Describe a decision you made in the past that helped you learn or grow.
When I became homeless the first time, I chose family.
The second time, I chose friends.
Left alone the third time, I had no one else but myself.
I decided to choose the version of me that would be a hero to the younger me.
A brave transgender woman fighting for justice, speaking truth to power, and bravely taking the knocks for it.
Because the important decision in that was to fight for others, not just for myself, but as a reflection of where we are, fight for what my younger self needed, what I needed, what I still need, and do so by striking for others. String and deep, strike at the heart of the issues.
That decision has been ever-unfilding since then, and before then when similar decisions were made. But it has forever changed my life to give it to others. Because when all else fails, choosing yourself means choosing the humanity that you share with others.
Share this and your own story, and join me at Twitch.tv/BriezyBee. Hmu on social, add me, help me elevate your story.
Tonight your host, Brienna Parsons, is beginning her first instruction in auto-pedagogical linguistics. Woohoo!
Join the Twitch.TV/BriezyBee stream for higher education and gaming. We’re doing another Pull That S*** Up University and everyone is invited. There may be cursing & local references made, so a particular audience is in mind, but this work is for everybody, so get in!
EMBED COMING SOON!
So come one, come all, tonight and every week, the Twitch.TV/BriezyBee livestream does public university on Twitch!
Here’s the weekly rundown:
Mondays (M)
Community Town Halls with Twitch in and around Aurora, Arapahoe County, Colorado, & the United States.
We cover Arapahoe County, Colorado local news!
Gaming.
Tuesdays (T)
Brienna’s Office Hour Marathons — how long can we go?
Gaming.
Wednesdays
Pull That S*** Up University — public university livestreams!
Gaming.
Thursdays (R)
Arapahoe County House Party Canvass Reports.
Gaming.
Fridays (F)
IDK think of something fun, it’s that, come join us. Hop in chat!
Gaming.
Saturdays (A)
Unsolved Mysteries, Wife Swap, & other trash with the crime & life partner.
Gaming.
Sundays (U)
No Streams.
Help us create a solid network for the community by sharing!
Thanks again
BriezyBee
For business inquiries email briennaparsons22@gmail.com.
This is a follow-up to the two part series, Moneyed Interests, Malevolence, and Malfeasance: A Brief History of Money in Politics and the War on Freedom.
The reason for the season is that 100 years ago today, in the United States, the right to vote was solidified by the Bill of Rights in the 19th Amendment.
Before June 4, 1919, only white men could vote. This level of malevolence towards the opinions of others was perpetuated in more fields than one, and as it was a form of erasure, could be described as a form of soft violence.
Unlike physical, hard, violence, soft violence is defined by using psychological means no different than the use of fear and Psychological Operatives by militaries around the world. Or nonviolent terrorism. However, it’s still upon a continuum of force.
I’ve described that continuum elsewhere. Here we’re looking at the power dynamics of violence.
When physical, clearly the one standing has won a position, and their hierarchical place above another is made clear.
Today, we see another version of this often in the political atmosphere.
“Debate me, debate me.”
The pursuers of violence are always seeking to dominate the field. Show that their opinions are superior. Beatdown, destroy, crush, and get others to “smash the like button” in their favor; their goals are even when not spoken in such violent terms, an act of violence.
When you share your opinion because you would like it known, or if you’re lucky, considered, there may be those that want to demolish it.
Though the Right-wing, and especially the extreme right-wing, are fans of this, it can easily occur on the left of center political spectrum as well. It isn’t about politics; it’s about power. Intellectual dominance. Superiority.
When wrapped up in white supremacy, we see a spike in black trans murders, because this power dynamic is on a continuum. The thought may not necessarily be there at all times, but it’s been documented in studies of mass shooters in ths United States it does often come back to the monetary evaluation of one’s bigoted opinion.
If they won’t value your opinion and pay you, vote for you, kiss your boots, then, and we see this with police, they will be forced to be agreeable.
So as we celebrate 100 years of the right to vote for women, we have to ask ourselves, when so much of this operates in a misogynistic system: how far have we come?
What violence have we endured?
How do we stop this from being repeated? Or worse. How do we make sure that once women are in power, that we do not allow the same to be done to men?
Personally, to the latter, even in the face of the tiny minority of anti-trans “feminists”, I believe that we’re infinitely better than that.
Many of the organizers for suffrage were democratic socialists, abolitionists, and activists for a more inclusive society. They were the first wave.
Following them, the Civil Rights movement, Peace Movement, Gay Rights movement, and the Women’s Rights movement were all coinciding to make the now global Second Wave a force to be reckoned with. Patriarchies across the planet took notice. And ever since, the Third Wave has had an uphill battle.
