#because I want to compare something my translation teacher said

[snakeorsquid]

Reading Harry Potter and the philosopher's stone ( ou l'école des sorciers ) with @eejilunio ✨a thread✨

Chapter 1 only

_

Me * reading aloud in Voldemort's voices* : ThE Boy WhO LIvEd ...

Eeji: wait 'The boy who lived'' ? I don't have that.

Me: What do you have ?

Eejil: Le survivant (rough translation: the survivor)

_

Me : lmao I like that description

Eejil : which one ?

Me: the cat holding a map. Can U imagine in a cartoon dynamic?? Like Cat!McGonagall on her hind legs just looking at the map like she's holding a newspaper with her front paw, pure comedy

_

Eejil : did he just talked about Voldemort with a Muggle ??? And called Vernon a Muggle, very discreet.

Me *laughing* : I thought it was supposed to be a secret, I'm dying

(Later)

Me: he probably told loads of Muggle tho

Eejil: he so did! He told everyone he could

_

Me: Vernon thinking everything weird that happened today could NEVER reach them, Oh boY Ur in for a damn surprise

Eejil: OoOps

_

Me: ''High-heeled bucked boots'' ??!

Eejil : what- where did you read that?

Me: there

Eejil : oh yeaaah it's also high heel boots there

Me: omg I just imagined Dumbledore with gigantic heel. LIKE STRIPPER'S HIGH HEEL OH FUCK IM DYING

Eejil : OH MY GOD I SEE IT!

Me: I HAVE TO DRAW THAT

_

Me: He really think that Harry will be better off with them because it's better than a life of fame etc OhoooOooooooOH

Eejil*laughing*: it's really like 'shuuush trust me'

Me: BUT REALLY! Its Like ''Naaaah Don't worry he gonna love it here ' 'ai la conf t'inquiètes' dude

_

Me: Wait he didn't knock

Eejil : huh?

Me: Dumbledore, he just put him on the doorstep in November with a letter and a blanket and basta ?? He didn't knock or ringed the fucking bell, he could literally died,no?

Eejil: Idk heating charms? Also anybody coming by could go 'Oh free child' and just take him. Oh and the letters : 'eeuuh Here's Ur nephew take care peace out'

Me : damn you're right. Oh and also ' Yo ya Sister and her husband's dead btw here the child bubYe!'

Eejil: he don't give a fuck lol

_

Bonus :

Eejil : it was cool I liked it we should continue soon

Me: Yeah it was fun we can do it- OMG I HAVE MAP OF HOGWART.

Eejil : WHaaat I don't have that.

[astrum-aetherium]

What do you think Henry whispered in Camilla's ear at the end? It's a moment that really stuck with me somehow and I love hearing theories about it

what can possibly be more personal, more ponderous and intimate than i love you?

i'm sure this is something everyone who has read TSH has previously wondered about. i know i have. what i also know is that the most common theory is "live forever", and yes — it would make sense, given that henry is undeniably a devoted little teacher's pet to julian, but it does seem a little melodramatic to me (specifically because julian did abandon them all in the end as well, lol). henry going out with a bang (literally) wouldn't be defined by something as simple as that, however much meaning is attached to it in theory. besides, we've all heard that theory a million times over. i'll offer a new one.

he's goddamn pretentious. to the bone. he refused to take his SATs and thereby consciously denied himself the opportunity to attend any prestigious schools (which he would've certainly gotten into and dominated) for singularly aesthetic reasons. you simply can't get more pretentious than that. i always say that he's too intelligent for his own good — to the point it no longer benefits him at times. just too smart to possess any ability to reflect on himself. almost amusing in that way.

therefore, i believe it was something along the lines of a riddle — something that would keep camilla puzzling over it for a long time succeeding his death. and yes, you can say that his suicide was an impulsive decision and all that, but he had been (even verbally) entertaining suicidal ideology way before he actually went through with it. plus, he just seems like someone who would have something like that — his last words — memorized and ready to go at all times, specifically at a time as dangerous as toying with the possibility of being detained and thrown in jail for murder. just a thought.

i'm almost 100% sure it was also in any language other than english, according to his customs. i've already elaborated on how pretentious he is. he wouldn't make it easy for anyone to figure him out that quickly, not even camilla. the i love you was just a premise, nearly nothing compared to the whisper. and if it's not english, then it must be one of the languages that he does know. assuming that it's either latin or ancient greek, he would go out of his merry way to make it as complex and hardly translatable as he can. he would apply the most archaic of archaic versions of those languages, even with one simple phrase. as i said, he would've planned it out beforehand deliberately. it makes perfect sense.

what it would be, however, is a whole other conversation of its own. maybe that very "i love you" or previously mentioned "live forever", just in a different language. that is the simplest answer i can offer. i like to dig deeper when it comes to mysteries such as this one, though, so i've been gathering my thoughts all day today in order to predominantly satisfy myself with an obnoxiously pretentious answer. how about: "to the stars" (kitsch but fitting, obviously convoluted, and in a different language) or a translated version of "ashes to ashes, dust to dust" — just to deride religion and tradition one last time. or, perhaps, "permanence". something that perpetuates his convicted disbelief in vanitas. "never gone"; "the conclusion". and i know, all of these sound dumb as hell in english, but do remember — they would be uttered in a different language, and in a complex way, too. to be mulled over; wondered about for a long time, even as a scholar.

someone needs to hook me up with ms tartt's phone number so we can settle this once and for all, lol. but then again, i don't want to know. i don't want a simple answer to such a mystifying, ponderous question. i'm fine with eternally musing over it — it certainly keeps me entertained.

[plutoswrath]

𝙰𝚜𝚝𝚛𝚘 𝙼𝚞𝚜𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝟷: 𝙰𝚜𝚝𝚛𝚘𝚕𝚘𝚐𝚢 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝙲𝚑𝚒𝚕𝚍𝚛𝚎𝚗

🫧 Working with children, I really want to start making more astro observations on them. I’ve read many theories about ‘children are their moon sign etc’ - which doesn’t have to be wrong btw !! the environment we grow up in really heavily determines what we show and grow into the most after all - but from what I’ve seen so far, especially when they’re younger, they’re all their sun sign to a t.

🫧 When we talk about children it’s important to note that children are all very much in their ‘me me me’ era and that they just at the start of getting socialized. What aspect in their chart will be shown and is evolving is also very dependent on the institution/environment they are in. If you put a child in school, it only makes sense that the 3rd house is heavily triggered since it literally talks about our early socialization process and early education.

🫧 The process of growing more and more into the ascendant (aka the way they are socialized by their close environment) would be ever present, I believe, but ofc, it all starts from home (as almost everything does, right?) and then translates into the way they start behaving and interacting at other places.

🫧 But since my work with children mainly consists out of playing with them and doing sports, I think the vital, expressive and fun loving attitude of the sun shines even more than usual. Not only are young children mainly controlled by their ego, but my work focuses on helping children realize their individual unique skill sets as well, so I do think I get a good glimpse of their purest form of their Sun, 5th house, as well as Mars energy (honorable mentions, Mercury and Venus)

🫧 And let me tell you while we’re at it, I’ve met so many Gemini and Virgo children in my life and nothing compares to the level of articulation both possess. Not to forget the level of skill Gemini children possess from an early age on (and yes Gemini children are the ones who talk the most. It’s not a bad thing though, we as a society should really start listening to children more and nothing means more to Gemini children than showing them that you engage with their words and pay attention). Virgo children are most of the time so easy to be around (often because they early on start adapting to the rules of the adults, sad to see <‘3) + Virgo children are extremely witty, and so are Leo children too. But if you think Virgo children are the ones crying the loudest when rules are broken then I have to disappoint it’s always Libra children throwing the biggest fit if they themselves perceive anything as unjust (which goes beyond going against the rules of a game).

🫧 Also Scorpio children are always in their own world and so are cancer children. While Scorpio children border on the Jupiterian energy of Sagittarius they often have class clown energy too, but despite that, Scorpio and Cancer children are always zoning out at one point. Cancer children have a thing for pouting and giving the silent treatment btw LMAO it’s actually quiet funny they are the children that usually are the shiest at the beginning and retreat easily if something scares them. Their parents are their heaven if something happens. But once Cancer children feel comfortable they are totally led by their water energy. Totally in their own fantasy world and it’s really cute to see. But yeah very hard to read, I’m a Cancer myself and I have the most trouble reading Cancer children even though they all act on the same scheme of ‘one step forward, two steps back’, if anything threatens them they retreat immediately (!). I remember my primary school teacher introducing me to a new classmate and she literally said ‘Luca is like the sea, one minute they’re quiet and still and the next minute they’re wild and loud.’ LOL. If only she knew.

🫧 I observed that Cancer and Pisces children all exude the same mystic energy. Especially cancer children literally will remind you of the moon, it’s the vibe and the looks that they have, they also tend to look a tat sad most of the time, really somber.

Credit: plutoswrath, 2022.

[liquidluckandstuff]

In the Snape character meme ask thing you said Hogwarts has really gone to the dogs, and that you have opinions about it👀👀

Can you elaborate on it pls? I'm really curious👀👀👀👀

This is coming from a real world place not a fantasy place. As in "If a school like Hogwarts really existed."

First off, there are a lot of teachers like Professor McGonagall or Flitwick who are very very good at their jobs. Great. Fantastic.

But then you have teachers like Hagrid or Trelawney or even Snape who very clearly know their craft, but are absolute shit at teaching it.

This is why I HATE it when people think "Oh if you can't do, teach" because they think it's easy. It's very clearly NOT.

You have Hagrid whose heart is in the right place, and who knows what kind of experience, teaching all these kids about magical animals. There is no denying he loves what he does, and for some animals is very experienced but why does he keep teaching about the same animal all year? Skrewts, unicorns, nifflers and thats all we really hear about.

A lot of those are because he HAD to to get Umbridge off his back. Part of being a teacher is keeping student interest and doing the same thing over and over again makes them bored. They were very CLEARLY bored in his class and they themselves didn't think he was a very good teacher.

So now you have this man teaching them about something he clearly doesn't know much about, or at least HOW to teach it and these kids have to take these super important tests that could determine their fates in the wizarding world?

