Inclusivity Thread!!! 💗💗

[lovely_xm07]

Hey, so I had the idea a while back to make a thread where we can celebrate diversity!! I live in America and if you know anything about us right now, we are not in a very good place. Trump has gotten rid of anything DEI related (diversity, equity, and inclusion) in our country. Lots of public colleges and other organizations have followed his lead and has gotten rid of these policies as well. It really pisses me off how so many people don’t want to admit, use, or celebrate how diverse this country is. And how they don’t even recognize how important diversity is to thrive if you want to thrive. It’s annoying how so many people won’t acknowledge that we ALL helped build this country! Not just white cisgender straight men. 
 

This is why this thread exists. I want to celebrate us! Acknowledge us! Honor us and everyone else included! Lots of people are getting rid of clubs that celebrate African or Hispanic culture on college campuses and they are getting rid of safe spaces for women and LGBTQIA+ communities. They won’t even try to teach our history. I want this thread to at least highlight diversity and the history of women, people of color, LGBTQIA+, people of religious minorities, and people with disabilities. Really any minority or group of people that are continuously oppressed by the system they have is in, I want to mention and celebrate in this thread. 
 

That being said, this thread isn’t just for me, of course. It’s for everyone! You can post whatever or whomever you want whenever as long as they are part of a minority! You can post people, celebrities, historical figures, events, facts, history, books, fictional characters that have represented on here whenever of women, marginalized communities, and even allies who have helped us and others! I really just want this thread to be as diverse AND accurate as possible. If you see, anything that seems untrue, please please please don’t be afraid to fact check it! That goes for me too! I’ll be posting on here very much. Maybe daily if I can, but we’ll see. 
 

Today marks Black History Month where we celebrate Black history and culture. Personally, I will be posting Black history, historical figures, and our culture all month long. But again, you guys can post whatever, whoever at anytime. Of course, AVEN rules still apply. Please no belittling or making fun of anyone or any culture references and/or traditions. I know you guys won’t do that, but I’m just saying. 😉👍🏾 I’m making this out of spite and retaliation over Trump and his authoritarian dictatorship. If you have any questions about what to post or anything really, I’m always here! 
 

If you live in a different country you can still participate! You can post figures that have helped minorities in your country. This thread isn’t exclusively to just American culture or history, again, it’s for everyone! I might mostly post about American history just to highlight the diversity that we have here in this country and have always had. But I don’t know, I’m still figuring out the kinks of this. In conclusion, all are welcome. Let’s celebrate us! Let’s embrace diversity! Let’s make our history visible! Be nice and respectful to all! Let’s continue to stay strong and sure of ourselves! We won’t be silenced!

[lovely_xm07]

 

I didn’t get to properly celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day because I was so stressed out over Trump’s inauguration, but today, I’d like to honor him and his legacy. MLK Jr. was one of the most prominent leaders in the civil rights movement from 1955 until his assassination in 1968. He was a strong believer in peaceful protesting! He viewed this style as the most useful as if you lay your arms down for everyone to see, everyone else will see who the villain is. (At the time, civil rights activists and protesters were hosed down violently and attacked by police officers.) These peaceful protests and violent assaults were seen nationwide. King was an American Baptist minister, activist, and political philosopher. He fought against the Jim Crow laws and other forms of legal discrimination for all peoples of color. King was jailed several times and was seen as a radical despite his peaceful protests. He was even seen as a communist to FBI officials. King was awarded the Nobel Prize on October 14, 1964, for combating racial inequality through nonviolent resistance. In his final years, King expanded his focus to include opposition towards poverty and the Vietnam War. RIP Martin Luther King Jr. 🖤🖤 You won’t be forgotten, even if others have forgotten what you truly stood for, we won’t! ✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾

[Frameshift07]

Not American, but: Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia R. Rivera

Never forget the exclusion they faced from the gay community after fighting for LGBT+ and POC rights.

 

🧱

[Sally]

2 hours ago, Frameshift07 said:

Not American, but: Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia R. Rivera

Never forget the exclusion they faced from the gay community after fighting for LGBT+ and POC rights.