We are now in the Third Wave, discussing theories of violence and free speech, trans rights and human rights, immigration, and the intersection of all of these and more as the basic needs and desires of women in politics has proceeded at a snail’s pace against an onslaught of toxic masculinity.
The matrix of masculinity is the culmination of years of misogyny and sexist institutions with the new addition of the mostly male trolls of the internet and the violent, threatening men attempting to push the continuum of violence from speech to action.
Going forward, there will be another article to delve into wealth inequality, incarceration, media bias, and the extreme right-wing as it continues to relate to the issue of money in politics, where much of the struggle for freedom for all still lies.
Transgender issues such as the right to body autonomy aren’t solely a trans matter. Especially as the United States is inflamed regarding recent abortion bans, it’s a subtopic on the issue of body autonomy. Similarly, we can talk about discrimination against many people barring them from housing, education, healthcare, and other much needed services, while talking about a lesbian black trans woman’s rights.
Here’s the really quick, and far too short, slideshow of Democratic Presidential candidates that responded to recent news regarding Muhlaysia Booker, one of the three black trans women who faced ultimate violence in the past week:
It is clear that fatal violence disproportionately affects transgender women of color, and that the intersections of racism, sexism, homophobia, biphobia and transphobia conspire to deprive them of necessities to live and thrive.
This epidemic of violence that disproportionately targets transgender people of color — particularly Black transgender women — must cease.
With seldom talk of white nationalism as it relates to Neo-Nazis, a fascist movement, and its relation to its namesake, the epitome of fascists, it can become easy for those that don’t identify as any of the above to still become indoctrinated in the authoritarian political philosophy. We jump in there.
Pokemon Feebas leads in the above image of the trans flag over-layed with the transgender symbol and “You can change.” overlaying that. Milotic, Feebas’s evolution, closes the image.
First, for journalists reading this:
Coverage of right-wing violence invariably addresses the outlets that aid young men in their radicalization, whether it is neo-Nazi news and discussion groups like Stormfront or simply message board chatter on 8chan, 4chan, Gab, and Reddit.
[YouTube’s] policies are not lax by accident, Vice’s Tess Owen pointed out at the event. “If they crack down on white nationalists, they’d have to crack down on Republican lawmakers, because white nationalists are talking like Republicans, and Republican lawmakers are talking like white nationalists,” she said. “We might hesitate to call a politician a racist because of the implications, and that’s a challenge for journalists as well.”
For more information on what sites are distinctly radicalizing, please read the above article by Columbia Journalism Review completely. Not only will you find those sites to avoid, but there’s also information regarding the propagators of these fascist ideologies. It’s an informative read, especially when read beside my own article discussing the spread of propaganda.
“… he didn’t necessarily agree with [the bigot] but found him “interesting and controversial.”
It’s a common occurrence on the internet, but the above quote came from a director of a journalism program that was found to be very supportive of anti-Semitic views. More than 70 years since the end of World War II, the period most commonly associated with fascism, this should be a red flag. In fact, these views, are almost literally a red flag “because white nationalists are talking like Republicans, and Republican lawmakers are talking like white nationalists,” according to reporters with the Columbia Journalism Review.
White supremacists, nationalists, separatists, the alt-right, Neo-Nazis, whatever you call them, fascists are out in force. Violent force.
Research widely publicized by the New York Times, suggests that not only are those promoting violence hanging out with each other in similar Internet circles, but they are also referencing each other. They’re making jokes and manifestos citing their jokes, their hate, and their past violence. These groups ultimately goad members along their version of the continuum of force, against each other and especially against those seen as the out-group.
By acting as gatekeepers, Internet trolls and those in the in-groups of the Internet not only falsely inflate an appearance of prestige and authority but reproduce the social ladder for which many seek refuge on the Internet from. This becomes most evident on platforms that offer ratings or reward systems such as Reactions on Facebook, or Upvotes on Reddit or Imgur. These tools would otherwise be useful to those feeling abandoned by their communities or wholly alone in a world full of varying opinions and fandoms. And perhaps that’s the poison.
Does everyone want a world of their own? That quintessential group of friends like some 90’s rerun? Perhaps, but it seems a lot more like Mean Girls.
“You can’t sit with us.”
Back to authoritarianism. That ultimate control has two faces: the meme group gatekeepers and Trump’s vicious anti-immigrant messaging and policies. Falling in line with either of these faces, in any way, defers some decision-making power to these fascists.
