Providing solutions and connecting people to possibility
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I’ve been working around a lot of groups of younger activists and there are some that click together on the issues facing the group well, but the inner dynamics could use improvement.
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Ask yourself… are you adding labels to this image?
If you honestly reply that you do, then what do you believe the motivating factors are? They say a picture tells a story… then who’s story is it? It would seem that it is the viewer’s story created by their perspectives on the world. There’s nothing wrong in the image itself, merely how we judge it to be.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”Stephen Boyle” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””] Strive to be conscious of your thoughts and beliefs, live from your heart and be with the world at large. [/perfectpullquote] More
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Urgent Call to Action: Rally at Wayne State University Student Center on Saturday, June 18, 2016 at 5PM
Photo: Fuzzytek. June 21, 2015
We need you to reach out to mobilize families with children in your circles, youth leaders, children and youth activities to compel them to represent a moral voice to stop water shut offs for the most vulnerable people in Detroit. Three quarters of the children in Detroit are living below 150% of the federal poverty level ($35,775 for a family of four). Exposing children to an opportunity to care about other children is a way to nurture their humanity by caring for other children in need. Please make the sacrifice of time to personally compel people to join in and wage love…
“Even as the quality of available water is constantly diminishing, in some places there is a growing tendency, despite its scarcity, to privatize this resource, turning it into a commodity subject to the laws of the market. Yet access to safe drinkable water is a basic and universal human right, since it is essential to human survival and, as such, is a condition for the exercise of other human rights. Our world has a grave social debt towards the poor who lack access to drinking water, because they are denied the right to a life consistent with their inalienable dignity.” – Pope Francis, Laudato Si
The Allied Media Conference has agreed to support our cause by spreading the word nationwide about Mayor Duggan’s refusal to accept the warnings that massive water shut offs are a threat to public health and an assault, punishing vulnerable people who cannot afford the current payment rates and policies. There is not a reasonable process in place for evaluating shut offs for vulnerable populations such as elderly, pregnant women, persons with serious medical conditions or chronic health challenges, young children in the home, or landlord tenant discrepancies. This is unreasonable and unacceptable. Like Flint we have been persistent as advocates, now we have decided to lift up the children’s voices to call out to the Mayor in front of the nation.More
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Let’s get honest here – white privilege America has adopted a colloquial phrase that needs to STOP. “Pulling The Race Card” showed up as a manner of marking an action foul to the person judging it with the statement. It rests on exacerbated “racial difference”. It continues to propogate in part it is because what you resist will thrive simply because of awareness.
I’ve even been told “that was very white of you”, as a reminder that I do carry white privilege. At first I rebuffed the statement, but giving it pause and reflection I’ve learned more deeply about white privilege. [pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“that was very white of you”, as a reminder that I do carry white privilege[/pullquote]I’m thankful for being with elders that had courage enough to speak up and teach. Each day we should be able to learn something and appreciate life’s lessons.
One of the most apparent differences we have is the color of skin. Our genetic composition offers visual features that relate our ancestory. Beneath those features we are all human with muscles, bones, and organs that function in a very similar manner. Even our skin and hair is similar in structure.
Culture is something we gain from society, the environment into which we are born and adopt as our own. If aa newborn is raised in a different culture from which they originated, that newborn will grow up with a different culture than their parents.
Male Un-Fair Campaign poster
Un-Fair campaign poster 1
Un-Fair Campaign poster 3
Race doesn’t show up unless society perpetuates it. We have created something called “race” in society today as a matter of saying there are physical differences between us. The phrase “pulling the race card” has been stretched to include cultural differences. Those with more power (or privilege) in society have greater access to create the structures it follows. As those whom have been racially challenged in their path to success gain recognition and position we’ll be seeing positive change in society accepting difference instead of dominating to repress it.
SOLUTION:
Stop using the colloquial phrase and let it be buried as history.
Accept gentle reminders that privilege is being used in an undesirable manner.
NOTE: I realize this post is NOT burying the phrase in history. This post is bringing up awareness of something being resisted. However it is offering solutions. Perhaps it gets shared, or simply taken in as something you’ll personally work on (preferred).
Imagine being hit with the statement as a person oppressed by the fact they are categorized by race. It works in every direction to increase divide between people and cultures.
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Normal never changed anything ever. Be proud of difference, find common positions on issues, and realize radical thought is what changes the world.