 

🧱

@Frameshift07, can you tell us a bit about their history?

[daveb]

Hidden Figures:

Quote

Three brilliant African-American women at NASA -- Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson -- serve as the brains behind one of the greatest operations in history: the launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit, a stunning achievement that restored the nation's confidence, turned around the Space Race and galvanized the world.

 

Mae Jemison, astronaut

From wikipedia:

Quote

Mae Carol Jemison (born October 17, 1956) is an American engineer, physician, and former NASA astronaut. She became the first African-American woman to travel into space when she served as a mission specialist aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour in 1992. Jemison joined NASA's astronaut corps in 1987 and was selected to serve for the STS-47 mission, during which the Endeavour orbited the Earth for nearly eight days on September 12–20, 1992.

I just learned that she was born a little over 2 weeks after I was born.  

Edited February 2 by daveb

[Barbio]

A personal hero of mine, who I learned about only a couple of years ago, is Rachel Carson (the author). From Wikipedia:

 

Quote

 

"Late in the 1950s, Carson turned her attention to conservation, especially some problems she believed were caused by synthetic pesticides. The result was the book Silent Spring (1962), which brought environmental concerns to an unprecedented share of the American people. Although Silent Spring was met with fierce opposition by chemical companies, it spurred a reversal in national pesticide policy, which led to a nationwide ban on DDT and other pesticides. It also inspired a grassroots environmental movement that led to the creation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Carson was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Jimmy Carter."

She also never married, raised a child by herself (her nephew), and had what some would describe as a "romantic" relationship with another woman, Dorothy Freeman. (It's possible that she was some flavor of LGBT+; possibly an asexual lesbian, although that's just me speculating). She was often slandered by her critics for being a "spinster" (as if that harmed her credibility somehow..? But it was the mid-20th Century, what can I say).

[Barbio]

I also read a children's book last year about a Civil War veteran named Albert D.J. Cashier, who likely would have identified as a transgender man by today's terminology. Also from Wikipedia:

 

Quote

 

"Albert D. J. Cashier (December 25, 1843 – October 10, 1915)" [I'm redacting his deadname from the quote, 'cause deadnaming ain't cool], "was an Irish-born American soldier who served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Cashier adopted the identity of a man before enlisting, and maintained it until death. Cashier became famous as one of at least 250 soldiers who were assigned female at birth and enlisted as men to fight in the Civil War. The consistent and nearly lifelong (at least 53 years) commitment to a male identity has prompted some historians to believe that Cashier was a trans man."

 

[lovely_xm07]

 

After Trump’s ban of DEI, the Air Force removed videos of Tuskegee Airmen and female pilots. 
 

This is a photo of these Tuskegee Airmen that was a group of primarily African American military pilots (fighter and bomber) and airmen who fought in WW2. They were an Alabama based unit who flew red-tailed P-51 Mustangs. The squadron, which trained in the state, was the nation’s first to be comprised of Black military pilots, shattering racial barriers and racist beliefs about the capabilities of Black pilots. Their success in combat paved the way for desegregation of the U.S. history, a story that is interwoven in state and U.S. history.

 

https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/tuskegee-airmen

[Lilihierax]

From my country, I will mention William Cooper, a largely unknown but important figure in Australian history.

 

 

An Elder of the Yorta Yorta people (Yorta Yorta territory is in Victoria), he founded the Australian Aborigines League (AAL) in 1932, and lead a long political movement to create special electorates and policies for Indigenous Australians. (read more about it here)  He helped to turn the Day of Mourning into an annual event, with it eventually becoming Aborigines Day on the first Sunday of July (1955), as a protest against their oppression and colonization, but also a celebration of Aboriginal culture and heritage.

 

And then there was Cooper's personal letter to the German Consulate in Naarm (Melbourne), protesting the anti-Semitic violence of Kristallnacht in 1938.  The letter initially was never delivered to the German government, until 79 years later.

[lovely_xm07]

Last night was the Grammys and I’d like to honor the Grammys awards and accomplishments won by Black artists!!

 

Doechii  wins Best Rap Album with ‘Alligator Bites Never Heal.’

