Sara Nović's Blog, page 12
July 6, 2016
July 4, 2016
"There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when..."
- Elie Wiesel
June 30, 2016
Sara Nović: Sign of the Times
The AGBell Association is currently holding their annual conference, at which they perpetuate dangerous myths about deafness, education and bilingualism. In honor of that, here’s a bit more on him and how his (Nazi-sympathizing) claims have resonated in our educational, legal, and cultural systems to the detriment of scores of deaf and hard-of-hearing children in the US and everywhere.
PS–Bell didn’t invent the telephone.
Blunderbuss to launch free print publication!
If you aren’t in the NYC area, we’ll deliver Blunderbuss right to your mailbox! Find subscription details at http://patreon.com/blunderbussmag
June 27, 2016
Looking forward to this one. #galleybrag @twolinespress...
Looking forward to this one. #galleybrag @twolinespress #asparelife #lidijadimkovska #shelfie
How the American Tax Code is Designed to Hurt Artists
Not exactly a sexy topic, but dangerous for the long-term creative output of our country.
1. Nearly all artists–freelance writers, authors who get paid for their books, artists paid for a gallery show or a painting–are independent contractors under tax law.
2. Where normal workers have to pay 6.5% of their income into Social Security, independent contractors must pay double (13%) because we are considered both “employer” and “employee.” (Triple sting when you add the rapidly declining possibility that people under 30 will actually even receive Social Security…)
3. Then come city, state and federal taxes, taxed at a rate with that 13% still in there of course.
4. There is also the problem that art that may’ve taken years to produce is, when purchased, considered one year’s income. So, for example, if a painting series sold for 60 grand took an artist 3 years to paint, s/he is actually making 20 grand a year (e.g. below the poverty line), but when paid out, is being taxed as if she is making 60 grand a year.
5. Then we must buy individual healthcare plans through the exchange at much higher rates than those who can get coverage through their companies. It’s hard to get assistance through Obamacare stipulations; in fact often we are charged at an even higher rate, because the exchange looks only at pre-taxed income.
6. PS–we have student debt, too.
June 24, 2016
I woke up this morning, looked at the news and cried. I'd like to explain why
As a young voter studying for a BA French and Spanish degree at the University of Southampton, I’d like to share some concerns regarding this morning’s EU referendum result, from the point of view of myself and my peers.
Without even mentioning the devastating effects that this result will have (and has already had) on our economy, I’d like to focus on an issue that many key politicians failed to recognise throughout the campaigning: the impact that this Brexit will have on the young people of today, in terms of career prospects and travel opportunities.
As a languages student I am lucky enough to have just completed a nine month placement studying and working in the south of Spain. This would not have been possible without the Erasmus programme that students (of any discipline) benefit from as EU members, and which also provides grants to help with the cost of living and travelling abroad, so that I could truly make the most of my experience.
I can’t think of anywhere else in the world where there is such a variety of cultures in such close proximity, and so easily accessible both thanks to lower travel costs and, more importantly, the freedom of movement offered by the EU (which any citizen, of any age or background, can take advantage of- oh and with free EU healthcare too!).
Travel gives our young people the opportunity to step outside their comfort zones and expand their cultural horizons through experiencing other ways of life, which in turn leads to becoming more tolerant about other communities and their practices in general. Tolerance and an understanding of our European neighbours are key to ensuring lasting peace and maintaining international relations.
Myself and my peers feel absolutely heartbroken with the result. The devastating irony is that the people that voted us into this irreversible mess won’t be alive for long enough to truly see the consequences, the same consequences that my generation is now stuck with (see graph attached). It seems disgustingly unfair that the voting age wasn’t lowered to 16 for this referendum, as it was for the Scottish Independence referendum, as it is us young people who will be hit the hardest.
How young people’s career and travel opportunities will be affected, I dread to think. How my career will pan out now, I do not know. But one thing is for sure: I am no longer proud to call myself British.
-Catherine Simpson, 22, Salisbury
Worth reading the accounts of young people whose futures are about to be profoundly altered by something they didn’t choose.
June 23, 2016
Looks like #girlatwar is having a lovely summer! #regram thanks...
Looks like #girlatwar is having a lovely summer! #regram thanks to readers/photographers (clockwise) @bookbloggeeinbloom @thelmafrayne @fifi_frayne @hh_in_az @mybeautifultravels
@randomhouse #littlebrownuk #abacusbooks
June 22, 2016
yes, we’re in it. #ohio
#hellisreal #noUturneither...
yes, we’re in it. #ohio
#hellisreal #noUturneither #youcancheckoutanytimeyoulike
June 17, 2016
#Fbf to my roof in #brooklyn
(with @pamstatic + @mr_superalan)...
#Fbf to my roof in #brooklyn
(with @pamstatic + @mr_superalan) #oldie #southside #williamsburg #nofilter
