#I am not trying to be anyone's spokesperson! especially for groups I am not a part of!

[daisywords]

I will do my best but at the end of the day "good representation" is always going to be secondary to my quest to create the most specific Little Guys in the world sorry

[jacobsbigmelons]

Inspired by your username... Can I request one where Jacob's bf is obsessed with his pecs and like playing with them, maybe a first time blowjob too?

you don’t understand how much i love this

i am trying so hard not to self insert myself here because i’m a whole tiddy guy for men ESPECIALLY JACOBMYGODILLDOANYTHINGJUSTFORASQUEEZE

“They are pecs, not ‘tiddies’.”

Jacob Custos x male reader

nsfw, pec play, blowjobs, slightly public, muscle worship

“Anyone see Jacob? Y/N? They’ve just kinda been missing ever since we finished packing” Abi said, the sun beaming off of her colored hair. “Y/N always goes off on his own little trips, but Jacob? He probably got himself lost and trapped in a ditch somewhere knowing him” Kaitlyn spoke, her arms crossed over one another. “Or maybe they’re grabbing some last minute things?” Ryan shrugged as his suggestion floated in the air for a little bit “i think last minute was around 15 minutes ago, y’know…when the packing finished up?” “Touché” Ryan nodded.

“Hey don’t splash me!” Jacob complained as the cold water hit his body “Youre already wet stop being a baby!” You hollered before giving him another splash of lake water, which he returned just as quick. “Babe babe babe babe…babe! Watch this.” Jacob said as he swam towards the doc and pulled himself up as he wrapped his leg around the dock piling like a stripper pole, and began to rub his body from top to bottom before looking directly back to you. “You should be the next AdamandEve spokesperson” you yelled out, Jacob kept the pose, though with a confused look. “what’s that?” he said as he now wrapped his hand around the piling.

“Uh- website where you buy…y’know, stuff for late night bedroom stuff.” You said quieter as you also pulled yourself up onto the dock as you admired your boyfriends beautifully structured body. “I mean I could try but I don’t think they’d let me if it’s about sex and shit” Jacob said as he finally unraveled himself from the pole “and whys that? you got the body and you clearly know your way around a pole” You said as you pointed to him and the pole “Uh- Well i”m sure it wouldn’t matter but I uh…i’ve never been led to the bedroom, let’s say that.”

Jacobs statement drew a blank to you, you merely blinked at him for a few seconds before speaking “You never had sex?! Have you…ever had anything explicit with another person?” You we’re gonna speak more before Jacob intersected by putting his hand in front of him as a way to stop you from speaking. “Hey hey hey! I- I have actually thank you very much.” His tone trying not to waver nervously “mmmhm…lay with me” you demand with a small pat on the dock to let Jacob know to lay down as you shifted your body so your legs weren’t dangling off but instead laid on top of the dock.

Jacob walked the very few steps it took to get next to you as he crouched down before laying down fully, he put his arm behind his head as a way to support it. You moved in close to his chest as you rubbed your hand around his pecs and abs, the dripping water adding some shine to his physique. “Not saying i’m total eye candy but your more than welcome to admire” Jacob rubbed his other hand in-between your thighs.

“Yeah sure meathead” you teased as you sat up and straddled his lap as you looked down at him, his body definitely what Jacob labeled as ‘eye candy.’ You wrapped your hands on the sides of his chest before rubbing along it while playfully caressing the soft tissue in your hands. “You really like playing with my pecs huh?” Jacob stated, clearly not going to do anything to stop it though. “You got some hot tiddies what can I say.” You smiled before rubbing his chest again, Jacobs face now looking slightly offended.

“They are pecs…not tiddies, if you’re gonna play with ‘em at least show them some respect by calling them by what they’re called.” Jacob explained, of course he would get defensive over a muscle group. The hunk only knew brawn’s after all. “I’m so sorry your dear pectoral muscles got offended” you leaned down as you began to kiss your boyfriend, his underwear clearly not hiding how we was feeling anymore with the quite obvious poking you feel on your stomach.

The two of you made out until you decided to go lower down the body as you kissed around his neck, then his arms, biceps, back to his chest and nipples, abs, everything. The pleasurable sounds he made definitely let you know the effect you had on him then and there. “Your body is so fucking hot” your voice, slightly muffled as you spoke with your lips to his skin. At this point you already got to his dick, your hand rubbing against it as Jacob softly cursed.

“Can I suck you off?” You said sitting up straight once more as your hands were on the elastic parts of his underwear ready to take them off, his dick practically begging to be let out as it kept twitching. “Oh uh- Y-yeah! What uh…what should I do?” Jacob said slightly puzzled, trying to recollect every scene of porn he’s watched, yet it seemed like every little think he could try and think of wasn’t helping him decide what to do.

“Just lay there and look hot baby, let me do all the work for your first time” You confidently said, despite Jacob being slightly embarrassed at the fact that he has never been apart of explicit congress such as this, yet his confident personality hid a lot of that. You pulled off his last piece of clothing before moving it to the side, you leaned down as you licked the base of his penis while he led your hands back up to his chest, specifically to where his nipples were as if he wanted you to stimulate him up there while also doing it down there.

“Holy shit your fingers feel so good but your mouth is really doing a number down there” Jacob said in one breath, before you finally took his dick into your mouth. You went as far as you could and even just the tip going in was enough for Jacob to groan loudly. His hips began to move back and forth as you continued to rub and slightly pinch at his nipples. You grabbed his chest as a whole not long after as just grabbing his pecs and squishing them yourself was hot in its own way. “God this shouldn’t be so hot” Jacob quietly said with gaps in between as he was trying to not fumble his words from just how good he was feeling.

You were bobbing your head pretty quick, and it didn’t take long before Jacob eventually took a chunk of your hair in his hands and moved you up and down himself. “Take that big fucking dick in that tight fucking throat of yours.” He said as he began thrusting a lot faster, as well as his hips began to quiver a lot more. Only then was it when he stopped abruptly and cum began to leak from the small gaps of your mouth, that he finally let go of your hair.

“Oh my…fucking god, you gotta suck this dick a lot more babe jesus christ.” Jacob heaved as you took yourself off of his cock, cum making its way down your neck slightly. “We always got tonight, or if you want…you can be the one sucking this time.” You smirked while you used your arm to clean the mess that was made off of your body and Jacob was yet again lost in thought knowing the last night spent together at camp at least will be the most remembered for both him and you.

a/n: I finished this at like 3:20AM so if any of the last bits sound weird m so sorry ;-;

[crazycatsiren]

This is something that's been on my mind lately. I couldn't stop thinking about it, so I'm going to just write it out.

This is not an attack on anyone, nor is this about anyone in particular, I promise. This is just me, talking about my feelings, on my blog, like the feely person that I am.

I have been asked before, in good faith, by white witches who want to know what they should do when they think they spot cultural appropriation in the witch community.

My honest thought on this, truly, might surprise you here: you can just do nothing.

I mean this. You can just ignore it, walk away, and don't give it any of your attention. Because guess what? It's going to happen. It's always going to be a problem. This is not something that's going to go away anytime soon. It's been happening since I started practicing witchcraft a decade plus ago, and it's probably going to continue happening after my lifetime. You alone are not going to fix it. All of us on here together won't be able to fix it. It's more than the scope of our powers. At least for the time being.

And I'd rather you not do anything than make a call out on an innocent mistake, or on something that's not even a problem.

Because I know I have seen too many people, young/beginner witches especially, attacked needlessly and unnecessarily. And 9 out of 10, it's either they haven't actually done anything wrong, or that they genuinely don't know better.

I know you might be trying to help. But in this case, you're not helping. You're not helping by making a beginner feel stupid. You're certainly not helping by butting into territories that you, in fact, have no business in.

And I hate to be the one to have to say this: you, another white witch, are very likely to not know any better either. You don't have any room to assert your authority on this matter.

If it's someone who's worth helping and educating? A young/new witch who's really trying to learn? Who's open to being informed? Bring them to our attention. Point them in the direction of the witches of color. Link our blogs, @ our usernames, reblog and ask for us to come in and do the talking. At least one of us is bound to have the information on a particular practice. And if we don't know the answers, we know whom to ask, and where to find them. My point is: don't just speak for us. If you're not a witch of color, then please don't try to represent the witches of color. Don't try to be a spokesperson for any group you're not a part of. And don't simply assume it must be a closed practice just because it was invented by and/or is closely associated with an ethnic minority group of people.

At the end of the day, the best thing you can do to "help", for a start, is by giving us the chance to speak, to have our voices heard. And you won't be doing that, if yours is the loudest voice in the room doing all the talking.

[clowniconography]

Someone told me that there were 2 satanic temples and one of them was kind of wack but the other was cool

omg thank you for giving me an excuse to talk about this!! also sorry in advance for the long ass two part explanation but satanism is definitely becoming a new hyperfixation for me and you asked for it soooo (TL;DR at the end for your reading leisure).

ok so the two most well known satanic organizations are the satanic temple and the church of satan and most likely these r the ones you were told about. like I said I actually ended up having to cut this post into two parts because it ended up being so long so here's part one:

1.) the satanic temple

the satanic temple was founded in 2012 by lucien greaves and another guy who doesn't matter (jk his name is malcolm jarry and he's actually a musician but he's not really associated with the temple anymore) and they're probably the "cool" church out of the two. this is the one that's always doing all that cool pro-choice and pro separation of church and state activism you're always hearing about, as well as famously performing a pink mass to posthumously turn the dead mother of the founder of the westboro baptist church into a lesbian for eternity. While in general I agree with a lot of the positions that the satanic temple holds, and i think their activism and the way they intentionally try to make fundies mad is very cool, i have a few issues with them.

first of all, they are basically an athiest activist group in a satanist hat. They espouse basically zero spiritual beliefs related to actual satanism and are described on wikipedia as a "nontheistic religion". on their website they generally use a horribly patronising "we're not one of those silly superstitious religions that actually believes in our diety" tone in regards to religion which I honestly find so gross. I understand that they use satanism specifically to draw attention to themselves and draw the ire of fundamentalist christians, and as I said I can definitely respect that. however I personally am not an athiest and I think its kind of dumb to do all that just to be a bunch of basic ass athiests who happen to have a shared value system at the end of the day, especially since there are a lot of other very real religions that actually have pro life and anti child abuse messages that are already part of their religious teachings. So, i'm not necessarily going to get mad at anyone for being a member of this particular satanist group but i'm not a big fan.

my second issue is named lucien greaves. he's the one of the two founders who's the most publicly associated with the temple and acts as its spokesperson. he is a very controversial figure. I don't really have much else to elaborate on except that I just kind of think he's a dick. I already hinted at this a little bit in this post but the fact that the satanic temple was founded so recently by someone I like so little means that I, personally, can't in good faith separate the ideology of the temple from greaves' own shittiness (for example, based on the way he talks in interviews im pretty sure a lot of the anti-spiritualism sentiment comes from him). remember the pink mass I mentioned earlier? well, if you clicked that link you'd know that during the ceremony (which otherwise included two same-sex couples kissing over the grave which is fine and harmless obviously) greaves took out his penis and laid it on top of the gravestone???????? Pretty much every article and video i've seen mention this part has treated it like a funny haha moment but to me it comes off as......incredibly unnecessary and disrespectful overkill. So, yeah, I don't like him much, but once again I don't really fault anyone who decides to support the temple for activism reasons.

[palaugranetes]

🔵BLAUGRANETS🔴

11 January 2021

Ansu: Y'ALL I GOT IT!!!!

Ansu: All this time it was in front of us and it just blew by us like that!!!

Ansu: IT WAS LITERALLY RIGHT THERE!

Ansu: So simple!

Ansu: SO DUMB OF US!

Sergiño: SPIT IT OUT ALREADY!!!!

Ansu: Woah..

Ansu: Where is all this hostility coming from!

Ansu: Very caught off guard bro

Sergiño: You were rambling!!

Sergiño: Get to the point please.

Ansu: well since you said please, sure

Ansu: It was actually directed towards the dumbasses under threat but sure.

Pedri: Get to it faster.

Arnau: Ansumane please just say it

Ansu: Full name.....

Pedri: ANSU!!!

Ansu: Right.. shit sorry

........

Oscar: Bro really???

........

Ansu: Shit! Sorry I was distracted by my little bro playing FIFA 😂😅

Pedri: 🤦���‍♂️

Ansu: Anyways.. @Riqui @Carlitos @JC @Dembz Has anyone of you considered gathering and going as a group to apologize to him face to face?

Ansu: Idk for what.. let's just say for existing. Maybe as a collective he would have mercy on your heart and just spare you.

Riqui: That?... That's your idea?!

Ansu: ya

Riqui: Go back to playing FIFA with your bro.

Pedri: Hate to tell you dude, this idea is bad

Carlitos: It sucks.

JC: I've had better ideas

Dembz: And that is saying something

JC: 😒

Riqui: Basically you are sending me and Ous to apologize to the big tree

Ronald: 😂😂😂😂

Dembz: Hey now

Oscar: I cannot wait to see that

Ansu: How would that be a problem?

Carlitos: You realize Ricard is 3 feet tall and Ous would snap like a twig?

Carlitos: No offense

Riqui: Gee.. thanks

Dembz: 🖕🏿

Carlitos: Nonetheless @Ansu It is a horrible idea.

Ansu: Well excuse me again for trying to help you losers out of this mess.

Ansu: Good luck with surviving the shit. Especally you @Carlitos

Ansu: Especally*

Ansu: ESPECUAKLY*

Ansu: oh fuck this shit particularly you Curly

Oscar: but that worked

Riqui: Anyways, gonna continue packing.

Francisco: You tried my guy @Ansu

Ansu: Ah forget it. They are on their own.

Francisco: 🤷🏻‍♂️

12 January 2021

Arnau: Is it true?

Iñaki: What is?

Arnau: Leo has some problems

Iñaki: kinda we don't know yet

Arnau: *STRESS*

Iñaki: 😐 @Ronald and @Sergiño as well

Arnau: *STRESS INTENSIFIES*

Arnau: Oh! How does it feel to be free?

Iñaki: Unreal.

Iñaki: like I truly don't believe for a second I am

Arnau: you are

Iñaki: Then why do I feel like a brick is gonna hit me in the head out of the blue

Arnau: Cause your brain needs to relax.. meditate, listen to some self-soothing tapes, hell sleep

Iñaki: I can't.. we have training in a bit.

Arnau: Ah well.. have fun

Iñaki: yeah.. thanks

........

Oscar: HEY GUYS! JUST A HEADSUP.. A few people are gonna join us in a tad.

Oscar: Since we have our match tomorrow and the ladies have theirs as well.. I thought we'd send them some supportive messages.

Oscar: You know with them being stuck in Madrid like that and then getting back home and then off to Almeria again in such a short amount of time.

Arnau: cool idea!!

Francisco: 👏🏻👏🏻

Ansu: That is actually so sweet

Ansu: And so well deserved

Oscar: Yeah so Riqui is going to add them in a bit.

