botox? Fillers? In order to look more traditionally feminine?

If she decides to stop working out or drink stuff to lose muscles so she can be seen as more feminine do y'all not think that would be ??? because she is feminine regardless?

What about these women make them less feminine????? They build up too and they are women.

Jimin with or without muscles is still an androgynous man. Building muscles does not erase his androgynousity. That is Jimin.

He is an androgynous MAN not woman. Looking skinny is not what makes him androgynous. Putting on make up and wearing feminine clothes is not what makes him androgynous.

We've been calling him androgynous from day one when he debuted and it's not because he didn't have muscles. He had them in abundance. so I find it weird that you will think we gay people are worried he is leaning into his masculinity- when the question we are asking is WHAT AT ALL IS MASCULINITY?

Didn't he ask the same questions when he asked his band mates, man man man- what the heck is man- when they said men shouldn't wear rings on their pinkie?

That was an iconic moment and I wish I could write a dissertation on it. Super iconic.

Is he a sex icon? Absolutely. Is he a queer icon? Yes. But he is not a gay God. No body is looking up to him to liberate them from no damn queer oppression- love how you trivialize and make fun of LGBTQ issues.

Really sista? You had to go there? And you say you are a Jikook supporter?? Interesting.

I think Tae put it best when he said Jimin may look cute and pretty on the outside but when he takes off his clothes that's when you see he's more masculine. I think for some of us, we've always seen Jimin as very masculine in his expressions and very experimental in his expressions of femininity. I've always seen him as grounded in his masculinity than feminity- although he does suffer from toxic masculinity every now.

I'm simply saying this may be one of those times. Emphasis on may be. I'm over it. Just took note of it.

When it comes to exercising, the members have said he used to be the one who trained the hardest in dance rehearsals. Didn't RM say he and Jin used to look up to him and learn from him because he is well disciplined?

He's always exercised. Y'all think him flipping through the air and defying gravity comes from a lack of exercise?????

This is the few times he's talked about exercising as a social male bonding activity with his members and even encouraged Hobi to join them. If you think he will look more masculine climbing rocks and building muscles then you are part of the problem I am trying to address here.

Do y'all not watch Bon Voyage and Run and Winter package? Do y'all not see him "be manly" and "lean into his masculinity" in those contents? Did he not say he wanted to go do yoga with the others but chose instead to go to the brewery with Yoonkook?

Out of curiosity, let me ask- which is the two options was the least masculine activity? I'm genuinely curious.

And no, I am not uncomfortable seeing him lean into his masculinity. I am uncomfortable watching him straddle the line of toxic masculinity and it's not limited to him. I think I have expressed similar sentiments with regards to JK and RM and Suga and the rest.

And no. It's not toxic that he is exercising or wants to exercise. I question that he wants to build muscles and look a certain way as a man especially if that way is the only way he and y'all think a man should look like.

I don't know about you but this looks pretty masculine and feminine to me.

As does this. He can look like the incredible hulk and I'll still see him as androgynous.

Now don't get me started on his upper lips and BigHit constantly concealing his upper lips with make up. Don't get me started on that! 😡

They are always erasing and tweaking something when it comes to Jimin! Always! I HATE IT HERE.

Jimin is not the first androgynous man in Kpop nor is he the only androgynous man in kpop. He doesn't have to be gay or queer to participate in social discourse.

And I understand that queer and gender issues may not be of importance to y'all cis straight folks but it is important nonetheless and BTS have dabbled in the discussions and voiced out their opinions on it. They are advocates for the youth and that includes gay queer folks.

How many times have they talked about same love? That their BT21 characters are genderless, that clothing shouldn't be restricted to specific genders? Jk have said he hates oppression and Jimin talks about self love and acceptance for all- you think gay people are not included?

They don't have to be gay to be gay representatives and "Gay Gods." Heard of Allies?

And when you say BTS are human not representatives- you kidding right???

Have you seen BTS issue statements on Black lives matter, on Racism and Asian hate crimes etc?

Yes, they human beings.... who care about other human beings and their oppressions. Y'all praise these men for wearing unisex brands and genderless fashion and praise them for when they voice out on certain issues... except when it comes to gay issues? I see y'all's colors.

