Rachel Esselle

Jetrel stuck with me. I was just a kid the first time I watched it, but it stuck. Probably still my favorite Neelix episode.

Ann Lowe was the Black genius behind Jackie Kennedy’s iconic wedding gown.

Before the fashion world was ready to credit a Black woman’s talent, Lowe was already designing for America’s most powerful families. Brilliant. Bold. Innovative. Undervalued. And nearly erased from history.

Old hurts hold on the hardest.
And they layer atop one another.

I have a lot of hurts.
A lot of people who hurt me.

But I also have a lot of hopes.
A lot of people who loved me.

And in the dead of night when the old hurts creep in, I remember the love that's saved me again and again.

I love you.

This article opens with a 3-year-old forced to represent herself in court. We live in a fundamentally sick country.

Becoming a U.S. citizen takes years and involves immigrants acquiring a green card, extensive interviews, background checks, classes and a citizenship test. The naturalization ceremony is the final step to the process, where the oath of allegiance and a citizenship certificate are granted. Immigrants approved to be naturalized went to Faneuil Hall Thursday - known as the country's cradle of liberty - for that long-awaited moment to pledge allegiance to the United States. But instead, as they lined up, some were told by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services officials that they couldn't proceed due to their countries of origin.

Read this: www.wgbh.org/news/local/2...

I found GOLD, SPARKLY TOMS in my SIZE at the thrift store today.

Y'all, I have BIG feet.
I NEVER find shoes in my size at the thrift store.

These are my new "dressing up" shoes.
Take THAT three inch heels I hate!!

Oh, thank you! I truly love thinking about her, so this made me smile ear-to-ear. I bet you have a treasure trove of quotes in there!

One of my best friends growing up, Andy Beck, did the same thing. She collected quotes she loved in a notebook, and it was one of those things I've always remembered about her.

She died over a decade ago, but I love thinking of her. I LOVE that you did this, too! I never knew anyone but her who did

The people pushing for the elimination of birthright citizenship are currently committing atrocities against immigrants within our country's borders and murdering fishermen overseas. This cannot be ethically discussed as an abstract legal question. There is no law here, only a fascist will to power.

This is New York, friends.

"Bring me all of your dreams,
You dreamers.
Bring me all of your
Heart melodies
That I may wrap them
In a blue cloud-cloth
Away from the too rough fingers
Of the world."

The Dream Keeper by Langston Hughes

First poem I memorized for ME and not for school. Still know the whole thing by heart. ♥️

ICE detained a US citizen who was originally from Somalia.

They grabbed her because they didn’t like her hijab.

She says they sexually assaulted her and said things like “what are you hiding under your hijab”

She was held for 24 hours.

A US citizen. No one is safe.

Look, I'm just gonna tell cishet white people right now--Newsom ain't the one. You got Walz and Pritzker out here. You do not need a Bill Clinton clone wearing Mitt Romney's skin.

‘The professor was right’: Oklahoma Republican college leader criticizes essay controversy The chairman of the Oklahoma Federation of College Republicans is weighing in on controversy surrounding a failed essay submitted by a University of Oklahoma student.

This is in fact the material point:
“The essay not only fails to meet basic college requirements — such as citing its primary source, the Bible — but fundamentally missed the assignment’s objective,” Tranquill said.

Take care of you!!

My first television was a box—a handmedown from my Grandmother when she passed. It was 1990.

I used it until it died somewhere in my 20's.
In my 30's, a friend passed on an old TV.

Thanks to my Christmas present from my Dad, I have my first EVER new television in my room.

And I feel so spoiled!

when a poor person uses food stamps for a steak or homeless person spends $5 on a beer, it’s seen as proof that all poor people are so bad with money that they shouldn’t be given any, ever, for any reason. $77 billion out the window, and zuck’s legacy as a safe government contract bet is secure.

Oh nooo!! Hope you're not TOO badly hurt!

8 year old is running through the house in 2 inch platform heels we found at the thriftstore.

Her: I can RUN!

Me: Go get 'em, Scully.

...

NO reaction. NONE!
I've failed as a parent.

Take care of yourself and feel SO much better!!

That is SO lovely.

One of my best friends had to have gluten free and it was always tricky making her Christmas cookies. Hope you find the right mix!

Thank you, bru. ♥️♥️

All the Christmas presents are wrapped.
Christmas is ready to go back in the attic.

And I'm still amazed at how SMOOTHLY things are running with my little family of four.

Five months of a family of four.
Five of the best months of my life.

Leaving was hard, but it's the best thing I've ever done.

*huggles* Thank you, Spike!!

Same! I had to sit here and say it aloud to confirm. 😆

This time of year I do NOT blame her!!

Giving the gift of independent journalism: a guide The Handbasket has subscription suggestions for almost everyone on your list.

NEW — I put together a list of independent journalism subscriptions that would make great holiday gifts. From music to politics, astronomy to alcohol, tech to social justice, there’s something for [almost] everyone. Support indie media *and* surprise and delight your loved ones!

My guide:

Sending it right back!! ♥️♥️

It was a tough day.
I nearly broke down.

But there's no time for breaking down with the rush, rush, rush of the wind ever at your back pushing you onward into the hurricane.

You have to keep those legs steady.
You can't lose sight of the path.

But, golly, I'd love a quiet day sometime soon. ♥️

Trump Is Trying to Legalize Corruption by Abusing His Pardon Power

Trump has issued over 2,000 pardons and commutations this year, letting a string of drug dealers, corrupt politicians, and MAGA-friendly businessmen off the hook in a gross abuse of the Constitution.

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