Riqui: SO NO SHITHOUSERY!!

Riqui: I MEAN IT!

JC: Yes dad.

Riqui:🖕🏻

Dembz:

Riqui added Alexia, Aitana, Melanie, Asisat, Jenni, Sandra, Caroline, Mapi, Leila, Lieke, Mariona, Marta, Kheira, Ana, Andrea, Andrea, Gemma, Gio, Meri

Riqui: WELCOME LADIES!

Riqui: I know you are wondering what you are doing in this thing we have. We know this week has been very unusual and honestly unnecessary for you all but we just wanted to tell you we wish you the best of luck tomorrow.

Oscar: Molta Sort cracks!!

Oscar: And sorry for you have been through this week.

Arnau: 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻 kick ass as you always do tomorrow!

Pedri: Best of Luck out there ladies. 🙌🏻👏🏻💪🏻💙❤ Força Barça!

Francisco: Good luck to all of you! 💙❤

Ronald: 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 All the best!!

Carlitos: Molta Sort Cracks!! 💙❤ Som-Hi!!

Alexia: Oh my God.. You weren't kidding @Riqui

Asisat: 🤙🏿🤙🏿🤙🏿🤙🏿🤙🏿🤙🏿🤙🏿 Thanks my dudes!!

Asisat: Appreciate it! 💙❤

Ansu: Best of luck tomorrow cracks!!! 💪🏿💪🏿💪🏿💪🏿💙❤

Asisat: Thanks my boy! 💙❤💪🏿 Get better soon we miss you out there!

Ansu: 🙏🏿💙❤ Thank you!!

Ana: Thank you so much guys!!

Aitana: You were right @Alexia ... I owe you dinner

Alexia: 😏😏

Jenni: All I know is I am getting a free dinner eitherway🙌🏻😏

Patri: 😂😂😂

Sergiño: Best of Luck tomorrow ladies👏🏼💪🏽👏🏼💙❤

Dembz: Bonne chance à toutes!!! 💙❤

JC: 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 Bonne chance!!💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽

Jenni: And thank you so much guys!!

Leila: 🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻 Thanks guys💙❤

Iñaki: All the best cracks!! You got this! 💪🏻🙌🏻👏🏻

Sandra: Thank you guys! This was a lovely surprise! I thought we were being pranked😅

Melanie: Força Barça!! 💙❤🙏🏻🙏🏻 thank you for this!

Frenkie: All the best ladies!! 💪🏻❤💙💪🏻

Marta: This means a lot guys thank you! Good luck to you guys as well!!!💙❤

Asisat: Okay.. I'm gonna split! Thanks again guys but my phone is blowing up😂😂 Best of luck to you guys as well! 💙❤ Força Barça!

Dembz: 💙❤

Asisat Left

Kheira: Merci les gars!!! C'est très gentil de votre part!! 💙❤

JC: 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽💙❤

Melanie: Thank you guys again 💙❤ Good luck to all of you.✌🏻✌🏻

Melanie Left

Lieke: ❤💙❤💙❤💙 Thank you! This truly was a very lovely gesture. Good luck to you guys as well. See you guys! @Frenkie say hi to Mikky for me 🧡

Frenkie: Will do 🧡

Lieke Left

Marta: I'm gonna go too.. Thanks again you guys

Marta Left

Riqui: How was playing at the Camp Nou.

Carlitos: You girls certainly did it justice!

Riqui: I'll say!

Caroline: It was a dream!!

Caroline: Hey!!! Thank you for the messages guys! They mean a lot.

Alexia: I still can't believe we did it.

Arnau: And you should do it again

Mapi: That is what I keep saying!

Oscar: You definitely deserve it.

Riqui: Imo you should have played there way before. Especially with an audience.

Ronald: Veeeery true.

Pedri: sighs.. hopefully it happens

Mariona: 💙❤ Thank you guys!! This is truly wonderful. 🙏🏻

Gio: ❤ how delightful you guys! Thank you

Meri: Oscar! Ari told me that you were planning on doing this😅 thought she was pulling my leg

Gio: Same!!🤣

Oscar: 😂

Meri: But thank you guys!!💙❤ I gotta go though. ✌🏻✌🏻

Meri left

Patri: I think we all should. I don't trust you guys to stay quiet😂

Leila: 🤣 We should yeah.. training!

Patri Left

Leila Left

Gio Left

Andrea: Hey!! Sorry guys! I gotta run. Thank you so much for this gesture! It is truly sweet of you! 💙❤ Good luck! 🙋🏻‍♀️

Andrea Left

Mariona: What a lovely surprise! Thank you boys!💙❤

Mariona: Best of luck to you as well!

Mariona: I would have liked to stay but I can't. Sorry to leave in a hurry..💙❤🙏🏻

Mariona Left

Carlitos: So what do you think of our season so far ladies? 🙄

Aitana: You guys are doing great!!

Riqui: I can sense the sarcasm all the way over to Cordoba.

Alexia: This is not it guys not it.

Jenni: So bad..

Ronald: Ouch

Jenni: He asked!

Carlitos: Could have at least let it slide easily.

Sandra: No she is right. Y'all need to get your shit together.

Oscar: We do

Caroline: And you need to figure out a way to get back to the team we all love

Pedri: We do

Andrea: Hi guys!! THANK YOU! ❤💙❤💙

Andrea: Bye guys! Good luck!!

Andrea Left

Mapi: And what is that defending!

Sergiño: 🙄🙄🙄

Oscar: I mean

Mapi: Be better

Ronald: We are trying!

Mapi: You guys are... What about the rest

Frenkie: We will be.

Alexia: Good.

Jenni: I would like to enjoy a match every once in a while

Sandra: And poor Marc! Have mercy on him!

Riqui: We would voice your concerns to the guys.. but they don't know this exists

Aitana: 😂😂😂

Mapi: Oh brother🤣

Arnau: Adult free space

Arnau: Or so I was told

Ansu: 😂 it is

Aitana: Right...

Sandra: On that note ✌🏻💙❤

Mapi: Yep.. me too. Thanks guys💙❤

Sandra Left

Mapi Left

Alexia: Well this has been fun. And someone owes me dinner now😏 so thanks guys ✌🏻 Ciao

Aitana: 🙄 yeah yeah. Bye guys!! This was lovely 💙❤

Jenni: BE BETTER PLEASE!!

Iñaki: We hope

Alexia: PLEASE

Aitana Left

Alexia: Okay bye.

Alexia Left

............

Ana: ❤💙✌🏻 Ciao friends

Ana Left

Caroline: Good luck tomorrow! I hope you have a good match 💙❤

Riqui: 💙❤

Jenni: ✌🏻✌🏻✌🏻✌🏻✌🏻✌🏻

Jenni Left

Dembz: We won't let you down. Hopefully

Caroline Left

............

Gemma: Uhh.. Hi.

Gemma: Thank you!! 💙❤ Best of luck to you too

Arnau: 💙❤

Gemma: Okay.. See you guys ✌🏻

Gemma Left

Pedri: Well this was fun

JC: They way they roasted y'all's asses though!!!😂🔥

Francisco: We deserved it. I know I do. 😕

Frenkie: We need to do better

Riqui: We do

Carlitos: You do.

Ronald: We gotta

Riqui: Yep

Oscar: 🤷🏼‍♂️

Arnau: Get your shit together tomorrow

Iñaki: Especially since Leo is doubtful

Arnau: *STRESS*

Iñaki: Relax your brain! Meditate, listen to some self-soothing tapes, hell Sleep!

Arnau: Haha ha very funny

Dembz: 😂😂😂😂😂😂

Oscar: it really is

..........

Pedri: So um.. @JC I have a message for you

JC: Oh no

Carlitos: So you are our spokesperson now?

Pedri: I did not ask for this Carles

JC: What's the message

Pedri: ⏩"Basket received. Hope you like mine.. it shall be at your door steps in a few days. PS: Congrats on coming back and playing again after 8 months! Regards, G"

Pedri: That was it.

Riqui: Not ominous at all

Dembz: He knows.. I can feel it.

Carlitos: Leo said he doesn't

Carlitos: I will go with what Leo said.

Riqui: I'm having doubts.

Dembz: HE KNOWS I TELL YOU

Arnau: STOP SCREAMING!!!

[thelucyverse]

Suburbs fic idea - Andromaquynh/2 (1)

Her first welcome committee arrives as Quỳnh is just about to finish moving the furniture in the kitchen where it belongs. Next would be the living room, but in the middle of it is still an antique wardrobe that is meant for her upstairs bedroom, and it is too bulky and heavy for her to carry up the stairs on her own. The previous owners had left it behind, and Quỳnh loves the sight of the dark hardwood doors already, but she'll need help to relocate it - well, if anything that's a good reason for her to be friendly to the neighbours. She's sure at least one of them will be willing and able to help. One already offered, even, when she was carrying things inside from the xxtruck- she had declined xxly, not wanting anyone to mess up her things, or spill the contents of a more dangerous carton. For the wardrobe, though... Well, it will have to wait now.

For the moment, she sits down on the kitchen counter with a bottle of cold lemonade - getting her minufridge running first thing had been the best idea she ever had - and enjoys a moment of peace.

It doesn't last long.

The doorbell rings, and with a sigh Quynh hops down from the counter, careful not to spill any of the lemonade. She briefly contemplates putting on something prettier to wear, one of her blazers perhaps or some jewellery to make a good first impression, but then she just makes her way to the front door. Whoever is there has no doubt already seen her move things all morning, even if it isn't the man who offered to help or the woman who had xxwaved from the window.

It is the woman from the house opposite hers, after all - Celeste, she says to call her, the "inofficial spokesperson of the street, though not so inofficial anymore after they tried to have me elected during the last garden party", as she introduces herself.

"Well, it's wonderful to meet you, Celeste," Quỳnh tells her with a bright smile and takes her hand. "My name is Ngô Thanh Quỳnh, please call my Quỳnh as it is my given name.

"Nice to meet you, Quỳnh," Celeste smiles, and then she slides her bag from her shoulder and pulls out a large box of salad. "I wasn't sure whether you had anything to eat, it must be a hassle going grocery shopping on top of moving, so... I hope you don't have any allergies? I figured a salad was safest either way..."

"It's wonderful, thank you," Quỳnh smiles, accepting the salad. "The only allergy I'm aware of is to walnuts, so as long as there aren't any of those in there..."

Celeste laughs. "No, there aren't! Although you should be careful at the Freemans' parties then, they have a wonderful big walnut tree, and Mrs. Freeman tends to put them in everything. She lives there in the house next to her daughter's, who moved here first and bought her neighbour's house for her mother when- well, you'll meet them both soon enough, Nile and her wife Jay are about our age."

"I'm sure I will," Quỳnh smiles. "Now, I best put this in the fridge... Do you want to come in?"