Also you ship Jikook but it pisses you off that we say Jimin is gay??? 👀

Jimin gay. Jungkook gay. Jikook gay. Does this annoy you? 👀

They are fucking eachother. Do you wanna block me? 👀

JK fucks Jimin. Jimin fucks JK. Are you dead yet? 👀 Do you wanna kill me? 👀

I don't see them as straight honestly. If I did and I thought they were facing straight issues I'd be talking about those too. I see them as gay dealing with gay issues that we all deal with and I talk about that.

Credit to the artist. I think that photo of Jimin from On MV is one of my favorites.

I might have to frame it and hang it on my wall.

Don't have any hard feelings against you but I thought I would address certain problematic statements you made.

Love,

GOLDY

[arcticdementor]

The devout and observant Christian is undoubtedly aware of the precarious state of the faith in our modern world and is becoming increasingly open to out-of-the-box solutions. One such possible solution is to take a cue from our bearded Amish neighbors and form rule-based religious communities—but maybe without the horse and buggy.

A brief peak at the current state of American Christianity should disabuse anybody of the notion that this is unnecessarily drastic.

America’s traditional Mainline Protestant denominations are bleeding out so quickly they will likely be gone within 20 years. That is not my prediction, but their own. The ELCA (the main Lutheran branch) projects they’ll only have 16,000 worshippers by 2041; the PCUSA (the main Presbyterian branch) lost almost 40% of their members in the last decade, causing one analyst to note, “At its current rate of shrinkage the PC(USA) will not exist in about 20 years;” and data for the Episcopal Church shows the same 20-year timeline until the denomination runs out of people in the pews.

More conservative denominations used to chuckle at these headlines and say, “If only they preached the Gospel instead of liberal activism, they’d be growing like us.” But they don’t say that anymore. The Southern Baptist Convention, the largest of the Evangelical churches, has lost 14% of their members since 2006; the Methodists are losing members while in the middle of a brutal split; and for Catholics, according to Bishop Robert Barron while speaking at the 2019 bishops’ annual conference, “Half the kids that we baptized and confirmed in the last 30 years are now ex-Catholics or unaffiliated.”

There is one major exception, though: the Amish—a mustard seed that is growing into a large tree in front of our eyes. The Amish arrived in the United States shortly after their founder, Jakob Ammann, split with the Mennonites in 1693 for being too lax on enforcing their communal rules, as laid out in the Dordrecht Confession of Faith. For the next 200 years, the Amish were just a few eccentric families in Pennsylvania that spoke an archaic Swiss German. By 1920, these few families had grown to 5,000 people and since then have doubled about every 15 to 20 years, including between 2000 and 2020 when they doubled to 351,000.

Unless something changes drastically within their culture, this doubling is projected to continue. One demographer, Lyman Stone, showed that at their current rate of growth, they will easily make up a majority of the United States in 200 years. This means the current moment may mark the halfway point between them arriving as a small band of friends and their inheriting the most powerful nation on the planet. They may seem like a backwards remnant of the past, but in reality, they will almost certainly play a major role in the future. This will become more evident after they soon dwarf more well-known churches like the Episcopalians and Lutherans.

…

So, when virtually all other Christian groups are seeing plummeting, or at best stagnant, numbers, why are the Amish seeing growth like this? The answers people typically give are that they have a very high birth rate and an over 90% retention rate. But that’s like saying someone is wealthy because they made a lot of money and then saved most of it. It begs the question—how? How do they have such large families—with 6 or 7 children per woman—while the country at large has a below-replacement rate of 1.6 children? And how are they able to keep all those children within their communities?

I believe it all comes down to one thing—the Code—or as the Amish call it, the Ordnung.

The Amish Ordnung is different in each community, but if it strays too far, other communities will no longer associate with that community; so there are limits. While outside observers will just see strict rules about hats and beards and technology use, the Amish see the glue that holds them together as a people.

It’s very important to realize that each rule is chosen as a group and with the goal of strengthening individual virtue (especially humility), family and community ties, and their faith.