Hagrid clearly doesn't understand the pressure they are under because he never took a test like that himself.

Then, you have Trelawney who kind of just skirts on by with her lessons. These students are clearly faking their understanding and getting away with it for a number of reasons.

But mainly its because she doesn't know how to follow up with her teachings. She teaches it, has them do it, and then her corrections don't have any solid structure other than "Well you don't have the inner eye" which basically can translate to in the real world "You didn't get it the way I taught it the first time there must be something wrong with YOU not with the way I taught."

Honestly, part of me liked that umbridge had her leave the school. She herself could not provide one shred proof that she could do the things she claimed. Because if she WAS a good teacher, her students would have been able to put into practice the things she taught.

(I mean fuck umbridge but we are comparing to good teaching practices here. She "teaches", most of the students cannot do what she taught unless they have a natural talent, therefore she isn't really a good teacher) Sure those kids love her, but love doesn't help them pass those O.W.Ls

And finally Snape.

He is a MASTER at his craft. A POWERFUL wizard.

and he HATES children. Start there and how on earth does that make him a good teacher? He has the same problem that Trelawney has. Teach it and expect them to get it but if they don't they are idiots? And this dude actually insults them.

The environment he created is already working against him. Students do NOT learn well in an environment where they do not feel comfortable in and how are these kids supposed to be comfortable with a man who will insult them for anything?

He is literally just there because Dumbledore wants him there. Then, when does he actually offer remedial potions to anyone other than Harry? and even then it isn't real? Who would WANT to go to remedial potions with him when they aren't comfortable with it?

I would take that failing grade and a howler from my mom if it meant i didn't have to spend any more time with him.

So you have this unwelcoming environment with a man who is LOOKING to insult you (if you aren't in Slytherin but even then you might not be safe) and you better get his lesson down right the first time because otherwise there will be hell to pay.

The students who do learn do it out of fear, or get help from an outside source (like Hermione). And while I do love it when people work together like that it should NOT be how they are learning the content. That gets me PISSED.

That is horrible teaching because what is the POINT of a teacher being in a classroom at that point if the students are the ones doing all that work constantly? He isn't even monitoring them very well if that's all he is there for.

Sure there are classes where they do that but like.. that is the point of that class. There is also a lot of freedom in those sorts of classes to learn what you want to learn. But those kids? With all that pressure and having to do that for so long?

No no. It's not Snape that is a good teacher, those kids who do work hard and make those good grades on their O.W.Ls that is ALL on them. ALL their hard work and dedication. Snape just bullied them into it and sat back and got to take the credit.

Anyway. I really really hate a lot of the teaching styles at Hogwarts.

[meraki-yao]

Hi! Thank you for reflagging my little rwrb ask game. Here are some numbers as another thank you and because I’m a little bit curious :)

1, 2, 11, 12 and 16 💜

Feel free to ignore the ones you don’t feel like answering, if there are some! 

First and foremost thank you so much for making this ask game!!! and also thank you for asking me!!! Writing this was really fun :D

What was your introduction to Red, White and Royal Blue? How did you become aware of it, what was your first impression of it?

It was completely coincidental. The day the trailer came out it popped up on my recommendation, and I was intrigued so I watched it, and then I couldn't stop watching it. I swear, within like, three days, I watched it at least 30 times, and I ran to get the book two days later

My first impression after watching the trailer for the first time was that it looks a little cliche, like something I'd find on Ao3, but it also looks like a genuinely fun and delightful movie, and I think I would have a really good time watching it. And I did!

2. Team Alex or Team Henry? (I know you love them both equally but choose anyway. OR choose depending of the circumstances. Like, "I’d go shopping with Alex but I’d marry Henry. Or I’d hug Alex but I’d go karaoke with Henry. I don’t know. Try something.)

I love both boys in both universes/mediums in different ways, but I'd say I personally relate a lot more to Henry, particularly movie Henry

11. Choose your prison. Would you rather live in a royal palace or in the White House? 

If we're talking about the buildings themselves, I'd say the palace, mostly because I grew up with fairy tales and I like that regal, medieval/classical/romantic aesthetic.

12. Share one of your unpopular opinions about the book and/or the movie.

Ooo, this is gonna be a slightly longer one. I was thinking about making a full post on this but I might as well just answer it here.

This has to do with the bonus chapter: I didn't really like it? Or more accurately, it made me feel kind of... disappointed or sad. With all due respect to Casey of course.

It took some time but I came to terms with Alex wanting to work in smaller law firms, especially after talking to my law student friends. My issue is Henry's abdication.

It's just, so much of the original book is about making history, about being in a prominent position AND being gay. Henry keeps track of gay monarchs, and they tend to have to hide or give up something one way or another: King James I had to commission the translation of the bible and sort of... lie about his relationship (I'm technically not religious, but I did read the bible a lot as a kid, and I really don't think the relationship between Jesus Christ and John, namely teacher and disciple is comparable to a very, very homoerotic relationship), and King Edward II (Yes there are two gay kings in Henry's name) had to exile his lover. So to have Henry finally be a royal who can keep both his title and his love would be historical, just as they said they wanted. Henry can step back from royal duties without stepping down: irl Princess Beatrice while still a working royal, had a full-time job in 2017 and split her time between New York and London. Henry could have done something like that. I understand that in the book the royal family is a lot stricter, rigid, and overall awful than in both real life and the portrayal of the movie, but I thought that with Princess Catherine coming back to take charge at the end, things would improve, fixing the system instead of going "fuck the system". Also this might be because of certain things happening in my life right now, but I'm kind of sick of seeing stories where you have to choose one, instead of coming to a compromise. You don't get all the good, you don't get all the bad, you find somewhere in between, and that's okay.

Plus given the more benevolent portrayal of Henry's family, especially his grandfather in the movie (I wrote a whole essay about it), if we get a movie sequel, I really don't want Henry to abdicate, and it also makes less sense.

But then Casey posted a story about their thoughts when writing the bonus chapter, about the boys taking a break from making history, not giving up; preserving their flame instead of letting it burn so hard that it burns out. That made me wonder if my perspective and opinion on the bonus chapter are affected by me being young.

16- Pick a line and/or a quote for each:

-You have to sell the book/movie to someone who doesn't know anything about it.

Bith "But you're the one who decided to put your dick into the heir of the British throne!"

yeah I think that summarizing the initial selling point pretty well

-The quote that makes you the most emotional.

Romance/ Love wise:

Book: the entire fucking list, but also "give yourself away sometimes, sweetheart. there's so much of you." (I started sobbing when I read it)

Movie: "I'll break the sound barrier for you. "

Lines that make me emotional for personal reasons:

Book: "I honestly have never thought I deserved to choose. But you treat me like I do."

Movie: "But Henry, Nothing will ever happen to you."

(I feel like just from that you could tell what my personal issue is lmao)

-A quote/line that could be a life lesson to you.

Both: "Sometimes you just gotta jump, and hope you're not standing on a cliff."

This was so much fun! Again thank you for sending in the numbers, and if anyone else wants to ask me (the list is here!) please do!

[lisutarid-a]

[Gakuen K] Yatogami Kuroh Route Translation

Escape declaration on a school trip

LIST OF CHAPTERS

[Translation under the cut]

Neko: Waaai! Okinawa, Okinawa, Oki-nya-waaa!

Shiro: Neko is so energetic.

Saya: She was looking forward to the school trip.

Shiro: That's true. Looks like Neko wasn't the only one looking forward to it.

Kuroh: Here is the place, Okinawa…The one that Ichigen-sama was talking about!

Saya: Kuro-kun seems to be having fun too.

Shiro: Uhm, it's nice to be young.

Saya: Young…You don't like Okinawa, Shiro-kun?

Shiro: Why?

Saya: Compared to the two of them, you're very calm.

Shiro: It's not like that. In fact, I've been here quite a few times.

Saya: I see…Hope you find something new this time.

Shiro: Yep, I'll spend this trip enjoying it.

Kuroh: Here you are. I was surprised when I turned around and nobody was there.

Kuroh: Right. I'll give you this.

Saya: "How to walk in Okinawa"…?

Kuroh: It's the brochure I made yesterday. Even though we're free to go, we need to be punctual.

Kuroh: How much of the specified time can be used in a meaningful way? This is what travel is all about…

Saya: Amazing…The schedule is timed to the minute.

Kuroh: Right. Although there is currently a slight delay, there is still room for making up for it. So…

Kuroh: …Where's Shiro and Neko?

Saya: Neko-chan ran over there, Shiro-kun…huh, where did he go?

Kuroh: There's a piece of paper on your back.

Saya: Eh, what is it? Can you take it?

Kuroh: "I don't like to be tied down by time. Have fun. Shiro."

Kuroh: …Declaration of escape. That's brave.

Choice: [Let's find Shiro-kun] ❤

Saya: Let's find Shiro-kun and others. I think the teacher will get mad at us if we don't work together…

Kuroh: You're right. Really, that guy…He ruined my schedule.

Kuroh: I've spent a week creating it for this day.

Saya: So much…! That's all the more reason we have to find him fast!

Saya: Those two, where did they go…

Kuroh: This is my first time in Okinawa…I have no clue.

Saya: Shiro-kun has been here a few times, he seems to know the area well.

Kuroh: Besides, those two are bizarre. It's hard to imagine what they would do…

Saya: Right…Let's look for them at random!

Choice: [Let's go sightseeing together]

Saya: It can't be helped, let's go sightseeing together.

Saya: Anyway, Kuro-kun made the schedule for us.

Kuroh: No, the basic rule for free activities is to work in groups. If the teacher finds us, we will be punished.

Saya: Ah, I see…

Kuroh: But surely I can't let our schedule go to waste. Let's go around looking for them.

Saya: Uhm, let's do it.

Saya: (We looked for them everywhere, but in the end we couldn't find Shiro-kun and the others…)

Saya: Where did those two go…?

Neko: Ah! Gohan!

Neko: Gohan, welcome ho-ome!

Saya: Kya.

Neko: Okinawa is awesome! There are so many foods and drinks I've never seen before!

Neko: Wagahai would like to stay in Okinawa all the time! Bring the school to Okinawa!