Everyone knows total power corrupts totally, right? Well, since when does an authoritarian, a fascist, cede any of that power? Never. Don’t give yours away either.
So while you’re seeking a sense of community online, there isn’t a replacement for the real thing. Unfortunately, the alt-right, for one example, also realizes this, and that’s how you end up with events such as the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia which left one progressive protester, Heather Heyer, dead. It’s one example of how memes and actual fascists were able to co-opt others into their mission of hate.
The Plastics
“The Plastics” in this context aren’t those that would actually commit murder and violence. Here, they are those that simply crib the “humor” and the rhetoric in order to feel at home. Those people that Trump calls his base.
The Plastics are people looking for a shelter for what they believe is their identity. This is populist nationalism when the identity is a broad stroking brush. According to American political scientist Francis Fukuyama, “[o]ther contemporary leaders who could be put in this [populist nationalism] category are Vladimir Putin of Russia, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Turkey, Viktor Orbán of Hungary, Jaroslaw Kaczynski of Poland, and Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines.”
Basically, every world leader Trump has invited to the White House has been a fascist. They compliment his brand of populist nationalism, Trumpism, as an equal adjacent. Fukuyama, in his book, Identity: The Demand for Dignity and the Politics of Resentment, describes this brand succinctly “as patriots who seek to protect traditional national identity, an identity that is often explicitly connected to race, ethnicity, or religion.”
Blissfully unaware of the harm in their identity, the Plastics are lead down the dark path of Right-wing identity politics where violent extremism grows. All the while these views are harvested by racists and bigots in power, in the United States and around the world.
The Plastics become the free for soldiers and cudgel of oppressors. First menacingly, can then verbally, and then violently all the way to murder.
The worst part? The Plastics, for the most part, no not what they do. However, it’s a slippery slope if there ever was one.
While it may not be obvious how these views effect others, such as women and marginalized communities, ignorance isn’t always present. Sometimes it’s feigned.
Some, unfortunately, and as I’ve mentioned in a previous post, get their sick jollies from the thought that they have so much — authoritarian — control over another person’s life. Even if that control is only pushing someone to suicide. That is the ultimate danger in the bullying and threats from extremists besides the aforementioned mass shootings.
Dead End
The Plastics aren’t going anywhere. In fact, they won’t go anywhere at all. Even if they become President of the United States, that’s where the roller coaster ends for them.
If you’re distancing yourself from those “friends,” seeking guidance after being attacked by trolls, or just sick of the hate, here’s a pro tip:
Block them and move on. Reach out to your real-life community for support. And remember what I mentioned above, they aren’t going anywhere with their lives, and anyone willing to put the work into themselves will.
Empower yourself. They may be teachers, policemen, and doctors, but you’re valuable in whatever way you choose to be. Fascism’s days are numbered and you’re not alone.
Anyone can go from protecting their identity to pressing for a fascist movement. However, please learn more in this post regarding how to be more critical of the communities you’re already engaged in. Echo chambers are one thing, but the FOX News’s that throw fuel on these dumpster fires are not far from reach for any media network. A post about the history of fascism in America is forthcoming.
Important note:
If you’re still an asshole in the above ways, and don’t want to actively change that, you’re probably stupid. A fascist. Or both!
Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.
No, not Jazz Jennings. As another trans woman, I would, of course, love to meet such a celebrated soul in my community. Pero no.
While stopping at a local laundromat to clean my soiled clothes, I couldn’t help but multitask. My phone was charging on the other side of the long, machine-lined room, so I flipped through my Canon DSLR’s photo gallery. I usually do this or write in a notebook, because I’m all about process.
“Do you do videos?”
Now, I won’t lie, an attractive man my age saying anything to me at all gave me butterflies. The fact that he seemed interested in something creative — and that he wasn’t asking something sexual — was the icing on the cake. Hallelujah!
I didn’t know that it was about to get even better though.
“Yeah, but I mostly shoot animals, nature, events, stuff that falls under photojournalism.” I said something to that effect. And knowing me, I probably over-explained.
That’s when he introduced himself: Jazz, a 27 year-old entrepreneur from California, who was asking for a band he’s producing.
If you’re reading, Jazz, I want to reiterate: f*** yeah, dude.
We got to talking on a lot of subjects when I told him that I had just backpacked over 200 miles to volunteer to help refugees. He was intrigued by my goals to help others, explore, and create something for myself. Especially that I wanted to create a nonprofit to change the world.
We may have had differing opinions on how to fix democracy and what policies were necessary, but that was the most fun about talking to him.