Stephen Boyle
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The article by Micah White of Occupy Wall Street provides great advice on movement building and evolution. I’ve had people here in Detroit interested in movement building on new ventures and they’ve seen recent efforts not going so well. The reasons are continued attempts using the same methods. Once you become predictable you are conquerable and become consequentially passed over by the press and people watching it. The efforts to be heard fall short of desired goals.
[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Normal has never changed anything ever — Stephen Boyle[/pullquote]
Evolving movements must realize that establishing a normal process is what corporate training leads them toward. Corporatizing movements is compromizing why activism happens. We aren’t interested in normal! “Normal has never changed anything ever.” I’ve been saying this for a few years now and each time someone hears it a “lightbulb appears”. Radical change requires radical means and efforts. Guerilla warfare is an example and how the Americas won the Revolutionary War leading to independence from English regime. Much of America has lost its luster, there is little gleam in the eye of those here wishing for change. The only way it’ll happen is moving beyond those influences we hold sacred (and reliable). Relying on something is where we are losing it. We’re forgetting how to produce on our own. Community building has to learn that doing different shouldn’t be shunned but needs to be embraced as the evolutionary path needed. Getting involved in the evolution means listening and doing. Being outspoken and responsible at the same time.
As one of the original co-creators of the Occupy Wall Street movement, I’ve watched student protests sweep across campuses in Cape Town,Missouri, London and Los Angeles with a growing sense of optimism. The history of protest suggests that students are often the first to sense the opportunity for revolutionary change.
I suspect that the new wave of campus protests could be the foreshock to the global social movement that activists have been hoping for since the end of Occupy. To increase the odds, here is some advice to student protesters, based on the lessons from my time with Occupy.
First, never protest the same way twice. The birth of a new movement is exciting. But the effectiveness of a protest diminishes if the same tactic is used repeatedly. Once the occupation tactic stopped working in the face of police crackdowns and the onset of winter weather, Occupy Wall Street stopped existing.
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I have lived more than half my life in an embedded system that I learned little to nothing about having privilege as a white male. I never sought out privilege and there was no education regarding this topic. However white male privilege is present, I have been granted it without question. At some point, when your mind clears enough to hear and be aware, you then discover how the world encounters your existence.
Sometimes you’ll be declaring that you hear clearly in response to the affront from those stating you still haven’t heard. Slow down in the frustration, open up more listening, embrace with empathy where you might be missing connection. It is a bit like balance, you might have it one moment and slide off it the next. The next question is how to be responsible with that awareness, and not shy away from being in the conversation fully.
Can those whom are more oppressed accept assistance from those carrying privilege responsibly, or does that mearly seem like a cheap facade to those oppressed? We have to learn to accept where the oppressed find themselves and see those with some awareness of privilege. Leading and organizing to do something about racism from inside the ranks of privilege can be powerful. Leading can be easily dismissed as grand-standing on privilege especially when there is no visible acknowledgement of partnering with the oppressed. Checking in on acceptance with humility is important.
Contaminated By Fear
The following was post by ROCKET (!!!) MAN along with a new music track opener.
It’s time. Human beings must not continue to allow our spaces to be so contaminated by #FEAR that we dwell in the darkness of our differences. If we can plainly see that no one wants more of what is happening and people are willing to have the kinds of conversations in their environments that can induce or provoke positive change, why shun them? Embrace what you perceive as their ignorance.
The only way to achieve the needed change is to enhance perspective; that is what true revolution is about. The only way to do that is by finishing the conversation and understanding that even if we don’t agree with someone’s point of view, that does not make it invalid; that is how they currently see things. No one who feels disrespected or as if their opinion is being invalidated is interested in finishing the conversation.
You think somebody’s opinion is bullshit? Well, now you have a real life decision to make, don’t you, oh “aware” one? Are you a messenger of The Way or just a different shade of #FEAR?#WAGELOVE. #ZOOM
Our minds bring so much confusion to our hearts. Far too often the tough work of being fully aware is denied. We surround ourselves with a supportive society that condones separation – claiming to be our support network. Many fear breaking free from this bonding relationship as it offers us some form of identification. It is dangerous in our minds to be both independent and interdependent.
WageLove, face FEAR without shame, but get to know fear well. You don’t get to know fear by standing inside it. There is a certain sense of knowing in that mode, however observing how it functions, thrives and is created are vital – especially as a peace maker!
