Rita L. Portela
@westernspinster.bsky.social
(Acjáchemem) CA Indigenous, free Palestine! Health justice, bikes, outdoors, bioscience, data, LOLOLOL, STEM, languages, arts, justice. Bay Area. Native American Linguistics.
#WhoAreYou?
We are the wet laundry hanging on the fences of shelter schools.
We are the black tiles of aid organizations.
Wording contd. in the image.
Abdullah is a writer. He's recovering from surgery and he's gotten almost no donatlons at all in the last 6 weeks.
gofund.me/9b40645f5
We are the wet laundry hanging on the fences of shelter schools.
We are the black tiles of aid organizations.
Wording contd. in the image.
Abdullah is a writer. He's recovering from surgery and he's gotten almost no donatlons at all in the last 6 weeks.
gofund.me/9b40645f5
November 30, 2025 at 6:38 AM
#WhoAreYou?
We are the wet laundry hanging on the fences of shelter schools.
We are the black tiles of aid organizations.
Wording contd. in the image.
Abdullah is a writer. He's recovering from surgery and he's gotten almost no donatlons at all in the last 6 weeks.
gofund.me/9b40645f5
We are the wet laundry hanging on the fences of shelter schools.
We are the black tiles of aid organizations.
Wording contd. in the image.
Abdullah is a writer. He's recovering from surgery and he's gotten almost no donatlons at all in the last 6 weeks.
gofund.me/9b40645f5
I always go for quiet luxury.
I am the definition of understated elegance. Subtile. Grounded. Timeless. Stable. /s
I am the definition of understated elegance. Subtile. Grounded. Timeless. Stable. /s
November 29, 2025 at 8:18 PM
I always go for quiet luxury.
I am the definition of understated elegance. Subtile. Grounded. Timeless. Stable. /s
I am the definition of understated elegance. Subtile. Grounded. Timeless. Stable. /s
...the Alcatraz occupation surrounding the Thanksgiving holiday, we have decided to share these powerful words of our forebears."
- Cafe Ohlone
Berkeley, CA
Alcatraz occupation was painted with a broad brush, & there was, and is, a lot more nuance to it.
- Cafe Ohlone
Berkeley, CA
Alcatraz occupation was painted with a broad brush, & there was, and is, a lot more nuance to it.
November 28, 2025 at 6:53 AM
...the Alcatraz occupation surrounding the Thanksgiving holiday, we have decided to share these powerful words of our forebears."
- Cafe Ohlone
Berkeley, CA
Alcatraz occupation was painted with a broad brush, & there was, and is, a lot more nuance to it.
- Cafe Ohlone
Berkeley, CA
Alcatraz occupation was painted with a broad brush, & there was, and is, a lot more nuance to it.
IMPORTANT Alcatraz history
"Let it be known & let it be said: our work with mak-'amham is centered on specificity of our living East Bay Ohlone identity; we do not dabble in generalizations or stereotypes. We respect our elders' wishes, & for this reason, during a time of increased chatter of...
"Let it be known & let it be said: our work with mak-'amham is centered on specificity of our living East Bay Ohlone identity; we do not dabble in generalizations or stereotypes. We respect our elders' wishes, & for this reason, during a time of increased chatter of...
November 28, 2025 at 6:45 AM
IMPORTANT Alcatraz history
"Let it be known & let it be said: our work with mak-'amham is centered on specificity of our living East Bay Ohlone identity; we do not dabble in generalizations or stereotypes. We respect our elders' wishes, & for this reason, during a time of increased chatter of...
"Let it be known & let it be said: our work with mak-'amham is centered on specificity of our living East Bay Ohlone identity; we do not dabble in generalizations or stereotypes. We respect our elders' wishes, & for this reason, during a time of increased chatter of...
Room is completely engulfed in flames, you can only save ONE...
November 27, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Room is completely engulfed in flames, you can only save ONE...
Evening timeslots via zoom still available. DM me for details!
November 27, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Evening timeslots via zoom still available. DM me for details!
My first holiday gift arrived: a four+ foot tall gigantic cat running wheel. Today's task is to move furniture, assemble it & see how my hyperactive kitty likes it!
My cat is a massive 19 pounds & the weight capacity is 25 pounds, so we'll see how this goes. Placing it far from my sleep space!
My cat is a massive 19 pounds & the weight capacity is 25 pounds, so we'll see how this goes. Placing it far from my sleep space!
November 27, 2025 at 4:07 PM
My first holiday gift arrived: a four+ foot tall gigantic cat running wheel. Today's task is to move furniture, assemble it & see how my hyperactive kitty likes it!
My cat is a massive 19 pounds & the weight capacity is 25 pounds, so we'll see how this goes. Placing it far from my sleep space!
My cat is a massive 19 pounds & the weight capacity is 25 pounds, so we'll see how this goes. Placing it far from my sleep space!
When the devil walks among us, he always has one part of his body in animal form, giving his status away.
November 22, 2025 at 2:52 AM
When the devil walks among us, he always has one part of his body in animal form, giving his status away.