Doechii joins Cardi B and Lauryn Hill as the only women in Grammy history to win Best Rap Album. 🙌🏾🙌🏾

 

‘Love Me JeJe’ by Tems wins the Grammys award for Best African Performance.

 

Muni Long takes home the Grammys award for the Best R&B Performance with  ‘Made For Me (Live on BET).’ 🤧🤧

SZA takes home the Grammys award for Best R&B Song with ‘Saturn.’ 🪐

 

Kendrick Lamar takes home the Grammys award for Best Rap Performance with ‘Not Like Us.’ Kendrick Lamar takes home the Grammys award for Best Music Video with ‘Not Like Us.’ 
Kendrick Lamar is now the third most awarded rapper at the Grammy awards with 20 wins, following Jay-Z and Kanye West (24 wins each). 👑 ‘Not Like Us’ also won song and record of the year!!

 

Chris Brown takes home the Grammys award for Best R&B Album with ‘11:11 (Deluxe).’

 

Beyoncé won the Grammys award for Best Country Album with ‘Cowboy Carter’. 🏆🏆🏆 Her and Miley Cyrus win the Grammys award for Best Country/Duo Group Performance with ‘II MOST WANTED.’ Beyoncé won Album of the Year with ‘Cowboy Carter.’ 

[lovely_xm07]

For the first time in 33 years, the three big categories at the Grammys were won solely by Black artists (Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and Record of the Year)!

 

HAPPY BLACK HISTORY MONTH!!! 💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾

[lovely_xm07]

Alright guys, last post from the Grammys, I promise! 😭🙏🏾
 

We are going to give Beyoncé a shoutout in this last one! 🙌🏾🙌🏾

 

As you know, Beyoncé won Album of the Year with her album ‘Cowboy Carter.’ She is the FIRST Black artist to do so! She became the first Black woman to win a Grammy in any country category in over 50 years. She is the first Black woman to win in the category since Lauryn Hill in 1999. Beyoncé has extended her legacy of being the most decorated Grammy artist in history, with a total of 35 WINS!! 🏆🏆🏆

 

HAPPY BLACK HISTORY MONTH!!! 🖤💚❤️

[lovely_xm07]

 

Today, we are honoring the beloved Princess Tiana from Disney’s Princess and the Frog! 💚 Princess Tiana was the first African-American princess in the Disney Princess franchise. Princess and the Frog was released in 2009 and made history at Disney with its first Black princess. Tiana was originally going to be named Maddy and worked as a chambermaid in the La Bouff household. However, public criticism eventually caused her name to be changed to Tiana and job changed to a waitress. Tiana was loosely based by the unnamed princess from the Brothers Grimm fairy tale The Frog Prince and Princess Emma from E.D. Baker’s novel The Frog Princess. Her character was greatly inspired by the life story of New Orleans chef Leah Chase, a civil rights advocate and entrepreneur. Like Tiana, Chase faced many challenges to becoming an African-American female entrepreneur. 
 

Princess Tiana is a beautiful, talented, ambitious, resourceful, and hard working young woman. Aside from her workaholic nature, she enjoys quality time with her loved ones. She is voiced by American actress and singer, Anika Noni Rose which they borrowed her dimples and left handedness in her appearance. Tiana was a huge moment for the African-American community and continues to be. However, upon release many were frustrated with how she stayed a frog/green the whole movie. Many preferring that she’d stay a human or Black the whole movie. (To which I understand.) Regardless, Tiana became a role model for many young Black girls including myself. She represent and will continue to represent through time and history! HAPPY BLACK HISTORY MONTH!! 💚💚💚✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾
 

Also she earned herself her very own ride at Walt Disney World called Tiana’s Bayou Adventure that opened last summer of last year!!! 

[daveb]

I think Neil DeGrasse Tyson deserves a mention (and from what I have seen, so does his mom ). Such an enthusiastic and popular popularizer of science, and astronomer!  

