Article: Canada’s ‘crying shame’: The fields full of children’s bones (Al Jazeera)
“There are some Canadians that say, ‘Oh, why don’t you guys quit crying?’ That’s the biggest insult of it”
The viral circulation of a wildly inappropriate, allegedly true experience by “Jim Bissell” (questions have been raised if he really even exists) demonstrates the willingness of so many Canadians to share information that implicitly calls into question the experiences of residential school survivors.
It it wildly offensive that even after the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s findings, even after the finding of unmarked graves, even after generations of indigenous Canadians sharing their stories, many are still willing to do mental gymnastics to believe some random guy on the internet over the plain and simple fact: residential schools were created to “kill the Indian in the child”, and they were terrible by every objective measure. Whatever the purpose of Bissel’s writing might have been, this post clearly undermines and undercuts the experiences of survivors of residential schools.
How much more trauma and pain do survivors need to share before we stop this “whataboutism” and bad faith questioning?
Article: Nassar victims reach $380 mln settlement with USA Gymnastics (Reuters)
I can’t imagine what it feels like to go forwards from this level of abuse, or for those still in gymnastics, to continue to compete in a sport that was so closely tied with that monster. My thoughts are with the survivors today.
Such a heartbreaking story of a bungled evacuation. This situation is life or death for our translators who put so much on the line for us.
Article: How Russia tries to censor Western social media (BBC News)
This data is fascinating to look at. This is modern day censorship.
Interactive Quiz: Is it Censorship? (Book Riot)
Following up on the above article – see if you can spot what is and is not censorship.
Such a heartbreaking situation, but is 110 years going to bring back those lost?
AJ+ contrasted the convinctions of Aguilera-Mederos and “Affluenza Kid” Ethan Couch – and it’s distressing that Couch continues to show no remorse and yet he was never at risk of a 110 year conviction.
Podcast: Why Was Haiti’s President Assassinated? (The Daily)
Some really truly incredible reporting from the New York Times.
Article: One Chaste Marriage, Four Kids, and the Catholic Church (The New York Times)
I’ve never heard of a religion being so fixated on the sex lives of their members. Absolutely bizarre.
Article: Anti-5G’ necklaces are radioactive and dangerous, Dutch nuclear experts say (The Guardian)
Terrifying – to put yourself in danger in the hopes of protecting yourself.
Artwork: Can’t Help Myself (Sun Yuan and Peng Yu)
This artwork came into my feed this week and I was completely hooked. It is so visceral, filled with such feeling. I am completely moved.
Seeing (and hearing) it in action is unexpectedly moving.
Oh Ben Affleck, if you want to foster sympathy, you don’t attack the internet’s most beloved movie star – she reads children’s books to her golden retriever! And also, as many pointed out, Garner drove Affleck to rehab even after they had been separated for years.
We watched 100 Foot Journey this week, and while that movie was a wonderful look at the world of Michelin starred restaurants, this article showed what happens when Michelin stars go wrong – it had me rolling!
This movie was incredible. Honestly it was the best movie I saw all year. Perfectly balancing the sweet nostalgia of youth and the heavy awkward change of being a teenager; this movie is equally beautiful and tragic, often in the same scene. The acting, cinematography, and the storytelling is exceptional. Sadly timely, and with a local feeling no matter where you live.
Please take the time to view it with an open heart – and please pay for it. The filmmakers had to fight to get this movie made, only to have it be released in 2020 – voting with our dollars is a great way to support the moviemakers.