I dare JD Vance to ask him why is he not wearing a suit
November 20, 2025 at 5:47 AM
I dare JD Vance to ask him why is he not wearing a suit
HAVE
WE TRIED
THROWING
A
POLITICIAN
INTO A
VOLCANO
TO APPEASE
THE VIRUS
YET?
...JUST
SAYIN...
WE TRIED
THROWING
A
POLITICIAN
INTO A
VOLCANO
TO APPEASE
THE VIRUS
YET?
...JUST
SAYIN...
November 20, 2025 at 5:42 AM
HAVE
WE TRIED
THROWING
A
POLITICIAN
INTO A
VOLCANO
TO APPEASE
THE VIRUS
YET?
...JUST
SAYIN...
WE TRIED
THROWING
A
POLITICIAN
INTO A
VOLCANO
TO APPEASE
THE VIRUS
YET?
...JUST
SAYIN...
Native American Wisdom:
Do not get a tattoo because somebody on the Internet told you to.
Tattoos have meanings. You must know & understand cultural context. You must honor cultural values, including your own role & access.
Tattoo translation:
Do not get a tattoo because somebody on the Internet told you to.
Tattoos have meanings. You must know & understand cultural context. You must honor cultural values, including your own role & access.
Tattoo translation:
![Screenshot of a dictionary entry reading:
$íchi$icha/i [INTR/TRANS]: INTR: 1) continually squirt out, 2) have diarrhea continually. TRANS: continually squirt something out
$ích$icha/i [INTR/TRANS]: INTR: 1) squirt out now and then, 2) have diarrhea now and then. TRANS: squirt something out now and then, spew out now and then](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:aayoklyqvnv7x7sdgfawvgg2/bafkreiae3p5xduqh6hmketoyvmfcnrhbyktpwo6dqddkqnmw3dbozbebeu@jpeg)
November 6, 2025 at 7:07 AM
Native American Wisdom:
Do not get a tattoo because somebody on the Internet told you to.
Tattoos have meanings. You must know & understand cultural context. You must honor cultural values, including your own role & access.
Tattoo translation:
Do not get a tattoo because somebody on the Internet told you to.
Tattoos have meanings. You must know & understand cultural context. You must honor cultural values, including your own role & access.
Tattoo translation:
A man who needs TWO court orders to not starve his own people, but does it anyway, isn't just unfit for office.
He's unfit to walk free in the normal world.
He belongs in prison for his crimes against humanity.
He's unfit to walk free in the normal world.
He belongs in prison for his crimes against humanity.
November 5, 2025 at 6:05 AM
A man who needs TWO court orders to not starve his own people, but does it anyway, isn't just unfit for office.
He's unfit to walk free in the normal world.
He belongs in prison for his crimes against humanity.
He's unfit to walk free in the normal world.
He belongs in prison for his crimes against humanity.
"NO FOOD FOR YOU UNTIL THE DEMOCRATS LET US TAKE AWAY YOUR HEALTHCARE"
-US House Speaker Mike Johnson
-US House Speaker Mike Johnson
November 5, 2025 at 6:01 AM
"NO FOOD FOR YOU UNTIL THE DEMOCRATS LET US TAKE AWAY YOUR HEALTHCARE"
-US House Speaker Mike Johnson
-US House Speaker Mike Johnson
If you want a very authentic Native American tattoo that will impress your friends with your sophisticated knowledge, consider this word in Acjáchemem Chamtéela: $íchi$icha
It means "resilience" but in a very nuanced & esoteric manner.
#NativeAmericanHeritageMonth
#NativeAmerican
#Chamtéela
It means "resilience" but in a very nuanced & esoteric manner.
#NativeAmericanHeritageMonth
#NativeAmerican
#Chamtéela
November 5, 2025 at 5:48 AM
If you want a very authentic Native American tattoo that will impress your friends with your sophisticated knowledge, consider this word in Acjáchemem Chamtéela: $íchi$icha
It means "resilience" but in a very nuanced & esoteric manner.
#NativeAmericanHeritageMonth
#NativeAmerican
#Chamtéela
It means "resilience" but in a very nuanced & esoteric manner.
#NativeAmericanHeritageMonth
#NativeAmerican
#Chamtéela
Bad Bunny:
"English is not my first language. But it's ok, it's not America's first language, either."
#NativeAmericanHeritageMonth
"English is not my first language. But it's ok, it's not America's first language, either."
#NativeAmericanHeritageMonth
November 5, 2025 at 5:17 AM
Bad Bunny:
"English is not my first language. But it's ok, it's not America's first language, either."
#NativeAmericanHeritageMonth
"English is not my first language. But it's ok, it's not America's first language, either."
#NativeAmericanHeritageMonth
The ACA Covered California website is still NOT WORKING. Fourth try.
I'm trying to recertify to see what the new cost for my health insurance is.
I already know that my insurance is more than doubling in cost for much much worse coverage. Republicans can go to hell.
I'm trying to recertify to see what the new cost for my health insurance is.
I already know that my insurance is more than doubling in cost for much much worse coverage. Republicans can go to hell.
November 5, 2025 at 5:12 AM
The ACA Covered California website is still NOT WORKING. Fourth try.
I'm trying to recertify to see what the new cost for my health insurance is.