Saya: You must have had such a great time. Did you spend it together with Shiro-kun?

Neko: That's right! Wagahai is always with Shiro.

Neko: That's why, when the school will be bringed to Okinawa, Shiro will be with me!

Saya: Neko-chan really likes Shiro-kun.

Neko: Uhm! Because Neko is Shiro's cat!

Saya: Fufu, I see.

Neko: But I also like Gohan, so I wanted to be with her today, but when I told Shiro about it, he said no.

Neko: So today, in order not to disturb you both, Wagahai and the others split up!!

Saya: I see. I didn't know that…

Neko: You shouldn't know. Shiro told me that it's a secret - Ah!

Neko: Wagahai said that! Uhh, what should I do? Gohan, forget it! Please!

Saya: U-Uhm. I'll forget it.

Neko: Fuu, what a relief. Fuwaa…Wagahai is getting sleepy.

Saya: Well then, let's go back to our rooms.

Saya: (Shiro-kun and Neko-chan intentionally sepatated from us)

Saya: (…In order not to disturb me and Kuro-kun…)

[Prev chapter][Next chapter]

[magpies4nights]

(Title is a joke don’t take this seriously (please don't go to Ecuador)) GASA4AM COSPLAY MEET UP AT 0°47'03.1"S 91°00'09.9"W 1:00 PM ECT, BE THERE OR BE SQUARE!!!! (dev log #10)

Hi guys. I haven't died yet, for the people who are waiting on my downfall. It felt like I was dying because I was sick! yippee! I mean, I still am, but I can walk around mask free because it's basically just a little itchiness in my windpipe, but compared to last week Friday (I felt so sick I couldn't even get out of bed without the help of my parents dragging me out or even lift my head for that matter), I feel great. With how sick I was, I kinda didn't get to work on the fan game as I hoped I could. Of course, I could have requested to have a break from classes, but I think they wouldn't be so lenient without a covid test and I'm sure it would have been negative. I also had to do homework on top of having a sniffly nose and walking around like I was hit by a car. You know heavy machinery? I had to deal with that with fogged up glasses. My mom apparently said that her dad lost part of his finger to a table saw, and I thought I was going to have history repeat itself, although hopefully that doesn't mean the 90's are making a come back. The only good thing that may have happened was the MTV shows, Humongous Entertainment games and the Parappa series. And before you argue with me, Nirvana started in the 80's, and Titanic (1999) is not a good movie. Rose didn't love Jack, she basically kills him in the end because there WAS enough room on that door. Everyone who says she didn't kill him is a Rose apologist/j

Anyways, no more depressing shit for now. I’m almost done with the locations. At last. I have one more to do and then it's everyone else’s sprites and maybe rework Xandra’s because there are some animation errors in her sprites such as her ears disappearing when she walks. So yeah, next week when I finally have down time and feel better I can work on them. With the way things are going I'll probably have to update y'all the week after my birthday (which is late March. You guys will know when I change my bio from 20 to 21 (whopee I get to finally drink *shudders*)), because good god, classes are also going real hard on me. Midterm on the 6th? No thank you. Not after that essay you made us write which I practically had several panic attacks because I thought that piece of shit was going to fail me. If you're asking if I failed, no, surprisingly it got me a 100. I don't know if the teacher gave me pity points but somehow she said my clarity and my content was great which is surprising because there is no way someone who is practically having a panic attack and is really sleep deprived could ever do that (me when I was writing that).

I’ll be honest, the bottom floor for the house was a nightmare because there would be times when I had to figure out how the hell it would do the thing I wanted it to do based on Xandra’s location.

Anyways, music time. For possibly the last time for dev blogs for this project:

WATER BOWL💧🥣 WATER- 🗣️ WATER- 🗣️WATER- 🗣️WATER BOWL💧🥣🗣️ W-W-W-W-WATER ✨𝓫𝓸𝔀𝓵✨ (I was sick (and I still am) when I made that song)

(I guess there's now 2 songs with vocals)

Oh yeah I also drew up some stuff to make up for Valentine’s Day because I think it’s funny. And also it’s to cope with the pain of when my parents said go to bed and I was sick and bored and I couldn't lift my head up.

I also drew up something which was an old concept I had with Priyah, where instead of just pestering Xandra she did it to everyone by disguising herself as an erson (specifically as a holiday erson) and since there was no valentines verson in GASA4AM that I knew of I decided maybe she could pretend to be one of them.

(Translation because I know my handwriting is horrendous: Hi guys I’m Valentine’s Verson but you can call me Val. I’m like your 4th cousin. (These guys don’t look convinced))

Trust me you will recognize her in that Valentine’s version/Val disguise once you smack her glasses on her and take the lipstick off.

[kumoriyami-xiuzhen]

Hakuoki SSL - 『Chibi Chara After School Life』

hope everyone is staying hydrated and cool... Anyway, this is the 『ちびキャラ After School Life』 content that was originally printed in the G杂志2013年8月号 magazine, and while it was later reprinted in the 薄桜鬼SSL ～sweet school life～公式ファンブック 特別授業篇 book, the “introductory guides” didn’t seem to make it?

Hakuoki SSL - 『Chibi Chara After School Life』  (I don’t have the title in CN so I wasn’t able to translate the title of this myself and I relied on google for that)

Translation by KumoriYami

Chizuru's Introductory Guide❤

I ran into Hijikata-sensei while he was resting in the cafeteria! Although he usually looks busy, he seemed to be relaxed today. I heard him ask me, "do you want to come and have a drink?" So I went and had tea with him. Despite how he is very strict, he is a gentle teacher who is always very considerate of us.

---------------

『 Stealing a moment to have a quick cup of tea 』 

Hijikata: As soon as it becomes spring, it feels like another year has started. The new students have to handle a lot of formalities and prepare for the scheduled tests and son on... they don't even have the time to have a relaxed meal.

Chizuru:  You've been working hard, Hijikata-sensei. Please don't push yourself too hard... Right, if it's convenient, can I do something for you?

Hijikata: I appreciate your kindness, but regardless of the situation, I can't get a student involved.

Chizuru: I'm truly sorry...

Hijikata:....There's no helping it, don't show such an expression. If you really want to help, there is a task I can ask of you.

Chizuru: Ah...yes! Please just tell me!

Hijikata: Stay with me until I finish my tea. Because it's necessary to find the time to relax once in a while.

---------------

Chizuru's Introductory Guide❤

Okita-senpai gave me a very cute doll! The doll comes from the now popular "MAKOTO Soldiers" series, which seems to have other versions aside from cats. He also said that he would take me to go play at the GAME CENTER, and that he was looking forward to it.

---------------

『 For that child...? 』

Okita: Yep, here. This is for you.

Chizuru: So cute...! Where did you get this doll?

Okita: When I was going home yesterday, I went to the game center with Heisuke. This was obtained there.

This is apparently called a "MAKOTO Soldiers", which is one of the popular doll series nowadays... There's this indescribable sense of disgust that's very annoying. You see, its face really looks like Hijikata-sensei's, and I really want to beat it up.

Chizuru: I think most people will find it cute... Anyway, thank you. I will cherish it!

Okita: You're welcome. This series also has a rabbit, bear and so forth... if you want them, let's go together next time?

Chizuru: Yes, please be sure to bring/take me!

---------------

Chizuru's Introductory Guide❤

Saito-senpai, who has been very busy with the affairs of the Disciplinary Committee, seems to be counting the points deducted after school today. In order to not cause his problems, you must be careful to not be late! As he is also very enthusiastic about the Kendo Club's activities, the Disciplinary Committee's actives, and coordinating between them, he is a senpai who I respect very much!!

---------------

『 In Retrospect 』

Saito:  We of the Disciplinary Committee have to count the deductions data for the day like this after school.

Aside from the normal days... it is very exhausting when there surprise uniform inspections like today. Because the amount of statistics/counting work greatly expands.

Chizuru: Ex-Exhausting...

Saito: Having said that, thanks to Hijikata-sensei's and Principal Kondou's education, I feel that there are far fewer students at our school who violate the rules compared to other schools.

Chizuru: I think that's inextricably linked to the efforts of the Disciplinary Committee's members, including Saito-senpai. Ah, but Hakuo Gakuen's uniform rules were originally relatively loose.

Saito: To some extent, that recognition is based on [one's?] personal judgement. Having said that, those three people on the student council..

Chizuru: Kazama-senpai and Amagiri-senpai and Shiranui-senpai, ah... uh... they're quite unconventional.

Saito: It is completely incomprehensible that their uniforms were approved...

---------------

Chizuru's Introductory Guide❤

It's been a while since I've seen Heisuke-kun, my childhood friend, who is active in his club activities. He's super focused when it comes to the things he loves. Maybe it's the same situation for the games he's addicted to [I think?]. It'd be great if he could make use of his focus for his studies... You can't always stay up late, can you?

---------------

『 Spiritual Unity... before then 』

[honestly I have no confidence in that title translation. im assuming this is more among the lines of “Mental Preparations’... before then? JP is “精神統”]. 

Toudou: Let me ask you, what do you think is the most important thing in kendo?

Chizuru: Eh? It should be strength, and quick reflexes...?

Toudou: These factors are really important if you want to win a match. But Kondou-sensei said that mental strength is the easiest thing that everyone forgets while exercising. 

In the arena, once you get overwhelmed by your enemy's momentum, you will not be able to use your normal strength. While practising, once you lose to yourself, you will unconsciously goof off. That's what he said.

Chizuru: So Heisuke-kun's mind has always been very focused.

Toudou: That's how it is!..... Alright, I feel like my concentration has reached its max!

Chizuru: Ah, since that's the case, why don't we study hard for next week's test while you're full of concentration? If you make full use of this concentration, you'll certainly be able to pass the test!

Toudou;…………Uh, no, think about it, studying and sports are two different things...

Chizuru:…………

Heisuke: I, I'll work hard....

---------------

Chizuru's Introductory Guide❤

This is Harada-sensei taking a break from class since it's over. When the weather gets hot, teaching physical education gets very difficult.... Harada-sensei is our 1st Year Class 1 professor, but despite how I meet him everyday, I have never seen the listless side of him, I can't lose to this sweltering heat!

