Chit-Chat: The Feels

[Spartan Girl]

Welp, my therapist is sick, so no appointment today.

But now that I have Hulu, I can watch my favorite episodes of Galavant.

[Dimity]

Here goes Biden sabotaging Trump again. He has issued pre-emptive pardons to Dr. Fauci and others because, well we all know why. Biden you rock.

[bluegirl147]

20 minutes ago, Annber03 said:

The things you call "woke" are simply people just wanting their rights to be respected. 

My definition of woke is being aware not everyone is like you and that is OK, they deserve respect too.  I like to say how can I be woke when I've never been asleep.

10 minutes ago, Dimity said:

Here goes Biden sabotaging Trump again. He has issued pre-emptive pardons to Dr. Fauci and others because, well we all know why. Biden you rock.

It's a shame he had to do that but Trump is petty enough to have wanted to prosecute them.  And I don't want to live in a country where insurrectionists get pardoned and those investigating the insurrection get arrested and/or worse.

[Dimity]

We have come to this, the US is about to be led by the schoolyard bully everyone hated. And half the country thinks his childish taunts and cruel threats are a good thing. It's unbelievable.

Edited 17 hours ago by Dimity

[bluegirl147]

10 minutes ago, Dimity said:

We have come to this, the US is about to be led by the schoolyard bully everyone hated. And half the country thinks his childish taunts and cruel threats are a good thing. It's unbelievable.

I still don't think it's half the country.  Although I do think there are millions of people who just shrug their shoulders and say as long as my 401K is doing well I don't care.

[Ancaster]

This will be me today; it's the only way I can cope.

[Is Everyone Gone]

The NBA has a series of televised games on today. I'm going to spend my day watching that.

[PRgal]

1 hour ago, bluegirl147 said:

My definition of woke is being aware not everyone is like you and that is OK, they deserve respect too.  I like to say how can I be woke when I've never been asleep.

It's a shame he had to do that but Trump is petty enough to have wanted to prosecute them.  And I don't want to live in a country where insurrectionists get pardoned and those investigating the insurrection get arrested and/or worse.

Seems like everyone has a different definition of what "woke" is.  Mine is more negative.  It's "your views don't matter" or "your views are making you sound like a self-centred b***h" as this has been my experience in (early) DE&I committees.  Maybe things have improved, but I really doubt by much.  When people talk about equity in these groups, not ONCE did I hear anything about language challenges and sometimes that making it difficult for them to understand differences in the country they have emigrated to/that one needs to look at the big picture and start things EARLY and that they need PATIENCE for things to become more equal.  Don't think there are enough women in STEM fields?  Maybe start encouraging girls in elementary school and see how things are in 20 years.  And while you're there, encourage boys to look into "softer" fields (which I find they're doing LESS of).  I went to a girls only school where the vast majority of science teachers were women.  I toured a boys only school when we were looking for "bigger" schools for my son and the junior schools were still overwhelmingly taught by women.  I've brought that up in DE&I committees, only to be dismissed.  I still see moms (mostly) in parenting groups getting worried about male preschool teachers.  This is what I mean.  And I will continue to be vocal about this regardless of how I'm shamed (mostly online because people feel it's easier to write than to talk).

[Yeah No]

5 minutes ago, PRgal said:

Seems like everyone has a different definition of what "woke" is.  Mine is more negative.  It's "your views don't matter" or "your views are making you sound like a self-centred b***h" as this has been my experience in (early) DE&I committees.  Maybe things have improved, but I really doubt by much. 

While I admit that the definition of "woke" is not negative, I have been at the receiving end of similar people using it in a negative way, more like a weapon to invalidate my opinion and experience. In other words, to make me feel like I'm not entitled to my feelings or opinions because they're invalid while theirs are. And they won't even hear me out either. To them I'm no entitled to an opinion. I am wrong, period, the end, so I should just shut up and accept being wrong and furthermore I should bow and scrape and apologize for it too. And the reason I'm seen as not being entitled to feelings or an opinion is based on something about myself that I can't change, like my race.