[lovely_xm07]

Rosa Parks was not the first to refused her to give up her seat on a segregated bus, as Claudette Colvin, a 15-year old, had done so months earlier. However, Rosa Parks’ arrest became the catalyst for the Montgomery Bus Boycott due to her status as a respected NAACP activist. Claudette was forcibly removed from the bus, arrested, and charged with violating segregation laws, disturbing the peace, and assaulting a police officer (though the last charge was false). She didn’t receive the publicity as a she was a teenager and not seen as an ideal figurehead for the movement, with leaders preferring someone with a more mature and respectable public image. Her pregnancy at age 15 was considered controversial and unsuitable for the public spotlight, and coming from a working class background, some believed she lacked the societal status to galvanize mass support.

 

 

After her arrest, Claudette remained active in the civil rights movement and was a key plaintiff in Browder v. Gayle (1956), which led to the Supreme Court ruling against bus segregation. However, her activism came at a cost. She face ostracism, struggled to find work in Montgomery, and eventually moved to New York in the late 1950s, where she worked as a nurse for over 35 years. Claudette Colvin is still alive as of 2025, living in Birmingham, Alabama. She is now in her 80s and has received recognition in recent years for her role in the civil rights movement. In 2021, her criminal record was officially expunged, acknowledging the injustice she faced as a teenager.

 

 

While Claudette’s act did not receive the same recognition at the time, she played a crucial role in the fight against segregation. Both women made history! Both stood in the face of injustice! Both deserve their flowers! 💐💐💐💐💐

 

Also happy late birthday to the late great Rosa Parks! 🖤 HAPPY BLACK HISTORY MONTH!! ✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾

[Lilihierax]

Let's get more Indigenous rep in here ❤️

Tanya Tagaq / ᑕᓐᔭ ᑕᒐᖅ is an award-winning Inuk singer, songwriter, novelist and activist.  Her work is fierce and outspoken, and references intensely personal parts of her life growing up in Nunavut and being a victim/survivor of one of the last Residential Schools in Canada (during the 1990s). She has been unwavering in supporting First Nations' and Indigenous peoples' rights, and raising awareness for the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG).

 

Tagaq does throat-singing, but in an un-traditonal way. Traditional Inuit throat-singing is done by two women or girls in tandem, as a back-and-forth game of stamina and concentration. Tagaq has adapted the style of singing into a modernised solo version for herself. She blends it with electronic music, avant-garde soundscapes, and accompaniments of violin and drumming. Her lyrics protest the destruction done by colonisation, while celebrating her culture, motherhood, femaleness and nature.

 

Here are explanations and examples of the traditional form of the throat singing:

 

Compare it to Tagaq's personalised style:

 

 

One can see Tagaq's art as a reminder that Indigenous culture and life, while being thousands of years old, is not limited to history; not merely an artefact sitting in a museum.

It is alive today, not incompatible with the modern world. In fact, aspects of it could be highly beneficial to the modern world, such as it's respect for the environment. Indigenous culture and life is not a relic of the past. It has survived for thousands of years and and continues to exist.

[Lilihierax]

Surya Bonaly - the badass French back-flipping figure skater! The only Olympic skater to do back-flips on ice, which is an illegal move, and one of the few black athletes seen in the sport. The professional figure skating world is known to be notoriously conservative, and Bonaly was not the typical skinny and light-skinned skater that people were used to seeing. Once after placing 2nd for performing a highly skilled routine, she protested by refusing to wear her silver medal and stand on the podium, believing she deserved 1st place.

Okay... I don't know the first thing about figure skating, but back-flipping aside, even I can see that Bonaly skated with amazing grace and power!

The Netflix docuseries Losers has an episode about her.

 

 

back-flip at 3:06, and then another one at 4:08 just for fun 😄:

 

 

[lovely_xm07]

On 2/2/2025 at 12:53 PM, lovely_xm07 said:

 

After Trump’s ban of DEI, the Air Force removed videos of Tuskegee Airmen and female pilots. 
 

This is a photo of these Tuskegee Airmen that was a group of primarily African American military pilots (fighter and bomber) and airmen who fought in WW2. They were an Alabama based unit who flew red-tailed P-51 Mustangs. The squadron, which trained in the state, was the nation’s first to be comprised of Black military pilots, shattering racial barriers and racist beliefs about the capabilities of Black pilots. Their success in combat paved the way for desegregation of the U.S. history, a story that is interwoven in state and U.S. history.