---------------

『 A teacher's job is not easy 』

Chizuru: The temperature has got up a lot... families will soon start taking out their fans.

Harada; The classroom's extremely stuffy. It's even harder to have physical education classes outside.

Chizuru: Yes... The sun is very intense, and you also need to prevent sunburns and heatstroke.

Harada: I also pay attention to the physical conditions of students, and if you feel unwell during class, tell me immediately [there are actually no pronouns in the latter half of the sentence so I'm just going with what I think makes sense here].

Chizuru: Yes, I often pay attention to the physical condition of my classmates.

...However, you're the one working the hardest, Harada-sensei. Even if there is a physical education class, there's only one class that occurs every two days for the students, while Harada-sensei teaches physical education every day....

Harada: Thank you for your concern. However, that's the job of a physical education teacher..... Alright, after a short break and then we'll start the next class.

---------------

Chizuru's Introductory Guide❤

...Although I don't mind going to the Student Council room, I however heard Kazama-senpai call me his "wife" today. I clearly told him earlier that I wasn't... I was very concerned about why he was the only one wearing a different uniform from the other students, [though]  since he's the Student President of Hakuo Gakuen, he should be a very capable person as there are many students with personality.

[??? I hate the lack of periods in this. The last sentence is too long to not have other punctuation and that means getting creative to make things make sense -.-. ]

---------------

『 Day of Conveying Feelings』

Kazama: My wife. You rarely come to the Student Council Room... Why did you show up today?

Chizuru: There's no reason, and there isn't a rule that you can't come unless there's an urgent matter...

Kazama: Speaking of urgent matters, "seeing me" is significant enough.

Yukimura: It's not that important!

Important matters refers to the submission of documents, and printouts!

Kazama: Ah... I see. So if there isn't such a reason, it will be difficult to you appear before me with your bashful expression.

...Amagiri! Starting from tomorrow, in order to have the 1st year classes [I cannot tell if this plural or not] submit information to the Student Council Room every day after school, help me prepare some random surveys. I'll handle the negotiations with the teachers.

Chizuru: Please don't do that...!?

---------------

The Hijikata/Saito/Harada images were my scans that I uploaded before while the others were not. 

...this probably felt longer to translate than it did. Also, I cannot tell if something is singular or plural if there isn’t enough context. 

[yourlocaldisneyvillain]

reading that darkfic was... uncomfortable

there were times where I had to put my phone down and come back to it because I've had nightmares about being in almost that exact scenario with a chemistry teacher from my high school (nothing happened between us at all but my brain still conjured stuff that made me want to drop the class)

of course it doesn't compare to actually experiencing something like that but man, the way you wrote made me feel just... icky

it's also so interesting to see the perspective of someone who was abused and taken advantage of having the same urges despite the fact that they very clearly do not want to, all because they were taken advantage of when they were most vulnerable and felt they could only find solace in the one person who was so cruel to them

i most likely won't read it again but I am very glad I read it the first time, not only because I absolutely love your writing but it also sheds light on very real things that happen in the world that a lot of people either ignore or just don't know about

again, keep up the amazing writing and I will be eagerly awaiting the next fic you throw our way

hi! thank you so much for reaching out and sharing your thoughts! i really appreciate it. this was an important fic for me and i put a lot into it, so i'm very eager to hear people's impressions.

this was, in many ways, a very personal story for me. i wrote most of it based on my personal experience. not to go into too much detail, but i was in an ongoing abusive situation (a teacher i was close with) since i was 14 to when i was 21. so a lot of larissa's experience and how i describe both the abuse she endured and that she is tempted to engage in, and their conversation in the nursing home, etc... those were all just things from my past puzzled together and made a bit more Poetic and adapted to the story.

i think that people who haven't experienced such complex abuse oftentimes think victims of abuse can sort their experience in a neat category in their brain that says "Bad" and have no positive experiences with their abuser. but that is, most often, not the case. very often those are the deepest and most meaningful relationships victims have had at that time period of their life and, sometimes, all love and affection they have ever known. even if they *know* they don't want anything sexual with them, they simply justify it as the price to pay for affection and attention they deeply crave and desire, since usually with anyone they've ever known there was a price to pay for love.

i sort of woke up from a Trance lol when i was 21 and i just left. i texted my abuser and told him never to return to my place again, without explanation, because i *knew* i couldn't face him at that time and he would convince me to stay. he never came again. but afterwards, i had such a horrible crisis, after so many years of abuse, and i was just so confused as to why it was happening (well, he's gone now? what's the problem?). and one of the thoughts that was plaguing me is.... what if he chose me because we are similar, as that's what he often said? and i just thought that now, after a couple of years have passed, that's an interesting concept to explore in fiction. i have definitely felt like my body and my mind were nor mine at the time, like i was literally possessed. and i thought that would translate really well to sort of psychological horror/body horror in this story. my body was betraying me in so many ways, and it took such a long time for me to feel like it is mine again (one of the reasons i am so passionate about and interested in sex and erotica).

i just had so many thought about this topic that i had nowhere to put, and i feel i have put Most of them but not All of them into this piece of writing. personally, i think it's important to read about things that make you uncomfortable and that happen in real life if you are at a place in life where you can psychologically handle it.

this turned out to be me sharing very personal things about myself, but i figured it's vague enough that i could. this story is so important to me.

thank you for sharing your thoughts. <3 have a lovely day

[greenhappyseed]

BnHA Ch. 359 - Review, parallels, and comparisons

I’m not going to touch on any translation issues, and I’ll toss out my wild, off the wall take for “closer to Izuku Midoriya than anyone else” at the end (because I’m a tease this week). But first, AFO!Shig and how he manages to gain the upper hand on Bakugo. On the heels of Bakugo’s biggest, sweatiest, most explosive BOOM ever, a burned AFO!Shig marvels at the kid’s power before brutally snapping his arm. When Mirko and Jeanist move to help the kid, AFO!Shig says something very interesting:

He insults the “up close” battle strategy and compares his own power to All Might. AFO is both obsessed and terrified of All Might, and Shigaraki wanted to create a world without All Might, so it’s not shocking that when fused, they focus on surpassing All Might’s power without needing a quirk. As much as Edgeshot doubted in the last chapter that this was AFO!Shig’s base strength, we’ve long had a precedent for raw strength on par with All Might snapping someone’s arm…..

Power equal to or exceeding Prime All Might — without a quirk — has long been an AFO AND a Shigaraki goal, and now they’ve achieved it. Because yeah, the “massive disparities” between All Might and everyone else did lead to a lack of understanding, dread, and rejection. In the last chapter, Bakugo said he’d “taken all that crap to heart.” He knows, and has accepted, that he doesn’t have All Might’s (literal) power, although he does have All Might in his corner as a teacher and coach, and as his inspiration + namesake. Yet in this chapter, after AFO!Shig breaks his arm, tosses him aside like a doll, and blows away Mirko and Jeanist….after AFO!Shig screams how the strategy was wrong and he has power equivalent to All Might….Bakugo starts to crumple.

It’s a little strange to see a moment of doubt in Bakugo, because Bakugo DID fight All Might in the final exams, and he smiled against that towering wall. Against All Might, Bakugo thought, “we’ve got no chance against that pure simple strength” after a full power gauntlet blast didn’t do much. Bakugo’s hand was throbbing from strain, and he acknowledged the incredible power gap, but decided it was his power alone, not Izuku’s or some combination, that could bag the win for them both. Izuku begged him not to, but in a last ditch effort to win, Bakugo released his biggest one-shot explosion at All Might, leaving Bakugo exposed and defenseless. All Might seized on that, saying that he wouldn’t allow Bakugo to use such a self-destructive attack, and knocked the kid unconscious, which triggered Izuku’s big punch for the win.

What I’m saying is, kudos to AFO!Shig for masterfully making Bakugo doubt the ONE thing he’s ALWAYS been sure of, even in facing All Might: his raw power. Bakugo’s always been in control of his own destiny because he won the genetic lottery and has a kick-ass quirk; it’s his personality and ego that needed work. But AFO!Shig followed the standard AFO playbook and made Bakugo question the bedrock of his own identity. I wonder if Bakugo is thinking about how powerful Shigaraki has grown since USJ? Pre-MVA, I think Bakugo could have taken on Shig 1v1, and maybe that growth is gnawing at him.

The question is, what will Bakugo do next? We know he won’t give up; as he said in the final exam, he will break and crack, and accept being messed up because he won’t accept that his best is incapable of winning. Also, Bakugo is the one who told Izuku that he should have killed Shigaraki at the mall, broken bones or not. After being kidnapped, Bakugo brazenly exploded Shigaraki’s face — and was powerful enough that Shigaraki called on AFO to help. Being a damsel in distress waiting for a feral Izuku ain’t an option. But power alone will not save Bakugo or help him win.

Bakugo’s updated his view quite a bit since these early chapters, so I think his current view is more like “he won’t accept that his best, in combination with a team, is incapable of winning and saving.” Convenient then that Mirio, the alternate universe OFA holder/most powerful UA third year/champion of Eri and quirkless caretaker, is entering the conversation. (We’ve seen an impromptu Mirio-Nejire-Bakugo-Jeanist team up in the war before. This time, just subtract Iida and Izuku & add Amajiki and Mirko!)

I really do see Bakugo trying his best to work with these other heroes, and not trying to win alone like a hypocrite. Even if they all think they need Izuku (and in the end they will) I’m going to take a wild guess that a broken, messed up Bakugo can figure out a way to make progress until Izuku arrives (unless shit really hits the fan!). He can help deepen the vertical divide between AFO and Shigaraki as he figures out what’s worth winning and what’s worth saving. I could even see Bakugo supporting Shigaraki, helping Shig kick AFO in the proverbial nutsack face — whether that’s in the physical world OR in the vestige world.

I also think it’s good for Bakugo to be around Mirio because, although he wasn’t in the room to hear Nighteye’s full hypothesis, both Mirio and Nejire know what happened during the Overhaul fight. Mirio also knows Nighteye believed that the future he saw wasn’t entirely set in stone. If, in the end, every character needs to focus their energy on helping Izuku, I’m betting Mirio can work with Bakugo and make it happen.