So that's why I have a problem with wokeness as practiced by some people. For them it's definitely not about acceptance of anyone but them and no one else. Submit to their feelings and accept them, but even if you do they will still treat you with hate anyway. And believe me I wish that wasn't the case! I don't stand for anyone hating anyone for any reason. Liberals often refuse to see this phenomenon and put down people who complain about it. I am sorry but I am for people understanding each other and being tolerant of each other, and this is NOT it!

[Is Everyone Gone]

35 minutes ago, PRgal said:

Seems like everyone has a different definition of what "woke" is.  Mine is more negative.  It's "your views don't matter" or "your views are making you sound like a self-centred b***h" as this has been my experience in (early) DE&I committees.  Maybe things have improved, but I really doubt by much.  When people talk about equity in these groups, not ONCE did I hear anything about language challenges and sometimes that making it difficult for them to understand differences in the country they have emigrated to/that one needs to look at the big picture and start things EARLY and that they need PATIENCE for things to become more equal.  Don't think there are enough women in STEM fields?  Maybe start encouraging girls in elementary school and see how things are in 20 years.  And while you're there, encourage boys to look into "softer" fields (which I find they're doing LESS of).  I went to a girls only school where the vast majority of science teachers were women.  I toured a boys only school when we were looking for "bigger" schools for my son and the junior schools were still overwhelmingly taught by women.  I've brought that up in DE&I committees, only to be dismissed.  I still see moms (mostly) in parenting groups getting worried about male preschool teachers.  This is what I mean.  And I will continue to be vocal about this regardless of how I'm shamed (mostly online because people feel it's easier to write than to talk).

I mean this respectfully: afaik you're Canadian. I don't think Canadians really understand just how racist and sexist much of the U.S. is. 

[PRgal]

7 minutes ago, Is Everyone Gone said:

I mean this respectfully: afaik you're Canadian. I don't think Canadians really understand just how racist and sexist much of the U.S. is. 

I'm pretty sure we have our own issues.  South Asians are having THEIR moment in terms of discrimination right now, and yes, Black kids are, like in the US, more likely to be academically behind (unless you're Nigerian).  Our schools tend to have better funding, but kids in lower income families are still less likely to succeed.  Gender balance wise, TBH, the only pluses we have right now are paid parental leave and the guaranteed right for women to control their own bodies.  Career-wise, it's just as bad for women.  Expectations for boys and toxic masculinity also just as bad.

[bluegirl147]

11 minutes ago, Is Everyone Gone said:

I mean this respectfully: afaik you're Canadian. I don't think Canadians really understand just how racist and sexist much of the U.S. is. 

I don't think a lot of Americans realize how racist and sexist much of the US is.

22 minutes ago, Yeah No said:

Liberals often refuse to see this phenomenon and put down people who complain about it. I am sorry but I am for people understanding each other and being tolerant of each other, and this is NOT it!

You know I am a liberal and I know there are plenty of "woke" people who think that is license to simultaneously belittle and berate people they think aren't woke enough.  As I said to me being woke just means be respectful and understanding of everyone. It's not a hard concept to understand but it seems to be a hard thing to put into practice for some people.

[Is Everyone Gone]

3 minutes ago, PRgal said:

I'm pretty sure we have our own issues.  South Asians are having THEIR moment in terms of discrimination right now, and yes, Black kids are, like in the US, more likely to be academically behind (unless you're Nigerian).  Our schools tend to have better funding, but kids in lower income families are still less likely to succeed.  Gender balance wise, TBH, the only pluses we have right now are paid parental leave and the guaranteed right for women to control their own bodies.  Career-wise, it's just as bad for women.  Expectations for boys and toxic masculinity also just as bad.

Yes but are black people likely to get shot by policing for EWB's (Existing While Black)? Or incarcerated for years for non-violent drug offenses? Do women have to quit their jobs because there's absolutely no childcare leave? Is there an expectation in certain circles that women have to "obey" their husbands? 

Is the president of Canada openly racist and sexist?

[PRgal]

16 minutes ago, Is Everyone Gone said:

Yes but are black people likely to get shot by policing for EWB's (Existing While Black)? Or incarcerated for years for non-violent drug offenses? Do women have to quit their jobs because there's absolutely no childcare leave? Is there an expectation in certain circles that women have to "obey" their husbands? 