 

https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/tuskegee-airmen

Lt. Col. Harry T. Stewart Jr., one of the last members of the legendary Tuskegee Airmen, has passed away at age 100. He passed February 2, 2025. RIP Stewart. Thank you for your service! You and your team will never be forgotten!! 🖤🖤🖤🖤

 

[lovely_xm07]

 

This is Dion Tyrone Diamond. He was an American civil rights activist. He was born in February 7, 1941, in Petersburg, Virginia. This is where Diamond spent the first 18 years of his life before attending Howard University in Washington D.C. Segregation was very common in Petersburg, and it was something Diamond saw a lot of while he was growing up. In Petersburg, Diamond began to oppose segregation by going to white only restaurants, bathrooms, water fountains, and other white only areas to annoy people. He said he would go to white only areas, and when he was instructed to leave, he would not leave until the police were called. Diamond describes these events as the beginning of his activism. 
 

 

This is him sitting on a counter stool during a civil rights sit-in in Arlington, 1960. He sat there being insulted, harassed, hit, and was arrested multiple times for doing it and he’s still alive today. He was a very strong, brave young man for what he did at only age 15 to protest against segregation. He remembers those who confronted him and others who were unexpected allies. Diamond claims he believes in nonviolence as a tactic but not as a philosophy. His most notable form of activism was the Freedom Rides, which started in March 1961. Although Diamond was not one of the original 13 freedom riders, he ended up being part of the group. The Freedom Ride almost ended after the burning of the bus in Anniston, Alabama, but Diamond and several of his constituents at Howard insisted on continuing the Freedom Rides. ✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾

[lovely_xm07]

 

Today is Dion Tyrone Diamond’s birthday! He turns 84 today! Happy Birthday Dion! 🥳🎉 Thank you for you’ve done for the Black community. You are an inspiration for all! ❤️ Your bravery, leadership, resilience, and power will not be forgotten! 

[daveb]

Wow! I got shivers reading that! What an amazing person!

(that scene of the sit-in looks so intimidating! Talk about courage of one's convictions!)

[lovely_xm07]

 

This BEAUTIFUL woman is Hope Giselle-Godsey!!! ❤️ She is an African American transgender activist. She is Haitian Cuban American (let’s go!! 💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾🇭🇹🇭🇹🇭🇹). She is an author, consultant, DEI/Comms specialist, public speaker, and organizer. Although she supports LGBTQ rights for all, she specifically fights for LGBTQ people of color rights, specifically trans black women like herself! I found her through on Instagram where our own beloved Yasmin Benoit follows her! Her pronouns are she/her and is married to a lovely man who supports and loves her in every way!
 

Giselle grew up in Miami, Florida. She attended Alabama State University, where she founded the school’s first group for LGBTQIA+ students. She graduated as the first openly trans woman at the university to earn both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in fine arts. In 2022, Giselle launched AllowMe, a nonprofit that promotes the personal and professional growth of young LGBTQIA+ people of color. In June 2023, Giselle was a grand marshal of the New York City Pride March. Giselle was one of the featured speakers at the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington in August 2023, representing the National Black Justice Coalition. As of August 2024, she serves as the executive director, president, and CEO of the National Trans Visibility March. 
 

Giselle is an incredibly brave and intellectual woman. As a black trans woman, she the MOST oppressed person to be living in our society. Her fighting for other black trans women is incredibly important! Queer people of color aren’t recognized or protected enough and I find her mission to be not only important but beautiful. I watched a couple of her videos on Instagram and immediately followed. One video in particular, was her reaction to Trump winning the election. She was, of course, in tears, scared and disappointed, but still remained brave and realistic, encouraging youth or other trans people to transition now while they still could. Despite her worry, she immediately took action. She was seen at multiple protests, one at the Washington D.C., advocating for equal rights of women and trans people! She is honestly a big inspiration to me! She is INCREDIBLY brave for what she is doing as she continues to fight the very hard fight! ✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾

 

HAPPY BLACK HISTORY MONTH!!!