"If you don't mind?"

~~~

"Is that you?" Celeste asks, pointing to the large photo print on canvas leaning against the wall, showing two women embracing in the desert.

"No, a photographer friend of mine gave it to me," Quỳnh replies, thinking back to Lykon and his side hustle of smuggling documents with a smile. "Well, an acquaintance, really- though I guess he counts as a friend by your definition. I just like the picture."

"By my definition?"

"I would just use the word acquaintance instead, you see? But I've found that Americans say 'friend' much more often than I am used to, I just say it for what you might call best friends, everyone else I call friendly acquaintances."

"Ah," Celeste smiles, then tilts her head. "Do neighbors fall into the category of acquaintances?"

Quỳnh shrugs.

"Friendships can happen there too, of course, but honestly I'd take even longer to switch the terms there - you're neighbors first and foremost, you have to live in the same area, that's a category all on its own, isn't it? But maybe we can be friends in the future." she says it with a twinkle in her eyes to make sure Celeste won't be offended.

"Just maybe?" Celeste replies with a smile in turn.

"Well, I barely know you, I don't know whether maybe you're all bigots or something around here," Quỳnh replies with a grin to soften the blow. "I don't know you very well yet, after all- though from what you told me about the other neighbours earlier, I at least won't have to worry about too extreme homophobia, if a lesbian marriage is tolerated?"

"Oh, don't worry about that! We're an inclusive bunch, or trying to be. You won't have to worry about racism, or-" she nods at the photograph, "it's not just you Nile and Jay, either- I might be married to a man, but I'm bisexual, and we have a bunch of gay men as well... I suppose once an inclusive community like this exists, it attracts more of the same! We also have people of several different religions, So, you don't have to worry about that either, being a witch-"

"I'm not a witch," Quỳnh replies, a little perplexed.

"Oh, I just saw the crystals on the mantle, and the pentagram on your shirt... Sorry, I shouldn't have assumed," Celeste explains.

"Oh, this is a band shirt! And for the crystals, I just think they're pretty, no idea about any healing powers. I'm a bit of a magpie, if anything, a hoarder of shiny things..."

"Oh, you'll have to meet Booker then! He's an accountant, but he learned to do jewellery for his late wife, and he still does a lot of it now in his freetime- his neighbor and best friend Nicky is also gay by the way - not that I think you have to be best friends with all the gay people, of course! Just that well, you're here alone... And as far as I'm aware, he knows everyone in the gay community, he might be able to introduce you to some ladies in nearby neighborhoods, I don't think Nile or Jay would be much help there, they mostly stick to themselves."

"Oh, I'm not really looking to date anyone right now," Quỳnh replies a little awkwardly. "Not that I'd not like a girlfriend, but I need too much alone time for most people to handle, especially I think those in the suburbs aren't usually looking for a casual relationship like that, where the end goal isn't to move in together and constantly hang out..."

As she says this, Quỳnh notices a certain... /glint/ in Celeste's eyes. What - does the other woman want to prove her wrong? Well, if she wants to meddle, thinking she has someone in the area that might be interested in Quỳnh's way of life, that doesn't mean Quỳnh will have to act on it. And if maybe, just maybe... No, she shouldn't hope for a relationship on a hunch of someone maybe wanting to play matchmaker. She not just doesn't enjoy being around people 24/7, she also has a lot of secrets to keep, and she doesn't really plan to live here permanently, either.

"You're not much of a people person?" Celeste slightly changes the topic. "You seemed so extroverted just now."

"No, I do need my me time," (true), "So I guess you could say I'm not much of a 'people person'" (at least, she never learned to hang out with normal people), "...but I'm sure we will all get on fine. - I hope you don't mind if I don't always join all activities, it wouldn't be anything against you, I just don't always have the energy for that kind of thing." she much prefers the anonymity of the city for the same reason, where she can go out and meet someone when she feels like it, and stay in and ignore the world otherwise. If anyone asks, she'll say that she's a bit burned out and got recommended a small town to relax - what they don't need to know is that she is indeed quite burnt out from assassin's jobs, that she wanted to do one more big hit to get enough money to quit, but the job was so nasty, she instead killed her employer, a gang leader, and stole his money and organization paperwork instead of doing the assigned job - and is now lying low in case the rest of that organization is now looking for her. Same result, really, except she would have preferred to spend her retirement somewhere other than a suburban picket fence house.

"Alright... I guess maybe we should leave early then, leave you some energy to meet the rest?" Celeste asks.

"No, no, don't mind me, I can survive a day of welcomes, I just meant in general, for the future... Wait, is really everyone going to come today?" (goodness, those people are insane, they consider stopping someone from fixing their house for an entire day a friendly welcoming? Sounds more like slow psychological torture)

"I can text and ask whether some can come tomorrow or the weekend, if you'd like? Not that we have, like, a neighborhood groupchat, just several inofficial friendgroup chats, all friends here - well. By the american definition, I suppose, but most of us do meet up from time to time for more than just neighborhood friendlyness." Celeste offers.

"No, no, it's fine," (at least it will all be over quickly then), "and do you know anyone who could help me carry the old wardrobe upstairs? It's still standing in the living room now"

"Sure! Nile might be strong enough, or Nicky maybe, or if we try it in a group?"

"Sounds wonderful," Quỳnh replies, mentally going through the damage created by several people she doesn't trust carrying a large wardrobe up the stairs. Does she have any paint in case they hit the wall in places? She just hopes the wardrobe itself will survive. "I'm sure we'll all get on wonderful, if they're as nice as you are!" she adds with he bicest honeypot charm smile, mentally sending Now Please Go Away I Still Have So Many Things To Do.

[worryinglyinnocent]

Fic: A Jungle Fairy Tale

AU-gust Day Thirty: Magic AU Fandom: Once Upon A Time/Lost Pairing: Rumpelstiltskin x Claire Littleton

Rated: T

Summary: The survivors of Oceanic 815 discover that they are not alone on the island, and that its native inhabitants are… odd, to say the least.

Note: I’m not quite sure how much this counts as a magic AU since OUAT is in its nature a magical canon universe and Lost certainly has some supernatural and fantasy elements. But this idea’s been floating around in my mind for a couple of years now, so I thought I might as well dust it off here.

A Jungle Fairy Tale

The survivors of Oceanic 815 first realised that they were definitely not alone on the island on their first night, listening to the roar of something pounding through the jungle and seeing the trees shaking. Luckily, whatever it was decided that it was going to go in the opposite direction to the beach, and they never got a glimpse of whatever strange creature could have caused so much noise and destruction.

They first met the other inhabitants of the island the following afternoon. Claire hadn’t realised that anything had happened until she heard a commotion at the treeline at the edge of the beach, and everyone racing over in that direction. Carrying the extra weight as she was, it took her a while longer than everyone else to get over there and see what all the fuss was about, and she was very tempted to just stay exactly where she was and let someone else report back. Still, from all the raised voices, it sounded like something important was happening, so she heaved herself off the sand and made her way across to the source of all the excitement.

She had to double take when she saw it.

There was a man sitting casually in the upper branches of one of the trees, calmly gazing down at the gathered survivors. At least, Claire had to assume that he was a man. His skin was a greenish grey colour with a slight sparkling sheen to it, as if he was coated in a layer of gold dust, and his eyes were wide and an unnaturally yellow-grey. He seemed completely at ease in the tree and not at all worried by the fact that Sayid was holding the axe he’d been using to chop firewood, and Sawyer was pointing the marshal’s gun at him. In fact, when he saw the gun, he just tutted, waggling one clawed finger at Sawyer.

“Honestly. Humans. Always the same since the dawn of time. You accidentally find somewhere new and immediately start pointing weapons at the locals.” He tsked again. “It’s really not a good first impression, dearie.”

“Who the hell are you?” Sawyer asked. His brow was furrowed as if he couldn’t quite believe the evidence of his own eyes, and it appeared to be a common sentiment among all the people gathered under the tree.

“Ah, names have power, dearie, but since it looks like we’re all going to have to get along until your rescue arrives, if it arrives, I will be charitable for now. You may call me Rumpelstiltskin. Welcome to my home. Please put the gun down or I may be forced to do something drastic, and believe me, I do not require firearms to do it.”

“Rumpelstiltskin?” Beside Claire, Shannon scoffed. “As in that little imp from the fairy tales who steals babies?”

Claire looked down at her belly, worried for the first time since she’d seen the strange man.

“I did not steal them!” Rumpelstiltskin leaned at little further out of the tree, ignoring Sayid and Sawyer, and pointed an accusatory finger at Shannon. He seemed more enraged about her comment than he had done about being threatened in the first place. “I received them in fair deals that mothers then cried foul on because they didn’t understand what they were getting into, so eager were they for the untold riches I could provide!”

Shannon threw her hands up in defence and took a couple of steps back. “Ok…”

“Sawyer, maybe you ought to put the gun down.” Jack, as ever the voice of reason, came forward to the front of the group.

“Are you crazy, Doc?” Sawyer jabbed a finger towards Rumpelstiltskin. “Because he definitely is!”

“I am.” Rumpelstiltskin nodded calmly. “Spend a few years here with only Mal for company and you’ll all be a little…” He swirled a finger next to his temple. “Which is why we need to get you off this island as soon as possible. Can’t have you going bananas. The only bananas we want here are the kind that grow in the trees.”

“How long have you been here?” Sayid had since put down the axe and was looking at Rumpelstiltskin with more curiosity than fear.

Rumpelstiltskin counted on his fingers, holding up three.

“Three years?”

“No.” He seemed a little offended by the suggestion. “Three centuries, dearie.”

“All right, we’ve got a crazy guy who looks like someone had an intimate encounter with a crocodile and who is apparently over three hundred years old.” Sawyer shook his head in disbelief. “I’m not the only one hearing this, right?”

There was a general murmur of consensus among the survivors and Sawyer finally lowered the gun.

“All right. I’ll play along. How do you propose we get off this island, then?”

“Well, if I knew how to get off, don’t you think I would have done it two-hundred and ninety-nine odd years ago?” Rumpelstiltskin gave Sawyer a butter-wouldn’t-melt smile. “Still, there’s what, fifty of you, and there’s only been me and Mal for so long, so I’m sure that fifty heads are better than two. Although, having seen some of you, I’m not so sure.”

“Hey!”

“Sawyer, leave it.” Jack stepped forward, unofficial spokesperson for the group. “Is there anyone else on the island?”

“Apart from me and Mal? I think there’s a man in a bunker somewhere, but he might have blown his brains out by now.”

“What about that thing in the jungle last night?” Kate asked. “It was loud enough; you must have heard it.”

“Oh, that’s Mal, no need to worry about her. She doesn’t realise how big she is sometimes.” Rumpelstiltskin waved the concern away airily.

“How big is she?”

“Well, she’s a dragon, dearie, so she’s rather large at times.”

“A dragon? Ok, that’s it, this is just ridiculous now.” Sawyer threw his hands up in defeat and left the group, taking with him a great deal of the tension. Although Rumpelstiltskin had seemed at ease before, he visibly relaxed now that Sawyer was gone.

“What do you mean, ‘rather large at times’?”

Claire couldn’t help thinking that Kate was focussing on the wrong things here, but since they’d already accepted the existence of Rumpelstiltskin, they might as well accept the existence of a dragon as well.

“She’s not in her dragon shape all the time, obviously.”

There was silence for a moment, until Rumpelstiltskin suddenly clapped his hands together, startling the gathered survivors.

“Well, that was a lovely introduction. You know me, I know you, welcome to the magical island where, yes, dragons do exist. Please think twice before pointing weapons in my direction and please don’t worry about Mal, she’s harmless. I’m sure our paths will cross again before you leave, please pick up all litter, please be aware that those little orange berries are extremely poisonous, and otherwise make yourselves at home but don’t abuse our hospitality.”

He raised one hand, about to snap his fingers, but then he paused, cocking his head on one side and staring straight at Claire. She took a step back under the force of his gaze, and Shannon and Kate stepped in closer to her protectively.

“Are you sure you should have been flying, dearie?” he asked softly. “You look about ready to drop.”

“I…” Claire put her hands on her belly. “The doctor said it was fine,” she said.

“Well, just keep him safe in there, all right?”

With that, he vanished in a fingersnap, as if he’d never been there at all, leaving the survivors all looking at each other, trying to work out if that had really just happened or if they’d all had a mass hallucination.

With impeccable timing, Claire felt a little kick against her palm, and she gasped.

“Claire? You ok, hun?”

She nodded. “He moved. First time since the crash.”

She didn’t know why she suddenly thought he was a boy. Maybe because Rumpelstiltskin had seemed so sure. All the same, he was now definitely a boy in her mind. She looked back up at the tree branch where Rumpelstiltskin had sat. She’d been unnerved when he’d taken a sudden interest in her, but she hadn’t been scared. He’d seemed genuinely concerned for her and the baby.

Claire shook herself and moved away with the dissipating crowd.

Only time would tell.

X

The next few days passed mostly without incident, and Claire was almost beginning to think that she had dreamed the encounter with Rumpelstiltskin, if it wasn’t for everyone casting wary glances at the tree line now and again.

It was night-time when she saw him again. Sayid and Jack were keeping watch by the bonfire, and Claire couldn’t sleep. Now that Baby had started moving again, it felt like he was moving all the time. Especially whenever she was trying to get some rest. There was no use in even attempting to sleep yet, so she sat up in her little tent, looking around.

He was standing under the tree they’d first seen him in, watching the camp. There was nothing nefarious in his gaze. If anything, it was protective, fatherly. She wondered if he’d kept watch over them before and they just hadn’t noticed.

Presently there was a little rustle in the trees, and someone joined him, a woman with the tips of horns peeping out of her mess of curly blonde hair. She must have been the mysterious Mal. At least they hadn’t had any dragon-related incidents since that first night.

Claire watched them for a few minutes, until Rumpelstiltskin looked straight at her and waved. She ducked back inside her tent in embarrassment, before curiosity overcame her and she stepped out, picking her way across the sand towards them.

“Hello again, dearie. How are you and the little one?”

Claire nodded. “All right. He’s keeping me up.”

Mal gave a soft laugh. “Yes, they do. It’s only going to get worse, I’m afraid.”

“Do you have children?”

“I had a daughter.” Mal sighed, and Claire decided that the past tense was enough not to press the point.

“Glad to hear you’re both doing well. Hopefully, you’ll be nice and safe and snug somewhere on terra firma when the time comes.”

“Yeah.” Claire sighed. She hadn’t wanted to resign herself to having the baby on the island yet, but the longer it took for rescue to find them, the more it seemed like she was going to have to do just that. “Hopefully.” She paused, the question that had been hanging at the back of her mind for the last few days now sitting on the tip of her tongue. “Why are you so concerned for me and the baby?” she asked. “I mean, I’m not going to accuse you of wanting to steal him, but…” She sighed. “Did you know I was going to give him up for adoption?”

Rumpelstiltskin shook his head. “I don’t know things. But I suspect them. I have a certain degree of foresight which gives me a certain degree of insight.” He gave a long, heavy sigh, and with that sigh, Claire could well believe that he was over three hundred years old, and the weight of all those centuries was bearing down on him now. “We don’t get new life on this island,” he said. “It’s part of the curse that brought us here. We’re static, and we’re very old. He’s something new.” He nodded towards her belly. “He’s a brand new soul, and as such we will do all we can to protect him.”

There was a fierceness in his words, and in that moment, Claire knew that he meant it, and that he and Mal, for all their strangeness, could be trusted. Whether he would help them off the island or not, she knew that they were at least safe with him.

“You should try and sleep,” Mal said. “You need as much as you can get, even if it’s only a catnap.”

Claire nodded and began to make her way back to her tent. Mal and Rumpelstiltskin were still there in the shadows when she glanced back over her shoulder.

X

“She’s too young for you.”

“Mal, I’m three hundred and fifty-two years old. Everyone is too young for me except you. And we established a couple of centuries ago that we’re good friends, but we definitely do not like each other in that way.”

“You know what I mean.”

They were watching Claire retreating down the beach.