Speaking of energy…LOTS of energy…anyone else’s Danger Sense going off when Mandalay says the electromagnetic waves are wonky as AFO!Shig’s body takes form, AFO regenerates in Gunga, and Toya’s chest is glowing and humming in Kamino? And Jiro’s Heartbeat Wall SOUND WAVE attack fired up AFO’s vestiges to encourage them to revolt? If AFO!Shig’s face changing is bad news for the heroes, this could be Very Bad News, especially for anyone (Izuku???) outside the barrier.

With that, let’s talk about the business students, shall we? All Might, the biggest media whore [affectionate] in the series aside from Dabi, didn’t look kindly on the business course. While he used his celebrity to its fullest extent, celebrity was never his goal. Fascinating then, that Bakugo was something of a celebrity before he even entered UA. Bakugo further entrenched his notoriety at the Sports Festival, and again after his kidnapping and again in the Cider House fight. Meanwhile, Izuku took down Overhaul and….nada. He’s just the kid who broke his fingers in the Sports Festival until he was the dark, multi-quirked “vigilante.” (Remember in the mall scene, Tomura approaches Izuku by talking about the Sports Festival, and when Tomura mentions Hosu, Izuku replies, “You sure know a lot about me.”) The media + watching from afar allowed Tomura to act like he knew Izuku. But did he?

It’s hilarious how wrong the media has been about Katsuki and Izuku. It’s almost like watching someone doesn’t let you know what’s in their heart (eg, Katsuki’s “bad personality” belies a true hero). So it doesn’t feel right to have business course/PR students in floating UA. I get their point, but it feels like a continuation of everything wrong with hero society — trying to make a narrative, win popular opinion, pit heroes vs other heroes. I’m hoping these students will actually capture footage of the villains helping the heroes, inadvertently creating a brand new narrative in favor of a different kind of hero society. If that means Bakugo gets some image rehabilitation too, then I’m all for it.

Finally, as promised, my batshit cuckoo take on AFO!Shig’s “closer to Izuku Midoriya than anyone else” line. Now, there are many, many times where both AFO and Shigaraki have seen Izuku and Katsuki be triggered by the other. Or times they may have heard things from other LOV members like Compress. But…what if AFO!Shig heard it from Bakugo himself? I wrote here about the numerous times 1-A and AFO have said eerily similar phrases, and this could be another one. Plus, AFO and Bakugo have certainly circled each other in the narrative, often bookending chapters or scenes. Shigaraki initially had the idea to kidnap Bakugo, likely to get at All Might. But what has AFO wanted with Bakugo??? Why has AFO always agreed Bakugo is an important pawn?

[ddejavvu]

'maverick? did your mother not like you, or something?' - make up a callsign for yourself, tell me why you've chosen it, and I'll tell you which character i think you'd get along with!

Hi! I hope you’re doing well! There’s a bunch of call signs that I feel like people could assign to me but I’ll say the 2 most likely! Unfortunately, I am not an intimidating person at all, nor am I very badass or cool and I think all of these reflect that! :)

1) sunshine- this is actually a nickname/endearment that so many of my teachers/bosses/other adults have given me throughout my life. I have a very sunshine disposition, make it my priority to be kind, and I smile all the time. It’s a nickname that follows me around in life so I think it’s plausible that it could be assigned to me as a callsign. (people also frequently call me Angel, so that’s another option I guess) :)

2) princess/Queen/Monarch- my last name is King. All my life people have made jokes that since I’m a girl (now young woman) my last name should really be Queen or Princess instead. Like LITERALLY so many people. It’s actually kind of annoying, but I see it being translated into a call sign that is given to me. It also doesn’t really help that because of my “sunshine disposition” as I’ve mentioned earlier, people have frequently compared me to being a Disney Princess. I’m being generous with the Monarch one, but I want one option to be at least semi-cool lol :)

Not very intimidating, I know! My sister frequently compares me to a bunny. People tend to have a soft spot for me because they don’t really take me seriously, but it’s ok! However, i would argue that these call signs are better (more intimidating) than the nickname “Bubbles” which I have earned from being like the blue Powerpuff girl :)

Almost off topic, but I have to admit that as much as I want to be a fighter pilot, I’d probably be a back-seater in all honesty :)

Have a nice day/night! I love your account! 💗💗

hear me out, i really do think they'd use your last name for the basis of your callsign! we see 'wolfman' come from 'wolfe' as a last name, and i think a last name as straightforward as that is like perfect fodder. honestly, i think you'd get some really teasing 'your highness's from characters like hangman or maverick who like teasing you, but otherwise people might just use king/queen!

that being said i think you'd get along really well with maverick. he thinks your name is fucking sick and he totally loves teasing you about it. he might be more like a thorn in your side than a friend, even, like he's just always bugging you and you can't get him to go away </3

[septimaseverina]

Okay. If I don't get these out of my chest and head, I can't work and write fan fictions properly.

Actually, this was one of my PTSD, but it has been healed for 95% It has been haunted me for almost 10 years (including 4 years in University days.).

12 years ago, I must choose what to study when I graduated from high shcool. That time, I was interesting in foreign language - out of English, Japanese and Korean (I had studied Korean for 1 year) - international relationship, Political Science, History and Fashion Designing.

I decided not to study Fashion Designing because when I registered for the entrance, the staff from that University looked at me like I'm not a person - just because I didn't come from the best and elite high schools of the country. I had carried my colours which I kept it in a bag. She said Icouldn't bring the bag into the room, while I saw other girls - who was in the 'elite-high school's uniform' - carried bags into the room without any prohibittion. I knew suddenly at that moment . If I were studying in THAT University, I must be insulted. So, I swear to everything that I'm not gonna study at THAT University for the rest of my life. Even they give me a scholarship, I'm gonna deny them.

And I finally find the University where I had graduated. I love The University so much. Even now, my spirit can be up when people mension it. Because there are true freedom and liberty, everything is just like Assassin's Creed's motto; Nothing Is True, Everything Is Permitted.

I choose Russian Studies because that time, I was recieving information about world's politic from only the USA, I wanted to know from Russia's side too, and because of my obsession in language, et voila.

Before the semester began, I had prepared myself by learning Russian's language alphabet and reading books about Russia as much as I can. But I didn't aware of the Russian grammar 'lecturer' (In my culture, we call everyone who teach us somethings 'teacher' in respecting term. But I call her lecturer until now.) and her pets.

Fisrt year, there is a rule that the students are autimatically registered in each section and each subject by their IDs. So, I met the Russian grammar lecturer and her pets, who had ruined my dreams, my studying method and approaching, my thoughts and my mental health.

The story began with I studied Russian grammar in her (the lecturer) class, and there were students, who used to be Russian exchanged student, they can read, translated and pronouced it exactly and rapidly. I would say they must be exempted from Russian 101-202. And no doubt, they became the lecturer's pets immediaetly. The worst things are the lecturer paid attention to them more than students who didn't understand the fundamental of Russian grammar. I'm in this group, so we must find our method to approach.

I, unintentionally, have found the link between Russian+Sanskrit-Pali+English and German, but I don't know what it is that time, because I didn't know about Linguistic. So, my expectation was so high, hoping she would answer my question and explain it to me.

But

She didn't. She rejected me. The moment I was asking her, there were her pet stood and asking her questions, she frowned and said the sentences which it has been still haunted me (But after this post, I promise I won't ramble.);

"Dear girl, you can't compare Russian grammar to other languages - even English - Russian language has its own syntax. You must study as it is."

And then her pets agreed with her. I still remember their words; "Yeah, dude. You can't. Russian is not similar to other langauges. Just stay in our teacher's method".

Those negative and harsh words had been haunted and wrecked my confidence on studying foreign languages, absolutely, just like insulting me (later, other Russian language's teachers tell me that there are many connection). And I was like a blinded person. I never got A in Russian language's classes. It had worn me out for eight and half year, until my best bitch returning from Russia after she had graduated in Bachelor and Master degree of Fine Arts.

I told her this story and then she tells me, even now; "That old hag doesn't read much books about Linguistic, girl. I insist, also my Russian friends that many languages have 'things' to do with Russian language. Especially with Sanskrit, because it's also derived from Proto-Indo-European too! She is so wrong and I'm sorry for you."

After that meeting, it was 4 years after the graduating, I regain my confidence on studying foreign languages, especially Spanish, Latin, French, Italian and many languages! Not only because my best bitch's pep talk, Sanskrit learning and Sanskrit lituratures's group in Facebook opens and expanding the world of linguistic. Many members post about connection about many languages and Sanskrit. Everytime I ask them, if I understand this and that right or wrong, they never say any harsh word! They explain them to me and helping me with their whole hearts.

So, finally, I could get out of that blackhole. But it triggers because of my current work, and the internal politics is the fuse.

I'm gonna leave all misery and sadness right here. I promise to myself that I'm not gonna let any mortal soul destroys any of my positive vibe again. I thought I would write some book about connectioin between Russian language and Sanskrit, to indirectly slap that old hag. But now I be like, nahhhhhh let her be. My younger friend from Russian Studies tells me that the major is in crisis. So I think it's Karma. Because one of the teachers has wrecked many students' dreams and chances, including me. I can safely say, this is the paid back.

Am I gonna revisiting Russian Language again? Maybe. I'm still enjoyed Sanskrit, Latin and Ancient Greek hehehehehehehe

[trinh24]

A personal experience with fear in the Japanese workplace (and patriarchy)

(Dec 7, 2022)

In my first few months working at a Japanese school, the most prominent emotion that still follows me out of work and makes me anxious at night is fear. Although I still struggle with this, I want to write down what my initial impressions were with sexual harassment or misconduct in Japan, so it may help someone else like me in the future. There was no one to advise me on what to be cautious about in the Japanese workplace and how to adjust to this new, specific culture as a woman or feminine person.

Before I came to Japan, I was already consuming lots of Japanese pop culture and media. One fear I had in the back of my mind was sexual harassment because I saw so many articles and anecdotes of women being catcalled, stalked, and harassed. So, I mentally prepared myself for the the fact that these things could happen to me. However, I knew I would live in the countryside, so I tried to push the idea of crowded subways and walking around alone at night out of my head. All things considered, the countryside and where I live is extremely safe. People leave their cars running while they run into stores and send their 6-year-olds to school alone.