The emphasis in peace making is to observe first, get to know the inluencing factors and how to assist a person caught to see those influences and the role of influence that bind better. When you are armed with knowledge, truth can liberate.
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Last week I reported an attempted scam to get me to send money. The scammer even asked me to call his phone number to prove he was R*** K***. I tried to tell him he had the wrong person, that I have not got the money he wanted, which was expressed as $450 this time, last week it was $350. You might review last week’s information to understand the first post in this series.
Again the phone number calling was “private number”, which sadly I have a friend who calls me and is always listed as private number. So I’ve been tuned in to taking those phone calls when they happen. Obviously it has to stop now, and my friend is going to have to text message me prior to calling so I know it is them rather than this scammer or another. This scamming needs to also be known as stalking as it is changing how I’m handling my life. More
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I’ve had the dubious privilege to have a “R*** K***” call my phone using a private number. Speaking heavily accented and broken english I was asked for my email address. The reason for this was confusing at best. He said something about they wanted to send me money but needed $350 to send it.
The crude attempts to impersonate the US Marshals Service are nearly comical, however sadly real.
Why would an official send an email through a gmail.com address?
Misspelled words and improper English abound in the communication both verbally and in written form.
The line breaks and replaced words in the email text show that this is a cut-and-paste email. I believe that he literally was pasting it up and replacing words as needed while I was on the phone with him.
Urgency expressed in making sure the information was sent as quickly as possible. When asked for verification of anything, even asking for what number he called to reach me, never had a significant reply to offer proof.
He offered a phone number to reach him 407-45*-**** which is for a T-Mobile phone based out of the Kissimmee, Florida exchange. Why would that be used for US Marshals Service based in “North Darkota”?
I’ve tracked down the assumption of identity on the part of the caller, and I’m contacting them – hence their name and address are obscured in this post. How did I find this? Listed as results from Google that passed through a White Pages search using the name and address. This provided even more identifying information.
Email Received
David L. Harlow, Acting Director United States Marshals Service. David Harlow became the Acting Director of the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) on July 26, 2015, following more than 30 years of dedicated service in the Agency.
Subject: I am R*** K*** The Acting Director of U.S. Marshals Service From: david harlow <usmarshaldavidharlow@gmail.com>[ref]Why is the email address using gmail?[/ref] Recieved: Tuesday, September 22, 2015 at 7:34pm EDT
FROM THE DESK OF R*** K*** U.S SERVICE MARSHAL
ADRRESS ************************, North Dakota ***** USA
I am R**** K*** The Acting Director of U.S. Marshals Service (UMS)[ref]US Marshals Service abbreviates as USMS, not UMS[/ref] District of North Darkota in alliance with economic community of World Bank Swiss (ECWBS) with afliated Office here in North Darkota. We have been working towards the Track Down Of Fraudsters and scam Artists in Western part of Africa With the help of United States Government Secret Agents glued with Anti Money Lundering Squad.[ref]Never heard officials call an operation “Track Down of Fraudsters”. How exactly have Secret Agents been “glued with” an “Anti Money Lundering[sic] Squad”?[/ref]
We have been able to track down so many of this scam artist in various parts of west African countries which includes (NIGERIA, REPUBLIC OF BENIN, TOGO, GHANA, CAMEROUN, BURKINA FASO, MALI, SENEGAL, COTE D IVOIRE AND LONDON) and they are all in our custody here in North Darkota Usa.[ref]Incredible that everyone being sought is in custody, and brought to North Dakota of all places! Interesting that the Ivory Coast is known by the French origin name Cote D’Ivoire. And even more interesting are references to locations going through a change of regime – Benin / Burkinga Faso. These are likely tips as to the originator’s location.[/ref]
We have been able to recover so much money from these scam artists. The United Nation Anti-crime commission and the United State Government have ordered the money recovered from the Scammers to be shared among 500 Lucky people around the globe for their compensation as scam victims.[ref]I wonder how I became one of these “500 lucky people”. I asked during his call if they had identified me as a victim of scams, there was no comprehendable reply.[/ref]
This email is been directed to you because your email address was found in one of the scam Artists file and computer hard disk in our custody here in North Darkota. you will only pay $350 follar insurance so mr john will deliver
You are therefore being compensated with $1.1 Million Dollars. We have also arrested all those who claim that they are Barristers, Bank Officials, Lottery Agents who
has money for transfer or want you to be the next of kin of such funds which do not exist. Since your name appeared among the lucky beneficiaries who will receive a
compensation of $1.1 Million, we have arranged your payment through our Swift card payment center [ref]Apparently Swift has been identified by others in scam schemes (1). Swift is a prepaid card service available through Discover Card Services. [/ref]. Feel free to contact the processing officer JOHN CARL ROES. The
swift card has been specially prepared to enable you withdraw your money in any ATM machine in any part of the world, but the maximum is Six Thousand Dollars Only per
day.
