This Facebook post is republished below with the permission of the author.
By Brian Gil
As someone that literally never goes out to gay clubs, gay pride parades, or gay anything. I have to say, I have never cried so hard in a single day in my life.
This shooting and the effect its had literally (49 dead) and metaphorically are the fucking worst.
Only a gay person will truly feel the pain today that comes with living a life subconsciously anxious about stigmas, prejudices, and whether or not people will just generally accept you for how you are naturally.
Only a gay person has had to wake up everyday before this event, and looked themselves in the soul to tell themselves they’re worthwhile,while the rest of the world questions your integrity.
Your gonna tell me, on top of carrying all that around, the single location gay people can convene and feel comfortable about themselves in our society has someone walking in with a rifle shooting and rotating the gun across the room? Kick them while your down why don’t you, piece of shit.
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While the past few years the gay community has seen several progresses (marriage equality mainly), it seems we’ve all gone complacent about how unequal gay people still are.
Employment discrimination is still legal in many states. Anti-LGBT legislation has been sweeping the nation in the news lately. Clearly someone feels unaccepting to the point where they carried out their prejudices into mass violence.
I wanted everyone to see how a couple (literally very few) progresses towards acceptance doesn’t mean the related bigotry in our society has gone away.
Just like racism – just because the civil war, civil rights movement, and #staywoke movement have improved our society, it doesn’t mean racism doesn’t still exist (post-racial narrative).
We have to do what we must as people everyday to be conscious of these problems so we can change our world to make future generations better so these types of tragedies stop happening.
How many innocent marginalized members of society have to die before they become accepted? My point is, theres a better way – which is simply understanding, compassion, and solidarity for other humans
RISE NEWS is a grassroots journalism news organization that is working to change the way young people become informed and engaged in public affairs. You can write for us.
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1ne Bullet: The BLM Inspired Non-Profit Working To Prevent Others From Becoming A Hashtag
A Miami-based nonprofit foundation is working to raise awareness about police brutality and anti-black racism through affordable t-shirts.
“Truth is, we’re all one bullet away from being a #hashtag,” is a quote that’s been making its rounds on social media ever since 2014.
It can be seen written on cardboard signs at #BlackLivesMatter protests across the country.
It’s also the quote that inspired Marcus Spady and Paul “JoJo” Ghartey to call their foundation “1ne Bullet” when they established it in July of 2016.
The name is the perfect way to emphasis how quickly black lives seem to end.
If the name isn’t enough to generate interest, then the website certainly will be.The first thing you notice when you visit www.1nebullet.org is the black and white protest photos, most of which are pretty famous on social media.
You can click through and see photographs of a protester with a chain around his wrist.
Another photo shows a woman holding a sign reading, “Who do you call when cops murder?”The second thing you’ll notice is that Michael Jackson’s “They Don’t Care About Us” is on auto play, and starts blasting after a few seconds on the home page.
“We are at a time where we must unite in order to bring changes to a system that targets and systemically oppresses Black people in America,” the about us page reads. “America has never been a safe place for Black people and due to recent events, we are at a time of necessary action and a consciousness shift.”
The plan is to unite people through the #ItCouldveBeenMe (ICBM) shirts. The shirts are black and have a very simple design: the wearers’ name on the front with a hashtag next to it and the phrase “It could’ve been me” on the back.
Each shirt is customized to who purchases it: you have to specify a name when you place the order. They are available in sizes small-3XL.
The shirts are $15 flat.
Since 1ne Bullet is a non-profit, the price only covers the cost of manufacture and shipping. According to the 1ne bullet website, any proceeds that could be gained will be donated to charities and families of those who have been affected by police brutality.
Spady and Ghartey, the two men who are guiding the one-month-old foundation, are pretty young themselves.
They are both recent graduates of the University of Miami.
They are also both members of the black Greek organization Kappa Alpha Psi, also commonly referred as the Nupes.
They are two black men in their 20s—a demographic category that is often highlighted in discussions surrounding police brutality and its victims.
“Outraged with the tragedies surrounding the murders of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile at the hands of the police, we saw these tragedies as something that we could easily become a victim to, and we wanted a way to give the community a platform in order to reflect on what it means to be Black in America,” the site reads.
The two are common features of the University of Miami’s Kappa Instagram page, and have been photographed alongside members of the University of Miami administration, including university president Julio Frenk.
Spady even has a picture with Sybrina Fulton, the mother of Trayvon Martin.
He met her at the Back to School Extravaganza hosted by the Trayvon Martin Foundation.
“Ms. Sybrina loves the idea!” the photo’s caption reads.Although 1ne Bullet’s social media accounts are still pretty new, it is the main way the word is getting out about the shirts.
The Instagram accounts features a photo of a young woman who had purchased the shirt and customized it with her full name, a sign that the 1ne Bullet team is taking the right steps forward.
There’s also word-of-mouth: another way for Spady and Ghartey to tell as many as possible about their mission.
And if their mission statement rings true, they will be telling the world about 1ne bullet.
“We cannot stand and let one of us become another #hashtag,” the last line reads. “The time is now.”
RISE NEWS is a grassroots journalism news organization that is working to change the way young people become informed and engaged in the world. You can write for us.
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Female Genital Mutilation Is More Widespread Than Previously Thought
Female genital mutilation (FGM), or “cutting,” is still occurring in 30 countries, and the situation is worse than previously estimated, despite worldwide efforts to abandon the practice. A new statistical report from UNICEF supported by current data from Indonesia claims at least 200 million women living throughout the world in 30 countries have experienced FGM. It’s… Read More
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Misterwives Releases New Song After Long Wait
By Annika Dahlgren
If you’ve heard of American Authors, Twenty-One Pilots, or even X Ambassadors, you’re bound to have heard about MisterWives, one of the latest bands to steal the ears of many young people.
Their hit “Reflections” is easily recognized, but the song “Coffins” was most people’s first introduction to the band.
Misterwives. Photo Credit: Abby Gillardi/ Flickr (CC By 2.0)
Lead singer Mandy Lee is the only woman in this alternative/Indie pop band joined by percussionist Etienne Bowler, bass guitarist William Hehir, guitarist Marc Campbell, and multi-instrumentalist Jesse Blum.
Read More: Can The 1975 Change The Music Industry As We Know It?
The band formed in 2012 and began performing in a small venue called the Canal Room in New York City.
The day after their performance, Photo Finish Records signed the band, and immediately they began work on their first EP, Reflections.
Since then, MisterWives has gained recognition for opening for Twenty-One Pilots and performing for MTV, VH1, and Jimmy Kimmel Live.
On February 17, their latest single “Machine” was released as a preview for their second album that will arrive later this year.
MisterWives is definitely a band you need to check out if you haven’t already.
Their unique sounds is mesmerizing, and you’ll get hooked immediately.
This is one of the up-and-coming bands that is going to become a household name, just wait and see.
RISE NEWS is a grassroots journalism news organization that is working to change the way young people become informed and engaged in the world. You can write for us.
Cover Photo Credit: Abby Gillardi/ Flickr (CC By 2.0)
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