We dove deep on this subject especially. His inner father of two came out. You could see the passion, like fire in his eyes.
He believed, as I do, that we can talk things out and get involved, and leave the world a better place for our children.
It was refreshing to have such a critical discussion and debate without any altercation, conflict, or negativity.
Jazz described himself as a conservative in the policy sense, otherwise a devout independent with liberal social leanings.
We agreed on a lot, but we had to work out exactly how a moral capitalist society could grow. A lot of the issue, we found, was in a lack of values, geared towards the greater good. That, and the hypocrisy of our current political system and the leadership therein, including corporations.
As a small business owner, he enjoyed tax breaks. However, as an individual executive, he knew that doing good meant something too. His background growing up helped inform this desire to help others.
We also found common ground on businesses like music, media, and utilities. Facebook, Google, Amazon, Sony, etc. They’re taking over markets and don’t appear to be doing their fair share to mitigate nepotism and other forms of corruption.
Back to democracy.
We agreed on something that seems like it would be a basic necessity in governing: local democracy.
However, even in local democracy, there too we cited nepotism. The hiring of friends and family for self-enrichment rather than hiring people who could do the most good in the public interest, is an endemic issue in every U.S. city.
If people could spare the time, make the space to research, and had the funds to pitch in, local democracy would surely be more direct.
Maybe with integrity in local news and constant communication, officials and voters could share the burden of the work.
Perhaps everyone could be paid for their contributions to society, no different than elected government, receiving benefits in equity.
This is where Jazz seemed most interested in my proposal for a nonprofit.
I tried to describe the concept in as few words as possible.
Basically, to find volunteers, and the people willing to struggle to make a difference — independent journalists, teachers, nurses, first responders, and activists — and unite them.
Not stopping there though!
In creating an open university between them, a location independent newsroom, and a free-formed space to train volunteers and those hoping to build more resilient communities.
This idea, he brought back to my attention, was something I’ll likely be working on for the rest of my life, especially if I don’t build my team quickly.
So that’s my next mission: in addition to helping where I can, photographing, and journaling, I’m looking for those people that want to travel with less of a negative impact and more of an empowering one.
Jazz, that sounds like you. We’ll see where your band fits in. I can’t wait to chat again.
Are you like Jazz? Are you creative or interested in creating something that benefits a larger community? Leave your story in the comments below!
The argument got so heated yesterday that I was yelling at this pro-Trump protester. A passerby, likely offended by my critique, went inside the building and complained to security. When security came outside, because of my past experiences, I tensed up. I was prepared to be misgendered and attacked based on my appearance, as well as being victimized by someone power-tripping.
Yet when he walked up to us, he informed us that a woman had complained about “a woman yelling outside.”
Woops. That was me.
But wait there’s more. No one batted an eye at my sleeping bag — perhaps because of the ridiculously high cost of housing in Arizona that’s left much of my path through the state littered and filled with the homeless. Still worse, some are veterans. Many more are just struggling to get by.
In the country as a whole, a person making minimum wage and working full-time cannot afford a rental anywhere in America. But it didn’t seem this bad in New Mexico…
Still, this isn’t what made me proud. Before I move on from the topic though, I doubt it’s something that can be answered in this article, say, as simple as finding the fault in resort communities for 55+ year-old retirees. When security came outside, because of my past experiences, I tensed up. I was prepared to be misgendered and attacked based on my appearance, as well as being victimized by someone power-tripping.
Yet when he walked up to us, he informed us that a woman had complained about “a woman yelling outside.”
Woops. That was me.
But wait there’s more. No one batted an eye at my sleeping bag — perhaps because of the ridiculously high cost of housing in Arizona that’s left much of my path through the state littered and filled with the homeless. Still worse, some are veterans. Many more are just struggling to get by.
In the country as a whole, a person making minimum wage and working full-time cannot afford a rental anywhere in America. But it didn’t seem this bad in New Mexico…
Still, this isn’t what made me proud. Before I move on from the topic though, I doubt it’s something that can be answered in this article, say, as simple as finding the fault in resort communities for 55+ year-old retirees.
Nor was it the proof of Trump supporters’ cop out from reality. In this case, as soon as the cop came out, the protestor walked away. In a hurry apparently, because they were gone!
No. The prideful moment was before those last two. “A woman had complained about a woman yelling outside.”
There it was: validation!
In that moment, I could have cried. After all the struggles I’ve been through and wanted to scream, finally, I learned that I could. I could raise my voice and still be identified as a woman.
Let me say that again, for my friends whom wish me the best in my life:
I could raise my voice and still be identified as a woman.
Brienna Parsons 