 

This is her and her husband! ❤️❤️❤️

Her website: https://www.hopegiselle.com/the-allowme-movement

Her Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopegiselle/ 

[fragglerock]

This thread came to my attention again, and while well-known I'll throw in The Matrix. Huge influence on culture and style, masterfully done movie, and created by two trans women, the Wachowskis.

 

A meme about it I recently sent to Missing:

 

[Gentle Giant]

Last year I read a book called “Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave” written by Frederick Douglass about his life as an American slave in the 1800s. After he escaped slavery he went on to be an abolitionist, social reformer, orator, writer and statesman. I was moved by his story. I admire his courage and compassion.

[lovely_xm07]

BLACK CULTURE APPRECIATION!! 🖤🫶🏾

 

Some of Black people’s trends and creations!!

Teeth Grills/Gems 💎 

 

 

Acrylic Nails 💅🏾 

 

 

Baggy Clothing 

 

 

Cornrows

 

Sneaker Culture 👟 

 

 

Hoop Earrings 

 

 

Edges (baby hairs styled) 

"What society tried to deem as "ghetto" has always been the essence of Black culture, raw, real, and rooted in pride. Acrylic nails, gold teeth, baggy clothes, sneaker culture, cornrows, laid edges, and hoop earrings, these aren’t just trends; they’re statements. They’re reflections of our creativity, resilience, and the beauty we’ve always seen in ourselves, even when the world tried to deny it. What they painted as "too much" or "unprofessional" was always a reflection of our power and innovation. These styles come from the heart of our community, where culture isn’t just created; it’s lived, and no amount of systemic racism can erase that." - Chasity Londyn
 

LOVE BEING BLACK!! ❤️❤️

[lovely_xm07]

HELL YEAH!! LET’S GO EAGLES!! 🦅🏈💙

Today, we are honoring Kendrick Lamar’s amazing halftime performance at the Super Bowl for the NFL (Kansas City Chiefs v. Philadelphia Eagles). Kendrick Lamar’s halftime show was loaded with storytelling and symbolism. Let’s recap!!

 

 

Samuel L. Jackson was dressed as “Uncle Sam,” a popular character that has historically symbolized the U.S., interjecting with commentary that felt representative of how America systematically views, monitors, and polices Black culture and people. “Too loud, too reckless, too ghetto!” Jackson said at one point. “Mr. Lamar, do you really know how to play the game? Then tighten up!”

 

 

During his performance of “HUMBLE.,” Lamar and his dancers (who were notably all Black men) formed the American flag that was split down the middle. Some interpreted this disconnect as a representation of the current state of America, while others said it was a representation of how America was built on the labor of Black Americans. After the  first song of the performance Lamar chanted, “The revolution about to be televised. You picked the right time but the wrong guy.” This quote could be interpreted as a direct call-out to both the current state of America and Donald Trump, who attended the Super Bowl this year. ✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾

 

The “Great American Game”
The performance open with a lit-up layout of what appeared to be either a tic-tac-toe grid or PlayStation symbols and Jackson as Uncle Sam saying “This is the Great American Game.” This concept of the “game” could be in reference to Black people having to constantly navigate American life, culture, and politics. They have to “game” the system in order to make it out successful and alive.

 

Some references made throughout the performance:

- Uncle Sam asking Lamar if “he really knew how to play the game” after calling his performance of “squabble up” ghetto

- Uncle Sam referencing a “culture cheat code” after Lamar was shown with a group of Black men

- Uncle Sam telling the scorekeeper to “deduct one life” after Lamar repeatedly disobeyed Uncle Sam’s requests

 

Serena Williams appeared during Lamar’s performance of “Not Like Us,” a diss track against Drake. The tennis LEGEND, who is also from Lamar’s town of Compton, California, could be seen crip walking at the front of the stage.

 

 

Along with their hit song “luther,” SZA and Lamar performed “All the Stars” together from the “Black Panther” soundtrack. The song played a role in the iconic legacy of the “Black Panther” film, which was praised for its cultural impact and groundbreaking celebration of Black culture.

