my soul is made of femslash and bitterness

—

Joan Didion

(via

macrolit

PRIDE & PREJUDICE (2005)

5. Walk with your keys in your hands and keep a key between each finger

6. If they put you in the trunk kick out the headlights

E.g.

If your gut is telling you to cross the street or change your path, do it. Don’t risk it. Your body knows.

If you can, buy a large umbrella and walk holding it. Studies say that predators are less likely to attempt an attack on someone that could fight back. Keys around your knuckles is fine but you’ll need to get very close to do damage. Umbrellas are more precise.

Avoid wearing headphones if you are alone on an empty street. Look aware.

Again: Stay. Away. From. Walls.

Entering an uber alone? Call your father (or anyone you trust) and say “hey dad! Yep, I’m almost there, I’m sending you the route.” outloud. Then proceed to send them the route so they can follow the uber drive. This will most likely intimidate the predator.

If you see someone in an uncomfortable or possibly dangerous situation, walk up to them and say “Betty, oh my god, I haven’t seen you in so long!”. If she gets slightly confused, you can whisper and let her know you’re trying to help and that she should follow along. Walk together to another station or away from where you are. The man will most likely not follow. I have done this one 2 times and can be very helpful.

If you are unsure she needs help, you can pass her a note saying something like “hey, I noticed this man beside you is making you uncomfortable. If you’d like help, fake a sneeze right now and I will come up to you and pretend we are friends.” This is a long note, but its an example. Be discrete. If she follows along, proceed with the previous tip. This is helpful when you’re in a crowded train and you notice harassment.

you

can

use

just

about

anything

Here are some more that I like:

Yes, it is plastic. Which means it’s breaking down and releasing micro-particles into the environment.

That’s bad.

There’s also the whole “plastic comes from oil” issue and no, most vegan leather is not made from plant based plastic or recycled plastic.

It’s also not recyclable itself.

It wears out faster, and is less repairable, so you’ll have to buy new boots or whatever every couple of years instead of like. Once every decade and getting them occasionally fixed (for typically less than the cost of a new pair of vegan leather boots).

One of the attorneys I work with has a beat-up leather briefcase he was gifted when he passed the bar. In the 70s.

Another attorney bought a vegan leather one last year and he already has had to replace it.

It doesn’t “breath,” so your boots are more likely to smell than if they were made of leather.

It won’t form to your feet over time, so it’s less comfortable.

It also isn’t anywhere near as warm in the winter.

It doesn’t protect against various dangers and, in some cases, could make things much worse for the wearer. Ever had plastic melted to your skin? It’s not fun.

I know someone that professionally butchers local livestock and game. A few years ago, she would sell hides to various manufacturers. Now, she can’t even pay people to take hides. Her shop had to buy a bigger dumpster to hold the hides because they can’t get rid of them.

Because no one wants leather anymore.

(I could go on and on about the ethics of the meat industry in america, but to stay on topic, I won’t. Send me an ask if you want to talk about it. Same goes for initial cost issues for low income people, because I know that’s also a major thing)

Basically, as long as there is a market for beef in America, there will be hides that can be turned into leather. Yes, I know, there are a lot more complex issues in this, what with capitalism and all. See previous paragraph.