Despite steeling myself for sexual harassment, I still ran headfirst into “the patriarchy” in the workplace. The patriarchy, or more broadly my experiences with men, those with more power, or those with more seniority, really came as a shock to me because I never worried about it in the US. As an American, I’m viewed by both others and myself race-first. If someone made a comment about me, it was probably about my Asian looks, so I used my Vietnamese-American identity as the biggest lens to understand who I was in my culture. I’m still learning what it means to be an “easy target” for comments and discrimination not related to my race, but instead as a young feminine-presenting person. As I want to write about here, I feel differently about being young and fem in Japan compared to the US. Especially because of how I’m treated in the workplace.

Through various workplace experiences here in Japan, I’ve developed a fear for interacting with coworkers who may not even have a history of sexual misconduct. For a long time I couldn’t place this feeling because nothing physical had really happened to me, and I didn’t have anything to compare it to. But I was definitely reacting to something. This wasn’t the overt harassment that is reported in the news. Rather, it was me noticing and becoming uncomfortable – even fearful– of how men and authority figures around me display their power and make others feel small at work.

I can think of many moments where I worried if I was going to be safe at work here around men. One of the first ones was listening to a co-ALT of mine talk about how I would be working with a teacher who made sexually inappropriate comments directly to them. My co-ALT did not report any of it, but said it only happened after having no issues for many months. I also heard stories of past ALTs being harassed by people who still work here and are kind to me. It made me realize that even if I felt comfortable with my coworkers now, something I couldn’t prevent could happen to me later as I worked in Japan. I couldn’t trust my coworkers to be respectful.

When I went to my first school’s drinking party, I had my own experience with what I had previously heard about. While many teachers were invited to the dinner and bar, only men showed up. No women came except me. It didn’t occur to me that I could ask the women at work if they were going because I thought at least one would be there. It was an uncomfortable night where I was put under a spotlight and objectified. During the dinner, the only English teacher there purposefully stared silently observing me when I was flustered and asked for help translating Japanese. After complimenting a different teacher’s terrible English, he then joked in Japanese, “Ah it feels great to be complimented by women in their 20′s.” And it was at that moment I knew. This was how men in Japan viewed women. At the very least, this was the culture at my school and town that I was going to have to navigate for the next year. These teachers who would say nothing to me or be polite at school, but outside of the bounds of work, they would suggest I should be the one to sing karaoke to cheer up male coworkers. Even after I outright said I didn’t want to and there were plenty of other men who wanted to sing.

At first, I didn’t know what my male coworkers could say or why to be worried about going alone to drinking parties. But after hearing the many experiences of women around me and seeing it for myself, I see the possibility that any coworker could do this. I’ve always been worried and afraid of being sexually harassed, and when it does happen its scary. I definitely wasn’t prepared for it in this form. There are guides on how to deal with the obvious forms of harassment, but not what to do about the constant fear that you might be harassed or the everyday treatment that’s just a little bit off. All of these small bits by themselves are nothing to write home about, but they compound into something bigger. There’s still a part of me that is mad at myself because I should’ve known better than to go to the party. But I didn’t know any better, and there was no way I could have.

Because I’m Japanese-passing and study Japanese, perhaps many teachers feel comfortable talking to and treating me like a Japanese woman. I know other foreigners and ALTs have been harassed, but I wonder if it would have been in this way if they looked the way I did. My identity as a foreigner is often overshadowed by my physical appearance as “Japanese” (which I don’t agree with but is somehow very convincing). So while I attempt to simply be own foreign myself, I am still perceived by Japanese people as a young Japanese woman.

Another mystery to me is how actual Japanese women deal with this. After a class I had early into teaching here, a female teacher told me that I should wear camisoles or dark dress shirts from now on because the boys in class were staring at what was under my shirt. Hearing from Japanese women that this culture prioritizes the sexual fantasies or desires of men over women’s privacy shouldn’t have been a surprise to me. I probably would have gotten dress-coded for the same thing in America, but it still scared me a lot. The same teacher has a difficult time controlling one of her classes because the boys only listen to male teachers (because of what she told me was their lack of maternal attention or 母性 from their own mothers, but I think it’s more than that). We both knew it would be best for the students’ learning that a male teacher be in the room to help them focus. But she said there was nothing she could do, even if their low grades reflected badly on her at the end of the year and she was let go. The principal and head teachers knew it wasn’t her fault that they were behind on curriculum, but they would not assign a support teacher or help the boys in a special needs classroom. The philosophy that something may be difficult and unfair, but you either 頑張る and pour tons of futile effort into making it work or 我慢 and suck it up and keep your head down.

I have many more examples and incidents related and unrelated to sexual harassment. At the drinking party from earlier there was a very nice teacher who came in halfway through and sat himself between me and a drunk teacher. However, there were still teachers who shouldn’t have made me uncomfortable in the first place. The way my coworkers treat me is also dependent on many many other factors like how little effort my school’s staff gives in order to welcome ALTs as part of the school community and support them as effective instructors. These are certainly some of the many factors that contribute to my emotions about work.

I still think sometimes that this all means nothing.

That there’s no reason for me to be afraid or “fearful” if this is all that’s happened. Even if I think these things are uncomfortable, it’s normal to not get along with coworkers. No one is stopping me from walking into the staff room with my chin up or telling me not to teach. But regardless, the feeling of fear and discomfort is real. The stories from other women I’ve heard are real. The invasive thought I have that the teacher who harassed my friend might harass me soon is real. And the way my students model and copy their teachers’ behaviors as they figure out what’s right and wrong in this world is real too. And maybe that does mean something. 

Thank you to my dear friends for helping me sort out my thoughts and write this down.

The purpose of all this is just to tell every other 22-year-old girl coming to work in Japan to never go to a drinking party alone. Tell her to always coordinate her ride with other women so she knows they’re going too. To never wear shirts with text on the front because people will lean in and try to read it. To remember the self-defense tricks she sees on TikTok. Beg her to be safe and to never try to do this alone, in any country.

[flickeringart]

Mars Retrograde in the natal chart

I’ve written about planets in retrograde in the natal chart before, find the post about Mercury, Venus and Mars here and the post about Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto here.

In this post I’m going a bit deeper into Mars Rx.

As we all probably know, Mars is the planet of personal drive, aggression, assertiveness and outward directed energy. Mars it works on behalf of the personality as the warrior – as forward movement, strength and desire. Mars enables us to be goal oriented, to stand up for ourselves and have a sense of direction and momentum. Depending on the sign Mars is in, the style in which one goes about one’s interests will vary. For example, an Aries Mars will be direct, impulsive, straightforward, loud, non-apologetic and open in taking action. Taurus Mars will be calm, patient, stubborn and energy preserving. Gemini will be cerebral, creative, mischievous and all over the place. Cancer Mars will be careful and protective of emotions while trying to secure a goal. Leo Mars will be demonstrative, proud and demanding. Virgo Mars will be purposeful and practical, going over the steps required to reach a specific goal. Libra Mars will try to smoothly get other people to get on board with one’s direction without ruffling any feathers, usually through using reason and logic. Scorpio Mars will assert its will “undercover” often through subtle yet effective emotional blackmail and strategy. Sagittarius Mars will be bold and restless, potentially quite clumsy and funny. Capricorn Mars will be serious, patient, mature, responsible and steadfast. Aquarius Mars will potentially be acting on behalf of a collective mission and thought-movement, considering what lies in the best interest of the “group”. Pisces Mars will be easily directed by influences from the environment, compassionate, soft and a bit confusing.

Having Mars direct in the natal chart means that desire is merged with action. In other words, action is employed in the name of desire. In the most basic sense, a person sees something of value (Venus) and Mars is the one who is in charge of conquering it. Venus and Mars can’t really be discussed separately for this reason because something has to catch one’s attention (Venus) in order for there to be anything to attain and achieve. Simply put, Venus is the object, person, place of esteem and Mars is the force that is in charge of closing the gap between the person and that which is desired.

When Mars is retrograde in the natal chart the drive to achieve is equally as strong as with Mars direct, but it is turned inward instead of being directed outward. This causes inner frustration, pent-up energy and often feelings of being ineffectual – unable to directly go after what one wants. Many sources state that since Mars is a masculine planet, Mars Rx is more bothersome for men, as women tend to not suffer from lacking in masculine traits as acutely because of identification with femininity (Venus). This is probably true, yet women will similarly experience the debilitating effects of Mars Rx – sometimes through the lover and partner of choice.

Some sources state that natives with Mars Rx had a childhood where they were not allowed to get angry or to stand up for themselves. Perhaps no one listened or bothered, perhaps displays of aggression were forcefully disapproved of and punished. There could have been a lack of support of the native taking initiative and paving his or her own path. I have had the reverse experience of being accused of not being assertive enough. I have Mars Rx in Virgo in the 3rd house and I was constantly criticized for lack of extroversion growing up, particularly in school (the 3rd house rules lower education) by teachers and peers. I was “too quiet”, “too inhibited”. In a sense, I was attacked for my “lack of Mars”. Unfortunately, I think this is quite common for people with Mars in Rx, we seem to invite aggression (in my case criticism because Virgo rules my 3rd house) in the area of life (house) that Mars is placed. I never attempted to “strike back” but kept my own pent up anger inside feeling worse and worse about myself, humiliated, yet for some reason unable to project the intensity outwardly – probably because it would only have caused me more reprimanding. However, the positive thing I’ve noticed with Mars Rx is that I have the ability to act independently of outside influences. In a sense I can act without desire being merged with action. Or rather, I can choose to redirect the build-up of intensity into unrelated activity. It’s definitely counter-intuitive, but it’s very useful in situations where one is required to act despite of a goal. Since people with Mars Rx have an obscure desire nature, there’s the ability to simply put one foot in front of the other and see what comes of the action.

