humanity
For better or for worse, relationships reveal the core of the human condition.
Museum of Toxic Masculinity
This weekend, I decided to adventure a little bit. What's the point in living in the greatest city (NYC) in the world if all I ever do is work. So I walked through Central Park, had my music on and enjoyed myself. Then I thought, what the hell, I should go to the Museum of Sex. Every time I've been there, it has been a treat-and-a-half. And what's better is that since I write erotic stories/books, I would be inspired, and I could write the trip off on my taxes at the end of the year. There is an exhibit they have going right now that is called "The Female Gaze." Since I had learned about the "Male Gaze" in Film class (Thanks, Prof. Kendall!), I was interested to see what they were going to do with it from a female's perspective. I learned that and a whole lot more.
Edward AndersonPublished 7 years ago in HumansA Mancrisis – the Crises in Manhood
The existentialist philosopher Simone de Beauvoir, in The Second Sex, described the situation of women as “One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman.” In essence, ignoring the biological factors, de Beauvoir describes the idea of women and men as being a social construct that the individual takes upon themselves to give meaning to their existence. Previously, men were seen as the norm, whilst women were seen as abnormal. From this place of inequality, men were given a central roll in society and women were seen as an addition to men.
Phillip WoodfordPublished 7 years ago in HumansA Christian Advocating LGBT+ Rights
I was never told that homosexuality was a sin. I have no recollection whatsoever of that ever being outright said to me, my parents are generally circumspect in voicing their beliefs and are very generous in addition to that. I certainly never witnessed them, or any of their friends, treating a member of the LGBT+ community any different than they would any other acquaintance. And yet aged 11, upon seeing two girls kiss in a shopping centre, I had a reaction of disgust sufficient that I ended up gagging into a bin. I had internalised, and I still cannot pinpoint the source, although it was probably an amalgamation of scriptural teaching, hushed conversations and society in general, that homosexuality was wrong and disgusting, and I could not understand it. Some of my friends, when I voiced this complete lack of ability to understand, said that was what characterised my heterosexuality: of course I couldn't understand how a boy could love a boy and vice versa, because I was straight; it should be repulsive. I know now that all of us were speaking from wilful ignorance and utter lack of awareness or empathy.
Abi HastingsPublished 7 years ago in HumansWhen Stuck on Stupid Becomes a Choice
Many of us place emphasis on not shaming or unnecessarily hurting other people's feelings. While this is a generally good approach for everyday life situations, there are some instances where ignorance is not always innocent. When it manifests as willful ignorance, it should be considered a form of aggression, including passive aggressiveness.
Fannie LeFlorePublished 7 years ago in HumansMy Friend Loneliness!
I have reached a point in my life when I must accept what is. Way back in the year of 1956, a happy baby boy was born in the month of February. When he was born, he had no bills, no taxes, no worries at all except where he was going to get his first meal. He came into the world and people took care of him, hand and foot. The more he screamed, the more he got. He had plenty of people around him. He had protection in every form possible. He came into the world alone and was welcomed with open arms.
Maurice BernierPublished 7 years ago in HumansDear 35-Year-Old Me
I hope you’re happy. Finally, after years and years of talking down to yourself, not thinking you’re deserving of love, or interaction or even a kind word from others—to think you’re not worth the attention of someone who clearly thinks you are—finally, I hope you’re happy. I hope you’ve listened to the people who told you were kind, and who told you that you made them smile, or that they continued doing something because you believed in them. I hope you still believe in people; I hope that after all the bad experiences you’ve had with the wrong people, it hasn’t clouded the fact that the world is full to the brim of lovely, lonely, vibrant and amazing people—and you love making a connection with them. And, to a lesser degree, I hope you’ve realised that when people told you that you were attractive, pretty, beautiful, etc., you don’t have to explain to them why you’re not. You’re not up your own arse for accepting kindness. Yeah, life’s not about being a piece of art, or attracting others, or people fancying you—but it’s not about berating your appearance either. Sometimes, it’s okay to feel good about yourself, and sometimes it’s okay to spend money on looking good. I hope you realise how lucky you are that you had the body you had (and put no effort into). And I hope one day you look at pictures of yourself and realise that you were beautiful.
Pixie Alannah-WildePublished 7 years ago in HumansThe Big Sister I've Always Wanted!!
I am a huge advocate of the computer. I practically live with it. I can never do without it. My life is pretty much geared around it. Obviously, this article was written with it. During the course of its use, I may need to use the internet from time to time. When you come across something interesting, you would bookmark it so that you can go right back to the exact page you wanted. You might change the page in some way, but you can always return to it at any time in the future anytime you want.
Maurice BernierPublished 7 years ago in HumansThe Sisterhood Complex
I will never deny how beautiful female friendship is, a sisterhood with whom you can share your world, a group of girls who understand you and guide you both wisely and recklessly through your lives together. Female friendship is extremely important in shaping us women. The Sisterhood complex, however, is something different. See my definition:
Retribution: Chapter 25
January into February 1934 had given the people who came into La Première Etoile plenty to talk about. There had been Stavinsky's supposed suicide (or assassination as many were calling it). They were all repeating Le Canard Enchaîné's quip about Stavinsky having a "long arm" if he could have shot himself from the distance that the bullet which killed him came from.
Rachel LeschPublished 7 years ago in HumansRetribution: Chapter 24
Charles attended mass one Sunday afternoon in the middle of January. During that mass, a boy and girl were to be married. He noticed Catharine and Mimi sitting in a pew towards the front of the church.
Rachel LeschPublished 7 years ago in HumansThe Positive and the Negative
I am, by nature, a stoic, sardonic person. I don’t outwardly exhibit a great deal of emotion (I’m laughing on the inside, true story) but I have always had a knack for presenting myself with a cutting wit, something I think comes from also being a naturally intelligent person.
D. Gabrielle JensenPublished 7 years ago in HumansToday I Folded the Towels "Wrong"
I've been folding towels one particular way for nearly 20 years. Not today. Today I folded them "wrong." It may seem ridiculous or arbitrary something as insignificant as the "right" way to fold a towel but for me, the method of towel folding was something that kept me safe.
Claudia SandersPublished 7 years ago in Humans