Is the president of Canada openly racist and sexist?

We don't have a President.  We have a Prime Minister (well, we sort of do right now, considering Trudeau's recent announcement).  We are a Constitutional Monarchy and part of the British Commonwealth.  Sure, we have paid parental leave, but due to sexist culture, women are more likely to take MOST of the leave opposed to a more equal split with their male partners, should they have one.  And yes, women are more likely to leave their careers because childcare can get extremely expensive, especially in Toronto (not all care centres participate in subsidized childcare.  And many more in Toronto do not).  Women expecting to "obey" men?  Yeah, sure we do.  We have crazy religious people here too. As for Blacks and incarceration, check this out from the Government of Canada regarding Blacks and the justice system.

[bluegirl147]

Cecile Richards passed away. For those that don't know she was a former president of Planned Parenthood. And daughter of the great Ann Richards, former governor of Texas.

Edited 15 hours ago by bluegirl147

[Dimity]

33 minutes ago, Is Everyone Gone said:

Is the president of Canada openly racist and sexist?

Our current Prime Minister is not but the man who has been hounding him for years and wants to succeed him is someone we call Trump Lite.  He's not as bad as Trump but he's trying hard.

[Browncoat]

3 hours ago, Spartan Girl said:

Welp, my therapist is sick, so no appointment today.

But now that I have Hulu, I can watch my favorite episodes of Galavant.

Galavant's on Hulu?  Here I've been watching Harry Potter on SyFy all day when I could be watching Galavant!

[Dimity]

18 minutes ago, bluegirl147 said:

And daughter of the great Ann Richards, former governor of Texas.

I loved her!  Remember what she said about George Bush? "Poor George, he can't help it. He was born with a silver foot in his mouth!"

[bluegirl147]

2 minutes ago, Dimity said:

I loved her!  Remember what she said about George Bush? "Poor George, he can't help it. He was born with a silver foot in his mouth!"

Texas politics and Texas itself was never the same after she was voted out.

[Yeah No]

47 minutes ago, bluegirl147 said:

You know I am a liberal and I know there are plenty of "woke" people who think that is license to simultaneously belittle and berate people they think aren't woke enough.  As I said to me being woke just means be respectful and understanding of everyone. It's not a hard concept to understand but it seems to be a hard thing to put into practice for some people.

Thank you that means a lot to me, especially coming from you.

[bluegirl147]

1 minute ago, Yeah No said:

Thank you that means a lot to me, especially coming from you.

The word woke has been used as a weapon from the right and the left. Which is why I don't use that word to describe myself.  And as I said earlier my beliefs have always been my beliefs.  It's not like I had to be convinced.

[atomic]

As much as I'm trying to stay positive and just focus on Dr. King's legacy today, it's so hard not to feel sick to my stomach right now. 😞

[annzeepark914]

2 minutes ago, Dimity said:

I loved her!  Remember what she said about George Bush? "Poor George, he can't help it. He was born with a silver foot in his mouth!"

She also talked about Ginger Rogers doing all the steps that Fred was doing...but GR was doing them backwards & in high heels! I met her at a fundraiser for Gov. Jim Hunt in Raleigh, back in '92. As I stood in a loooong line, I kept thinking of all the things I'd say to her (what a role model she was, how much I admired her, etc). When I finally got to shake her hand? All I could do was thank her for coming to Raleigh 🙄. She was very short! That surprised me, probably because of her big personality. 

[Yeah No]

4 minutes ago, atomic said:

As much as I'm trying to stay positive and just focus on Dr. King's legacy today, it's so hard not to feel sick to my stomach right now. 😞

Same here, I was just thinking the same thing. I must be a glutton for punishment, I have the TV on.....

[Eri]

Forgive me y'all - it's Martin Luther King Day and I understand that everyone has their own interpretation of the term "woke," but as a black person, I often notice it being used by non-black individuals in ways that can and still does lead to misunderstandings within communities (I get it, it happens). What's frustrating is how the seriousness of the word has been diluted, used facetiously and ironically on social media when it has a long and serious history in Black culture.

