SOS Blak Australia (Part 2)

Here are some more photos from the march against the closure of indigenous communities in Australia (namely Western Australia). Friday was such a powerful day, lets keep marching for equality and respect! Always was, always will be aboriginal land!

SOS Blak Australia (Part 1)

It was an honour to walk with the traditional custodians of the land I respectfully reside. My only wish after yesterdays events, is that we can all agree on the simple premise of equal respect and understanding. Some people step on the heads of others to steal and profit, while others are left trodden on, disrespected and the pain is felt through generations. Unfortunately, our government believes that it is acceptable to tear apart communities of some of the most important people on our planet. This is an crucial issue for all Australians, not just those that attended the march yesterday. Don’t sit and watch our government steal from the people that founded and nurtured our once beautiful land.

Lets stand as one and make Australia sacred once again.

We will never stop marching towards what is right!

Always was, always will be aboriginal land.

I will be posting more images from the protest over the next few days.

Lets not lose another

What is it that makes someone want to take their life? No-one can provide a clear cut answer to the suicidal epidemic that continually plagues the world we occupy. I regularly work with many youths who have either thought about taking their own life or are painfully walking a thin line between life and death on daily basis. Most kids I speak to, have a fixed belief that they ‘don’t matter’ and in many cases our rat race focused society encourages that thought process. It saddens me that some of these kids have no idea how important they really are and how their timely death will do the world (and themselves) a serious injustice.

Growing up, I lost quite a few friends to the grips of suicide and I distinctly remember feeling helpless, mainly because I didn’t know what to do or how to take the initial steps for assistance. Many times I felt suicidal myself and I didn't feel comfortable talking to anyone about it, due to fear of rejection or lack of understanding. I guess that’s why I dedicate my days to guiding youths towards their potential, I do it as a service to the kids of today and importantly for the ones that I lost along the way.

Suicide is the leading cause of death for people aged 15-44 and I believe that it's a collective conservative mindset that keeps us ignorant rather than heartless. It's almost like it feels so foreign, until you actually experience the devastation... and it's a taboo to talk about it.

I’ve been really open about my mental health issues for quite some time now and no matter how uncomfortable people are with my expressions, I’ll keep comfortable telling my truths… until they are comfortable with living in a world of realism coupled with acceptance and compassion.

It’s important that people feel ‘normal’ about who they are rather than how they are ‘supposed to be’. If we actively made people feel completely comfortable with themselves, then maybe the conversation will become a little easier and a little more ‘normal’. I don’t think this is an entire solution, but I think it is a start.

The world needs you Jake

Last night I had the pleasure of meeting ‘Jake’ (name changed for privacy reasons) at the Hanover Youth Foyer, a living facility that provides access to education and long term accommodation for homeless youth. I can’t reveal details of Jake’s story, but lets just say he has been thrown some really rough cards. While going through the intake process, Jake was elated with the opportunity of safe housing over the next two years. Despite many life setbacks Jake is one of the most positive/inspiring people I’ve ever met. He was so deeply appreciative of absolutely everything offered to him and even said that he was going to make the next two years, the best years of his life (something that almost brought me to tears). 

Last night, Jake said something that really stuck with me and I really wanted to share it.

“There are so many different colours on the colour spectrum, it's almost infinite when you think about it. Imagine if it is the same when looking at human emotions. I honestly think that there are so many undiscovered human emotions, that haven’t even been felt yet. Isn’t that beautiful?”.

Jake has a wisdom beyond his years and it’s people like him that make the world a better place to share.

Soon

There are more films on the way... I promise.

Roll with the punches

Every heavy hit has to heal and healing can guide you through the darkest places of your mind. Sometimes it's not about finding pressured happiness, it's about finding who you are and why you are here.

Great

“I am the Great Cornholio, I need T.P. for my bunghole”

One for Sammy

This is my friend/former student Sammy 'Lips' Makkouk. He rolled up to a birthday party like this. We were kicking it in the back room of the Charles Weston Hotel​ and it was the perfect setting for a few quick shots. Sammy is one of those guitarists with an old soul, he doesn't change with the times, he simply adds perfections to the times past.

Sammy, this ones for you.

Pharaoh

I'm here with my brother Fallon, listening to Pharaoh Sanders - Red, Black & Green. It's a song that makes you appreciate the nicer things in life, the things that break us through the chaos. We're not here long, so pay homage to the real times and live with purpose, the days are slipping away.

An ode to dood

For nearly 6 years I've gone to the same cafe... and sadly the era has finally ended. Dood328 in Brunswick was an institution, a place where everybody knew everybody. I'd spend every Saturday afternoon choppin' it up with these two brothers, they are pretty much the funniest dudes I've ever met. Congrats on the sale Simon and all the best for the future.

Til the casket drops

When obstacles stand in your path... Never give up! Even when you drop your sundae on the ground and the cup breaks and ice cream splashes all over you and your friends jeans/sneakers... then drips dirt mixed ice cream all over your hands and sleeves. You pick that sundae up and you put it in your face and you eat and drink it to the very last drop. Then you lick that dirt laced ice cream off your fingers and walk on, like it aint nuttin.

Matti Fallon

Til the casket drops.

Follow me on Instagram

I'm aiming to do some pretty rad things on Instagram in the next few months. Follow me @johnnybrixton and I will cuddle you in the street.