As an example, most Amish communities don’t allow phones in their homes, but it’s not because they think phones are inherently evil and ban them completely. They often have shared phone booths at the end of the street to use when necessary and at their places of work. They just don’t have phones in the home because they believe it will take away from the purposes of a home—things like family bonding, chores, and recreation. Nobody who has sat in a room of family and friends all silently swiping at their phones can tell me their concern isn’t warranted.

…

The success of this model was discussed by Eric Kaufmann, a political-demography scholar at the University of London, in his provocative 2010 book, Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?: Demography and Politics in the Twenty-first Century. Kaufmann noted the growth of groups like the Amish and the Haredi Jews (often called the Ultra-Orthodox) and attributed it to their birth rates and strong communities. Haredi Jews, for example, who also live by strict community codes, were only a few percentage points of the Israeli schools in 1960 but are now about a third of students, and he predicts they will very soon eclipse secular Jews. Haredi growth in Brooklyn, New York, is seeing similar growth, with high birth rates and retention.

…

Laurence R. Iannaccone’s 1994 study “Why Strict Churches Are Strong,” which has been frequently cited and confirmed since, gives more detail on the success of certain community codes.

Iannaconne found that groups can be strict on items as long as they provide a “close substitute.” Think, for example, of banning social media but then providing a lot of new in-person social opportunities to make up for that sacrifice.

“Strictness works,” he says, but the rules can’t be so strict they make people miserable and drive them away, or as Iannaconne says, “Arbitrary strictness will fail just as surely as excessive strictness.” The rules do have to be strong enough, though, to keep “free-riders” from claiming the benefits of the community without participating. He called these rules “costly signals,” like the sacrifices the Amish make by limiting their clothing styles and technology use. A person would be very unlikely to go through all of those costly steps for community benefits they could get more easily elsewhere. By eliminating free-riders—whose “mere presence dilutes a group’s resources, reducing the average level of participation, enthusiasm, energy, and the like”—they see the reverse, very high levels of participation, enthusiasm, and energy.

It’s not just Amish and Haredi Jews that have seen success with following a community code beyond the laws of the state—think of the monastics who survived in far-flung places relying on The Rule of St. Benedict; knights that followed the Codes of Chivalry; bands of cowboys on the American frontier who stuck close to the Code of the West, which gave detailed guidance on passing strangers on the trail, when to tip your hat, and with which hand you should hold your whiskey; and the tribes along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border who have followed the Pashtunwali code since pre-Islamic times.

…

Modern Christians interested in starting a rule-based community would need to create some real benefits that are harder to come by in society at large. I’d suggest the basic benefits of a traditional community (help with childcare and schooling, coherent customs on dating and marriage, providing purpose and companionship to the elderly, cultural celebrations and gatherings, friendship, and assistance during hardship) would be plenty.

Then, they could agree together on some basic rules that are costly enough to separate the serious from the free-riders while not being arbitrary or unnecessarily strict. Targeting the rules toward areas that are particular downfalls for modern Americans (promiscuity, pornography, social media, screen-addiction, substance abuse) would be a good start. Agreeing to forego these in this time and culture would almost certainly be a costly enough signal.

Also, many of the rules should take into account issues like abuse of power, cults of personality, convenient personal revelations from God, sexual abuse, and a host of other issues inherent to tight-knit communities (and larger ones for that matter). The ability for a trusted leader to turn out to be an evil psychopath should never be underestimated, so rules should take that likelihood as a given and guard against it. The Amish, for example, draw straws to choose their leaders to avoid jockeying for power.

One last consideration is to what extent “walling yourself off from the modern world,” as Kaufmann said, is appropriate. Kaufmann said that was the best strategy for growth, but growth is not the only thing to weigh. There are also things like loving your neighbors, having an influence on the greater culture, and not stifling curiosity and creativity. Some walls are necessary, like between a teen boy and pornographic websites or between a child and an activist teacher, but a balance between walls and open spaces should be carefully pursued as a group. For example, language is used as a wall for the Amish (who speak Pennsylvania Dutch) and the Haredi Jews (who largely speak Yiddish), but that would likely be a step too far for most communities, as would their highly-detailed clothing restrictions.