For example, Republicans use it as something of a catchall to criticize anything on the progressive side of the political spectrum they don't like, whether it's teaching about racism in schools, gender transition policies, or books and libraries they deem inappropriate.

Democrats don't seem to understand its full context either except to associate it with degrees of social/political awareness? But again, old white men don't understand the nuances for its use so they just roll with it since they want to appear inclusive with minorities. So for clarity's sake..

The term "woke" was originally used in Black protest songs dating back to the early 20th century. One prominent song featured the word in the 1938 song "Scottsboro Boys." The Scottsboro Boys were nine black teenagers who were accused of raping two white women aboard a train in 1931 in what is widely seen today as one of the worst cases of racist legal injustice. It helped spur the civil rights movement and loosely inspired the book and movie "To Kill A Mockingbird." Modern black activism and the Black Lives Matter movement used the term widely as a rallying cry.

"Woke" merely comes out of the experience of Black people knowing that you have to be conscious of the politics of race, class, gender, systemic racism, ways that society is stratified and not equal. That's it.

Unfortunately now, the word has been co-opted as a political slogan on the right to criticize opposition parties/ institutions/ agencies in a way that promotes anti-Blackness, stratification, and fear; and that's what makes it dangerous (i.e. could lead to violence, like recent cases in which Black people have been shot knocking on a door, for example). I still blame DeSantis for this as he was a primary instigator who brought this "war on woke" narrative to the forefront of his political platform, and it has become a significant factor in how others have subsequently utilized it to create further division in the political landscape (i.e. culture war boogeyman crap).

Just some food for thought.

Edited 14 hours ago by Eri

[peacheslatour]

1 minute ago, Eri said:

Forgive me y'all - it's Martin Luther King Day and I understand that everyone has their own interpretation of the term "woke," but as a black person, I often notice it being used by non-black individuals in ways that can and still does lead to misunderstandings within communities (I get it, it happens). What's frustrating is how the seriousness of the word has been diluted, used facetiously and ironically on social media when it has a long and serious history in Black culture.

For example, Republicans use it as something of a catchall to criticize anything on the progressive side of the political spectrum they don't like, whether it's teaching about racism in schools, gender transition policies, or books and libraries they deem inappropriate.

Democrats don't seem to understand its full context either except to associate it with degrees of social/political awareness? But again, old white men don't understand the nuances for its use so they just roll with it since they want to appear inclusive with minorities. So for clarity's sake..

The term "woke" was originally used in Black protest songs dating back to the early 20th century. One prominent song featured was the 1938 song "Scottsboro Boys." The Scottsboro Boys were nine black teenagers who were accused of raping two white women aboard a train in 1931 in what is widely seen today as one of the worst cases of racist legal injustice. It helped spur the civil rights movement and loosely inspired the book and movie "To Kill A Mockingbird." Modern black activism and the Black Lives Matter movement used the term widely as a rallying cry.

"Woke" merely comes out of the experience of Black people knowing that you have to be conscious of the politics of race, class, gender, systemic racism, ways that society is stratified and not equal. That's it.

Unfortunately now, the word has been co-opted as a political slogan on the right to criticize opposition parties/ institutions/ agencies in a way that promotes anti-Blackness, stratification, and fear; and that's what makes it dangerous (i.e. could lead to violence, like recent cases in which Black people have been shot knocking on a door, for example). I still blame DeSantis for this as he was a primary instigator who brought this "war on woke" narrative to the forefront of his political platform, and it has become a significant factor in how others have subsequently utilized it to create further division in the political landscape (i.e. culture war boogeyman crap).

You're right. I have never used the word to describe myself because at this point it has been thrown around by so many people who don't understand its origins and used as a catch-all word by conservatives for anything that goes against their orthodoxy it has become meaningless.

[bluegirl147]

Unfortunately it's not the first time something was stolen from African Americans and used for a different purpose.

[Dimity]

I rarely see this term used now in anyway but derogatorily.  The right have tried to do this with liberal and feminist as well.  Probably a lot of other words that I am just too tired and fed up to come up with off the top of my head.  It's discouraging to see how they turn our own words against us.  But given they are taking their lead from the likes of Donald Trump I guess it's hardly surprising. 

