— Farai Chideya, “How to Fix Journalism’s Class and Color Crisis” (via thenationmagazine)
(via stopwhitewashing)
Something shitty happened at work today.
I was working at my desk while one co-worker discussed her car problems with the others. One co-worker suggested she stop getting it fixed all the time and just trade it in. Her response?
“But I’m afraid they’ll Jew me. I’m afraid they’ll Jew me down.”
My heart just sank. And then it started being fast, because if you knew me, you’d know that whenever people around me do or say something offensive or problematic, I attack with my words and I make them feel oh-so-ashamed (as they should be). I’m pretty good at this. In fact, I’ve written several columns about different instances for the school paper. I don’t care what people think of me and I don’t care if I lose friends over it or get weird looks from classmates. I stand up for what’s right, no matter who says it or where it’s said.
But this time, I froze. I whipped my head toward her to say something, but nothing came out of my mouth. I just watched as everyone thought the remark was normal and true and continued one with the conversation.
I couldn’t bring myself to say anything because this job was, or so I thought, my big break. It’s for college credit, it pays, and I love what I do. I didn’t say anything because nobody there knows I’m jewish, and if I said I was offended by what the coworker said, they’d probably treat me like a total freak for next few weeks I have working there. Maybe they’d stop helping out with the job like we all do with each other, or stop talking to me, or talk behind my back. Or worse, maybe the bosses would fire me. I know it’s not legal to fire someone based on their ethnicity or religion, but hell, they could say it was a different reason, I’m sure.
I know, I know, I feel like a complete chicken shit. And you know what’s worse? The coworker who said it was my mentor. She completely took me under her wing and helped me out so much at the beginning of my job and still does. If I didn’t have her constructive criticism, help and instruction, I’d be pretty lost. I adored and respected her so much, and now I can’t look at her the same way.
I had planned on working there for the amount of hours necessary to get college credit, and then if they still wanted me, continue working there throughout the year. I thought I was so lucky getting this opportunity, and before I graduated, too. But I’ve discovered some irritating things about the bosses lately and now this happened. The end of my “contract”, or time I’ll be working there, is looking mighty good right about now. I’m keeping my mind on the positives (college credit, experience in my field, work for my portfolio, etc.) but I just feel so shitty about it.
Why can’t I be open about who I am without fear?
Why are there consequences for being Jewish?
How many more of these experiences am I going to have down the road, and how much worse will they be?
Is this ever going to change, or are my children going to go through the same thing?
My dad has told me countless stories of the anti-semitism he’s faced throughout his life, especially in the workplace. One of the less scary stories is similar to mine here.
I guess what people say is true. History tends to repeat itself.
It’s been a rough few years for Damon when it comes to his love life — but Julie tells us it’s finally time for him to have some legitimate joy in his life. “Yes. Absolutely,” she says. “We’re going to get to see Damon trying to be a good boyfriend, and while it’s not going to be easy, he’s going to try like hell to make it work, and they’re going to have a real opportunity for happiness.”
”— Julie Plec [x] (via elenasfire)
(via ohtentoo)
Damon: “But you know what I really am? Selfish.Because I make bad choices that hurt you. Yes, I would rather die than be human. I’d rather die right now than spend a handful of years with you only to lose you when I’m too old and sick and miserable and you’re still you. I’d rather die right now than spend my last final years remembering how good I had it and how happy I was. Because that who I am and I’m not going to change. And there’s no apology in the world that encompasses all the reasons that I’m wrong for you.”
Elena:“Fine then I’m not sorry either. I’m not sorry that I met you. I’m not sorry that knowing you has made me question everything, that in death you’re the one that made me feel most alive. You’ve been a terrible person. You made all the wrong choices and of all the choices that I’ve made this will prove to be the worst one but I am not sorry that I’m in love with you. I love you, Damon.”
(Source: loueh-tommos, via ohtentoo)
I will always root for these two. Even as vamps, they’re so human. The good parts and the bad.
SCREAMING
DELENAAAAAAAAAA
Yeah I made a pretty unhuman noise at that speech…
— Elena Gilbert declaring her UNSIRE-BONDED LOVE to Damon Salvatore (via freakylikethat)
(via ohtentoo)
Alaric, Jeremy and Lexi were back:
Klaus and Caroline moment:
Matt and Rebekah:
Jeremy lives and Bonnie dies:
Damon and Elena:
Everyone leaving again:
Stefan and Silas:
— N. K Jemisin, A Hundred Thousand Kingdoms (via helplesslyamazed)
(Source: quote-book, via saturnrising)