…

Out-of-the-box? Sure. But with the exponential growth of the Amish and similar rule-based communities (and our own failure to find a workable model for modern Christian life) it may be a paradigm to consider. Even without our participation, it will certainly be how a fair amount of future Christians will live.

#david larson #crisis magazine #amish #maybe the amish are right #haredim

[daily-dose-of-imagines]

(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ Matchup ♥

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* 　　 *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

Naruto, One Piece, and Free Match-Up Request

May I request another match-up but for Free, One Piece, and Naruto this time? :) Here’s all my info once more!

Name: Corethra (or Corey for short)

Age: 25

Gender: Female

Sexual Orientation: Heterosexual

Occupation: Hand Packer at an ice cream factory. I work 12 hours (5:30pm to 6am) on a rotating schedule.

Birthplace: Memphis, TN, USA. I was raised in the neighborhood called Frayser which is the most impoverished area in Memphis and has a high crime rate as expected.

Zodiac Sign: Pisces (born March 2) My full birth chart can be found here

Enneagram: 5w6

Chinese Zodiac: Year Of The Pig

MBTI Type: INFJ

Alignment: Lawful Neutral

Hogwarts House: Slytherin

Love Language: Acts Of Service

Race/Ethnicity: African-American

Height: 4'11 (Call me short and I’ll kick your butt!)

Body Type/Shape: Average but well developed figure at best. I weigh about 158 lbs and am pretty insecure about my body. I also have really bad scars on my left arm from being bitten by a dog.

Hair Color/Style: Black and naturally curly but I keep it flat-ironed so it’s straight. It’s long and goes down to just below my shoulder blades. There are times when I will have braids put in of various lengths.

Glasses or No?: Yes I wear glasses

Eye Color: Brown

Dress Style: I usually dress up in a casual way, just throwing on whatever looks good at the time but I will sometimes put in the effort when the time calls for it or when I’m in a good mood. I have an affinity for the punk, emo, and goth styles and I rarely wear feminine clothes but I will wear something risky every once in a while.

Hobbies/Interests: Video games, reading, writing, anime, internet surfing, listening to music, politics (sometimes), watching movies/TV shows, basically being an overall nerd. I’m usually either on my laptop or one of my many video game consoles if I’m not on my phone or reading one of my books.

Dislikes: Ignorance, stupidity, restriction, manipulation/gas-lighting, bullying, humanity, not being understood, corruption/injustice, close-mindedness

Personality: At first glance, I seem quiet and keep to myself, only speaking when I need to or when I’m spoken to. I’m an anti-social introvert to the fullest and don’t care much for small talk or going out. I prefer to have deeper conversations. When I get comfortable enough in whatever environment I’m in, I start to open up bit by bit. I’m a tomboy and pretty rough-minded as well as stubborn. I’m very sassy, have a smart, sarcastic, and witty mouth if not humorous and outrageous at times, can be borderline rude and mean, and I’m more sensitive than I care to be. I can literally cry at someone’s suffering especially if it’s someone I’m close to or even a total stranger. I’m very empathetic and my heart is bigger than what most people would expect. Most people describe me as quiet, intelligent, creative, dorky, a smartass, and really sweet. I love a good laugh and have an open sense of humor to boot.

Many of my friends say that I’m very sweet and kind which I usually am if I’m in a good mood as well as affectionate as hell. Hugs and pet names galore with me! However only my friends and family see that side of me. My language is often unfiltered, harsh, foul, and blunt which shocks people because they think I’m a pure angel. I say what I want when I want and no one tells me otherwise. If they do, they can expect a mouthful from me. I’m an escapist and very imaginative, can be a bit scatterbrained at times, and I’m methodical and detailed to the point of perfectionism. I’m usually a walking contradiction in terms of personality in so many ways to the point where the real me is almost impossible to decipher. To make matters more complicated, I’m not very good at expressing myself verbally and prefer to let my actions do the talking. I also express myself better through written form.

