In one 1962 survey roughly 90 percent of White people believed Black children had an equally fair opportunity to get a quality education as White children. Wise recognizes that White Americans’ lack of awareness—and denial about the extent of racial inequality in America—is dated, calling it “borderline delusional”.

(Unpacking the Snowflake - Kevin M. Hemer)

In 1962—  before Civil Rights legislation, when Black people were literally having their houses bombed for moving into white neighborhoods, and Black neighborhoods were being bombed in entirety for having nice houses, white people were literally releasing dogs on Black children (my parents) for walking to school, Black children and teenagers were literally leaving school to protest and then being arrested for demanding to be treated equally, police commissioners were driving through Black neighborhoods in tanks to instill fear in them for wanting to be treated equally, everything was separate with Black people getting the shittier end, they literally had lower education standards for Black schools and Black people were still getting lynched and the KKK was strong—

White people when surveyed said “there is equal opportunity“… So don’t think it’s weird that 93% or so of white people still think “there is equal opportunity” today. They’ve literally always been wrong and still are.

(via fuckyeahcracker)

This post isn’t about welfare, but it beautifully illustrates a point I’ve been making (or trying to make) since I started this blog:

Privileged people do not understand the realities of people who lack their privilege.

White people assume PoC have the same education and job opportunities.

People with permanent addresses assume homeless people can just fill out an application for McDonalds or Burger King, be hired, and immediately use their paychecks to secure housing.

People who don’t receive welfare assume people on welfare are lazy and intentionally having multiple children and not looking for jobs.

This is why I am always, always asking people if they’ve ever considered that maybe, JUST MAYBE, they don’t have the whole story about their cousin/neighbor/friend’s sister. Because people in privilege tend to ascribe their own circumstances to everyone, even when that’s the exact opposite of reality.

(via getoutofthewelfaretag)

(via ceedling)

(via liamgallager)

Serena Williams defeated Victoria Azarenka 6-1 6-3 to win the Italian Open! Her 4th consecutive title and a 24-match winning streak!

Extreme situations don’t change us, they reveal us. But the worst is when we can’t even see what we’ve allowed ourselves to become - or rather, we can’t see what parts of ourselves we’ve allowed to grow out of control. It can happen to anyone.

Jay-Z (via ahorton92)
#quote  

justbetsycostumes:

neimhaille:

oftheforest:

grimsperation:

Michele Caragher 

Embroidered details in Game of Thrones 

‘Michele Carragher is a London-based Hand Embroiderer and Illustrator who has been working in costume on film and television productions for over 15 years. She studied Fashion Design at The London College of Fashion, where the course incorporated design, pattern cutting, garment construction, embroidery, millinery and illustration. At the same time she attended a three year evening course in Saddlery at Cordwainers College learning skills in leatherwork.

After leaving college Michele worked in Textile Conservation, repairing and restoring historical textiles for private collectors and museums, specialising in hand embroidery. She then moved into a career in costume for film and television, initially working as a Costume Assistant/Maker on productions such as the BBC’s Our Mutual Friend, ITV’s David Copperfield and Mansfield Park. She soon gravitated towards the decoration and embellishment of costumes, using skills in hand embroidery and surface decoration, taking inspiration from the many historical textiles she had encountered working as a Textile Conservator. 

The first production that saw her undertake the role of a Principal Costume Embroiderer was for HBO’s 2005 Emmy Costume award-winning production of Elizabeth 1. Her most recent work has been on HBO’s 2012 Costume award-winning television series Game of Thrones, working on all three seasons.

As a Costume Embroiderer Michele specialises in hand embroidery and surface embellishment, using traditional hand embroidery techniques, smocking, beading and surface decoration. She works directly onto the completed garment or starts with motifs and textures on silk crepeline/organza, which are applied to the costume and then worked into once on the actual garment. She also works on existing machine embroidery designs that are not too dense, adding some hand stitching and beading to give a more authentic, hand-finished look.

Michele finds hand embroidery has more flexibility and diversity than that of embroidery created by machine, as there is a greater variety of thread choice and colours to use. It is also possible to work more easily on garments that are already constructed. However, machine embroidery in combination with hand work can be very useful when completing many repeats by creating light outlines or a less dense machine stitch, work can then be completed by hand and again can be carried out on a finished garment.

Michele is a highly creative Costume Embroiderer, producing original designs as well as working closely to a costume designer’s brief to create their desired look.’

Text and images from  http://www.michelecarragherembroidery.com

God, that embroidery is so gorgeous! I had no idea that third dress was so detailed after seeing it on the show… Amazing work.

I’m so glad her work is getting recognised! I’ve been so wanting a Game of Thrones in Detail ;) (Ummm.. the V&A has several costume books called “X in Detail- I have two of them but there are more). This is a really good example of how much is lost on screen so you do need to have all that texture in the fabric and surface treatments to make a costume look- for want of a better word- real. 

Her work is glorious, so many techniques and all seamlessly worked in and blended. Amazing blend of art and artistry.

My dream job, right here.

(via kidsyoudontcareabout)

allthingseurope:

Certosa di Pavia, Italy (by gianva)

(via thingssheloves)

David Beckham plays his final game with PSG and retires from professional football after a twenty year career. (X)

(via ameliailema)

(via rhaegartargaryen)

nudiemuse:

woodelvish:

I’m sorry I had to

This made me almost spit water everywhere.

(via kidsyoudontcareabout)

abandonedography:

9 of the Most Fascinating Abandoned Mansions from Around the World

(via cornflowerteco)

Perhaps I will die too, she told herself, and the thought did not seem so terrible to her. If she flung herself from the window, she could put an end to her suffering, and in the years to come the singers would write songs of her grief. Her body would lie on the stones below, broken and innocent, shaming all those who had betrayed her. Sansa went so far as to cross the bedchamber and throw open the shutters … but then her courage left her, and she ran back to her bed, sobbing.”

(via cuntstitution)

odditiesoflife:

Red Beach, China

Red Beach is located in the Liaohe River Delta, about 30 kilometers southwest of Panjin City in China. The beach’s unique color is caused by a type of plant called Suaeda vera or Shrubby Sea-blite which is a coastal species that flourishes in the saline-alkali soil. The plant remains green during the summer but in the fall, when the plant has matured, it takes on a deep red color creating a stunning red sea landscape. Most of Red Beach is a nature reserve and closed to the public. Only a small, remote section is open to tourists.

(via billiumhunting)