The Advocate

(Spotted in Hong Kong) I found this story by "sokdie" through a mutual friend and, after reading it, I realized how truly it encapsulates the banality and cruelty of what systemic oppression looks like in practice. This is the story of how even the smallest of law enforcement mistakes can become another brittle cog in a larger machine of human suffering. It is the story of Mariyanna Bryant and how society did more than fail her, it punished her for our failure. It is why we must reimagine public safety, defund the police, and build a better world for all. Take note and take care.

( Hebrew Tattoos ) I have wanted to get a tattoo for years, but because of a deep-seated fear of needles, I have continued to put it off. This year, I will be turning 36 and I have decided for my double-chai birthday that I want to finally take this step in my journey. Being Jewish is such a central part of my identity, my life, my beliefs, and my path. There are so many different Jewish things I could think of that would make for amazing, beautiful tattoos. However, there is one concept that I believe contains all of them and more, that precedes and exceeds them. That is the concept of Eyn Sof . Without end . God, the universe, Jews, whatever your higher power or plane or presence you are connected to... all of it is without end. All of it is beyond the ability of humanity to describe in words, to capture in paint or pictures, to hear in songs or silence, to touch in stone or sand, to smell in smoke or steam, to hold in our hands or our minds. It is everything. It is nothing. It is be