#AliveWhileBlack is the heartbreaking response to #CrimingWhileWhite

The hashtag #CrimingWhileWhite became a platform to illustrate what often happens when white people engage in criminal activity. It was a powerful moment, as white people openly acknowledged that they don’t face nearly the same punishment or brutality experienced by their black counterparts. But despite the good intentions of those who participated, many others felt like the hashtag detracted from conversations about the value of black lives.

carrie fisher is a woman who struggled with addiction and mental illness and never sugar coated it - she spoke honestly, openly, about every ugly truth, and made me so much less ashamed of the things i struggle with in my daily life.

carrie fisher is a woman who fought back against body shaming and misogyny, against agesim, who looked at critics and said “yes, i am a woman who has aged, and had children, and struggled with depression and addiction and my body has changed, so you can just shut the fuck up and deal with it”, and it was absolutely beautiful.

carrie fisher is a woman who was placed in the role of “princess” but didn’t conform to the typical hollywood idea of what a princess should be. she’s loud, brash, crass, and unapologetic for being so.

she’s an idol and an inspiration and she’s a woman who saved my life many times just by being who she was and never shying away from it or feeling the need to say sorry. carrie fisher is so much and more and i cannot begin to stomach the thought of 2016 taking her away from me, from her family, from the rest of the world and those of us who love her so dearly.

Cassey Chanel photographed by Geoff Bell

Ralston Crawford (1906-1978), Factory Roofs, ca. 1934.

Remember Brock Turner? Here is another one!

One of the bullies, 19-year-old John R.K. Howard, pled guilty last week to a felony count of injury to a child. That’s a lesser charge than he originally faced, forcible sexual penetration by a foreign object, which could’ve landed Howard in prison for life. 

Now though, Howard will avoid any prison or jail time at all, and could even have his conviction dismissed if he completes his two- to three-year probation without committing any new crimes or violations.

At least, they didn’t call him “a kid”, just “a student”, but it would be better if they called him a beast or an animal because no human being is able to harm a disabled child!

“Hemmer said it was neither a sex crime nor a hate crime” - then what was it? White boys having a little fun?

That’s real disgrace… Be careful, hide your children….