Rumpelstiltskin sighed. “I know. But there’s something about her. She’s their heart, although they don’t know it yet. She’s special, Mal, surely you can see it too.”

“Rumpel, she’s a human who’s about to have a baby and who desperately needs to get off this island and you’re an Immortal who’s been banished here and can’t leave it. It’ll never work. But yes, I will admit that she is lovely. Inside and out.”

“Do you think you could… you know.”

Mal rolled her eyes but nonetheless acquiesced, bringing her hands up to her mouth. Her eyes flashed reptilian gold for a moment as she blew a puff of smoke into her palms, forming it into a ball. Rumpelstiltskin snapped his fingers, encasing the ball in a soft lilac glow.

“Don’t say I never do anything for you.”

“It’s not for me, Mal. It’s for Claire.”

Mal just raised an eyebrow and moved back into the trees away from the survivors’ camp. Rumpelstiltskin snapped his fingers, rematerialising outside Claire’s little tent. She startled when she saw him.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you. This is from me and Mal.” He held out the lilac ball and Claire took it.

“It’s warm. Sorry, that’s stupid, of course you know it’s warm.”

“It’s dragon smoke,” he explained. “It’ll warm and cool as you need it to, and it should ease the pain and make you more comfortable. Like Mal said, you need your sleep.”

Gingerly, Claire put the ball behind her back, almost immediately giving a sigh of relief.

“Oh, that feels great. Thank you so much.”

“You’re welcome.”

He made to vanish away, but Claire’s voice stopped him.

“Wait, Rumpelstiltskin.”

“Yes, Claire?”

“Will you stay a while?”

“If you would like.”

Claire nodded, patting the blanket beside her, and Rumpelstiltskin sat down.

“No one really talks to me,” she said. “It’s like I’m this ticking time bomb waiting to go off. They’re all polite about it, but they’re all thinking the same thing. What happens when the baby’s on the outside?” She sighed. “You’re the only one who seems to see past that and look me in the eye. You’re not worried about what’ll happen when the baby’s here. You’re more concerned with making sure we’re both ok right now.”

Rumpelstiltskin shrugged. “It just makes sense, that’s all.”

They fell into silence for a while.

“Earlier, you said that you and Mal were under a curse that had brought you here.”

“Yes. I wasn’t quite sure you’d believe that.”

“Well, I’ve learned to believe in fairy tale characters and dragons over the last few days, so why not believe in magic and curses too? Hurley thinks he’s cursed, it’s not too far-fetched.”

“Yes, Mal and I are cursed. For my part it was the entirely wrongful baby-stealing reputation. Mal’s is roughly the same, although she did actually steal one; an eye for an eye to replace her own stolen child.” He sighed. “They always went to good homes. For every set of careless parents who dealt their child away to me without realising what they had done and trying to renege on a fair contract, there was another set of parents who would do anything to have a babe of their own – even make a deal with me. It all worked out very well for the little ones in the end, and even despite my current exile, I don’t regret any of it.”

“You just wanted the best for the children.”

Rumpelstiltskin nodded, and Claire smiled.

“Thank you for looking out for mine. Even though you knew I was going to give him up.”

“You were doing what was best for him. If you didn’t think that you would be able to care for him, then making a deal to give him up to someone who could was the right thing to do. That’s not something to be ashamed of. It shows more sense and maturity than most of the people I dealt with.”

“I don’t know what I’m going to do now if I can’t get off the island. I never thought I’d actually be a mother.”

“You have more help than you know. Everyone will band together for you, as much as they might be avoiding you now. Responsibility, once it’s there, will change things. And you know that you can always call on me and Mal if you need us. We’ve lived here for so long and gone so mad that we really don’t want it to happen to anyone else, so we’ll do what we can to help.”

“Thank you.” She reached across, taking Rumpelstiltskin’s hand and squeezing. He startled for a moment before squeezing back tentatively.

“You know, I’m looking out for you, too,” he said eventually. “Not just the little one. You’re a remarkable person in your own right, you know.”

Claire looked away, her cheeks colouring in the firelight.

“Thank you.”

“I’ll leave you to get some rest now. But just call if you need me. Names have power, after all.”

Claire nodded.

“Rumpelstiltskin?”

“Yes?”

“Thank you for everything.”

She leaned in and pressed a kiss to his cheek before lying down again and readjusting the ball of smoke behind her back; within a minute she was sleeping peacefully.

Rumpelstiltskin vanished back to his home in the trees, touching the place on his cheek where Claire had kissed him. Let Mal be cynical. He wouldn’t have got this far and survived this long without hope, and he was going to keep that hope till the end.

X

The ball of dragon smoke was still just the right temperature when Claire woke, and she smiled, stowing it in her luggage for when she next needed it. She cast her mind back over the previous night, and her discussion with Rumpelstiltskin. As strange as it seemed to be developing feelings for the man, she couldn’t deny that the feelings were definitely developing. It would be strange, of course it would – she was human and he was whatever he was, and he was cursed to spend his eternity on this island whereas she was very much determined to get off it.

But that didn’t mean that she couldn’t have hope that maybe something more could come of their tentative friendship, after all.

[a-political-wingnut]

Label me Human Part 2

These are my labels:

feminist

asexual

female

student

sister

daughter

cousin

millennial

student

sales associate

I have these labels. These are little clues I help others navigate around me, and likewise they can help me navigate the world...I can use them to find a group of in my area of study to talk with, or if I’m feeling upset about the housing market-I can go vent at my peers.

In this manner, as traffic signs or a sort of gps, these labels are helpful, but I am not defined by them.

They are not the sum of my parts, but pieces of a greater whole.

And this true of all these labels. Labels that we give ourselves, bestow on others, or have bestowed on us by our peers can and never will give a complete picture.

I am defined not by a list of words, but by my ideas, my words, and most importantly my actions, and the choices that I make with the time that is given to me.

This is true of everyone I think. [citation needed]

We are more than mere labels. At least I hope we are, because these labels while useful can also be detrimental. I’ve already covered this, so I wont spend too much time on it. But while these labels can serve as guidelines helping us navigate the messy traffic of life, they can marginalize people and create division within communities that need each other to be allies.

And labels themselves can be warped by perceptions and biases making something once wholesome and maybe even beneficial, toxic and detrimental.

How we behave while touting these labels, is what makes the difference.

The meaning of labels can change. Someone once wholesome and beneficial can be warped by prejudice and biases, until it becomes a twisted and toxic mockery of its former definition.

A prime example of this is feminism. Feminism by it’s very definition is a movement that supports equality for men and women. That’s what the movement actually fights for. However...a lot of people have decided that Feminism should instead be a movement that elevates women above men, as if women are shining beacons of purity or something, which they most certainly are not. As a woman I can confidently say women have the capacity to be terrible people.

Feminism is shifting away a movement that supports equality, and toward a club of misandrists who support and actively try to subjugate men. Which is a horrible thing to do.

Labels can be dangerous. Dangerous people, like irate misandrist can take them as their own, and derail entire movements, completely undermining the benefits those movements might have given.

And because they call themselves Feminists it becomes very hard to call them out on their bigotry because they can turn around go “woah there, I’m a Feminist fighting for the rights of the suppressed,” and becasue of that shield they become untouchable, and their prejudices have become scarily widespread hear on Tumblr and across other media platforms as well.

Misandry is not Feminism. It’s bigotry plain and simple. And Feminism is a movement that supports equality for both men and women. They are not the same thing, but until we stop allowing bigoted, hateful, and ignorant women to call themselves Feminists this will continue to be a problem.

Martin Luther King Jr. Could tell you, that you can’t fight fire with fire. That turning around and treating the misogynists with hatred and disdain, threatening to, if not actively seeking to strip them of their autonomy does nothing but prove that women and Feminists in particular really are monsters.

So thanks ladies. Thanks a bunch.

Thanks for making Women’s Suffrage look like a crock of hooey. Very helpful. And for making men feel like they’re under threat and need to defend themselves, making it harder to convince them to help us, becasue we really do need their help, you know, since they’re a part of society and have an easier time being taken seriously by other men than we women do-since the stereotype of the manipulative woman playing the victim card is still a thing-.. and I can’t imagine why that would be the case when those same poor defenseless victims turn around and start talking about exterminating, subjugating, or enslaving men-like I just can’t imagine why that mentality might persist. So again thank you for making the path to equality so much more difficult. Because it so bloody easy to walk before. Thanks.

And how you behave when you say you’re a feminist or X/Y//Z-or any label matters. It matters a great deal, because in that moment you become a face and a spokesperson for a group of people, and your behaviour is what they’ll remember long after your words have faded. If you support a marginalized group and you’re turning around and trying to marginalize others, you’re doing a disservice to your group.

Another example is Veganism (Yes I’m Vegan too-I did say I’d probably forgotten some labels lol) When Vegans treat animals with more respect than people, there’s a problem. There’s a problem with that individual’s mindset, certainly, but with the group as a whole if people within that community aren’t stepping forward to say, “we don’t support that kind of hatred/behaviour. We recognize that humans are animals too.”

I’m not going to say labels don’t matter. They absolutely do. But how you use them, when/if you use them matters more. There’s nothing wrong with an angry Vegan, or a furious Feminist.

But there is something wrong if that anger is used to spread hatred, bigotry, or violence. A label does not give you rightful claim to any moral high-ground if you start perpetuating bigotry or violence. And the moment you do so, you debase yourself. You lose all credibility and moral integrity.

The moment you start using labels or allow others to use labels to foster hatred and bigotry, you become a part of the problem not the solution.

Thanks Misandrists. Thanks PETA. (Side note: PETA was the reason I hated Vegans. For years. I hated them...until I became one because Caitlin Shoemaker and Unnatural Vegan showed me that not all Vegans are PETA, or endorse PETA.)

There are rational vegans. There are rational Feminists. Every group has their sinners and saints. And now that I’ve gone off about the hypocrites utilizing those moments for malicious gains.

Labels are important. I’ll say it again. But they should not be everything. There’s a time and a place to tell someone you’re a Vegan. There’s a time and a place to say you fall under the LGBTQA umbrella. There are times when those signs need to be made visible for one’s own benefit, and the for the benefit of a group or movement at large.

How one behaves while donning them matters.

But so does there usage. You can’t be non-binary and female at the same time. Being non-binary means you’re neither male or female, and I kid you not I saw this mistake made by someone yesterday. I’m not gonna link this, because I don’t need or want anyone who reads this to go after them. I have a gut feeling it’s a young person too. And I’ve seen the deplorable behaviour of adults on here, so I’ll address it myself.

Labels have clearly defined meanings, and that’s very important. The people who use those labels need those meanings to be as clear and concise as possible. They need those labels, because they are the shortest and simplest way to tell someone what you are or what you stand for.

Like which political party someone belongs to. Democrats and Republicans are not the same. That’s not to say there aren’t people who side with both on certain topics. But when you think Republican there’s a very clear image of a republican that comes to mind. Alt-Right likewise conjures something else. Labels need to be clear cut and as easy to understand as possible.

It’s important that they don’t get used in the wrong way, or that five different labels aren’t being used to mean the same thing. The latter, especially, muddies the water. And there are people in this world who might not what trans means, or what asexual, or non-binary means, and it’s important that labels be used appropriately and in the right context. Because the definition of the labels we use to define ourselves with matters.

And this brings me back to my main point. I sure know how to go a tangent lol. (Seriously. I’m sorry about that, but seeing people using labels to justify bigotry infuriates me like nothing else.)

Labels should not be treated as the whole sum of a person’s parts. It’s not good if they are. People are complicated and their thoughts and behaviors are messy. And I don’t believe anyone should able to stuff to themselves under a small umbrella of  words and acronyms and go: “Yup, that is me.”

I honestly hope that’s not the case. There should be an ‘and’ in  there somewhere. Lots of ‘ands’ all of which put together begin to paint a clear picture of who a person might be.

So these are my labels:

feminist

asexual

female

student

sister

daughter

cousin

millennial

student

sales associate

vegan (this applies to my everyday life and I missed it lmao)

These are facets of a person. Glimpses through a dusty window at the room inside. I am all of these labels, and I am so much more. I am me. I am Squirrel. I am human.

We are all human. And before someone looks at us and sees a straight person, a queer person, or a vegan, they’ll see our face, hear our words, and witness our actions. It is how we interact with our fellow humans that defines us.

[jess-do-it]

(Transcribed w/ Permission from @jessfromonline) Thread: Many people are now out on the streets for the first time. as such, let's talk very basic, everyone should know this, 'this should be general and not sensitive knowledge' protest, action, and street tactics. let's get organized and be effective!

Source: https://mobile.twitter.com/jessfromonline/status/1268620358950649858

(Note: I am not this person, this is a transcript of their twitter thread I made with their permission)

Have a protest buddy. do not go to a protest without a buddy. preferably have a crew. 

if you have a crew, it should still be split into buddies. crews should choose a spoke (spokesperson) who calls movements and communicates with people.

if you have a large crew, you should have a spoke + lieutenants/LTs/whatever you wanna call them. their job is disseminating calls but more importantly, to track the people grouped under them. when shit pops off, it's easy to lose people. LTs watch to see if anyone in their subgroup is missing, and spoke checks for the LTs. a system of accountability. STILL buddy up in subgroups. 

If you've got a good bloc on the ground, you can call 'spokes' to get a spokes council together and make larger decisions about what to do.

Your crew should have a basic, 1-syllable, generic word, that changes at every action, which you can call and each crew member replies with the word. feels dorky but worth it. arrange all this ahead of time. this allows you to quickly count your crew & check no one dropped.

You should have an offsite person, preferably two. Here is a guide for doing offsite.

designate 1-2 comms people. they have phones and retrieve info on cop movements from offsite via signal. on a vpn, burner phone if you can.

ideally no one besides comms should have a phone on them. easier to track. tradeoff: if you lose someone makes it harder to figure out what happened. consider battery-out phones for non-comms people. 

write a number for legal support hotline in your area on body in sharpie

Before a protest, work out with your crew what your risk levels are. you can have different levels but try to avoid buddying across levels. will you brawl with fash? cops? risk arrest? loot? burn? graffiti? dont make those decisions in the moment.

I have no easy advice for what happens if you lose someone. have comms immediately report to off-site who can try to track them down. if you're large you can send an lt+subgroup to look, but they may have just gotten out and left. they could be arrested or with medics. off-site can start checking jails and hospitals for them. see off-site guide for what info you need for this and how to collect. if you have better advice for when people drop unexpectedly, put it in the replies.

Never talk to cops never talk to cops never talk to cops never talk to cops. if you're arrested dont talk. if they approach you during dont talk. you can yell harassment but dont do it once you're arrested. you can sing if you want. group singing in jails keeps spirits up. (Singing is a super spreading activity for covid, pointed out at end of this thread).

If you can, know your local PD. some departments publish whitepapers on their tactics. talk to local protest veterans in your area to learn about what your city's cops do. every area is difference and this can make the different between success or failure.

Use all the gear you got. helmet, goggles, gloves, umbrella, etc. carry water if you can (ONLY ONLY WATER TO FLUSH EYES. ONLY.) you gotta stay hydrated too. generic clothes, packs, etc. if possible. more common the better. Don't carry too heavy but it's really worth it. helmets feel ridiculous? you'll regret not taking it when you take a round to the head.