I have many pet peeves and I get annoyed easily in general. I’m also slowly embracing misanthropy and nihilism but I can be pretty idealistic so it balances out. I’m practically zero tolerance when it comes to bullshit. I hate confrontation and conflict but I’m starting to work on it so I can be less passive-aggressive and more assertive. I also wish to stand up for myself more often than I should so people won’t think that I’m weak and an easy target. I’m pretty cynical which is to be expected and usually expect the worst from people. When someone angers me, I will either just withdraw altogether and completely cut them off (slam the door basically) or get in their face and go off before doing the former. I’m the “hold my anger in and release it all at once” type but I hope to change that one day and stop letting things fester before they get out of hand. I can be quite petty and even cold as well and if someone wrongs me, they will have to make the first move to mend fences. I refuse to apologize if I’m not in the wrong and I will not accept gaslighting/guilt tripping. I also refuse to change for others and will admit to having quite a lot of pride but that’s mostly due to me not wanting to be hurt and manipulated, mistreated, or used.

I have issues with trust and a wild imagination to boot. I usually trust my instincts and can see right through bullshit. I don’t like taking risks and I have to know all the details when I do something so I don’t mess up and look like an idiot. I am indeed a perfectionist and introverted to a fault which often prevents me from trying new things and going outside my comfort zone. I haven’t been in a relationship yet and am still a virgin due to my issues with trust and not wanting to be hurt or humiliated as well as being quite picky/perfectionistic with the people I allow in my life. I have high standards for both people and myself although I’m pretty laid-back and my dislike of conflict allows me to also take a lot of shit from people too before I eventually say “fuck it” and slam the door or go off on them. I don’t think very highly of myself and can sometimes fall into a period of self-hatred and self-pity.

Many people praise me for my intelligence which is fitting since I’m an intellectual. My ideals and beliefs are rather odd to say the least (I’m a classical liberal/independent and despise most ideologies/ideas. This includes religion, feminism, social justice, traditionalism, statism, big government, nationalism, socialism/communism, etc.) and I feel misunderstood because of it (mostly because of the black community ostracizing me). I am indeed a rebel, open-minded, and a free thinker. No one tells me how to think or feel or else they face my wrath. I highly value power over myself and I think it’s the most important thing that a person needs in order to survive. I am definitely an outcast at heart and I often distance myself from others and don’t like talking about my feelings or beliefs because I think most people lack the ability/capacity to understand me. Before I give my opinion on something, I like to do as much research as possible as well as look at things from all perspectives before coming to my own conclusion. I don’t mind discussing things but I prefer logic over emotion when doing so which makes it damn near impossible these days for me to have an real conversation without insults and threats being thrown (usually towards me). Chances are I’m gonna find something wrong with damn near anything someone believes in or says and I’m not afraid to call it out when I see it. Once I do open up and express how I feel, the gates of passion will open up and never close. I also have high morals and values and stick to my guns no matter what which can make me pretty stubborn at times.

I’m currently battling depression and often experience many symptoms of it including suicidal thoughts and depression spells. I also suffer from iron-deficiency anemia as well as irregular, prolonged periods. These things are pretty annoying for me to deal with whenever they flare up. 

Overall, I’m pretty crazy and a handful to deal with. Good luck matching me up with someone :P

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* 　　 *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

Hello @sacredwarrior88 and thank you so much for requesting with us! I am so sorry that this came out so late, but I do hope you enjoy this!

>Admin 𝕋

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* 　　 *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

𝐼 𝓈𝒽𝒾𝓅 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓌𝒾𝓉𝒽…

Ace! I feel that you and ace would be such a great couple! He is open minded and kind to others whereas you are the same way! You are passionate like he is, caring like he is, loyal to the bone like he is! He would see you and see your personality and just instantly fall in love you and your personality! Like, I can’t even imagine how much he will want you on his crew, so they he can keep on you and protect you at all times-- though he will soon figure out that you don’t need help, you can take care yourself--which he will find extremely attractive, no doubt about that! 

He will love that fact that you are independent, because he really values individualism and independency, he sees it as a great traits to have. But he will also love the fact that you are sensitive, and can sometimes get into your own  head. He understands that, knows it all too well, so he will try with all his might to try and make sure that you are happy and always smiling! But he will love how fierce you can be to other people, never bowing down to their expectations! 

All in all, I feel like Ace would be a great man for you in the one piece universe! He would be attentive to you, would love your attitude and personality, and would absolutely adore how loyal and strong you are! make sure to love him thoroughly!

