Memes, Dreams and Low Self-Esteem

what in the

MY HOME IS ON THE LIST/LIKELY TO BE TARGETED, WHAT CAN I DO?

* it may bring you peace of mind to have a go-bag ready, just in case. A go-bag is a bag with everything in it that you need to get out a volatile situation quickly. Any bag that can be secured (buttoned or zipped) will do. In your go-bag, you should include;

- identifying documents; passport/driver’s license/asylum card/ILR certificate/British Residency permit card

- Wallet and/or banking books

- A spare charger & cable and/or a power bank

- any shelf-stable medication (tablets, inhalers etc.) if you are on medication that needs to be refrigerated, leave it in the fridge until you have to leave

- Sanitary items; toothbrush, toothpaste, sanitary pads & tampons, deodorant. If you have very young children with you, you may also want to take your nappy bag.

* If you have to leave, a go-bag is a convenient way to ensure you have everything of importance with you.

* If you are being supported by an asylum seekers or refugee charity, or are a member of a gurdwara/temple, mosque, synagogue or church, reach out to your religious leaders. They may be able to provide direct support, or put you in contact with organisations or other congregants who can help. If you are friendly with your neighbours, it may be worth contacting them too.

* IN THE EVENT THAT “PROTESTORS” DO COME TO YOUR HOUSE, CALL 999 IMMEDIATELY, AND FOLLOW ANY INSTRUCTIONS THEY GIVE YOU. MOVE AWAY FROM ANY WINDOWS. DO NOT OPEN YOUR DOOR UNLESS INSTRUCTED TO DO SO BY EMERGENCY SERVICES.

I’M AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT/CARE WORKER/NHS WORKER, WHAT SHOULD I DO?

* Contact your student welfare office/NHS Trust/agency for advice, support and referral to organisations that may be able to provide assistance

* if you live in or commute through an area that is likely to be targeted, contact your lecturers and your faculty to find out whether remote study is possible; if you work in care or as part of the NHS, find out if it is possible to change shifts.

* If it would provide peace of mind, prepare a go-bag as listed above

* Reach out to your the uni society or student’s organisation for international students or students of specific ethnic origin; they may be able to provide you with direction to resources and peer support. If your university has a Marxist or Socialist society, reach out to them for mutual aid with a travel buddy etc., for getting to and from your place of study/work

* If you are a member of a gurdwara/temple, mosque, synagogue or church, reach out to your religious leaders. They may be able to provide direct support, or put you in contact with organisations or other congregants who can help.

* If you are friendly with your neighbours, it may be worth contacting them too for assistance with travel to & from work.

* Report any racism or racialised violence you are subjected to. NHS staff have a right to refuse to treat patients who harass, abuse, threaten or insult them; if a patient is racist to you, where possible, ask another member of staff to take over their care.

PERSONAL SAFETY:

* do not leave your home unless strictly necessary. If it is necessary to leave, don’t do it alone.

* use NextDoor, WhatsApp, social media and word of mouth to avoid commuting through “protestor” road blocks, areas of active conflict etc.,

* When travelling, use Share My Location or Life360, and keep at least two people aware of your expected time of arrival at your destination with instructions to contact the police if you do not let them know you’ve made it safely

* do not directly confront any individuals involved, or allow them to bait you into becoming confrontational

* only record if it is safe. Do not record individuals directly/from up close

* Do not directly intervene. If you see violence occurring, contact emergency services and if safe to do so, record what’s happening.

ALLYSHIP & HOW TO HELP:

* if you have neighbours, friends, coworkers or acquaintances form targeted communities, reach out to them. Ask them what you can do to help them feel safe.

* If you live in an area likely to be targeted, reach out to any vulnerable people you know. If safe and possible, offer to let them shelter with you in the event they need to leave home

* If you see any incitement to violence online screenshot it; it may prove useful in the event of individual “protesters” being prosecuted

* If you see any specific areas being discussed as targets, alert anyone you know at risk in the area

* Reach out to local refugee & asylum seekers’ organisations, to organisations supporting foreign national care & healthcare workers, and to churches, mosques, gurdwaras; they may be looking for short term assistance in helping to provide for vulnerable members of their community

CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS FOR ASSISTANCE & TO SUPPORT:

* NASC Ireland; refugee & asylum seeker charity

* Doras.org; migrant, stateless persons, refugee and asylum seeker rights advocates

* Jesuit Refugee Service; religious refugee & asylum seekers charity

* Irish Refugee Council; supporting stateless displaced persons & refugees in NI & ROI

* International Student’s House (IE & UK WIDE): provides hardship funding and help to international students

* PathFinder (UK WIDE); supports international students

* Care International (GLOBAL); global carer’s charity

* Choose Love (IE & UK WIDE); charitable organisation supporting refugees and asylum seekers

* Praxis UK (UK WIDE); supporting refugees & asylum seekers

* The Runnymede Trust (IE & UK WIDE); antiracism education charity

* Migrant’s Rights Network (IE & UK WIDE); advocacy and support for migrants and refugees

* ShareTheMeal (GLOBAL); providing meals for refugees and those fleeing conflict globally

* Amnesty (IRELAND, UK & WORLDWIDE); human rights NGO

After a misplaced joke by the crew led to Lord Bloodraven magically confiscating our recording equipment, the 'Keeping Up' team had to venture to a secluded cave to retrieve their tools, thus leading to our delay.

However, circumstances (and Lady Shiera) meant that junior PA Kevin had to be left behind as a toll payment - we'll miss you, Kevin.

Anyhow, onwards and upwards, where we meet the last of our rotating cast of characters - the lovely and talented Tanselle of Dorne!

oathbreaker_cary on IG

Video description: A Black man wearing elf ears and dreads and a bandana on his head, pretending to talk to another person. Onscreen text in white says: "I'm Three Drinks Deep at the Elfsong Tavern and Someone Mentions Wyll Ravengard." The angle changes several times and Cary gets more and more animated as he speaks.

Transcription: (sounds of people talking)

Oh nonono, I'm jumping in here. I'm jumping in here because I read the piece in the Gazette, the piece on Wyll Ravengard.

Offscreen voice: Whaddya mean?

You can't slander this man.

Offscreen voice: What're you talking about?

Cary: You can't slander him. No but hear me - hear me well: he was banished from the city by his father at 17. Mind you, he protected the city from a cult of Tiamat. Tiamat cultists. You know where Tiamat was? SHE'S IN HELL. They tried to bring her to Baldur's Gate, and he stopped it. He stopped it! Nono and see this is why you backed Gortash, cuz you lack critical thinking.

Offscren voice: I don't see how that's relevant (repeats)

Cary: You do. You do. You simply do. You- you're completely mischaracterizing this man: he had every chance to just be evil. He coulda been a piece of shit, but he chose light. Where there is surely a path of darkness, he chose light every single time. For 7 years, he went and made a name for himself. As a hero - the Blade of Frontiers. For 7 years.

7 years, a devil in his ear, trying to sway him to a path of darkness, surely. And yet he chose the path of heroism. And you- and you- and you're calling him a fraud? Wyll Ravengard is NOT a fraud. Lorroakan? Fraud. Wyll Ravengard is not a fraud! Not only - not only does he save Baldur's Gate 7 years ago - when he was a teenager, ok? But he comes back with a band of ragtag heroes and helps protect the city from a cultist? The Absolute cultists?