Consider having handles for your crew. it's a lot better to yell someone's handle than their name when you need their attention. Handles should be short (1-2 syllables) and minimally linked to the person. practice using only a person's handle. let's move on to broader thinking (might jump back if i think of stuff)

Situational awareness. you can practice this all the time but it's v important during an action. What are your exits? have they changed? what are your numbers vs. their's? what's their posture? what's behind, in front, sides? what gear to they have? re-evaluate constantly. i'm going to say it again. exits exits exits. where can your crew go if it gets too hot. if you dont have a clear exit try to move as soon as possible.

Extending on that: police will often try to kettle, aka surround you and trap you in. keep the bloc moving to the cops' weakest side to avoid a kettle. don't be afraid to tell people what to do. they'll thank you if you avoid a kettle. move without em if you have to but dont isolate your crew too much or you're easy to pick off and arrest. Also, be careful: cops may take advantage of this to get you to slowly push farther and farther from your objectives. sometimes you gotta stand your ground. know your numbers and know your strategy. sometimes it's time to stay. a spokes-council might be able to decide. talk about this ahead of time.

Don't yell where the exit is with cops around, but do disseminate it in a crowd. your crew, minimum, must always know.

Keep your crew looking in all directions and regularly switching. dont get snuck up on.

Don't get picked off. cops will arrest 1 person quicker than 10, 50. non-covid times, the advice is to "tighten up!" the bloc, so they cant snatch and grab. YMMV during these times. evaluated based on the situation.

Banners rule for this. theyre not just propaganda. if you have a heavy banner (tarp, etc.) in the front, they can't as easily grab through and arrest. stay behind it if you can. 

Learn to communicate clearly and tersely under pressure. people underestimate this skill. you dont need 'please' or extra words.  Don't chatter. learn to give a 'sitrep' (situational report) in which you report all the info from 16. spokes, ask you LTs for sitreps. give them when new folks arrive.

Back to the individual: if you can't keep up, DON'T GO. hard lesson to learn. as a person with chronic digestive issues, i've fucked this up. if you're incapacitated you're a liability. consider learning to run offsite, or going to less intense actions. know what to expect based on recent police activity, level of risk planned for the action, the capabilities of your crew, etc. i know you might feel obligated to be in the streets but if your crew has to care or slow down for you instead of acting, that's hurting not helping. but try not to let this discourage you from trying if you can. unless you're sure with your health and/or fitness you can't, it is good to try. we need numbers. but dont push yourself when you cant. there's more to the work than the streets.

Dont share unconfirmed info. dont repeat info from people you dont trust. ive seen so many actions where someone thinks they see a cop and then everyone is yelling "cop" and freaked out and scattering and theres no cop. be careful. misinfo is worse than no info.

Some of this is gonna feel ridiculous and tryhard. being good at this takes trying hard. be vulnerable and push your crew to do this. you'll be safer and more effective because you do.

Eat well, plenty of protein rich food the day before. hydrate well day of. physical condition matters for this.

Sometimes you gotta pee. you can pee in an empty bottle, or you can pee on the ground. MANY people wear diapers. this isnt the time for shame. do what you need.

When you gotta do something like pee, change, sometimes even drink, if you're in bloc, you gotta hide. get to the center of the bloc if you can. call 'cover me' or 'flag' (if the crowd has flags) and they'll wrap you. kneel and do what you gotta do.

Some of this advice is for when you have a coherent bloc, but there's been less of those in this round of protests. still, keep it in mind.

If you're in bloc, consider bringing generic clothes to change into in a bag. gym clothes and local team sportwear are great. either do 28 and slip out somewhere under cover, or scatter and hide, and change in your hiding place. bring a bag to put your bag in.

How are you getting in and out? can you pay for public transit in cash (this still means being on cameras, keep your hat down)? can someone drive you in (drop off far, so they cant see plates)? lock up your bike somewhere?

This is counter-intuitive, but unless it's a covert action, where your goal is to get in and out without ever being noticed, keep your ID and a bit of cash in your pocket. ID will get you in and out of jail faster. again: NOT FOR COVERT ACTIONS. and dont drop it.

Try to know your success and failure conditions before your crew goes out. when is it no longer worth it and time to bail? what are you trying to accomplish and how do you know you're doing so? try to create criteria if you can

in large, multi-site protests like we're seeing rn, if all you're doing is occupying cops, you're helping a lot. standoffs mean they arent somewhere else. looting they HAVE to respond to because property > people for cops. small groups can make big differences here.

Share your sitreps with other spokes if you can. if you notice a kettle, tell everybody and try to move everyone. have some chutzpah: you can do it.

DON'T LEAD PEOPLE INTO FENCED IN PARKS OR ENCLOSED ALLEYS PLEASE JUST DON'T PLEASE I'M BEGGING YOU. HAVE MANY EXITS.

Consider carrying print maps of the area. dont mark them with objectives in case they get taken. review maps of the area ahead of time.

We already talked offsite and comms, i won't cover offsite much here, read the guide

Scouts! a good scout team is invaluable. especially bike scouts. get a signal chat and people on bikes in strategic locations reporting movements.

Don’t put everybody in the scouts chat. keep a few offsite people reading the scout chat and relaying in to comms people.

If somebody gets arrested that you're in a chat with, put 'dead the chat' and everybody should immediately leaved. someone should contact the person that killed the chat to find out who got picked up and exclude them from the new chat.

If y'all are super coordinated and have a ton of planning (not happening much right now) consider having a marshal in charge of calling moves for the whole bloc. spokes-council should still be convened and can challenge, but even the spanish anarchists elected military officials. in the field, you need a chain of command to operate quickly and effectively and outcompete cops.

Read this thread. remember, you dont have to be able to go toe-to-toe with cops. you just have to make your group not worth the consequences of dealing with.

Where are you going when the protest/action is done? are you all rallying at one point? have a plan.

Everyone check in with offsite when you get back. you all need to know everyone got home safe, or start checking jails/hospitals.

Offsite should know who is organizing jail support so they can pass that off when needed.

This is all easier if you know folks ahead of time.  show up to your local left orgs. even if it doesn't feel like you're doing a lot yet, those relationships matter.

WHITE PEOPLE: put yourself between police and people of color. they are much less likely to be as brutal with you. this should be established policy in your crew, esp if your crew is (as it ideally should be, if not ask why) multiracial.

WHITE PEOPLE: while Black opinion isnt a monolith & you dont have to regard the scolding of every Black liberal (see thread): if there are Black people/other people of color around and they're not escalating tactics, you shouldnt be unless its agreed. See this thread.

What does your crew and your bloc do if someone is injured? for some blocs, if medics have them, you leave them behind with medics and keep moving. it can be bad to jeopardize and trap the whole bloc for one person who is with medics who they are gonna be with anyway. on the OTHER hand, some blocs reasonably dont want to leave anyone behind and want to stay to cover people with medics (police sometimes respect medic neutrality, sometimes don't.) most important is: KNOW WHICH Y'ALL ARE DOING. DONT WAFFLE BACK & FORTH, DONT SPLIT THE BLOC.

Quick addition cuz it shouldn't be missing: if you're carrying a phone dont have touch ID on your phone, police can legally compel you to activate touch ID but they can't compel a password. also turn off location services and wifi unless you absolutely need them.

diff cops have diff legal options as well! in the middle of old city in philly, there's a federal park with park rangers. if they nab you, it's probably a federal charge, way worse. we're more scared of the rangers lol. know local uniforms if you can.

While we're here, some other extremely useful threads:

buying shit and not getting caught

riot control projectiles

take shifts! i didn't think to include it because it's longer term, but it's vital. we've certainly been dealing with it in philly.

this is a good COVID-19 specific tip. need to be a lot more careful about singing in custody during the pandemic.

having regular check-in times with offsite are a good idea

there's 50 tips for being effective in the street. might come back and add more later. i'm not the 'expert' and YMMV and you can disagree and your city might operate differently. that said:

i can tell you these are learned lessons from years out there & if you use them you'll do a lot, lot better than if you dont. you and your crew will be safer, and youll achieve your objectives more often. ounce of prevention worth a pound of cure. put in the work, and let's win.

---

End transcript. People should take a look at that thread because it is being constantly updated with a lot of good information. Stay safe out there and fight this shit.

Source: https://mobile.twitter.com/jessfromonline/status/1268620358950649858

[southeastasianists]

Shahiran Shahrani’s voice wavers as he describes the serene beauty of Borneo’s tropical rainforests, knowing that he’ll never see them up close again.

‘Despite everything, [Brunei] is a beautiful country,’ Shahiran says, reflecting on the journey he’s been on, culminating with him fleeing his home country of Brunei to seek refuge in Canada.

Speaking to Gay Star News over the phone in early April, Shahiran talked about life in his new home in Vancouver, a city where he says feels safe and secure.

The 40-year-old asylum seeker — who fled Brunei after being charged with sedition — had suddenly found himself in high demand.

Just days before his interview with GSN, it was reported that his home country was pushing through with its implementation of the Sharia Penal Code (SPC), a controversial piece of legislation that specifies brutal punishments for declared offenses such as male homosexual sex, apostasy, and adultery. Brunei, usually ignored by the international press, suddenly found itself at the center of the world’s attention. Shahiran, a gay Bruneian, received an influx of requests for interviews or to appear on news channels.

Freedom of expression is lacking in the country, and many LGBTI Bruneians do not speak openly about their experiences. Being outside of the country, Shahiran and a handful of other LGBTI Bruneians living in self-imposed exile formed the minority who were able to speak freely on the topic of homosexuality in Brunei.

The irony of an exile becoming a de facto spokesperson for the situation at home hasn’t been lost on him. ‘We’re the ones the world press are coming to to ask our opinions,’ he says. ‘So in effect, we’re the ones speaking for Brunei.’

Shahiran lending his voice to commentary on Brunei has not gone unnoticed in his home country, and, in many cases, has not been welcomed. Shahiran remains a divisive figure in Brunei, where many have accused him of using the media as an opportunity to lash out against Brunei’s government and society.

Aside from the predictable threats and curses commonplace on social media, a number of Bruneians have expressed concerns that relying on the voice of a gay Malay man with vested interest in portraying Brunei in a negative light not only loses nuance of a complex matter, but also privileges certain perspectives over other affected groups, such as women, who will also be affected by the harsh penalties of the SPC.

In turn, Shahiran’s response to the online backlash has been far from diplomatic. In an Instagram video, he goads people into more reactions, claiming that the more negativity he courts online, the better it will be for his asylum application in Canada.

It is safe to say that the distance between Shahiran and Brunei is an emotional one, as well as geographic.

‘Feelings of loneliness and isolation are commonplace’

While the implementation of the SPC has focused the world’s attention on the tiny Southeast Asian nation, the law is essentially the latest manifestation of the stigma and marginalization the Bruneian LGBTI community has experienced for decades.

A former colony, Brunei still retains a sodomy law introduced by the British. Although no one has been convicted under that law, its continued existence helps to legitimize prejudice and discrimination. With highly restricted options to organize and advocate for their rights, the LGBTI Bruneian community has been effectively forced underground.

‘Feelings of loneliness and isolation are commonplace [in Brunei],’ says Matthew Woolfe, founder of the LGBTI rights group The Brunei Project. ‘The lack of information and support services available to LGBTI Bruneians is something that The Brunei Project has been concerned about since its formation.’

‘These feelings can really damage their relationships with their friends and families,’ Woolfe adds. ‘In many instances, LGBTI Bruneians are not out to their families and friends or have only confided in a select few that they know they can trust.  They may feel that there is no one they can turn to for advice or to share their feelings.’

This is the world Shahiran grew up in while trying to come to terms with his sexuality. ‘If I really think about it, I first realized I was gay at six-years-old,’ he says. ‘But I was always in denial.’

He says it was only when he went to study abroad that he had a breakthrough. ‘When I was sent to the UK at 17 I still wouldn’t come out to myself. So when I went to Northern Ireland, to Belfast, to [study] medicine, it took like a year or so before I said to myself “You know what? I like guys!”’

Shahiran moved back to Brunei in his late-20s and found work in the health sector. During his 10 years living in the country he had two serious relationships, neither of which lasted.

Unlike heterosexual relationships, same-sex couples in Brunei face high levels of prejudice and social stigma. This necessitated sneaking around and ‘looking over each other’s shoulders’, trying to hide his relationship from the prying eyes of family and neighbors. The pressure became too much for the Shahiran and his boyfriend, who eventually parted ways.

Shahiran’s next (long-distance) relationship with a man in Malaysia did not come with the same scrutiny, but the distance and prolonged periods apart began to take their toll. As a means to intensify their time together, Shahiran and his boyfriend began indulging in harmful behaviors such as drug abuse and chemsex. ‘It was to numb the pain,’ Shahiran says. ‘Because I was very much in love with him, and couldn’t see him much. And then whenever he was around I wanted to enhance that meeting because we would only see each other once a month.’

‘I think Shahiran’s experience is a pretty accurate reflection of the circumstances facing LGBTI in Brunei and their coping mechanisms for dealing with them,’ says Woolfe.

‘When society shuns you for who you love or because of how you identify as a person and your own government goes so far as to implement laws that effectively say that you deserve to be jailed, tortured or killed for those same reasons, how do you deal with that level of hate and how that makes you feel about yourself, especially when you are feeling so isolated and alone? It pushes people to take extreme measures.  

‘I am aware of instances in which this desperation and feelings of loneliness and self-loathing have been major contributors in LGBTI Bruneians turning to illegal substances or attempting suicide.’

Over the years, Shahiran had also built up a small, close-knit group of friends, all of whom were gay. While none expressed their sexualities openly, they became a de-facto support network who could confide in one another, share feelings, and open up in ways they were unable to with to anyone outside of the group.

But everything would soon change.

‘I would’ve been in jail for more than ten years’

One weekend in mid-2017, Shahiran returned to Brunei after a chemsex-filled weekend in Kuala Lumpur. He logged onto Facebook and read news about Brunei’s health ministry announcing that they would be employing staff in all kitchens to ensure food was being prepared in a halal way. The move was rationalized as a way to boost recruitment and ensure food is prepared in accordance with Islamic standards.

Shahiran thought it was ridiculous. He posted a short rant about issues with the move, criticizing the ministry in the process. He then went to sleep; when he woke up, he found that the post had gone viral. It didn’t take long for the authorities to come after him.

Because he had complained about the ministry, state prosecutors claimed that he had posted ‘inflammatory comments’ about the government and their policy and charged him with sedition.

There was more: ‘I was charged with a further three charges under Sharia law,’ he says. ‘If I was found guilty for all of them, including sedition, I would’ve been in jail for more than ten years — over that Facebook post.’

It’s still a sensitive topic for Shahiran to discuss: ‘I never said anything against the Brunei government; I never said anything against the monarchy. I said something against a bloody department that I wasn’t happy about.’

Once slapped with charges, Shahiran’s world began to fall apart.

He says his group of friends steadily began to drop off. He says they ‘didn’t want anything to do’ with him, worrying that the authorities were following him and that they too would come under scrutiny. With the state determined to prosecute, Shahiran’s close friends and support network began to distance themselves from the beleaguered health worker.

‘When I was charged with sedition, all of them didn’t want anything to do with me […] They perceived that I was being followed — this guy, who’s being charged with sedition, obviously the security service is now going to follow him.’