 

”Game Over”

Lamar ended his show chanting, “Turn this TV off, turn this TV off” several times before the lights cut out and revealed a message in the crowd that spelled out “GAME OVER” (perhaps another reference to Uncle Sam’s great American game). People are speculating that this message could have a double meaning, both in reference to his feud with Drake and his views against the establishment.

[lovely_xm07]

SHOUT OUT to Kendrick Lamar!! Whether you listen to him or not, you can’t ignore his brilliance and passion in storytelling and performing. His performance was absolutely amazing and historical! Lamar makes art AND statements with his work!!

 

“I think I have always been very open about storytelling through all my catalog and made my history of music. And I’ve always had a passion about bringing that on whatever stage I’m on - that sense of, you know, make people listen but also see and think a little.” — Kendrick Lamar

Lamar made history as the first solo rapper to headline the Super Bowl halftime show. No other rapper has headlined by themselves in the halftime show’s 58 years of existence. 
 

 

HAPPY BLACK HISTORY MONTH!!! 🖤❤️💙🤍

[lovely_xm07]

I’m sorry but I’m still on a high about the Super Bowl. That Super Bowl was the Blackest, BLACKEST Super Bowl yet! 
 

A jazz infused national anthem performed by seven time Grammy award artist and composer, Jon Batiste. A marching band introducing R&B/Soul songs with Big Freedia vocals included! And then there was Kendrick Lamar’s performance with the Blackest and wokest performance yet!! He had all Black dancers at forming the American flag. With a special surprise appearance of Samuel Jackson as a Black Uncle Sam! It was the biggest night for music but also the biggest night for CULTURE!!!

 

With all this it was only fitting for Kendrick Lamar to show up and show out. His performance was brave! It was bold! It was fearless! And UNAPOLOGETICALLY BLACK!!!! I mean, he has sparked so many conversations! There were so many references and symbolic messages in this performance, it’s hard to keep count!! So many people want to talk about how his performance was just to diss Drake, like guys, it was SO much more than that!! Then we had Serena Williams crip walking to “Not Like Us!” Like 🤌🏾🤌🏾🤌🏾! Not to mention like half of the NFL players are Black so there’s that! ❤️🤍💙🖤

[Barbio]

 

I thought of another trans hero of mine who I'd like to highlight. Stu Rasmussen made history as the nation's first openly transgender mayor of a small town. He served as the mayor of Silverton, Oregon from 2009-2015. He was AMAB and used he/him pronouns, but presented feminine, and occasionally used the name Carla Fong. He sadly passed away in 2021, at the age of 73.

 

I actually spent a few years going to school in Silverton during part of his term. I never met him personally, but I remember we'd talk about him in class sometimes. The other students in my class would always giggle over his flamboyant persona (and I'll admit that I made a few light-hearted jokes about it, too), but I still regarded him with a sense of admiration. I was seriously questioning my gender at that time, and I found it comforting to know that the freaking mayor of all people knew what I was going through, and that he was being a role model for me by living his best life and serving the community that he loved. I didn't know it at the time, but I really needed someone like that to inspire me.

 

Even though a lot of people found his gender presentation to be "silly" at the time, they still voted for him because they liked his policies and ideas. I feel like, when trans people are in charge of their own narratives and are able to talk about the things they care about, it has a humanizing affect and makes people less hostile towards them. I think that was the biggest lesson I learned from Rasmussen (albeit indirectly)- always be in charge of your own narrative, and don't let others speak for you. (Unfortunately, I think that's harder to do now in the age of social media & misinformation).

[daveb]

A few politicians who deserve a mention:

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Jasmine Felicia Crockett is an American lawyer and politician who has been a U.S. representative from Texas's 30th congressional district since January 2023 as a member of the Democratic Party.

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Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, also known as AOC, is an American politician and activist serving since 2019 as the U.S. representative for New York's 14th congressional district. She is a member of the Democratic Party.

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Sarah Elizabeth McBride is an American activist and politician who is the U.S. representative for Delaware's at-large congressional district. A member of the Democratic Party, she served in the Delaware Senate from January 2021 to January 2025, representing the state's 1st senate district.

Some of the younger generation who give me some hope for the future, even if it takes time.