Ah, Sai! He is much like Ace, just a little less emotional, which is fine! I feel like you and Sai would make a couple for a couple reasons! He would love how mature you are, and how logical you can be, and-- like ace-- he loves the fact that you are extremely loyal to your friends! That is a true factor in the way he will see you, and it is for the better! He will se how strong you are, emotionally and will be envious and at the same time fascinated! I Feel like Sai will look at you with wide eyes, his breath caught in his throat, his heart beating wildly in his ribcage because he will love you that much! All the things you are interested he will want to hear with enthusiasm, everything you love he will want to learn and hear from you, to get to know you better!

Another thing is that if you were to go to him with your insecurities and how you are battling depression, he will try to understand, and once he does he will try to everything and anything to make sure you feel better! You need a massage? He’s on it! You need cuddles? oh yeah he will give you some! You need chocolate or sweets or anything of the like? He’ll run to the store, and be back 5 minutes tops! 

All in all, I feel like the cool, mature Sai, with a heart of pure gold will be such a good match for you! He will make sure that you uncomfortable with him, he will never want to make you unhappy, and he will definitely do anything i his power to make sure that you will keep on loving him as much as you can!

Rei! Now, with Rei, I wanted to go a more cute route. I feel that Rei would be equal parts and scared and in love with you! He sees how strong you are against people that oppose, he sees how strong you are for your friends, and how you have such a different personality to everybody else around him, and he will immediately fall in with you. Like instantly! To him, you’d be like a beautiful butterfly blooming right in front of him, and he will want to have you all tot himself! Of course, he won’t force you, but he will definitely watch you at a distance longingly!

He is very much an introvert and your calm but strong aura would definitely help with his anxiety! I just see him melting next you, into your lap or shoulder whenever you are around him because he is so comfortable around you. He doesn’t do this with just anybody so it would be a real honor! And when it it comes to your insecurities, he would want to make sure that you know he loves you the way are, and if you were to want to change something about yourself, then he will support you all the way, as long as you are happy! He will just love that you are such a freethinker and so openminded about things, so unlike him!

All in all, I feel like Rei would love you and (somewhat) idolize because you have all these traits that he would love to have. This perfectionist will understand how it feels to be such a perfectionist and will want to help you with that too! He will love to the moon and back(stroke)!

#match-ups #matchup #submissions #anime matchup #submission #naruto matchup #free! matchup #one piece matchup #naruto x you #free x you #one piece x you

[nshoward-blog]

Praxton- Slaves of the Rogue World

Now a six book series.

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun, sexy, entertaining and world-building at it's best!