(Buy products with my art here)

There’s something to be said about inviting aggression from the outside with Mars Rx. Other people seem to want to cause a reaction by provoking the Mars Rx person to make them stand up for themselves and display some assertiveness. This never works because Mars Rx people don’t react defensively to personal attacks on the spot. They sit tight, face the situation calmly yet is feeling a build-up of energy that is likely going to erupt later, when the situations has passed and when it’s no longer relevant. They get angry with themselves for not acting on the spot, for not saying the things they wanted to say and display the strength that they really do possess. Mars Rx people often question their potency and can beat themselves up for not being more willful. As stated, the bouts of anger come only at a later time, which does nothing to gain the individual a reputation of being impactful. The moment has passed and the opportunity to strike is gone. It’s important to not be too hard with oneself, Mars Rx isn’t a character flaw, it’s part of one’s unique blueprint and one would do better focusing on the benefits rather than the down-sides. Mars is after all about confidence and there’s no reason why Mars Rx should settle for feeling “less than” confident. The key is to not look for external proof of one’s potency and be content with knowing that one is powerful despite appearances of lack of assertiveness. With Mars Rx one should avoid comparing oneself to other people. Comparison and competitiveness don’t benefit these people, for obvious reasons. Measuring one’s strength against another will leave one feeling neither strong nor confident because the strength of Mars Rx is passive and felt internally.

In order to not feel emasculated with Mars Rx, one has to be squarely doing one’s own thing and avoid caring about what other people think one should do or even what oneself think one should do based on social values. This is the only way to be happy with this natal planet in my opinion. Stop competing = stop depleting, stop comparing = stop caring. Mars Rx people have the opportunity to be real individualists when they start valuing their internal integrity rather than the outward display of it. In a sense, Mars Rx is a very pure Mars. It’s simple action, unmotivated and unresponsive. It will not win us any battles in the moment; Mars Rx doesn’t build any momentum, energy is extended outward in bursts, starts and stops. The approach that works the best is to let action flow through, rather than directing it deliberately. This is usually going to translate into a quite soft energy but it can be quite beautiful. The famous male ballet dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov had Mars Rx – he was especially admired for his gracious jumps and seemingly effortless soaring in his dancing. He’s a good example of Mars Rx manifesting in a very powerful way – he uses his Mars to move independently in a non-confronting “Venusian fashion”. Yet, no one could claim that he lacks strength. The famous basket player Michael Jordan also has Mars Rx and he is widely considered one of the greatest basketball player of all time. It makes sense that dance and sport should suit these people because these activities require starts and stops more than building momentum.

Mars Rx has a reputation for being sluggish and lethargic. I think this is inaccurate to accept as a rule, but it is certainly possible for these people to seem like they are. Other people often perceive Mars Rx people to be at least very chill and calm, which is not always the case, it’s just that the boil hasn’t reached the surface yet and when it does, it’s out of tune with the outer situation and its momentum. The Mars Rx person might sit tight in a social interaction, never showing any sign of annoyance or agitation, despite being pissed off. It might be frustrating to not be able to release energy directly but Mars Rx energy is better channeled into purposeful activity, into independent action. Some sources claim that Mars Rx can be prone to self-destructive behavior and self-harm because of pent-up energy and unexpressed anger. I think this is true, especially if one lives in a very hostile environment and has a hard time, because of one’s Mars Rx, to do something about it – to fight back, to spontaneously immerse oneself in “combat” and defend oneself. It could also be because one’s aggression, when openly displayed, is turned to a social disadvantage. People might claim that one is “over-reacting” because the anger response is out of proportion with the situation at hand. “Over-reacting” is common problem for people with Mars Rx, because they’re typically calm, until they burst – and then they’re commonly labeled crazy or even abusive. There’s no way to “win” socially with Mars Rx, I find – either one is accused of being too passive or too reactive. This social disadvantage could easily turn into self-hate and self-rejection, because one doesn’t get any approval from the outside. Depression is sometimes linked to planets in retrograde, and this is quite understandable, in the light of everything that they imply. Depression is after all often associated with repressed anger, of a blocked drive and frustrated desire.

People with Mars Rx say that it gets better with age and that Mars is gradually more easily expressed because of experience and understanding of oneself. This might be partly due to Mars going direct in one’s progressed chart, however, one cannot make Mars go direct in one’s natal chart, it is a fixed blueprint that one will have to contend with. This is not to say that one cannot become more conscious of one’s own psychology.

[kenkamishiro]

Lost in Translation: Choujin X chapter 1

Fun fact, I was planning to do fan translations for Choujin X with a scan group until it could get a simulpub release, though I didn’t expect it to get one from the very first chapter lol. I’m happy though since it means everyone can read it right away and it doesn’t mess up my schedule.

So instead I’ll be making comparison notes between the EN and JP text to supplement the official translation. I’m not doing this because the official TL is bad (I actually think it’s pretty solid and I hope it will maintain this quality) but because it’s inevitable for something to be lost in translation, and it’s nice to have that additional context for theory crafting and whatnot.

If you want to read it on Twitter instead, the original thread is here, but this is the proofread and way more detailed version 😄

This translation isn’t wrong, but there’s an emphasis on それ (which is TLed as ‘it’) that connotes a stronger, “other, that thing” feeling that isn’t present here. The general idea behind this sentence is: That [becoming a Choujin] resembles more of a disease [than a transformation].

Ely talks like a tomboy, she uses rougher speech patterns and the pronoun オラ (ora), a derivative of the masculine 'ore'. But it's a bit old-fashioned (eg. すまなんだ) which makes sense considering her upbringing with her grandfather on a farm. Hence her country bumpkin speech pattern in English.

Not sure if I should use Ellie or Ely? Ellie makes more sense based on the kana, but Ishida explicitly called her Ely so I might stick with Ely for now... (also istg that blond guy with the huge chin is a reference, I've seen him somewhere)

Tokio, I know your teacher is annoying, but it's rude to call her that lol. This is basically the oppai equivalent of paisen (senpai backwards, it’s slangier). Similar thing actually happened with Ely describing her dream hubby as Goldilocks instead of blond; ‘kinpatsu’ (blond hair) was inverted to become ‘patsukin’, hence the translation as Goldilocks.

Kurohara Tokio (黒原トキオ) and Higashi Azuma (東アヅマ). Kurohara is a common surname, means 'black fields'. Tokio is in katakana, so it’s hard to say what kanji it could be. 'Toki' could be 時 (time) or 外喜 (outside + delight). The 'o' can be the common male name suffix 男 (boy).

But when I think of Tokio, I think of TK's song called 'tokio'. You can read the translated lyrics here. If these lyrics end up being relevant to Tokio's character development I will eat my shoe lol.

Higashi means 'east'. Azuma (which can also be romanized as Aduma, it’s a softer ‘zu’ sound which is why Tokio called Azuma ‘Aju’ earlier in the chapter before correcting himself) is an archaic form of ‘east’. So...this guy is literally East East. The Choujin X equivalent of Moon Moon 😂

Someone also informed me that Higashi Azuma is a station in Tokyo, though the kana are slightly different (アヅマ／あづま vs. あずま). They effectively sound the same though nowadays, if I have to be honest. It’s like comparing the difference between 애 and 에 in Korean.

Tbh this is minor, but worth mentioning just cause it changes the meaning a bit. Tokio is saying something more like, “Why are we even talking about this [the roly-polies] again?”

I think I heard people talking about how the official TL doesn’t match the original text, but personally I really like how this was translated! Sis is using the expression  「爪の垢を煎じて飲む」, which literally means “boiling the dirt under someone’s fingernails and drinking it”. By taking the dirt/grime under the fingernails of someone that you admire, and boiling it and drinking it like a tea, you can become more like them.

But because idioms don’t tend to directly translate well between languages, translators often have to adapt it so that the meaning still remains the same. In English the closest idiom we have to this is “rubbing off on someone.” The “holding hands” bit was added to replace the physical aspect of “taking the dirt from someone’s fingernails” and also contribute to Sis’s sassy and very informal way of speaking.

So Sis is saying in JP (ignoring her personal speech style for now):

You should take the dirt from under [Azuma's] fingernails and boil it so you can be more like him.

And now in ENG it becomes:

You guys should hold hands or something, then maybe he’ll rub off on you.

It now sounds natural in English, still carries the same meaning as the original text, and also suits the character’s speech pattern.

Moving on, in that same panel the literal TL of Tokio’s dialogue is, “Policeman Azuma got dispatched again today,” emphasizing Azuma’s heroic deeds along with his family connections to the police. Another thing I want to note is that this is the second time Azuma has been called 偉い (erai) so far - noble, and now great guy. I’ll just dump the general English definition of 偉い from Jisho here so you get the general idea:

Great; excellent; admirable; remarkable; distinguished; important; celebrated; famous; eminent

But you can tell from how people describe Azuma as 偉い that others look up to him, think he’s a great person and Mr. Perfect. Always being placed on a pedestal by others. (What are the odds this will affect his mentality after the Choujin serum?)

The meaning is still pretty much the same, but I’ll offer a slightly different perspective. Sis mentions that if she were Tokio, she’d burst from the [Azuma] complex. (Clearly Tokio and Azuma's relationship is gonna crack at some point)

Tokio mentions an idiom about hawks (taka) before recalling his childhood memory about vultures. Vultures are called 'hagewashi', but in the chapter it mentions they can also be called 'hagetaka' (buzzard/condor, literally bald hawk).

The kids call him names like "Hagetaka Tokio" and "Hageo". But Hagetaka Tokio only really works in JP cause Hagetaka kinda mimics his last name (Buzzard Tokio doesn't give the same vibe). Same with Hageo. Hage-o = Bald-o = Baldy.

I also think Buzzard was chosen over another name for a vulture like Condor because Buzzard can pass off as an insult.

I would have translated this as, “I wanted to be a lion too...” but this is just personal preference.

A continuation of the 「爪の垢を煎じて飲む」 expression Sis used earlier. Without the adapted idiom the exchange goes something like this:

Tokio: My sister said I should bring home the dirt from under your nails. Can I have some?

Azuma: ...huh? What for, that’s scary. No way.

Tokio: I have to boil it and drink it, apparently.

Azuma: Don’t even think about boiling or drinking it.

But since the 「爪の垢を煎じて飲む」 expression was modified to make it sound natural in English, it means this conversation has to be modified too.

JP: My sister said I should bring home the dirt from under your nails. Can I have some?

