Genevieve's Gems

You know, there's a lot of activism that doesn't deal with empowerment, and you have to empower yourself in order to be relevant to any type of struggle.

~ Talib Kweli, Musician (b.1975)

Halloween

I saw this outside one of the stores downtown.

Winter Is Coming

I was just a few feet away from my furry friend when I snapped this photo. He might be looking for acorns to store away for the winter.

Crossroads

Crossroads come up more often than you think, at least it does with me. So many choices, so many changes. When the choices are all good, then there's a dilemma of choosing which is the best road to take.  

Crossroads, in my mind, means change. Whatever happened in the past is past. the door has closed or is closing. Looking ahead there's uncertainty, trepidation, fear, and no familiarity. You can't stay where you are because change is inevitable. The only recourse is to proceed ahead. 

I'm sure the early pioneers had all the feeling mentioned above and yet they continued moving ahead. They were obstacles and setbacks but they kept going. That's the choice we all will have to make when we're at the crossroads of life.      

Genevieve's Gems

One is always considered mad, when one discovers something that others cannot grasp.


~Ed Wood, Director (1924-1978)

Ile Royale Light

Located on an island off the coast of French Guyana, Ile Royal is among a group of prisons where the worst criminals and political prisoners were sent. The 95 foot structure is almost half brick ad the rest is a skeletal structure. A watchtower, gallery and lantern top the structure.

The lighthouse is still in operation and is a tourism attraction. The water around the island is infested with sharks.


Resources:

http://www.unc.edu/~rowlett/lighthouse/photos/SouthAmerica/IleRoyale/index.htm 
http://www.pbase.com/zulakitten/isle_royale

Transgender Day Of Remembrance

I looked at the memorializing 2014 section of the Transgender Day of Remembrance website. The list seems to be larger and younger. The youngest was eight years old. Brazil sees the most transgender women murdered and this year is no different. 

With the increased visibility has come the increased violence against trans women, the vast majority women of color. We're getting it from all sides from the religious right to trans-exclusion feminists to politicians to law enforcement. We are moving forward, however.  At TDOR vigils I make it a point to pay homage to one person. This year will be no different. I will make this decision at a later date. 

In the meantime, we all need to be vigilent at this important time in history. Remembrance vigils will be held in many places around the world. Please attend one to honor the sisters and brothers we have lost this year.

Genevieve's Gems

Don't let people disrespect you. My mom says don't open the door to the devil. Surround yourself with positive people.

~Cuba Gooding, Jr., Actor (b.1968)  

My Thoughts

Over the past several months a number of trans women have been murdered. The majority of them were women of color. The more visibility we have received, the more the haters of trans people have come out.

I can understand those outside the TGLBQI community hating us. It's those inside the community that I find rehensible. We all suffered from harrasment and fear and loss of livelihoods. When the leadership positions were formed (predominantly white and male) trans people, CDs, and drag queens were shunted to the margins. Trans people were not only kept out of their organizations, we were prevented from receiving any kind of help. Personally, I feel that groups like Gay Inc.  are somewhat responsible for some of the troubles trans people experience.  Add the TERF crowd and the religious right, then there's a recipe for trouble.

I'm my travels there are many people inside and outside the community who are lacking in understanding what transgender people face. With the Transgender Day of Remembrance ceremonies coming up in a month or so, there's still so much more educating to be done. I also believe that transphobia (especially inside the community) needs to be called out.

I still believe that if trans rights were put in front in the formative years, many of the issues affecting the comunity would have been resolved. That's just my own thoughts. Let's pray that our increased visibility will open more eyes to the fact that we exist.

Genevieve's Gems

Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse

Originally built in 1825, this is the current structure which was constructed in 1875. It is located near Annapolis at the north end of the South River.,  Maryland. It is the only screw-light in Maryland still on its original spot. 

Reference:
www.thomaspointlighthouse.org

Genevieve's Gems

Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom.

~Charles Spurgeon, Clergyman (1834-1892)

Last Quarter of 2014

Today is the start of the last three months of 2014. Usually my life activities pick up especially in November. Where did the year go?

Have achieved some of the goals you set back in January? It's still not too late. I have discovered that the last quarter of the year is a time for reflection. There have been a few instances where I was a state of limbo. The picture has become much clearer and now it's up to me to follow it up.