No Shade of White

st. vincent is a very small island in the caribbean - much smaller than that of my own country and my country is like a dot on the world map - of only 100k+ citizens and at least 7,000 people were told to evacuate. this is the first eruption since 1979. st. vincent is a predominantly black country, and as of now i haven't seen any petitions as yet from the people. all i can do is hope that we can boost this and send them our love and support.

(bonus video showing how high the smoke is in the air)

(credit to Jamaican Observer on twitter)

Help Needed Immediately! Please Read:

On March 22nd, Dean Steed, a Black Trans organizer and activist, based in Atlanta, was arrested in Cherokee County, Georgia, after a routine traffic stop. After being stopped for a broken tailight, two White officers demanded that Dean, exit the vehicle, and proceeded to search entire car, including the trunk. The officers found a vape pen and a couple of cartridges. Dean was immediately arrested and placed into solitary confinement because he is Transgender, and can’t be housed with the other inmates.

#FreeDean #DecriminalizeMarijuana

Dean is being charged with four different counts, including a felony for “Possession of THC Oil” (cannabis oil). In addition to being charged with a misdemeanor for “Possession of Drug-related Paraphernalia” (vape pen). In Georgia, THC Oil is considered a controlled substance, listed in the same classification as crack-cocaine and heroin. Any tiny amount of THC Oil up to carries a mandatory minimum sentence of a year in jail.

Copy of Dean’s charges and bail:

Dean is facing a minimum of 1 year in prison, in addition to $5,000 in fines. Please share, boost, and donate!

In Thunderbird Strike, a new side-scrolling game that launches at the ImagineNATIVEfestival this week in Toronto, players can control a thunderbird—a symbol in several Indigenous cultures—that destroys as much of the oil industry’s machinery and pipelines as it possibly can. And it’s so satisfying.

The game was created by Elizabeth LaPensée, an Anishinaabe, Métis, and Irish games developer, and assistant professor of media and information at Michigan State University. She told me in an interview that she wanted to create a game where Indigenous players could reclaim some agency around oil pipelines, even if through a video game.

(and let’s be honest, the venn diagram circle of “oil lobbyists” is just a small circle in the larger circle of “racists”) and could really use support and advocacy:

https://www.thunderbirdstrike.com/

“Anyone who knows anything about what’s happening in Venezuela today knows that the country is currently in need of just such a humanitarian intervention. But evidently a significant portion of the US Left knows nothing about what’s happening in Venezuela today, nor even cares.

The reason for that is because its solidarity is directed toward a dysfunctional, incompetent, corrupt government run by a mafia under the language and utopian rhetoric that the left loves so much, and not toward the suffering people of Venezuela.”

I have always been impressed by how the community helps each other in times of need. People always rushed to help, seeking the reward of their charities from Allah alone.

Sadaqah (charity) does not decrease our wealth as our Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم taught us, and for this reason, we should bless our money by giving in charity.

I have started a gofundme campaign which I would love your help in by sharing and donating. The story behind it is not of pain nor sickness nor disease, but a simple dream of a doctor.

Basil A. is my colleague in medschool in Sudan and I have known him better 3 years ago when he became the academic secretary for our batch. He dedicated all his efforts and so much of his time to help over 380 students succeed in their studies and exams. From facilitating our clerkships to helping people who can’t pay for their notes get it for free, he and his team were the reason after Allaah عز و جل for helping us (me included!) excel in our 4th year with high grades, and their efforts are now passed on to the juniors because knowledge is a charity, too.

Basil got an offer to do an elective in the UK in Leicester hospital, and when he asked me for the expenses etc since I live between Sudan and the UK, I knew this is where me - and others from our batch - can help and pay him back even if little. Travel expenses are hard for him to cover due to the hyperinflation in Sudan and he raised some from family support and needs the remaining £800. I was the first to donate and may Allah accept and I hope this encourages you all to help by all means.

Just think of every patient he treats in the future and how you’ll actually get some of the reward. The experience he takes and the happiness that will fill his heart when his simple dream comes true is all rewarded for. And this is how we are an Ummah. In times of trials and times of triumph.

In the link, you can read more on how much this means to him:

https://www.gofundme.com/a-small-dream-with-a-bigger-purpose-help-a-medic