EN: My sister says we should hold hands...so I can be more like you. What do you think?

The “dirt from under your nails” part got adapted to “holding hands”, hence how the 1st line from Tokio becomes, “My sister says we should hold hands...so I can be more like you.” “Can I have some?” makes no sense now in this context now, so it was changed to “What do you think?” as a question to Azuma to keep the similar conversation flow going.

JP: ...huh? What for, that’s scary. No way.

EN: Huh? What’re you talking about? No thanks.

Azuma’s next line is similar enough to the JP text except for the removal of “scary”. I think the reason it was most likely removed is because leaving it as it is could be constituted as homophobic (2 boys holding hands, absolutely nothing scary about it as bible thumpers would like people to believe).

JP: I have to boil it and drink it, apparently.

EN: She said to hold hands so you’ll rub off on me.

Tokio’s response to that is explaining what he meant by his proposal. In the original text he lays out the latter half of the idiom (he doesn’t even realize it’s an expression, poor boy), and in English he does something similar by going into why his sister said they should hold hands (so Azuma can rub off on Tokio).

JP: Don’t even think about boiling or drinking it.

EN: C’mon. That’s not how things work.

Azuma’s then rebuts Tokio’s proposal as ridiculous. In the original text he drops a typical straight man response (don’t do *insert whatever ridiculous thing the idiot suggested*). But since Tokio’s proposal in English isn’t as preposterous, his rebuttal is toned down in response by telling him not to take it literally.

Ultimately, even though a lot of this dialogue was changed, I still think it was successful in maintaining the original’s intent. Tokio takes his sister’s sarcastic suggestion literally and brings it up to Azuma, who dismisses it as silly. It would be nice if we could keep the expression as it was in Japanese, but in instances like this where it’s played off of in multiple lines, that’s easier said than done.

軟体 isn’t an actual word, it’s made up of the kanji soft + body. So kinda like Elastigirl, but Flexi was chosen instead. It doesn’t sound 100% right, but I don’t think I could come up with anything better.

Replacing the しい in 楽しい with the C plus that elongated pronunciation makes Johnny sound even more like a stereotypical Yankee, which is why he sounds like that in English 😂

Random but I found it interesting how Azuma called Johnny a youkai (妖怪) instead of something like bakemono (化け物) or obake (お化け) since they’re shapeshifting monsters.

Tokio is worried that if he doesn't do something right now, he's going to lose his friendship with Azuma. The sentence is fine as it is though.

Azuma’s line can also be worded as, "No hard feelings, okay?"

Bestial = 獣化 (juuka) = beast+change = beast transformation

That’s it from me, if you have questions about the TL feel free to send an ask or reply to this post, I promise I’ll check my inbox more often this time 😂

[donutdrawsthings]

NO THIS POST IS NOT A DISCUSSION FORUM. EITHER KEEP SCROLLING OR VIBE WITH THE REST OF US

I thought I had already been clear on what my stance was on the matter, but after today I feel like I need to yell it off the top of my lungs. I SUPPORT ROETVEEG PIET AND BLM. LISTEN TO BLACK VOICES AND ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR WRONGS.

(Information about the Dutch holiday and why it’s racist under the cut! includes extern sources and images!)

Summary

Sinterklaas is a Dutch tradition that starts at the first Saturday after 11 November and ends at 5 December. A figure called Sint Nicholaas comes on a boat from Spain to the Netherlands to celebrate his birthday on the 5th with his little helpers, the Zwarte Pieten. The Zwarte Pieten give candy to the kids and on the 5th kids get a gift from Sinterklaas.

The Racism (Black Pete)

All sounds fairly innocent, until you see what the Zwarte Pieten look like.

These are the traditional Zwarte Pieten (it translates to Black Petes btw). These individuals are usually played by white people and are purposely darkened to black with red lipstick, black curly hair and sometimes golden earrings. I have always been told the dark skin was to represent “soot” from the chimneys, however, up until recent years there was no effort made to actually appear as smeared. In fact, a lot of effort was put into making sure not a single speck of light skin was visible because that could ruin the illusion. (the illusion being, hiding your identity behind blackface.)

These characters are also played to be playful, hyperactive, carefree, happy to do their work and often praise Sinterklaas himself. Which are all traits often depicted alongside the “happy slave” stereotype from way back when and the S*mbo stereotype.

other racist depictions are also on display in stores and houses (often on display near a window for kids to see) in the form of little Black Petes, most of them resembling the G*lliw*g. (first image is a common window prop during Sinterklaas, the second image is the racist G*lliw*g)

This very outdated depiction of black people only really started being questioned in the early 2010′s. However, support for questioning Black Pete only started to become somewhat acceptable around 2016/2017... And even then the public has been largely Pro Black Pete until 2020, after the Black Lives Matter movement also started to become a valid topic of discussion in the Netherlands.

The Transition

Between 2010 and 2020 a lot happened since Black Pete officially got taken into question and talk about whether or not Black Pete should be changed started to become a genuine topic of discussion. When the question first rang, the majority of the Dutch folk were against the change. I was against this change as well. I think I should note that I was around 13 at the time and it is a very common phenomenon for kids to mimic the opinion of their parents and teachers. But this indeed a genuine opinion I had at some point and I acknowledge that with full responsibility. 

The main reasons everyone was against this change was because we did not see it as racist and were convinced the “goal” with this movement was to entirely remove Pete from the holiday or remove the holiday as a whole from the list.

I would also like to note that the Dutch folk’s opinion on what is and isn’t racist is very outdated as well. (As I write this now in 2020 it is still not a whole lot better but around the 2010′s it was definitely worse.) As this topic gained attraction, jokes about black men having huge dicks (the m*and*ngo stereotype), “watering the Africans” and much more were made to me and other people regularly enough to be normal or at the very least, were seen as a bit of a cheeky thing to say. And despite being a multicultural country, Asian people were still referred to as “Chinese”, Native Americans as “Indians” and Islamic women as “Penguins” as well.

But back on the topic. As the years went on, more and more protests against Black Pete gained attraction and by now parents started to use these protests as another reason to be against the change because “they are ruining it for the kids”  White parents would also start to praise the word of their 1 black colleague/friend for being against the change as well.

When the topic started to become more prominent, people made the attempt to change the Black of a Black Pete to another colour. This created the short lived bizarre creation of Rainbow Pete. (also seen in the picture above)

Rainbow Pete was a very short lived idea and was considered weird by many. However, I personally do believe this was an important step in the transition. Rainbow Pete took the depersonalisation tied to Black Pete and quite literally, showed its true colours. It’s ehhh hard to explain what “A Pete” is in English. But growing up I never considered them as human, nor were they ever explained to me as ACTUALLY being human. They are just described as a Pete, and a Pete is all they are. They aren’t people who can have other jobs in Spain or can travel the world to find something else to do. They are a Pete, and therefore they will always be with Sinterklaas in Spain, making toys for us, giving us candy and then going back to Spain with Sinterklaas again.

And that’s why I think this odd colour change was so important. Because by making them green or blue or pink it properly showed how ALIEN Petes felt. Like a whole other species. It tied a certain uncomfortable environment to the depersonalisation and after it’s short lived appearance, Soot Smudge Pete was a much easier step to make

Soot Smudge Pete, or in Dutch known as Roetveeg Pete, is the most recent and most inclusive variant of the Petes. This Pete only requires a few dark smudges to mimic actual soot and can be played by all races.

in 2018/19 Soot Petes started to become more present in the official parades, which a lot of parents were rather disgusted about. I personally think this is the period in which a lot of people just straight up outed themselves as racist, actively being against “White Pete” and actively longing for the “Real Petes” to return. Even with these Petes slowly becoming more popular, it is still not safe for most people who are against Black Pete to discuss the matter with Pro Black Pete individuals in this time period. Pro Black Pete individuals (often family or coworkers) more often than not become very heated when the topic arises and I cannot say I’ve ever seen the same attitude from people who are against Black Pete.

Present Day

In 2020, thanks to the Black Lives Matter movement, it has become way more socially acceptable to support Soot Smudge Pete. Parents who are still Pro Black Pete are still vocally voicing their disgust every time Soot Petes are present instead of Black Petes and much like what happened to me back then, their opinions also seep through onto their children. With these people still present in Sinterklaas spaces it also sadly occurs they press their believes on Soot Petes by giving them too much soot and still giving them a black, curly wig.

However, with the way things are going right now and the positive, multicultural depiction present in the media, I believe we are finally on our way to a more positive environment for kids of all kinds of backgrounds!

Afterthoughts

This whole post sparked after I dealt with a nasty situation myself while playing a Soot Pete at my old Elementary school. I really wanted to play this role to tie a more positive view on Soot Petes with all the parents creating such a negative environment around the Sinterklaas times and thought I could take matters into my own hands. However, I was Sooted up by a Pro Black Pete mother and thus, nearly got as dark as my brown hair. (besides that I also have gender issues and despite the school knowing I’m called Josh, put me in a dress outfit,, but that’s a more personal issue) I was able to wipe most of it off by the time the kids came in, but not without sharing some discouraging words with my mother, who told me to “just suck it up”.

It’s really important to me for people to know how Bad stuff like that still is in this country and I just... don’t understand why people would still support Black Pete after all this time. These people are either friends, family, or just kind people I know and love who around November open their mouths to say the most vile things and create such a sour situation for everyone involved. And after Black Pete is proven to be racist time and time again, still supporting it... It makes me wonder if this has to do with pride more than anything.

No one wants to be called a racist, but is it really that hard to acknowledge some of the shit you said and did was just plain wrong to the point that you’re taking your opinion to new extremes and decide to die on a sinking ship..?

I’ve said racist things. I have compared the curly black hair of a Black Pete to black classmates. I have compared Black Pete to black classmates. I have joked about them not needing to be face painted to be just like Black Pete. I have made those connections and I’m ashamed I did. But you do what you can to deal with it and become better for those around you. You listen to black voices, support black artists and black businesses and become better as a person. We need to start acknowledging how much our society is actually structured to belittle and undervalue black people and you can’t do that when you’re THAT far up your own ass. 

phew... anyways. Black Lives Matter! Don’t use tradition to defend racism! Fijne Pakjesavond!!