[bluegirl147]

2 minutes ago, Dimity said:

I rarely see this term used now in anyway but derogatorily.  The right have tried to do this with liberal and feminist as well.  Probably a lot of other words that I am just too tired and fed up to come up with off the top of my head.  It's discouraging to see how they turn our own words against us.  But given they are taking their lead from the likes of Donald Trump I guess it's hardly surprising. 

I've said before I still refer to myself as a liberal and a feminist.  I'm not going to let someone else have control over my own identity.

[Yeah No]

Joe looks really troubled. He looks like I feel. "We will make MLK's dream come true". Is Trump kidding us? What a joke and not a funny one, although Joe cracked a smile when Trump claimed he's making a "restoration of common sense".

[atomic]

Meanwhile...😞

[Yeah No]

Trump says he wants to be a "peacemaker and unifier". Who is he kidding? Who's writing this stuff? And he's still vowing to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America". 🙄

[bluegirl147]

2 minutes ago, Yeah No said:

Trump says he wants to be a "peacemaker and unifier". Who is he kidding? Who's writing this stuff? And he's still vowing to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America". 🙄

It's always about branding to him.  His whole career was built on that.  First in real estate and then politics.  If he somehow managed to get ahold of Greenland what are the odds he would change the name to Trumpland?

[peacheslatour]

1 minute ago, bluegirl147 said:

It's always about branding to him.  His whole career was built on that.  First in real estate and then politics.  If he somehow managed to get ahold of Greenland what are the odds he would change the name to Trumpland?

[atomic]

 

[bluegirl147]

2 minutes ago, atomic said:

 

Don't worry Hillary we are laughing right along with you.  Gotta laugh so we don't cry.

[Cementhead]

Did he happen to say what day he plans on invading Canada?  I like to write these things down on my calendar. 

[bluegirl147]

1 minute ago, Cementhead said:

Did he happen to say what day he plans on invading Canada?  I like to write these things down on my calendar. 

One good thing, if we can call it that, is now all those voters who thought he was going to do good things for them can see him for the petty stupid slime he has always been. Sad we have suffer too.

 

[atomic]

30 minutes ago, Yeah No said:

Joe looks really troubled. He looks like I feel. "We will make MLK's dream come true". Is Trump kidding us? What a joke and not a funny one, although Joe cracked a smile when Trump claimed he's making a "restoration of common sense".

I knew I couldn't watch it without projectile vomiting all over my screen, but was reading updates on NYT. Was so sad to see this pic.

[Anela]

47 minutes ago, peacheslatour said:

You're right. I have never used the word to describe myself because at this point it has been thrown around by so many people who don't understand its origins and used as a catch-all word by conservatives for anything that goes against their orthodoxy it has become meaningless.

Same.  I knew that the alt-right took the word, and twisted it.  No liberals I know, seriously describe themselves as “woke” for this reason. 

[peacheslatour]

5 minutes ago, bluegirl147 said:

One good thing, if we can call it that, is now all those voters who thought he was going to do good things for them can see him for the petty stupid slime he has always been. Sad we have suffer too.

 

What I don't get is that this is not the first time around. In 2016, they could say "Oh well, he's an outsider. Just give him a chance." He got his chance and he made a fucked up mess of it. Why didn't they see it then?

[Anela]

2 hours ago, Yeah No said:

While I admit that the definition of "woke" is not negative, I have been at the receiving end of similar people using it in a negative way, more like a weapon to invalidate my opinion and experience. In other words, to make me feel like I'm not entitled to my feelings or opinions because they're invalid while theirs are. And they won't even hear me out either. To them I'm no entitled to an opinion. I am wrong, period, the end, so I should just shut up and accept being wrong and furthermore I should bow and scrape and apologize for it too. And the reason I'm seen as not being entitled to feelings or an opinion is based on something about myself that I can't change, like my race.

So that's why I have a problem with wokeness as practiced by some people. For them it's definitely not about acceptance of anyone but them and no one else. Submit to their feelings and accept them, but even if you do they will still treat you with hate anyway. And believe me I wish that wasn't the case! I don't stand for anyone hating anyone for any reason. Liberals often refuse to see this phenomenon and put down people who complain about it. I am sorry but I am for people understanding each other and being tolerant of each other, and this is NOT it!