Reviewed in Canada on July 27, 2018 Verified Purchase

The government of Alliance Worlds take a decidedly dim view of a planet where woman wear collars, cuffs, revealing clothing and answer to male guardians. Praxton, a prosperous self-governing planet has resisted all efforts to conform, and has even opened up a tourist zone; attracting shiploads of visitors from neighboring planets who are encouraged to partake in activities representative of the Praxton lifestyle; with certain safeguards built in, of course. While the governing body of Alliance Worlds is concerned about the degrading of women in the area designated for tourists, their main focus is the real Praxton, where reportedly male guardians live with and control one or more submissive females. The inhabitants of the real Praxton and tourists don't interact and the real Praxton is off limits to visitors. Immigration is possible under very stringent conditions; particularly for women. But if a woman meets all of the requirements and is willing to accept Praxton customs, which include being under the protection of a male guardian, she may apply for immigration status. Alliance Worlds is baffled as to why women suppressed by and dependent on men, who discipline them regularly to keep them in line; literally slaves, have no desire to escape their life. More baffling still: why any outsider would want to make Praxton her home? To investigate deviant behavior in the tourist zone and infiltrate the real Praxton for answers, the Charter of Conduct Office sends in Terri Baxter. Using the cover of tourist so taken with her experiences that she wants to fully embrace the lifestyle, Baxter's mission is to observe and report back. Alliance Worlds needs right kind of evidence to mount a military campaign if the need arises. To fit in and not arouse suspicion, Terri trades her conservative attire for sexy clothes that leave little to the imagination, matched with appropriate accessories; decorative collars worn like jewelry among them. As she sheds her inhibitions along with her restrictive garments, the investigator finds Praxton culture and traditions rather liberating. Feeling that her sexuality and capacity for pleasure has been repressed on her own world, the pull of Praxton is strong. With a growing affinity for the Praxton lifestyle, Terri comes to see Alliance Worlds as a threat to a people they have no business interfering with. While the alliance of planets accuses Praxton's government of forcing females to submit without evidence that the females in question are anything but happy, they are trying to impose their code of conduct on a whole planet. Terry doesn't fail to see the irony and she's conflicted. Loyalty to the job means denying her true nature, betraying friendships and turning away from true love. As a reader new to science fiction with steamy adult content, I really enjoyed this book. I loved the plot and how author N.S. Howard introduces elements with real entertainment value that touch on issues surrounding judgmental thinking and intolerance. After a few chapters, I recognized that the use of the term "Slave" in the title reflected the attitude of a close-minded society and not as I first understood it. I don't want to get too philosophical and deviate from the fact that the first book in the Praxton series is a fascinating read. N.S. Howard has put a lot of effort into creating a distinct world that engages all five-senses. Add well developed characters; some just oozing sensuality, and those well-written sexy scenes, and it's a book that's hard to put down. If you're worried that there's cliffhanger because it's the first book in a series and you hate cliffhangers, don't be. Praxton Book 1: Slaves of the Rogue World, has a satisfying ending with the promise of an exciting new story around existing and possibly, new characters. You don't have to read next book to find out if Terri Baxter makes any life-changing decisions. But you're going to want to. You're probably going to want to visit Praxton again in all of the books that follow, like I do.

Amazon.com  https://www.amazon.com/Slaves-Rogue-World-Praxton-Book-ebook/dp/B004W82RLG

Amazon.ca   https://www.amazon.ca/Slaves-Rogue-World-Praxton-Book-ebook/dp/B004W82RLG

Melange Books

http://www.melange-books.com/authors/nshoward/nshowardpraxton1.html

[miazeklos]

I have no problem with (American) celebrities talking about politics, mostly because I don't think it's my place to tell anyone what they should talk about. What I take issue with is the condescending tone some liberal celebrities use when talking about voters from the other side. And the reason for that is, they don't know what they're talking about. A celebrity who is worth millions can't understand what a single mother who lives in a trailer park is going through. Or what a 20-year-old going to community college is going through. So why do celebrities get on TV and start shaming those who voted differently from them? Most of the time it doesn't even matter since the problems of us normies don't affect them. And the proof of that is that they've been travelling like crazy during this pandemic while we're supposed to feel ashamed for wanting to go see grandma after almost a year. This shaming of conservative/republican voters by celebrities like Chris Evans, Pedro Pascal, Elliot (previously Ellen) Page and so on needs to stop.

(Warning in advance: this kind of struck my blue collar nerve, so apologies for the essay you got as a result. TLDR is you’re right and you should say it, and this is a damaging stereotype that has grown particularly dangerous during the pandemic.)

100% agree. And this is universal internationally, imo, or at least in North America/Europe, from what I’ve seen - even if places outside of the USA aren’t quite as divided politically, the pandemic and everything to go with it has just elevated the tension everywhere. People in general are going to vote for the person that promises them the slightest bit of relief of the absolute nightmare that the last year had been and shaming them for that is definitely a case of misplaced self-righteousness.

One thing that really has been making me increasingly irritated about this is the ‘wEaR a MaSk’ celebrity gang (coincidentally almost always the same people who cried in their mansions about how bored they were and decided to encourage people by singing Imagine of all things - no, I haven’t forgotten) when the majority of people didn’t actually protest masks - they protested lockdowns, when they stretched out for months and it was clear that governments would offer no relief to small business owners. At this point, ‘conservative’ and ‘anti-mask’ had become somewhat of a synonym, and everyone seemed to forget that it was barely about the masks to begin with.