He believes that the stakes were higher because they were a group of queer friends. ‘There’s less of a suspicion of each other among straight friends. They can’t betray each other, really — what is there to betray?

‘At the end, there were only two guys left. Even my best friend from the very very beginning disappeared. He was nowhere to be seen.’

Socially isolated, Shahiran fell into self-harming, usually with toenail clippers that left marks he could pass off as careless, accidental cuts. The stress of his trial meant he began lashing out at those closest to him — including the only friends he had left. He also occasionally began binging on methamphetamines to escape the solitude he found himself in.

‘It all went so fast. Because I didn’t have anyone to talk to. I just went in on myself,’ he says. ‘Losing friends… I didn’t want to think about it. I just wanted to get drugs to forget about it. And when I didn’t have drugs, I was just an annoying person to be around.

‘When I was on meth, I couldn’t give a shit about anyone. Because those binges, they were few and far between, but they would last for a week. And I wouldn’t sleep the whole time.’

Eventually, the pressure and paranoia became too much. He fled Brunei by taking an illegal taxi across the border into Sarawak, a region of Borneo under the Federation of Malaysia. He then flew to Kuala Lumpur and holed up in a hotel room.

After a year and a half of non-stop anxiety mixed with self-destructive behavior, Shahiran thought of taking his own life. ‘It’s really hard to talk about,’ he says. ‘I did try to attempt suicide because I’d just had enough.’

He says that his life was saved by a local drug dealer he knew and a friend from Brunei who came to his aid. The two began looking at countries Shahiran could seek asylum in. ‘[They] both kind of nursed me back to health and put me on the first flight to Vancouver,’ he says. He claimed asylum upon arriving in Canada.

A new life outside of Brunei

Living as an asylum seeker in Canada is a tough life. ‘My living situation is much worse in Vancouver than it was in Brunei,’ Shahiran says. He is barely supporting himself, constantly moving from one accommodation to another, often relying on food banks, and sometimes having to go whole days without eating.

But Shahiran also says that he’s found a happiness and a sense of belonging in his new home which he never experienced in Brunei.

‘I don’t scream at night [in my sleep] like I used to. I don’t wake up in a sweat, scared… Here I don’t bite my fingers until they start bleeding. I’ve never felt the need to start hurting myself, or never felt the desire for everything to end. In Brunei it was almost every fucking day — I was like “I wish this shit would end; I wish I would end.”’

He spends his time volunteering and getting to know the place he now calls home. ‘Here it’s such a diverse community,’ he says. ‘There are so many things to do.’ But despite his online bravado and animosity towards the Bruneian authorities, there’s still a part of Shahiran that continues to yearn for his homeland.

‘There’s nothing more majestic than the natural beauty of the rainforest of Brunei,’ Shahiran says. ‘Because they’re ancient rainforests. They’re among the oldest rainforests in the world […] The beaches are the most beautiful I’ve ever seen in almost all of Asia.’

‘That connection to the land that I have, that I will miss the most,’ he continues, his voice wavering. ‘Because I’ll never see that land again.’

[tisthenightofthewitch]

With Ghost, can the devil’s music finally become a family affair?

Cardinal Copia has a lot to prove. He doesn’t have the blood of a pope, but as the newest bandleader for Satanic rockers Ghost, he’s got youth and “sexual charisma,” according to the clergy. The church needs that: all of Copia’s predecessors are dead. Papas Emeritus I, II and III were assassinated and embalmed earlier this year. The snappy-dressing, jukebox-carrying cardinal’s their only hope.

Until the next album. You can watch the playfully dark succession story unfold on YouTube, used this time to hype Prequelle, Ghost’s fourth LP.

Behind each newly appointed skull-faced preacher is actually the same guy. A fan of history, heavy metal and the 1980s, Tobias Forge is Ghost, the next in a lineage of Grammy-winning rock bands who wear costumes and sing about the devil. Backed by masked musicians called Nameless Ghouls, and the oldest of the fictional popes, the saxophonist Papa Nihil, Ghost makes a tour stop at the Community Center Theater on November 15.

Can the band please the clergy, or at least Sacramentans who grew up on Ozzy Osbourne, Alice Cooper and Judas Priest? Because that’s exactly who this music is for.

Listen to Prequelle’s “Dance Macabre,” an arena rock love anthem sewn as a dark party for the dead, and you’ll see what I mean: It’s a nostalgia trip to that bygone marriage of glam and horror, with reverb-heavy drums, triumphant keys, layered vocal melodies, power-metal riffs and a wanting guitar solo. And similar to bands like Iron Maiden, Ghost pulls from history for contemporary commentary: The song “Rats” retells the Black Plague, so in this case the 14th century. Wonder who they’re calling out?

After a 2015 Grammy win for Best Metal Performance, Ghost is making a name for itself as torchbearers for a classic kind of heavy music. SN&R spoke with the frontman about the apocalypse in Prequelle, creating satanic music that’s inviting to everyone, and Forge’s love for his brother, who died in 2010, on the same day Forge uploaded Ghost’s first EP on Myspace and became an overnight sensation:

Are you a big history buff?

I’m not a historian. I’m interested in history. It’s a lot of ground to cover if you look at it from a worldwide basis, but try me.

There are a lot of historical parallels being drawn right now. To the Cold War. To World War I and II. What’s Prequelle about, and how are you pulling from history here?

The main concept is mortality … Acknowledging the fact that you can persevere so far, but as far we know, you’re likely to succumb to some sort of ending. … And I think from an apocalyptic perspective … that has been preached and prophesized many, many times. Civilizations have come and gone. And new ones arose at the expense of others. … It’s easy to think of humanity as very complicated, but at the end of the day, it’s very simple. We’re not that smart. We move in groups. And we tend to do the same things over and over again.

Are you responding to any recent historical cycles you’ve observed?

Well, politically, in terms of the Cold War, there’s a lot of things … You have a little bit of Watergating here, you have a little bit of the crisis of the mid 1900s going on. We still have huge countries against each other. I’m talking about Russia and America, and me as a European, we’re sort of sitting in between, which is not very different than how it was in the ’50s … But from a worldwide perspective, I also think that there are enough people in the world who don’t want it all to go away permanently … I want to believe that we will be able to look back on this 50 years from now as one of those weird points in history when things were a little bit rocky. But then 50 years from now, there will be something else.

How do you see your role, being a popular musician playing apocalyptic music?

I am an entertainer. I am here to make you feel potentially a little bit better about the world, and in your every day-to-day life. … I guess a lot of the entertainment I’m into, especially when It comes to rock, has some sort of social take, commenting on the contemporary state of the world, especially in the ’60s, the ’70s … But I don’t have higher hopes than that in terms of Ghost’s relevance to what is going on. I don’t think we’re changing a whole lot. But I think we can probably be a little bit of a band aid for anyone who likes Ghost and what we and we’re doing. Hopefully [we] can be a pillow to squeeze if the times feel rough.

In the ’80s, artists like Judas Priest and Ozzy Osbourne were known for incorporating Satanic themes, and upsetting Christians. But that was 40 years ago. Are there any ways that you’re music has offended people, that surprised you?

I think that I have been personally more subjected to people who have said the opposite. Just coming from a traditionally more conservative background, and then being surprised that they are oddly in favor of what Ghost is doing. Maybe not 100 percent from a philosophical point of view, whatever that means, but it still resonates in a positive way among people who would traditionally not like “satanic rock music.” … I have theories about it, but I don’t know, maybe it’s just the fact that heavy metal in the 1980s was way more of a household thing, and the gap between generations was bigger at that point, so you’d have the 15 to 25-year-old teenagers in 1980 or 1985. Their parents would have been 40 or 50 at that point, and were potentially of a different breed than most of the 40 year olds, 50 year olds, 60 year olds today. … But it all depends on how you present yourself as a spokesperson for a band like this. I’m not here to shock people who are not willing to be shocked, if that makes sense. I’m not here to throw a grenade into the god-fearing home, trying to rip your family apart … I want them to come to the show and have fun and feel good about themselves, and want to live their lives … not to commit suicide or go kill someone. I want people to be happy and embrace life. … I can imagine Rob Halford [of Judas Priest] having never said anything unlike what I just said, nor Ozzy Osbourne.

Are you a Satanist?

From a strictly Christian point of view, if that means believing in a physical, half man, half-ram living in the underground, no, I don’t believe there is such a thing. I’m not the opposite either. … And you know, I’m sure in the eyes of the beholder, if I was put in front of true god-fearing bible thumpers, I would probably be regarded as a Satanist … just because I’m not a god-fearing bible thumper. But the concept of Satanism has many, many forms … In the last 50 years now, ever since [Anton] LaVey and pop-cultural Satanism, when that rose in the latter of the part of ’60s with the Church of Satan, and Black Sabbath and Black Widow and Coven and that sort of hippie Satanism, which at the end of the day, heavy metal, black metal, all that is based upon that cultural Satanism. … I grew up with that. … So from that point of view, I would definitely say that culturally, I am definitely, for lack of better way of putting it, I’m a devil-liking kind of guy. But … I wouldn’t sacrifice a baby to a half-ram that I believe to be living in the underground. … And I would never ever encourage anyone to do that.

Oh good. In an interview with Revolver magazine, you likened Ghost to procreating with rock history. What has Ghost meant to you?

Obviously, it’s meant the world … Not only am I myself depending on it, but I have two kids depending on it. I have a wife who’s depending on it. I have around 30 people around me living on this. So obviously it has a great feel of significance for me … It’s very much reliving a lot of the things that I did as a kid, when I dressed up as KISS and Alice Cooper, and watched horror films. It’s very much reconnecting with a lot of the things I grew up with. It’s very childish. In a regurgitating kind of way.

Is that what you meant by “procreating?”

I guess so, I’m not involving myself as a child in that, so don’t go incestuous or weird here. (Laughs.) I’m definitely wallowing in my past. I’m very much a typical kid who grew up in the ’80s. Just because I had a brother who was older than I … I got a lot of teenage culture from him at an early age. I’m definitely wallowing in that. If I would meet myself in 1985, you can compare the things I’m interested in, and not a whole lot has happened, really. I’m searching to recreate myself as a five-year-old with my brother. That feels important.

NewsReview.com

[nctdreamsquad]

NCT OT18 Ranking

      Hello there! For a while now I have been thinking about NCT and its concept as a whole and watching how it has progressed since debut in 2016. While thinking about I noticed a lot of irregularities (heh…) between members and how it has affected how the boys and the entire group is perceived by the public. Of course, that has been done by how SM promotes them and how they individually value each members’ talents. So, I thought it would be interesting to see with the content that we have at hand, how each member ranks in terms of importance to least importance for SM.

      I decided that to have an accurate ranking it would need to be based on different factors. Certain members might have more advantages when it comes to a certain field but disadvantages compared to another member in a specific field. The categories are line distribution (how often they sing/rap on the discography), screen time (how often are they shown in MVs or in the photo album), and benefits (who gets to do solo schedules whether that be MCing/Songs/etc.). I will take the 3 different rankings of each category and then average each boys rank to find their proper place.

     Also, certain members like Jaemin & Jungwoo I projected more of where I thought they will be in the future, seeing as they haven’t been here as long cause of Nana’s injury and Jungwoo only coming in this past year. Of course, this is my opinion and how I think SM views each boy and if we have different thoughts that is completely fine. Whether we agree or not on this subject, I would love to hear other peoples’ thoughts and discuss.

*Little add-on: The boys are ranked from 1-18 but there might be bigger or smaller gaps of how much SM values them between each ranking. (Which I will try to inform you when I believe that happens.)

Most Important

1.    Mark

I don’t think this will come to anyone’s surprise that Mark is the most important member in NCT (in SM’s eyes). It is evident in how he has been in every unit since NCT’s debut in April of 2016. Mark always has had a large number of lines in whatever song he is in (title/non-title + unit). He has been able to have his raps and compositions that he wrote published in every album (except for the Japanese album). He has been able to promote individually on variety shows (music related vs. pure variety). It is very obvious that Mark is one of SM’s favorites in general when it comes to all SM groups but especially in NCT.

2.    Taeyong

Taeyong’s ranking is very similar to Mark’s, in fact, the very small margin that makes up the difference between 1st and 2nd place is that I think SM personally likes Mark more. Taeyong is also privileged in that he gets lots of lines in songs, screen time, multiple SM Station songs, and other solo schedules. However, I get the feeling that SM views Taeyong as a person that they employed and someone who makes a good idol whereas Mark seems to be a little more integrated into part of the “family” aspect.

3.    Doyoung

Doyoung is the first member where the advantages and favoritism gap is slightly wider from him and Taeyong. He still has a lot of benefits compared to the boys lower down the ranking but I do believe SM sees Doyoung as most useful when it comes to MCing and being a spokesperson. An integral part of NCT but not the first name they want you to think about when you think of the group. This might sound a little rude, however, another reason why I think Doyoung is higher up in the rank is that SM likes to have people who will listen to them and won’t rebel and Doyoung fits that very well. For example, if something unfair happens to one of the boys I’m sure that Yuta or Johnny will be more likely to speak out about it than Doyoung would be.  

4.    Jaehyun

Honestly, I think Jaehyun lucked out when it came to getting his position in NCT. I love Jaehyun and his voice is one of my favorites but, although he’s consistent, there is a member who excels more than him in every category. Vocal (Taeil, Haechan, Kun), Rap (Taeyong, Mark, Jaemin), Dance (Ten, Yuta, Jisung), or Variety (Johnny, Haechan, Renjun). However, the fact that his voice sounds very different from other members helped him stand out more. Also, he fits the “boy next door” concept very well and I think that’s another reason why SM likes to give him more focus than other members.

5.    Ten

Now, I know that Ten’s place is NCT is rather open-ended seeing as the only NCT songs he has been in is 7th Sense/BDS. However, I think it’s obvious that SM does like Ten and values his talents so much so that he has gotten 2 solo songs. Not only that, but both songs came out at almost the same time a year apart which usually means that SM planned it to hype people up even more. Also, Ten has had continuous activities in South Korea and Thailand. I do think that his injury may have caused a pushback with him promoting in a unit or doing more NCT related activities. However, I do strongly think that Ten will be in NCT China and will play an important member in their success. Also, with the dancing capability and performance talent that Ten has there’s no way that SM can keep him locked up forever.  

6.    Jisung

You might be a little surprised that I placed Jisung so high up in the ranking and if I had made this post months ago I would also not agree with my decision. However, with the addition of “GO” and especially with the release of the “We Go Up” album I can see the path that SM are putting Jisung on. From the beginning, I could tell that Jisung was going to be important when it came to MVs and playing a main role in them but with the lack of lines that he had, I thought it would be much more “visual” based. I was proven wrong with him getting to go on solo schedules like “Why Not?” and “Dancing High” + the fair amount of lines he is now getting in the recent Dream album. I will say that of the members I have listed so far, Jisung and Ten are the two that I am completely fine with getting more individual shine/recognition and will wholly support as they’re a few of the most talented boys in NCT (not just talking about their dancing). He still is extremely young and has a lot to learn and experience but I can already see that Jisung is going to be a wonderful person and performer in the future.

7.    Haechan

Haechan is the last member that I will place in a more advantageous position before the favoritism gap widens a lot more. I do want to start off by saying that Haechan does have more privileges than others below but mainly when he’s in Dream, otherwise he’s kind of at the lower middle of the group. As you will see how I ranked each member individually in each category below later, Haechan was very much saved by the amount of lines + screen time he gets in Dream. I don’t think SM uses him as well as they could when it comes to 127 and I still don’t understand why he hasn’t been in a NCT U song yet (I WANT THE OG 7TH SENSE WITH HYUCK IN IT). Haechan is another member that I believe to be incredibly talented and I hope that he gets what he deserves and stays amazing.

