#my chronic illness means i need. very extended breaks and comfort. so its hard to travel without emptying out my acct every time | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

cruelfeline · 4 years

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(1) "[H]is needs, physical, emotional, and mental, must likewise be addressed and comfortably handled. I do not accept the idea of something being done specifically to 'punish' him..." Sure, I guess. Hordak should have medical care and mental heath care if needed. He shouldn't be physically hurt or put in jail, Entrapta can help him, etc. And he'll probably be in a lab most of the time anyways. Treating him with humanity will help him be a good person. (Insert swedish prison studies here).

I... ah... Well. Yes. It will.

Though. I guess, for me, treating him with humanity doesn’t have anything to do with helping him be a good person. It’s just a thing that I feel should happen. Whether it makes him a good person or not.

Ensuring that he is safe and comfortable and well isn’t something that I’d want to do in order to help him be a good person. It’s something I’d want to do to ensure that his safe and comfortable and well. For its own sake.

Like... to look at it from the opposite direction: I wouldn’t withhold care or comfort from him if he wasn’t being a good person. Y’know? Like... I wouldn’t deny him a comfortable sleep or medication that helps him feel well because he wasn’t hitting someone’s moral goals. If that makes sense?

(2) So that leaves this: How much freedom should he have? If there was an event where princesses could invite someone, like with princess prom, could Entrapta invite him? On one hand, all the bad stuff he did, his rebuilding/renovation sentence, and the fact that his presence might make people uncomfortable. But on the other hand, saying “you can’t sit with us” punishes Entrapta for something she didn't do. (Entrapta's war crimes and extenuating circumstances are an ask for another day).

I would venture to say he should have as much freedom as is safe for him to have. I suppose I don’t see the point in limiting it? He’s not dangerous. His motivation for taking over Etheria is literally dead and gone. I don’t see a point to imprisoning him.

As far as the specific scenario you mention (Princess Prom), well... remember that the Princess Prom seemed to have specific rules to encourage socialization and harmony in times of conflict (weapons and quarrels left at the door, so to speak). It’s very likely that enemies regularly met at the Princess Prom and were expected to treat one another with civility; I’d expect the same courtesy to be extended to Hordak.

And in terms of him making people uncomfortable... this is a difficult thing to address. On the one hand, yes: people will likely be afraid of him. And rightfully so, considering what he did. And people should not be forced to interact with him if they do not want to.

But on the other hand: such people are likely to be afraid of all of the clones, seeing as they all look the same. And sound roughly the same. And were part of a much more damaging war on Etheria.

Is it “fair” to segregate all clones, Hordak included, forever, to keep other people comfortable? Is Hordak to be kept out of society for the rest of his life, because people are afraid of him? Or should he be kept out of it until... well, when? When he reaches some arbitrary level of “penance performed?” If he finishes rebuilding Etheria, are people automatically going to not be afraid of him now? Yes? No? If they still are, does that mean that he still needs to be kept locked away?

One can go around in circles like this all day because there is no real answer. This is all entirely subjective. The level of segregation, of penance, of restriction, is entirely subjective. And that’s why I don’t really believe in it. I don’t believe in limiting freedom or inflicting suffering due to someone’s subjective opinion.

Rather, I try to ask how further harm can be minimized or prevented. And whether a restrictive measure is actually necessary to prevent said harm.

In terms of Hordak being restricted in some way: I don’t see a reason that he has to be locked away or forbidden from socializing. Do I think that he should be forced onto people? No. I don’t think anyone should be forced onto anyone else, former warlord or no. But I also don’t think that he should be sequestered away from the community that he is supposed to be working to join.

(3) Also, should Hordak have to work constantly on the rebuilding/renovation, save for sleeping and medical leave? Or should he get to take breaks? It wouldn’t be fair for him to take a vacation while villages are still in ruins. Humans and Etherians need rest to have good mental health and be productive, but Hordak is a Prime clone, and the clones are probably designed to work without much rest. So would that be okay for him or no? Do you have any posts that explore this sort of thing?

Absolutely he should be allowed to take breaks. No question. None. For multiple reasons.

First: I do not view Hordak helping to rebuild Etheria as a punishment. And I feel that viewing it that way is... I’m not sure that “mistake” is the right word. Inaccuracy, perhaps? I’m not sure. Whatever one wishes to call it, the point is that Hordak fixing what he broke should not be considered a punishment. Any more than me cleaning up a vase I knocked over should be considered a punishment. It should be considered... well, “fixing what one broke.”

