streetfestival

Good question! I did a little digging. I think a good number of people accessing managed alcohol programs (MAPs) are homeless, and MAPs are designed to help with homelessness and alcohol use disorder. First, accessing a MAP is intended to prevent people from consuming "non-beverage" alcohol, like mouthwash or rubbing alcohol that can lead to hospitalization. It is also intended to prevent drinking and intoxication in public, which leads to negative consequences with law enforcement. Through compassion, stability, and other provided resources (e.g., shelter, food), MAPs are also intended to help people get off the street.

https://catalyst.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/CAT.22.0301

I'm white (for what that's worth) and there's lots about your experience that to be honest that I cannot relate to well. But you seem like a really good person who's struggling all on their own (I'd probably guess you don't have family in Canada at the moment) in a really difficult situation.

In Western countries, plastic surgery for self-esteem reasons does not usually increase self-esteem.

I strongly, strongly recommend you seek counselling (with someone who has experience with racism) if you can access it. Maybe resources are available though school, maybe there are resources available in your city/province. If you can get some professional help, I'd really recommend it. I get the sense you're fighting a huge battle on your own, and with all due respect I think you're overwhelmed and becoming a little delusional (which to be fair is an understandable reaction in the face of unsolvable stress).

I'd suggest you say "I am considering multiple facial surgeries to cope with people discriminating against me at school, work, and in relationships because I'm Black. I don't think I can be happy or successful if I don't get facial surgeries that make me look less Black."

If you can't access professional support, try to seek out or strengthen your Black social support network - find people with whom you can experience community. Maybe a students' organization, a religious group, etc. I think things have gotten to the point where professional support may be necessary and non-professionals on their own might struggle to help you. Both would be good.

I had a best friend from Ghana. He was one of the most attractive men I've ever seen, and he was very popular. Nevertheless, his self-esteem was shit. It was shocking. Eventually he got married and he's quite happy now. But Ghana to Canada may have been a major major culture shock on him that having someone to honestly talk to about might have helped with.

Unfortunately, I don't think you'll find much relief until you're tackling the real issue: your ongoing struggles with and internalization of anti-Black racism (as well as social isolation, perhaps).

P.S. Black is not bad, and if your "friends" are making fun of your race they're not your friends.

My friend, I think you might be struggling with anti-Black racism, and I'm really sorry you've had to experience that. People who find your face or appearance intimidating are probably racist. If/when you believe (internalize) that racism, that can make things worse.

This applies to everyone - when we feel safe around others, we are more at ease, and will give off vibes of safety to others - and it's a positive feedback cycle.

If you have had a lot of interactions with racist people recently and you don't have a support system that can help you cope with that, you might begin to believe that you intrinsically are the problem, and that would cause fear in anyone.

You seem like a really lovely and fun person. I think your focus should maybe be more about coping with racism and mental health than making your face look less intimidating. Maybe reach out to others for support - particularly those who have lived experience of dealing with anti-Black racism. If your boss is racist, getting another employer would be ideal too - but that's easier said than done and might take a little while to fix. And ideally don't date people who themselves and/or their families don't accept you being Black.

I'm rooting for you!!! Hang in there and take care of yourself! You are not alone. I hope things start to get better for you soon! Virtual hug from Toronto <3 :)

Some musings on climate change, corporate-sponsored sanitizing of it, etc. in the pro sports world:

I follow the Toronto Blue Jays (who are owned by rogers). Last summer, the first time the record-breaking forest fires were impacting the Toronto Blue Jays (e.g., games in New York City were cancelled as their skies were red and going outside caused similar effects as smoking years' worth of cigarettes) the "forest fires" causing all the disruptions were mentioned on the Blue Jays TV broadcast. In the games soon after, there'd regularly be oil and gas ads in the high-profile ad placement spot behind home plate and "forest fires" were never mentioned on the broadcasts. Decisions about whether the ballpark's dome was open or closed for games were attributed simply and vaguely to "air quality".

I also follow the Canadian Football League (CFL). Last summer the league and players' association created decision rules about when games would be played or be postponed based on measurable air quality criteria. Wildfires were mentioned in the press release. I thought it was a proactive response that might also have a small effect on helping CFL fans recognize climate change

Do something now!!!

In the fall, Jezebel reported how a bipartisan bill ostensibly meant to protect children from harmful content online could be weaponized by Republican politicians to censor everything from LGBTQ+ content to sex ed info to abortion resources—and for all internet users, not just children.

This is so dystopian

I think the tech companies believe they'll get good PR for a bill that purports to be about child safety. In actuality, the bill will allow them to censor anything they want on their platforms while sidestepping criticism about curtailing free speech because they can say "we're just trying not to get sued; if you have a problem, take it up with Washington"

Agreed. Capitalism working as intended

https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/240202/dq240202a-eng.htm:

This study revealed that more than 15% of immigrants admitted to Canada from 1982 to 2017 emigrated within 20 years of admission. However, this proportion varies by characteristic, including immigrants' country of birth.

Emigration is slightly more common from three to seven years after admission. This period may reflect the length of time that immigrants try to integrate into Canada by attempting to find a job and a place to live and adapting to life in Canada. Some immigrants may also emigrate if they encounter challenges in integrating or because they intended to from the outset.

Immigrants born in Taiwan, the United States, France, Hong Kong or Lebanon and immigrants admitted in the investor and entrepreneur categories are more likely to emigrate.

Longitudinal Immigration Database data will continue to be used to analyze the socioeconomic situation of immigrants, including economic integration and retention in the province or territory of admission.

I think the presence of a tank in a park facilitates acceptance of war - it does not prevent acceptance of war. That's where I'm coming from. Monuments should be about remembering the sacrifices that were made in the service of larger causes (that's what I meant by "important"), the lives lost, and preventing war. I think we're just disagreeing on the effects of a tank in a park

What is the point of "declassifying" a document to the extent that Global News can run a story about it scant on details but it's not publicly available? "Marginally less classified" might be more accurate