8.    Yukhei

Precious Yukhei. I was honestly surprised and am still awed at the amount of media attention SM is letting him have by going on different variety shows. He’s a newer addition but of the time he has spent in NCT so far, I think Xuxi is in a comfortable position. I do think SM will rely more on his personality than his performance abilities to bring in fans, however, he’s the only rapper we have for NCT China at this moment so that bodes well for him. It’s a little early to say but I’m confident that Yukhei will be a prevalent member in the whole of NCT and popular in NCT China.

9.    Jaemin

FINALLY! We finally have NaNa back and it has been so great to see him with the other dreamies. It was obvious from the beginning that Jaemin was supposed to be an important member in Dream (after Markhyuck) but his back injury put him out of the running. I think SM tried to fill the void by splitting what would have been Jaemin’s parts to Renjun/Jeno/Chenle. However, now that he is back we can see that SM is steadily placing him in the center position when it comes to dancing & screen time. The “We Go Up” album has been very gracious towards NaNa & Jisung and I think it will be common to see more and more of them in future comebacks.

10. Taeil

Moon Taeil, a much needed but highly underappreciated voice in NCT 127. I think Taeil benefitted more back in the SMROOKIES days with his solo song and the early beginning of NCT’s timeline. It was during Limitless era that we can see SM pushed Taeil into singing the high bridges notes and flashy rifts during the last chorus. While the more main vocal parts that he used to sing got handed off to Doyoung. Which I find interesting since Doyoung and Taeil have eerily similar voices but (IMO) Taeil has the richer color in his voice while Doyoung can sound a little flat sometimes. Although I would like Taeil to have more singing parts + screen time, I do think he’s lucky in the fact that he is a part of NCT 127 from the beginning. Whereas Jeno, Jaemin, and Jisung are kind of in a weird place where they obviously can’t be put in 127 after they graduated from Dream but SM most likely won’t make another Seoul Unit until they have established other units in separate countries.

11. Jeno

I would say that Jeno is the younger version of Jaehyun for Dream. Jaehyun is definitely more capable and talented (at this point in time) than Jeno. As I stated before, I think Jeno benefitted from Jaemin not being in Dream because what would have been NaNa’s screen time went to Jeno. SM tried to make up for lack of lines with him being able to be a MC on The Show and giving him good amounts of screen time in M/Vs. However, out of Triple J, I am most worried about Jeno’s future and gaining a spot in a new unit. 127 is getting bigger now that there are 10 members and I don’t think SM will be added anymore. So unless there’s a new Korean unit (which wouldn’t really make sense since we already have 3ish units) Jeno should try to learn a new language and hope for a spot in a foreign unit.

12. Jungwoo

I believe that the middle area of being important to NCT + SM started with Haechan and ends with Jungwoo. My summary of Jungwoo is the most theoretical because of how recently he was added to NCT, but I do feel confident in his ranking. It seems that he trained longer and with most of the OG members (Hyungs + Korean Dreamies) but didn’t make the first cut so he had to wait for the next opening. However, I think that SM is leaning towards giving him a fair amount of lines and with him being added to 127 I think that is very telling of what they think of him. I will say that Jungwoo is highly competitive and it’s obvious that he works very hard to be included so I wouldn’t be surprised if SM rewards him for that whereas Kun or Yuta could do the same thing but I don’t think it would work out as well for them.

13. Chenle

I would say that Chenle is similar to Taeil in the sense that they are both incredibly talented when it comes to singing but aren’t used enough for what they can do. Chenle does get a good amount of lines that show off his abilities but the parts are usually repeats of what Haechan has already sung, therefore giving the illusion that Chenle is good but not as great as Haechan. He’s obviously not SM’s golden child in S. Korea but I am certain that with the introduction of NCT China he will be an important member. Chenle had already started off his singing career in China before joining NCT so it would make sense to build off his existing fanbase in his home country.

14. Yuta

Nakamoto Yuta. I always feel so frustrated when I think about Yuta’s position in NCT. He’s proven to be extremely versatile by having the ability to sing, rap, and dance well. His variety and charisma skills are endearing and overall he’s a nice boy. Unfortunately, something happened that ensured Yuta would always be unheard and unseen. I’m not sure if Yuta was a prime candidate for an important position and then a new boy came along that SM liked better or if they have always disliked Yuta. It’s obvious by the lack of lines and screen time that they don’t think he’s necessary to grab in new fans. Which is interesting since he is their ONLY Japanese member (as of right now) that they have and if they want to promote in Japan PROPERLY (not that 127 Japan ish) then they should invest time/attention on him. I worry for Yuta’s future as SM has no plans to debut a Japan unit (that we know of) and he’s just stuck in 127, while other foreign members will likely have more opportunities in their home countries. We don’t really have any say in what SM does and who they promote but please support our takoyaki prince who deserves the world, Nakamoto Yuta.

15. Renjun

I personally didn’t think that Renjun was going to be so low on the list but after going through the separate categories it seems to be that way. He has always had a consistent amount of lines in the Dreamie songs but I have noticed that SM loves to not give him screen time. Ironically, it is very similar to what SM does to Yixing in EXO’s M/Vs + live performances. When Renjun is singing his part, it is very common for the M/V to switch to another member doing something or show a specific object related to the plot, but not showing the member who is singing? It’s the same with live performances when it’s his turn to sing the cameramen will start shooting a wide angle of the whole group or pan to another member and it really ticks me off. Renjun will obviously be put into the China unit but with the probable addition of Xiaojun, Hendery, and Yang Yang it decreases his chance of getting a main position. Which is unfair since he and the other China line members have been working longer in NCT than the new three. I’m not pitting the new and old members against each other but I do think seniority should come into play a little bit.

16. Johnny

No one is surprised that Johnny is almost at the bottom of the list for how important SM thinks they are to NCT. I remember being SO EXCITED when I found out that Johnny was added to 127. He was finally going to have his chance to shine and then I watched the Limitless MV… It’s obvious now that SM added him because of how insistent fans were getting at Johnny not having debut yet. After the Cherry Bomb album came out it was pretty solidified that SM was not going to use Johnny as well as they could for NCT’s sound + image. Honestly, if Johnny wasn’t so outgoing and willing to look like a fool for the camera then we would never have gotten NCT Night Night and all the other silly memes we have of Jonathan. He is very much underappreciated and for his sake, I hope he gets put into a foreign unit because I know he is open-minded and will work hard to succeed.

17. Kun

There’s not a whole lot to say about Kun (not that I wouldn’t love to endlessly chat about this precious bun). He’s hasn’t been on SM’s radar for S.Korea but more like bait for the fans who want a Chinese Unit but have to wait indefinitely for it. Thankfully, it is confirmed that we will have NCT China and I know that Kun is capable of being a leader + main vocal material. Also, I think his personality would work well on Chinese variety + talk shows so if SM isn’t a complete idiot they will promote NCT’s Mama well.

18. WinWin

Last and most certainly least in SM’S eyes is our lovely Dong Sicheng. I honestly don’t know what SM had in mind when they decided to debut WinWin in 127. It’s not that I don’t love him, cause I do, but they literally have never used him for ANYTHING in NCT. The only lines he has ever had are always layered/harmonized with another member’s voice, he is never dancing in the center (even though his position is technically a dancer), and for how pretty they say he is they don’t give him any solo screen time. Touch was literally unbelievable because of how much focus Sicheng got in the MV and the live performance. It still does not make up for how much BS he has to go through with being in a group where he has nothing to do. Going back to why SM debut him if they wanted China Unit bait they could have just used Kun seeing as they would probably let him sing more than Sicheng’s nonexistent lines. The worst part is that even if he gets a decent role in the Chinese Unit, he still has to endure 127 for the rest of his idol life (if they don’t take him out and focus him in other units, which I think would be better for him). I adore his relationships with the other 127 members and in NCT in general but I want something more for Sicheng, somewhere he can really shine.

Least Important

 Here are the categories that I used to make the final ranking.

Line Distribution:

*This is done by units so NCT U, 127, Dream…

Ø Main Vocal/Rappers (Has many lines whether it be Title/Non-Title + what unit they’re in)

-         Mark

-         Taeyong

-         Doyoung

-         Jaehyun

Ø Lead Vocal/Rappers (Fair amount of lines, usually used in bridges of songs)

-         Haechan

-         Taeil

-         Renjun

-         Chenle

-         Jaemin

Ø Sub Vocal/Rappers (Small amount of lines, usually the transition parts or repeats)

-         Ten

-         Jeno

-         Jungwoo

-         Jisung

-         Yuta

-         Yukhei

Ø Vocal/Rappers (Almost no lines whatsoever; usually will be ad-libs or harmonized/layered)

-         Johnny

-         Kun

-         WinWin

Screen Time:

*Mainly based on MVs, but also incorporating solo/duo magazine shoots, photo albums

Ø Face of the Group (Lots of screen time, supposed to be an important member in the group)

-         Taeyong

-         Mark

-         Ten

-         Jisung

-         Jaemin

Ø  (Members who consistently get screen time/solo shots)

-         Doyoung

-         Jaehyun

-         Haechan

-         Jeno

-         Jungwoo

-         Yukhei

Ø Obligatory (Is a member of the group so they need to be shown, usually in more group shots)

-         Chenle

-         Taeil

-         Yuta

-         Renjun

-         Johnny

-         WinWin

-         Kun

Benefits:

*Based on writing/composing for NCT music, Songs outside of NCT, MCing, Variety Shows, general freedom to pursue what they desire

�� Unlimited (SM picks/asks them first if they want a project, usually is able to try new things)

-         Mark

-         Taeyong

-         Doyoung

-         Yukhei

-         Jisung

Ø Limited (Does the projects that SM gives them, might be able to try out something they like)

-         Ten

-         Jaehyun

-         Johnny

-         Taeil

-         Jeno

-         WinWin

-         Yuta

-         Jungwoo

-         Jaemin

-         Chenle

Ø Restricted (Is not given outside projects, will likely be looked over for projects, only in NCT schedules)

-         Haechan

-         Kun

-         Renjun

     Now as a wrap up to this exceedingly long post, I just want to say I am not trying to pit the members up against each other. I am not trying to put the boys’ fans up against each other either. I just wanted to show (IMO) what each member’s career as an idol has been like so far and whether SM has played a positive or negative role in it. I just want fans of NCT to be aware that you can have your faves in the group but their members (that they care about deeply) might not have the same successes and as easy of a time. Furthermore, support all units AND all members of NCT.

[unpopularfanopinion]

Oh ffs, you're one of those "liberals" who thinks "free speech" EVEN IF IT'S HATE SPEECH that INCITES VIOLENCE upon marginalized people, matters more than peoples LIVES. How charming. Like, you should have stopped and at least thought that hmm, maybe nazi ideology has KILLED PEOPLE in the MILLIONS, but sure, let them have free speech! You are an idiot and complicit in promoting fascism under the guise of "human rights (for some)".

I admit I was tempted to simply delete the nonsense but I wanted to point a few things out.

One: speech that incites violence isn’t protected under free speech laws and ideals. The tricky part however is in distinguishing when speech crosses that line. It’s something that’s been debated for decades, and likely will continue to be debated for decades more. Which considering how language can change, and how hate groups will adopt new symbols and language as older ones are identified and banned(remember what happened with Pepe the Frog.)

Two: I am a liberal that is keenly aware of the dangers of limiting free speech, and the expression of ideas. I am, quite rightfully, scared and worried that accepting the idea that some ideas are so dangerous they can’t be discussed or spoken of. I am rightfully worried about how accepting “We, as a society don’t accept that language and you’re not allowed to speak” and how easily that idea can be used to silence marginalized people speaking out against their oppression.

The Intercept has a nice article going over some of the ways hate speech laws have been used to attack  and silence racial minorities, and LGBT activists. https://theintercept.com/2017/08/29/in-europe-hate-speech-laws-are-often-used-to-suppress-and-punish-left-wing-viewpoints/ It’s worth looking over, and thinking about the chilling effect similar laws could have here in the US.  In France 12 Palestinians were convicted of inciting hatred and violence for wearing t-shirts advocating a boycott of Israel products. Also in France an LGBT activist in France was tried and convicted of hate speech for calling a Pro-life, anti-marriage equality protester a homophobe. In the UK a Muslim teen was arrested over a facebook status. And I feel the need to quote here

In the UK, “hate speech” has come to include anyone expressing virulent criticism of UK soldiers fighting in war. In 2012, a British Muslim teenager, Azhar Ahmed, was arrested for committing a “racially aggravated public order offence.” His crime? After British soldiers were killed in Afghanistan, he cited on his Facebook page the countless innocent Afghans killed by British soldiers and wrote: “All soldiers should DIE & go to HELL! THE LOWLIFE F*****N SCUM! gotta problem go cry at your soldiers grave & wish him hell because that where he is going.”

The police spokesperson justifying the teenager’s arrest said: “He didn’t make his point very well, and that is why he has landed himself in bother.” So those of you craving European-style hate speech laws want to empower the police — and then judges — to decide when a point is sufficiently ill-made and offensive to justify arrest. Ahmed escaped a jail term, and was ultimately given “merely” a fine and community service, but only “because he quickly took down his unpleasant posting and tried to apologise to those he offended.”

Can you imagine what it would be like if we had similar laws in the US? Can you picture what would happen. I can. After yet another violent and unjustified shooting of an unarmed black man. When emotions are running (justifiably) high and hot, someone posts on twitter and facebook “FUCK THE POLICE!! ALL PIGS SHOULD DIE” could then find themselves arrested. Or for attending a BLM protest. Are you ready to throw BLM under the bus for a vague promise to silence and reduce nazis. Because I’m not.

Especially when, as the article notes, the Nazis like it when you try to silence them. Trying to silence them in an attempt to weaken them, actually strengthens them. Feeds into their righteous martyr complex and makes them more determined.  The Southern Poverty Law Center lists 10 ways to combat hate in your community and oddly “Use the law to silence bigots” isn’t on that list. https://www.splcenter.org/20170814/ten-ways-fight-hate-community-response-guide What does seem to work is speaking out against bigots, organizing and showing them just how unpopular they are. Seriously what do you think is more demoralizing to the alt-right. Attempts to silence them, making them think people are just so scared of them, and that they’re more powerful then they actually are, or them attempting a rally where only a half dozen people show up(if that,) while in another park a couple hundred people show up for a BLM protest, or a fund raiser for an LGBT organization.

[inevitably-johnlocked]

Hey Steph, this may be an awkward question, but it's bothering me for quite some time... I am fascinated by homosexuality for years, it's a major kink for me and also a big part of my life reading about queer history and such. But I feel like an imposter. I don't belong in that scene. I may be bi, but I never acted upon it. I don't know any queer people personally. I don't know how they live and what they feel and I feel like a creep being so obsessed with it. Am I somehow wrong? What can I do?

Hi Nonny!

I… probably am not the best person to ask about this. I, like you, am not an active participant in the LGBT community (because I figured myself out so late in my life, and because there’s this weird “are they/aren’t they” stigma about aces, even if they’re bi/pan/homoromantic… though I did recently find out that this is just a Tumblr thing, so really it’s my own insecurities and fears holding me back), and as far as I know, there are many bi people who also don’t consider themselves part of it either.