I’m bringing this up because it was exactly the condescension that you’re talking about being displayed from everywhere when people started getting angry. 'Just stay home, how bad can it be’, ‘don’t be selfish’, ‘wear your mask, that’s all that’s asked of you’ became the main leading point of liberalism and it was extensively successful in reducing people’s very genuine fears to some petty protesting over masks. Not saying that didn’t happen - there were definitely people flat out refusing to wear those - but it was never about the masks. What about the people who would not have a home to stay in by the end of the month when the last salary they’d had before being sent on who knows how long unpaid leave ran out? If the preventive measures had been limited to wearing masks and standing 2m away from each other, we would be in a better place as a species than we currently are.

And this isn’t even coming only from proper-rich people (last week I saw a tweet that went along the lines of, ‘I haven’t been living in fear, I’ve been staying in the comfort of my own home for months’ and I swear I nearly saw red because it’s just! good for you! last march I had to open a ko-fi page because my salary wouldn’t come in and I had to scrap together food for three people out of spare change while the multibillion dollar company I worked for decided whether they’d deign us with money we’d worked for during a pandemic! glad you’re having a good time, though!) but it’s even worse specifically from them. I distinctly remember Katherine McNamara’s whole ‘teehee just stay home I know it’s boring but you can do it’ shtick, occasionally interrupted by her taking photos on yachts and the realisation that I couldn’t stand it a moment longer before I unfollowed her, and that was so prevalent when it came to - largely liberal - celebrities that I can see why it straight up radicalised a lot of people.

Obviously all politicians lie for their own gain. I’m not saying that the conservative ones were in any way better than their liberal counterparts, but they have rarely been much worse, internationally speaking. And let me tell you - when you don’t know if you’re going to eat tomorrow, when you’re not sure if you’ll even have a job next month because of the measures tightening further, when you’re looking for literally any port in a storm, you’re going to latch on to the people who offer the way out.

Open up [insert country here] in the name of freedom resonated with people because it meant getting their jobs and their security and, again, in some much harsher cases, their homes, back. A family-owned business going under knocks your entire life off-balance - trust me, I would know, because it happened to my family. It was two years ago, nothing to do with covid, but it was largely due to much bigger chain stores in the vicinity. This happens constantly to people all over the world because while small businesses were closed and fined to hell and back for daring to open up shop, the Walmarts and Lidls and Tescos and Billas of the world profited off of people’s desperation for goods that, at the beginning of the pandemic and the delays in international transports, were scarce. The regional managers at my workplace (it was H&M, I’m no longer under contract so I don’t give a shit) fought tooth and nail to open every street location store (such as the one I worked in) while small clothing shops stayed closed for at least two more months, or were open under severe restrictions about how many people could come in at a time, which, obviously, affected them tremendously.

About two weeks ago, a friend told me about a bakery near his place that he really loves. Everyone loved it - up to and including the kids in the nearby school, who would come in during recess - and understandably, people were worried when all sorts of eating-related places were closed, because this was a family business and the family’s only income. Eventually, the schools opened for a bit last year and so did restaurants, but the bakery didn’t, so my friend called the owner to check up on them and the woman just burst into tears on the other side of the line and told him that they hadn’t made it. He asked her if there was still a chance they’d pull through - with a loan or something, at first - and she told him, ‘No, we’re in too deep.’

I barely remember being as angry as I was then. That’s one entire family’s livelihood, destroyed. In this country alone, she’s one of thousands. Worldwide, she’s one of millions. And, just... I’ve been poor all my life. I feel no shame in saying that. For my entire childhood, everything we had or didn’t have depended on how much money my parents’s shop had made on any given day. I started working as soon as I could; I put myself through university. I’ve struggled all the way through. I still struggle now, every month, whenever bills come into the equation, but we manage. We were one of the lucky ones. Stories of people who weren’t are countless, and they break my heart. The notion of some dumbass celebrity talking about how frivolous and ridiculous and uninformed it is to want to open up countries just because it’s mainly conservative politicians tooting that horn fills me with a rare amount of rage.

So, yeah. Elections are coming in my country. Both parliamentary and presidential. And this year I don’t feel like voting for anyone conservative or liberal; I’m just going to vote for whoever either gives people money or allows them to work for it. It feels like at this point, we’ve all been boiled down to that.

#asks #politics #lots of it #again apologies #this has been building up for almost a year now #Anonymous