A report by the IPCC reveals the disturbing number of black people who die in police custody. The 105 page report titled, ‘Deaths in or following police custody: An examination of the cases 1998/99 – 2008/09 reveals an alarming trend of black deaths in police custody.  It was found that 68% of people who died in police custody were arrested for non violent offences. There was a breach of police procedure in 27% of cases and that people from black and minority ethnic backgrounds were more likely to be restrained whilst in police custody than whites.

cocothinkshefancy:

I am not a huge fan of this descriptive, but I get it. And since I fall smack dab into this demographic, I spend far too much time thinking about what it means.

Never mind that I was unemployed for almost 8 months so we’re already living in a massive deficit, but I have a lot of work and life experience, but in fields that do not pay a lot. I have a family, which means I have a level of responsibility with regards to housing and food, so I have to make ends meet.

We don’t. At this point, I am the head of the household based on the IRS tax rolls. I work in a serious and very difficult job and am responsible for things in an organization that rank as pretty high, but am paid not a lot, which in my field, a start-up arts and education non-profit, it’s totally expected. That alone astounds me, as we’re doing really good things here. Helping children in high-risk situations, providing our state with a monument and connection to historic bravery and yet we have to sing for our dinners. It sucks. It makes me feel really depressed to think it takes far more work to do good things. 

When I went in and set up our Medicare, I was really taken aback to some of the questions they asked and the paperwork I was required to provide. Anyone who thinks some ne-er-do-well can just show up and get a ‘free handout’ is clearly a fucking table, because I had to tell at least 4 people I was not pregnant and answer a litany of question regarding my drug use, where I get my income, etc…

It’s mind-blogging to me that as a society, we’ve become so far removed from understanding how each other lives. I don’t actually want to be rich. In fact, I don’t want the responsibilities that come with it. I’d like to have enough money to pay my utlility bills and feed my daughter. I don’t think that’s a lot to ask. Yet, society seems to spit back at me that what I want is either not achievable or selfish.

It’s certainly easy to mock people who bought too-big houses and too many cars and ran up $50k in credit card debt on clothes from Talbots, but the reality is we’re all responsible for that, too. We’ve made our society so based on having stuff we’ve forgotten about DOING stuff as opposed to having it.

I’ve lost my way in this, so you’ll have to bear with me. I think what I originally wanted to write about has kindof left, but maybe what I’m wondering is why we no longer actually care about each other anymore. It’s so divided; me vs you and fuck you if you even remotely infringe on my side.

As a society, we’re so afraid, so angry and unable to empathize with one another. Frankly, it feels so un-Christian. I am not a Christian because I don’t believe there is ANY god, but I was raised a Catholic and have spent so many hours (that I will NEVER get back, derp) reading and listening to the dogma. Last I checked, some of the basic tenets are we’re supposed to WANT to help each other, which by in large helps the entire world, not push each other away. 

So how did this happen? 

(Source: ro-s-aspa-rks)

Just Saying…Previous research was flawed, say experts, but findings will shock those who campaign against the drug’s use…
But, in all seriousness don’t ABUSE DRUGS!!!

It’s wrong to abuse any drug as though it’s your route to happiness and fulfillment and being a better person. Quite simply, you don’t find that in drugs.

The “Worldwide Evils of Black Culture?”: This is food as a basic necessity. They are coming because they’re hungry.

“Fried chicken won’t work in Chelsea, Kensington or Hampstead, or anywhere like that. It’s only places for the lower middle class or working class. That’s the only place you can do it.”

No surprise that it is in the most deprived areas that fast-food outlets, and fried chicken places in particular, seem to thrive. Since 1998, the average income of the poorest households has risen by 17.5%. In the same time, food prices rose by 25%.

In the borough of Tower Hamlets, home of the capital’s most deprived children, for every school there are 42 fast-food outlets. In inner-city London generally, the figure is 37. In the country at large, on average just 25.

Take a step back in time for a minute…Vinyl Record, Furniture Making, Weaving, Stucco, Thatching, Bookbinding, Glassblowing….and so many more Arts & Crafts from bygone eras…(over 60 articles)

National Trust warns that City living, time pressures and a decline in the desire to explore is leaving many people ‘disconnected’ from the outdoors

Extensive report on British and American racial attitudes shows two countries in close alignment

Signs of a Corrupt Society: As a top teen model, Sara Ziff was earning the kind of money her school friends could only dream of. But there was a price to pay. She tells Louise France why she has made a documentary about what really happens behind the cameras