PERSONALLY, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with wanting to study and learn and educate yourself about queer history; it’s not really a kink – probably the wrong word to use for it here… probably best to use “interested” and “fascinated” – and perhaps it’s just your way of trying to understand yourself, since you yourself identify as bi. For example, I am fascinated with ingesting everything I read about aces because it helps me better identify myself with a sexuality that up until recently wasn’t taken seriously, and if I HADN’T done it, I’d still be where I was 3 years ago, still confused and totally oblivious to the fact that asexuality exists and so does one all-over term to describe that I see myself with absolutely anyone romantically, and that romantic and sexual attraction are two completely different things, especially for aces. I have never been in a relationship other than with a cis-man, but… it’s something you FEEL in your heart, you know? Like you KNOW that you can see yourself with anyone, at all. I’ve known of people (a friend of my aunt’s AND another aunt’s ex husband) who came out late in life, left their spouses, and are now in happy relationships with who they’re happiest with (one is pan, and she’s with a bi woman, and the other is gay and is now happy with a man. Both were in their late thirties when they came out). There’s no deadline to figuring yourself out, and it’s always an ongoing process.

With varying sexuality starting to become a lot more accepted (depending upon where you live, I should clarify), chances are pretty good that you probably know other people in the community, just people usually don’t go advertising with big neon lights, unfortunately, LOL. I think the best course of action, right now, is for you to perhaps research on LGBT groups in your area, and ask them some questions you may have, maybe join in some events or meet ups they have and maybe see if any of them know queer historians who can help you learn about their history and oppressions and I think, in the end, you will actually come out a better person, and perhaps meet a few people you can call your friends. 

That all said: Education should never be shamed.  It makes you a good ally for the LGBT community, at the very least. 

THAT ALL SAID, please, someone active in the community, I welcome your advice and corrections to anything I’ve said. Like I said, I am FAR from a spokesperson for the community, and I don’t want to provide incorrect information. I too would love to learn more, and I really do want to belong SOMEWHERE so any advice you have for educating ourselves would be very valuable.

[womenofcolor15]

Call 'Em Out, Get 'Em Out! How Folks Are Taking Action To Hurt The Pockets Of Racist Business Owners & Individuals

Not only are people protesting in the streets, folks are taking action online to hurt the pockets of racist individuals and big businesses. And THIS is a form of protest too! More inside…

Trump has his racist groupies feeling real bold these days, but it’s costing a few of them. As it should.  Sinc ethey want to claim All Lives Matter, people have been showing them exactly what that means.  It means black voices SHOULD carry the same weight as white ones.  They know our black voices traditionally do not, but folks are seeing the shift now.

A man named Craig Gore found out the hard way. He’s a writer who has penned scripts for shows like “S.W.A.T.” and “Chicago P.D.” He recently landed a writing job for an upcoming “Law & Order” spin-off series.

However, his script for the show will never see the light of day. The reason? Well, he was FIRED for a controversial Facebook post.

In the FB post, Craig shared a picture of himself holding an assault rifle on his porch with the caption, “Curfew…” According to Variety, Craig threatened to “light motherf—ers up who are trying to f— with my property,” in reference to protests that took place in Los Angeles on Monday. Los Angeles has been put on curfew over the raging George Floyd protests.

Now, he’s out of a job.

“I will not tolerate this conduct, especially during our hour of national grief. I am terminating Craig Gore immediately,” Dick Wolf said in a statement to Variety.

Drew Janda, who worked on the OWN’s “Greenleaf” and HBO shows “Big Little Lies” and “Barry,” brought attention to Gore’s remarks:

Sorry - co-executive producer

— drew janda (@drewjanda) June 2, 2020

THIS is how you be an ally.

Craig was represented by Paradigm, but not anymore! They cut ties with the writer/producer.

“Craig Gore is no longer a Paradigm client. We condemn his post in the strongest possible terms,” said a spokesperson for the agency.

Womp.

  @WolfEnt one of your writers a convicted felon is allowed to own an Ar-15 and post threatening messages on Twitter. For real? Not a good look. Definitely will not watch your shows after that if that is who you employ

— Daniela_Brooklyn (@DanielaBrookly1) June 2, 2020

  Oh and get this…

Would also love to know how a convicted felon got ahold of that gun pic.twitter.com/tvOcvUWvjP

— Joey DaSilva (@joey_lumps) June 2, 2020

Turns out, Craig is a convicted felon, so people are wondering how was he even able to get his hands on a gun like that when legally he shouldn’t be in possession of one. We all know why though. Peep the thread below.

Then, there's this:

Hey!!!! How are you? Thought you forgot about me. Haven't heard from you in years. ALL LIVES MATTER...EVERY SINGLE ONE!!! https://t.co/DfzKl3w0jm

— Grant Napear (@GrantNapearshow) June 1, 2020

Sacramento Kings announcer and KHTK Radio host Grant Napear tweeted out "All Lives Matter" amid the protests demanding justice for George Floyd. Now, he's out of a job. He resigned after receiving backlash.

"Grant Napear has resigned from the Sacramento Kings," the team said, per Jason Jones of The Athletic. "We thank him for his contributions to the team and wish him all the best."

NBA free agent DeMarcus Cousins tweeted Grant asking him what was his take on Black Lives Matter and he tweeted:

"Hey!!!! How are you? Thought you forgot about me. Haven't heard from you in years. ALL LIVES MATTER...EVERY SINGLE ONE!!!"

From the Sacramento Kings: “Grant Napear has resigned from the Sacramento Kings. We thank him for his contributions to the team and wish him all the best.”

— Jason Jones (@mr_jasonjones) June 2, 2020

Bonneville Sacramento, which operates KHTK Radio, also released a statement to announce that they have parted ways with Grant:

Bonneville Sacramento has parted ways with Grant Napear. pic.twitter.com/n2T7CFOItP

— Sports 1140 KHTK (@Sports1140KHTK) June 2, 2020

Welp.

Folks are raising hell on Facebook over a post that was put up on Instagram by Northwest Dermatology Group, a skincare specialists group.

"We get it. We Understand you people. Can we move on, please? This is draining," the words in the post read. Excuse us? Police killing unarmed black people is DRAINING.

The caption reads, "All lives matter!"

Per usual, they deleted the post and claims a former employee hacked their page.

Michigan, do your THING!

Also...

I’m glad people are calling out all the companies that have donated to trumps campaign. I hope we all listen and stop supporting them until they make a change adding on to the #WendysIsOverParty pic.twitter.com/IrFiXGY8o5

— BBY TOXICO (@bvbyboy98) June 2, 2020

Twitter is canceling Wendy's with the #WendysIsOverParty hashtag. The reason? People are pissed the company is a large donor to Trump.

After Trump declared war on the American people with his "glorified violence" tweets, it stirred up more outrage and violence across the nation. In a recently released report, the names of several companies who heavily support Trump were released and now folks are calling for boycotts.

MUY Company CEO James Bodenstedt is one. His company operates several Wendys, Taco Bells, and Pizza Huts across the US. Bodenstedt has reportedly donated over $440,000 to Trump, including $200,000 to the Trump Victory PAC on March 12th, just days before states began shutting down in-person dining, claims a Business Insider report in May.

so you’re telling me wendy’s donated 400k to a billionaire... #WendysIsOverParty pic.twitter.com/0ItlJcB1WB

— papi_sam (@papisam13) June 2, 2020

It's valid for people to be upset at Wendy's, but Twitter should also be calling out all of his other companies as well.

A list of Trump's top campaign donors have been released (some are incorrect as it's the franchise owners who have donated and not the company itself, but still):

Keep in mind, some of the companies are known to donate to both parties in multiple offices to hedge their bets, so they have pull with someone regardless of who gets placed into office.

Also...

  MISSISSIPPI I SEE YOU. TWITTER MAKE IT HURT. PAMELA HANCOCK STATING SHE HOPES A DEADLY STRAIN OF CORONA SPREADS TO RIOTERS. https://t.co/TOBXvd16A3 pic.twitter.com/GVvl1SaoS5

— (@GoodGuyKharn) June 2, 2020

  Mississippi prosecutor Pamela "Pammi" Hancock needs to be stripped of her job. In a now deleted Facebook comment, she wrote that she can only "hope the deadly strain of COVID-19 spreads in riots."

The Madison County prosecutor was commenting on a Facebook post that reads, "Does Covid spread during massive street riots or just in bars and restaurants? Asking for a friend.”

Now, she claims she was "joking."

“My job is to prosecute all crimes, including civil disobedience,” Pamela told Mississippi Today. “I’m against any breach of peace or criminal activity, and I would prosecute it. I have nothing against people peacefully protesting, but breaking into businesses and stealing things is a crime.”

She continued, “I was really just making light of it.”

Making light of a global pandemic? Oh. She said the initial post “was kind of a joke” and though she was “attempting to joke back,” she “did it very poorly.”

She added that she “was not serious about wanting anyone to die. That’s not who I am.”

Do your thing, Twitter!

Have you personally interacted with racist trolls online? Speak on it in the comments!

Photo: AP Photo/Rafael Yaghobzadeh

[Read More ...] source http://theybf.com/2020/06/03/call-them-out-get-them-out-how-folks-are-taking-action-to-hurt-the-pockets-of-racist-busi

[theaxtorres]

In the Nature of Resistance

Under the covers of scheming politics, the notions of the privileged battling over the underdogs manifests itself through a correspondence between various personas of the youth.

May 14, 1994

To: Amir Rodriguez

Dear Amir,

How have you been? I was going through all the clutter in my room today and found an old stash of childhood photos. There’s one of us sharing a bowl of ice cream while our moms are chatting away in the background. It’s reminded me of the innocent fun we used to have when our parents left us to our pleasure and have the maids to clean up after us.

I believe it’s been four years now since you moved away to the province and my parents still silence me every time I mention wanting to see you again. To this day, I still wonder what happened between our parents that forced you to leave the city. Do you know why? Whenever I ask, Dad merely tells me that your parents didn’t do their job well and chose self-indulgence over the greater good. I have no idea what he means. It gets me absolutely riled up the way he talks to me like I’m one of his colleagues, with words falling out of his mouth like a corporate letter and actions so dry, it’s like he’s living off a script.

Recently, Mom and Dad have been too caught up in meetings with the big bosses of the government to even bother about me. They’re also in and out of courtrooms, only coming home early to hold a party every time one of their cases gets dismissed with the defendant found not guilty. You know I’ve met the President because of these parties? He was rushing away from a reporter drilling him for his opinion on those rallies those random people do on the streets, when Mom and Dad invited him to join us in our ride to the party. He’s very loud though, too assertive to make friends with.

Anyway, I’ve been trying to read more books to forget about all these mom and dad issues. It really is working so far. I’m on my fourth novel this month. Have you read State of War by Ninotchka Rosca? I highly recommend it.

I’d love to hear about your life, your family. Are Tita and Tito doing well? How about your Ate Lisa? Did she get accepted in the school paper? Or has she graduated already? I wouldn’t know. I really wish you replied to all my previous letters to you.

Hoping to finally get word from you soon, Mir.

Sincerely,

Adrian Ocampo

   May 18, 1994

To: Lisa Rodriguez 

Dear Ate Lisa,

Mom and Dad are doing as well as they can. However, Dad really needs to learn how to control his temper every time he reads the newspaper. Those Ocampos have become the right hand of the President, and it’s stirring Dad back to his, in the words of the ever-articulate Lois Ocampo, ‘aktibistang kanser sa lipunan’ days. With all the impossibly speedy court trials where all the President’s best friends are deemed innocent, even Mom has started slipping some awry spiels against this government’s subtle despotism during her barangay meetings. 

Are there any updates on our exposé, Ate? I heard Richard gathered enough accounts from the victims of the Sta. Clara narcotics bust. I think that high of a number of deaths of innocent people is enough to start a conversation. Tyranny’s on the way and I’m sick of having to wait and wait for more evidence, statistics, and public statements. Are the masses really as ignorant as you say they are? Would they really ignore the truth even if it’s lying bloodied on the ground in front of them? 

Speaking of ignorance, Adrian sent me a letter again. Poor soul is still horribly blinded by his privilege to see that the country’s justice system is crumbling to the ground because of their happy circle of friends and family. Apparently, he’s met the President. He probably even has the opportunity to poison that man, but he’s too busy complaining about how his parents don’t give him enough attention. He says he’s been reading more books now. I hope that finally teaches him to put two and two together and realize it was his father who filed that senseless treason allegation against Mom and Dad that got us into this mess of a life, of a country. 

Write back quickly, Ate. Give me assignments, people to interview, anything I can do to help speed up the process. If Mom and Dad are too worn down in this fight for justice, the least we can do is to continue it.

Be careful always.

Love,

Amir

  May 24, 1994

To: Amir Rodriguez

 Amir,

I’ve been meaning to hear from you since my last letter, but I just can’t help but let you know what’s been going on. Home doesn’t feel like home anymore. I barely even get to talk to my parents, especially Dad. He spends more time with those bland looking men in his study everyday, and he barely gets out. I could hear weird sounds and chants about exposés and rebellions up in where you are right now.

As I was reading, I heard them mention your sister’s name. I’m having a gutting feeling about this. Even though the voices I heard were faint, I don’t have a good feeling about this, Amir. I know you’re ignoring me right now because of who I am and where I am right now, but I want you to know that I still see you as a friend.

Be careful, brother.

Adrian

 May 26, 1984

To: Adrian Ocampo

Adrian,

I hope this letter reaches to you in time. 

I’m Lisa, Amir’s older sister. I used to scold you two for making too much noise when you were children playing. Before we left, I remember you always asking me how my application to the school paper was going. It always put a smile on my face how much you cared, even if it was just to annoy me at that time.

Right now, I need you to care about my school paper again. I need you to care about Amir and all the other innocent families and lives that were thrown into a hell of a life because of the people you’re surrounded by. Dear Adrian, open your eyes, I beg you. Look around the confines of your big palace and see the struggle of the poor. Read the news with a brave heart. There’s truth in the bloodshed.

You are our closest hope to understanding their schemes. By writing you this letter, I put myself and my family at risk. You could easily expose us to your Dad and have us killed by morning, or you could finally make it up to us, to the country for what your family has done.

On May 28, your parents will be meeting with the President, the Presidential Spokesperson, and the Secretary of National Defense, and a few more unidentified individuals to most probably talk about a new scheme. The news have been showing their ugly side too much. They’re going to do something about it.

Listen to them, Adrian. Give us caution. Send us a letter about what you hear, and dear God, I hope to hell you do the right thing.

Thank you.

Lisa Rodriguez

 June 12, 1994

To: Lisa Rodriguez

 Ate Lisa,

They’re planning to shut down all media organizations. They have fake documents and forged papers at their disposal. They’re going to silence anyone who gets in their way with only two things; with a shutdown or with a gun. It doesn’t matter to them as long as the lies go on. I’ve read enough books to know this is Martial Law. This is tyranny and a call for justice.

I assure you, you can trust me. I know you’re in the good fight. Keep going at it. It doesn’t make sense here anymore.

Please, save yourselves and hide. I think they’re on to you and your family. Write back.

I’ll write to you everything I know. I’m on your side, believe me. 

Sincerely,

Adrian

 June 16, 1994

To: Amir Rodriguez

Ate Lisa’s safe. She’s back in school now.

Take care. I heard there was a number of collateral damage in the attack. They’re unstoppable.

Regards,

Richard

 The Metro Standard

Friday, July 1, 1994

Ocampo son mistakenly shot by presidential aide

By: Karl Trinidad

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - Adrian Ocampo, son of senator Lois Ocampo and presidential right hand Bong Ocampo, was shot dead by a presidential aide early this morning, July 1. According to news reports, the Ocampo boy was suspiciously walking around the Malacañang Palace in the early hours of the morning, which alerted the aide as a possible spy from activists or militant groups which could harm President Ernesto Barrameda.

The aide who shot the boy indicated he alerted the boy and asked who he was, but the boy ran away towards the halls. 

“It was my second nature to [pull] the trigger. I didn’t know who [the boy] was. I thought I was just doing my job,” the suspect said.

Witnesses reported the boy came from a morning run to the post office to send some letters and postcards and bought coffee afterwards from a local shop. Although his intentions in the Palace are still unknown, administrators are currently looking for more sufficient evidence about the matter. 

Bong and Lois Ocampo, who had recently signed an agreement with President Barrameda concerning new retributions of the media’s alleged propagandist attacks towards the government, have rescheduled a number of court hearings in order to organize their son’s funeral.

The Metro Standard tried to reach out to the Ocampo family for a statement, but the request is still unanswered.

This article was originally published in The Benildean Issue 14 and on The Benildean website.