So you are advice to contact the swift center officer MR R K*** with your provided information’s as required.
CONTACT PERSON: MR JOHN CARL ROES CONTACT ADDRESS: 5061 New Land Road Newark MD USA [ref]Appears to be a fictious address, can’t find as given using Google Maps.[/ref] CONTACT TELEPHONE +1 410 6322 291 [ref]phone number has too many digits.[/ref] CONTACT EMAIL ADDRESS carddelivery_postagent@yahoo.com
Provide the information bellow to enable him prepare your ATM Master Credit Card including your Pin code to access it.
As a person that has been scammed in the distant past I’m keenly aware of what identity theft looks like. The final 5 items requested are exactly what constitutes an attempt to secure your identity.
I would not have received this email without offering an email address to recieve it. The email address used is one which I’ve let languish for a long time.
Repeat Calling Behavior
It seems R*** is excited that he was able to “speak” with me for 23 minutes – as I was trying to decipher what he said, who he was, and what his purpose ultimately will be. In the end none of this was really answered.
The call was followed up by another at 7:47pm to make sure I got his email. Eventually during the call I grew frustrated, he asked if I wanted to speak with someone else when I asked him to give me the phone number for the US Marshals HQ office in North Dakota. I replied “sure”, he seemed to hestitate, fumble around a little, then I got another email. If he was truly working for the USMS he would have been able to find that number easily, it was never produced.
Second Email Requesting Information
Using same subject and origin email sender as above: Received Tuesday, September 22, 2015 at 7:59pm
HELLO DEAR
IN RESPECT TO OUR TELEPHONE CONVERSATION BELOW IS THE INFORMATION TO SEND THE $350 DOLLARS FOR US TO PROCEED WITH THE DELIVERY OF YOUR VISA CARD BY TOMMOROW REGARDING THE DELIVER RECORDS
NAME JOHN CARL ROES ADDRESS NEWARK MARYLAND AMOUNT $350 DOLLARS TEXT QUESTION WHAT FOR ANSWER FOR VISA CARD
I AM WAITING TO HEAR FROM YOU SO THAT I WILL SEND THE PAYMENT INFORMATION TO THE CARD DELIVERY CENTER INCLUDING YOUR PHISICAL ADDRESS OF LOCATION SO THAT YOUR CARD WILL BE PROPERLY DELIVERED
THANKS AND BEST REGARDS MR R*** K***
On Tue, Sep 22, 2015 at 12:34 PM, Fuzzytek <****@****.com> wrote: Best place to find me is at http://fuzzytek.com
More Repeat Phone Calls from Private Number
Since this I’ve had calls at 7:51pm, 8:11pm. and 8:35pm – these were not answered or sent to voicemail. I’m wondering how to block a private number and it doesn’t seem possible. Although I do believe my phone provider *could* find out what number and location if pressed by federal authorities.
Why So Much Interest?
I believe R*** is pursuing me because he senses that I’m educated and have opened a dialogue. Unfortunate for him the dialogue is now over. I’m documenting what has been sent and said. Any future “private caller” calls are going into voicemail.
If you know people who are adept at pursuing identity theft, fraud, and marketing harrassment – please leave a comment. Wednesday morning I will give a call to the US Marshal’s Office in North Dakota and turn information over to them.
Resources
Curious to know what scamming looks like? Check any of these resource websites:
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The ah-ha moment not lost Shared experiences not tossed.
It is all interconnected Society recognizing and disconnected.
Quotes Collection
I’ve been aware that I need to start compiling quotes that have inspired me as well as those I’ve been creating. You’ll find a new sidebar on the website sharing a random quote that I’ve entered into the collection. This is powered by the Quotes Collection plug-in. I’ve also created a Quotes page where this collection can be found. Not every quote will be a blog post as this one is.
GoodReads Quotes
There is an existing sidebar item pulling a random quote that I’ve liked over at GoodReads.com. Feel free to add my profile as a friend and lets share inspiration.
Ask yourself… are you adding labels to this image?
