aseaofquotes:

Azar Nafísi, Reading Lolita in Tehran

archenland:

(by I N D I A ♌ G R O V E)

lostgrrrls:

barackobama:

Jacob spoke first.

“I want to know if my hair is just like yours,” he told Mr. Obama, but so quietly that the president asked him to speak again.

Jacob did, and Mr. Obama replied, “Why don’t you touch it and see for yourself?” He brought his head level with Jacob, who hesitated.

“Touch it, dude!” Mr. Obama said.

As Jacob, who was 5, patted the presidential crown, Mr. Souza snapped.

“So, what do you think?” Mr. Obama asked.

David Axelrod, Mr. Obama’s longtime adviser, has a copy framed in his Chicago office. He said of Jacob, “Really, what he was saying is, ‘Gee, you’re just like me.’ And it doesn’t take a big leap to think that child could be thinking, ‘Maybe I could be here someday.’ This can be such a cynical business, and then there are moments like that that just remind you that it’s worth it.”

A copy of the photo hangs in the Philadelphia family’s living room with several others taken that day. Mr. Philadelphia, now in Afghanistan for the State Department, said: “It’s important for black children to see a black man as president. You can believe that any position is possible to achieve if you see a black person in it.”

“Look, guys. No matter what a girl does, no matter how she’s dressed, no matter how much she’s had to drink, it’s never, never, never, never, never okay to touch her without her consent. That doesn’t make you a man, it makes you a coward.” — Vice President Joe “the BAMF” Biden, in a speech launching the federal government’s campaign to fight sexual violence on college campuses (via girl-non-grata)

gigglesanddreams:

9 frames that completely sum up the entire show.

thedailywhat:

Apology of the Day: Jason Alexander’s appearance on The Late, Late Show With Craig Ferguson last week was met with a lot of grief — and justifiably so, as he mocked the sport of cricket for being “a bit gay,” poked fun at the athletes’ uniforms, and even mimicking their moves.

Now, however, he’s offered via Twitter perhaps the best apology letter ever written. Here’s an excerpt:

It is not that we can’t laugh at and with each other. It is not a question of oversensitivity. The problem is that today, as I write this, young men and women whose behaviors, choices or attitudes are not deemed “man enough” or “normal” are being subjected to all kinds of abuse from verbal to physical to societal. They are being demeaned and threatened because they don’t fit the group’s idea of what a “real man” or a “real woman” are supposed to look like, act like and feel like.

For these people, my building a joke upon the premise I did added to the pejorative stereotype that they are forced to deal with everyday. It is at the very heart of this whole ugly world of bullying that has been getting rightful and overdue attention in the media. And with my well-intentioned comedy bit, I played right into those hurtful assumptions and diminishments.

And the worst part is — I should know better.  My daily life is filled with gay men and women, both socially and professionally. I am profoundly aware of the challenges these friends of mine face and I have openly advocated on their behalf.

He concludes:

So, I can only apologize and I do. In comedy, timing is everything. And when a group of people are still fighting so hard for understanding, acceptance, dignity and essential rights – the time for some kinds of laughs has not yet come. I hope my realization brings some comfort.

Classy.

[thedish]

studyroomkerfuffle:

Dean Pelton has become one of my favorite characters.