Etheria is Hordak’s home now. The Etherian community is his community. Helping repair the parts of it that he broke isn’t something that should make him suffer; it should be something that he does in order to be a contributing, responsible member of the community he belongs to. If he wishes to stay on Etheria, then it is only logical that he contributes to its successful functioning. Not because he has to “pay for what he’s done,” but because that’s what a responsible community member does.

Keeping him from having breaks or... I guess “enjoying himself” as he does this is, in my mind. an actual mistake.

Something that I always have at the forefront of my mind when considering these things, anon, is that Hordak is healing. Whatever damage he caused, whatever traumas he is responsible for, he is just as damaged and traumatized. He did what he did not out of greed or genuine malice but out of a form of emotional sickness. He did it out of a need to be loved and welcomed and wanted. He did it because he wanted to belong.

Denying him those things until he reaches a certain level of “punishment complete” is... well. In my opinion, it’s another form of what Prime was doing. Another form of “you’re not worthy of happiness or love until you’ve done XYZ.” And I don’t like that. I don’t like that because it disregards the fact that, though Hordak should strive to fix what he broke, he is still an individual who underwent a severe amount of trauma and needs time and support in order to heal. If he does not get that time and support, chances are he will be further harmed. Chances are, he won’t become that well-adjusted member of society. Chances are he will remain emotionally sick and bitter and self-loathing. And those are not chances that I think are worth taking in the name of chasing an arbitrary sense of “fairness.”

Second, though just as important: I take significant umbrage with the idea that it would be acceptable to work clones harder because they’re “designed to work without much rest.”

The clones were “designed” to be brainswashed slaves. They were “designed” to labor and glorify and sacrifice themselves for their god. That absolutely does not mean that they should be exploited as such. To do so would be vulgar.

The clones are people; they should be treated as such, not as the tools their slavemaster indoctrinated them into being. Now, if a clone wishes to work hard because he is comfortable doing so, then so be it. But he should not be expected to do so and be denied rest and relaxation because he was “designed” to go without. That... I’m not sure how to accurately convey how much such a concept disturbs me. A lot. It disturbs me a lot.

Horde clones were purpose-bred as livestock. This was horrific. It is not something that should be taken advantage of by their new Etherian neighbors.

And while I do see that you specify “medical leave” and thus may have taken this into account, I still wish to mention: it is generally understood in this portion of the fandom that, despite the show not really going into detail regarding it come season five, Hordak still suffers from his defect. He is still chronically ill. He is disabled. Demanding that he work at a certain level because he was technically “designed to” is ableist and cruel and can only contribute to his already-deep self-loathing. And this applies to any other clones who might be disabled and hiding it.

Finally: I do actually have a post addressing some of this! And as a bonus, it’s not just about Hordak. It includes Catra, too. It was written in response to some of the complaints I saw regarding both Catra and Hordak being forgiven “too easily.” Specifically, about Catra being so quickly invited into the group, if that means anything. It goes into my distaste at the concept of denying someone a sense of belonging until they achieve a certain level of “redemption.”

Here is that post. A quick warning: it’s a little sassy. I was annoyed when I wrote it. Should be read at one’s own risk, if one is uncomfortable with me being sassy.

I also have an older post about the importance of emotional support in the healing process. I feel like it’s also relevant, as it addresses things like providing companionship to people who may be considered as “not deserving it.”

Here is that post.

Let’s see... what else...

Oh! I also have this post about Hordak being forgiven without being redeemed.

And I think those are the most relevant.

Anyway, anon, I hope that this provided some sort of useful answers for you! If, at any point, I came off as too sassy, I apologize for it. It is not my intention to sound rude, but sometimes I don’t realize when I do. Especially when I write about things that stir emotion in me.

So! Thanks for the questions, anon. Have a lovely evening!

#hordak #horde clones #Anonymous

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oovitus · 7 years

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Weekend Reading, 3.9.18

Happy Sunday! By the time this post goes live, I’ll be headed out of town to spend some time with one of my closest friends from college. I have the treat of seeing him a few times a year, since his folks are in New York, but it’s rare for us to have a five uninterrupted days together. I can’t wait.