I already know that my insurance is more than doubling in cost for much much worse coverage. Republicans can go to hell.
I'm trying to recertify to see what the new cost for my health insurance is.
I already know that my insurance is more than doubling in cost for much much worse coverage. Republicans can go to hell.
my transformation into a raccoon is almost complete
dark circles under my eyes ✓
hissing at anyone approaching me ✓✓
ate too much trash last night ✓✓
dark circles under my eyes ✓
hissing at anyone approaching me ✓✓
ate too much trash last night ✓✓
November 3, 2025 at 1:03 AM
my transformation into a raccoon is almost complete
dark circles under my eyes ✓
hissing at anyone approaching me ✓✓
ate too much trash last night ✓✓
dark circles under my eyes ✓
hissing at anyone approaching me ✓✓
ate too much trash last night ✓✓
Poverty chic. You can't afford to heat your home but you can look ultra glam all bundled up.
No need to burn fossil fuel because you are a HEAT MACHINE!
No need to burn fossil fuel because you are a HEAT MACHINE!
November 1, 2025 at 11:13 PM
Poverty chic. You can't afford to heat your home but you can look ultra glam all bundled up.
No need to burn fossil fuel because you are a HEAT MACHINE!
No need to burn fossil fuel because you are a HEAT MACHINE!
"My dog tells me you're on drugs"
"You're the one with the talking dog!"
"You're the one with the talking dog!"
October 27, 2025 at 2:41 AM
"My dog tells me you're on drugs"
"You're the one with the talking dog!"
"You're the one with the talking dog!"
Mine is going from $700/mo to $1,347 & zero deductible to over $5K deductible. One person.
This means I will lose health insurance. My medical costs are typically over $10K/yr. This is a true catastrophy, will lower quality of life substantially. I'll be w/out critical healthcare.
How to fix this?
This means I will lose health insurance. My medical costs are typically over $10K/yr. This is a true catastrophy, will lower quality of life substantially. I'll be w/out critical healthcare.
How to fix this?
October 26, 2025 at 4:03 AM
Mine is going from $700/mo to $1,347 & zero deductible to over $5K deductible. One person.
This means I will lose health insurance. My medical costs are typically over $10K/yr. This is a true catastrophy, will lower quality of life substantially. I'll be w/out critical healthcare.
How to fix this?
This means I will lose health insurance. My medical costs are typically over $10K/yr. This is a true catastrophy, will lower quality of life substantially. I'll be w/out critical healthcare.
How to fix this?
See Asem live on SUNDAY! Livestream poetry from Gaza, Sun., 10/26/25, 11AM-12:30PM PDT, on the reality of life during genocide.
Join us for live-streamed performances + Q&A by 3 incredible poets in/from Gaza: Mariam Mohammed Al- Khatib, Asem Alnabih, & Hala Al-Khatib.
bit.ly/gazapoets
Join us for live-streamed performances + Q&A by 3 incredible poets in/from Gaza: Mariam Mohammed Al- Khatib, Asem Alnabih, & Hala Al-Khatib.
bit.ly/gazapoets
October 25, 2025 at 5:25 PM
See Asem live on SUNDAY! Livestream poetry from Gaza, Sun., 10/26/25, 11AM-12:30PM PDT, on the reality of life during genocide.
Join us for live-streamed performances + Q&A by 3 incredible poets in/from Gaza: Mariam Mohammed Al- Khatib, Asem Alnabih, & Hala Al-Khatib.
bit.ly/gazapoets
Join us for live-streamed performances + Q&A by 3 incredible poets in/from Gaza: Mariam Mohammed Al- Khatib, Asem Alnabih, & Hala Al-Khatib.
bit.ly/gazapoets
"Poetry is a political act because it involves telling the truth."
- June Jordan
All proceeds will be split evenly between the three Palestinian writers featured in this event.
SLIDING SCALE - NOBODY TURNED AWAY
- June Jordan
All proceeds will be split evenly between the three Palestinian writers featured in this event.
SLIDING SCALE - NOBODY TURNED AWAY
October 20, 2025 at 1:35 AM
"Poetry is a political act because it involves telling the truth."
- June Jordan
All proceeds will be split evenly between the three Palestinian writers featured in this event.
SLIDING SCALE - NOBODY TURNED AWAY
- June Jordan
All proceeds will be split evenly between the three Palestinian writers featured in this event.
SLIDING SCALE - NOBODY TURNED AWAY
Hala Al-Khatib is a 20-year-old writer and poet from Gaza. Since childhood, Hala dreamed of becoming a writer. She wanted to write about love, music, hope, and beauty. But being from Gaza made her words carry the weight of pain, loss, and destruction.
During the genocide, she... Contd. in caption
During the genocide, she... Contd. in caption
October 20, 2025 at 1:32 AM
Hala Al-Khatib is a 20-year-old writer and poet from Gaza. Since childhood, Hala dreamed of becoming a writer. She wanted to write about love, music, hope, and beauty. But being from Gaza made her words carry the weight of pain, loss, and destruction.
During the genocide, she... Contd. in caption
During the genocide, she... Contd. in caption