Whenever I’ve spoken up about anything, it’s because those people weren’t accepting of another person. They want to create laws that actively hurt people.  I used to be really quiet, so I now speak up *a lot*. Maybe too much, but we have been overloaded with opinions from MAGA. by conspiracy theories that affect everything. I’ve just seen a comment on a post from the ACLU, calling them “the woke ACLU”. They stand for human rights, for all of us.  

and I have belittled some people.  The same kind that I mentioned above.  Because they are extremely open with their views, and their attacks on the rest of us, if and when we politely disagree with them. People I’ve known for years.  They didn’t like me treating them, the way they treated me, and others.  

[bluegirl147]

2 minutes ago, Anela said:

 They didn’t like me treating them, the way they treated me, and others.  

Of course they don't.  And they call us the snowflakes.

5 minutes ago, peacheslatour said:

What I don't get is that this is not the first time around. In 2016, they could say "Oh well, he's an outsider. Just give him a chance." He got his chance and he made a fucked up mess of it. Why didn't they see it then?

You have to remember the deep state was working against him. (that is sarcasm in case someone didn't get it). People want to believe good news.  He told them good news.  He told voters he would get rid of inflation. He told them tariffs will bring jobs back to the US. Some voters are looking for a savior and he embodies that for them.  And when he inevitably fails some might see he was a liar but a lot will not blame him.  For whatever reason he enjoys the same type of loyalty Jim Jones did as his followers drank the Kool Aid.

[atomic]

 

[Dimity]

16 minutes ago, Anela said:

They didn’t like me treating them, the way they treated me, and others.  

God knows why but I get a lot of those AITA posts on my FB feed, anyway I'd say at least 90% of them can be summed up with "someone got fed up and met rudeness with rudeness and people didn't like that". 

I see this in political 'discussions' all the time.  We finally get fed up and snap back after being pushed and pushed and then pushed some more and some how we're the one who "can't take a joke" or are "too sensitive".  No, no we're not.  We know you meant what you said and we're tired of listening to it.

Edited 13 hours ago by Dimity

[bluegirl147]

3 minutes ago, Dimity said:

I see this in political 'discussions' all the time.  We finally get fed up and snap back after being pushed and pushed and then pushed some more and some how we're the one who "can't take a joke" or are "too sensitive".  No, no we're not.  We know you meant what you said and we're tired of listening to it.

It's because Trump and his flock see themselves as victims. They are so persecuted.  As if they have done nothing wrong. They now control all levers of government and when they fuck it up they will take not one shred of blame for it. And Democrats better not help them do anything crazy or harmful in the name of unity or some shit.

 

[peacheslatour]

22 minutes ago, bluegirl147 said:

It's because Trump and his flock see themselves as victims. They are so persecuted.  As if they have done nothing wrong. They now control all levers of government and when they fuck it up they will take not one shred of blame for it. And Democrats better not help them do anything crazy or harmful in the name of unity or some shit.

 

[Lantern7]

That happened? Even though I was warm and cozy in my bed? Damn.

1 hour ago, atomic said:

 

Aside from protocol, why should she be there? My best guess is that she knows it drives MAGA insane (more so, really) that she hasn’t been incarcerated, something that was heavily promised from 2015-2016.

[Dimity]

2 minutes ago, Lantern7 said:

Aside from protocol, why should she be there?

I think that's the only reason she is there, along with other high profile Dems.  I know my daughter expressed surprise that anyone other than Trump supporters would be there and that just shows you, once again, how divisive this man is. 

There was a time when the US took a lot of pride in what they called the peaceful transition of power.  Until Trump blew that up.  The Dems have more class though.  Not sure if that's a good thing or not when dealing with the playground bully and his sycophants.

[Harvey]

4 hours ago, annzeepark914 said:

In just a couple hours, the nonstop coverage of Pouty McPoutface will begin, lasting for the next 4 years. I'm hoping & praying that our democracy is strong enough to outlast him & his henchmen 🙏🤞🇺🇲

You think there will still be democracy in 4 years? 🤣 He made it clear he wants to dismantle it.