My hope was of course to have all of my ducks in a row before I left: school projects wrapped up neatly in time for spring break, work inbox mastered, etc. That is not how things have gone this week. In fact, they’ve gone the opposite way: I feel as though I can’t make a dent in all the stuff I’m behind on. And I found out a few days ago that a major school deadline that I thought would be squishy is in fact very, very firm.

A year or two ago, that kind of discovery would have sent me tumbling into an anxiety black hole. That wasn’t my response this past week. I felt feelings, of course: frustration with myself for not being more on the ball. Guilt over having prioritized other things. Overwhelm. But the feelings were manageable, and I had the feeling they’d wash over me, giving me space and energy to focus on getting done what needs doing.

It’s hard for me to be at peace with errors in judgment. Part of me wishes I’d been able to foresee this bind before I was in it, but another part of me is glad to be practicing self-forgiveness and staying calm in the face of something challenging and stressful.

So, here’s to gentle self-compassion in the face of not getting it right all the time. Here’s to quieting guilt so that I can get things done. Here’s to me choosing against panic and being my most peaceful, trusting self. It’s not my norm, but this is the time to practice it.

Wishing you all gentleness in the coming week. In a couple of days, I’ll be sharing a very beloved recipe from Power Plates and hosting a giveaway for three more free copies. For now, here are some of the recipes that I pinned and bookmarked this past week.

Recipes

Wish I’d made a batch of Jessica’s awesome looking carrot cake muffins for my plane ride today! Yum.

I can never get enough tofu scramble recipes, and I’m loving Sarah’s Greek-style version. Bet the olives add a wonderful saltiness and umami to the dish.

My friend Cadry’s soy curl chili inspired this recipe, which is now on steady rotation in my home. I’m dying to try her BBQ soy curl sandwich, which looks like the perfect comfort food lunch.

If soy curls aren’t your jam, maybe try these grilled cajun orange tofu kebab skewers? They look like a perfect party appetizer, and they’d be an easy protein to serve with weeknight dinners.

It took me ages to figure out how great roasted cabbage is—so sweet and tender. Nowadays cabbage wedges are one of my favorite vegetables to roast up in the winter months, so I’m super excited to try Stephanie’s roasted cabbage Caesar.

Reads

1. I’m often asked about food cravings and how best to handle them. Is it better to pause or to act? Are all cravings “valid” and worth heeding? My answer is that all cravings transmit information; even if they’re less indicative of true hunger than impulse or feeling, it’s still important to be alerted that the feelings and impulses are there.

I invite my clients to thank their cravings for giving them clues about what’s going on with their bodies and spirits. Then I suggest that we spend some time mapping out practical strategies to better understand cravings and what they’re communicating. This article by Carrie Dennett offers some of the same guidance I often share, and it’s full of useful, self-compassionate cues.

2. A new review study suggests that children who have chronic illnesses that are treated with diet (including diabetes, cystic fibrosis, celiac disease, gastrointestinal disorders, and inflammatory bowel diseases) may be more susceptible to disordered eating. More research is needed to help explain why the link exists, so that practitioners can develop a set of best practices. For now, I’m glad that the information is out there, so that parents and physicians can practice sensitivity and awareness.

3. A few years ago, I meditated on the ways in which I sometimes fail to extend enough empathy and compassion to people with EDs, in spite of having been through recovery myself. This blog post has a different focus and message, but it brings up similar points about how easy it is to label and judge others who are struggling—or whom we assume are suffering—and how problematic both the assumptions and the judgments are. It’s complex, sensitive, and inspiring.

4. This is a long read, but it’s pretty fascinating: a look at how Finland launched an official, nationwide, and influential campaign to improve food and lifestyle choices—using everything from cozy fireside chats and reality TV shows to laws and incentives—in order to combat its epidemic of heart disease. I was especially intrigued by the role that women—in particular, a Finnish housewives organization known as the Marthas—played in transmitting the campaign’s key messages.

5. Finally, a Psychology Today article that relates to my musings this week. It explores the link between anxiety and procrastination, and boy, does it strike a chord. Having always prided myself on being a systematic and nearly unstoppable doer, it’s been very difficult to accept the tendency toward procrastination and lack of focus that anxiety has introduced into my life in the last few years. I was heartened to see that the article suggests self-compassion and abandoning negative self-talk as a means of letting go and moving forward.

Enjoy the reads, and enjoy your Sunday.

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