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ugly-crying-over-bucky-barnes · 6 years

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Burned Part 3

A/N I need Peaky Blinders writers to follow. So let me know if you write any of the characters

Summary: Alfie Solomons is in need of a secretary. Tommy Shelby mentions a young woman in need of employment. From there, they step into a dangerous dance together

Chapter Summary: Alfie and Louise attend the art gala so he can get some work settled.

Warnings: Swearing, threats, brief racism

The next night, Louise was brought a box tied up in ribbon. Alfie had sent her home a bit early so she could bathe and make sure the dress fit.

Louis thanked Ollie for delivering the box and took it to her room. She set it on her bed and slid the top off. Folded under a bit of tissue paper was a royal blue evening gown.

“Mercy…” She lifted the garment up delicately to take the rest of its appearance. The front was intricately beaded, the shiny facets catching the lamplight and making the dress glimmer. It was floor length, with a long row of buttons in the back traveling from the top all the way to where the dress’s skirt flared out behind. The beaded bodice formed a sweetheart neckline, ready to hug the waist.

Louise stared at the gown, dumbfounded for a bit. Despite growing up in a well off home, she hadn’t seen anything quite so stunning. Her father insisted she wear modest dresses when attending events to keep his only child and precious daughter safe from the wandering eyes of boyish elite males. And of course, when she married her husband, she had no use for nice dresses.

But this dress, royalty could’ve worn it or the stunning fashion models in Paris. It seemed to be the right size, but she wasn’t sure she’d fit the mold of a woman who would wear such a garment. But it was too late to get another dress and none of the clothes she had would be appropriate for the event.

She set the dress on her bed and glanced back at the box.

A set of gloves sat waiting for her among the tissue paper. The satin fabric reminded her of her mother. She and Louise’s father would regularly attend parties and galas. But they never neglected her. She could almost smell her mother’s perfume, remembering how she’d touch her daughter’s cheeks with the silky gloves while kissing her goodnight.

No one could be more beautiful than her mother.

Louise slipped the dress on and realized there was a problem. She reached behind her and tried to do up as many buttons as she could. But the twisting tugged painfully at her stitches and made the feat impossible. She huffed in defeat and weighed her options. She could wear a shawl to cover up the undone buttons but the fabric folded a little because it wasn’t fitting the way it was meant to. The second option and the most daunting was to ask Alfie to finish the buttons. Her boss of just over a week.

There wasn’t much time to decide as the clock on the wall told her Alfie would be arriving soon.

“It’s only a few buttons…” She whispered under her breath and hurried downstairs.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`

Around seven, the car pulled up to her apartment.

Alfie had gotten out of the car to greet her properly. He appeared more clean-cut than usual but still onto his air of power. He wore a well-fitted tuxedo with his heavy black coat to keep him warm in the cold London night. His beard was trimmed and he had his familiar black hat. He stood on the sidewalk; his feet set wide apart while resting his hands on top of his cane.

“Fucking hell.” Despite his formal wear, Alfie didn’t change his vernacular. Expensive fabric couldn’t change that. “Thought you’d look lovely in that color. Nice to see I was right, usually am.”

Louise smiled and stood in the doorway. “Could I just ask for a favor?”

“Yeah, what’s that then?” He walked over to the steps.

“Just fasten the last buttons in the back.” She turned to show him. She gathered her curls away from her neck so he could help.

Alfie felt a lump stick in his throat. He’d noticed the change in him over the week of having Louise around. He thought it would be easier to ignore it but that wasn’t the case. It was hard enough just being around her in her work skirts. Seeing her dressed up like London’s aristocracy was killing him.

He stepped up the front steps. It was as if she was intentionally trying to drive him mad. The blue fabric parted showing him just enough of her pale skin to make him tense up. A few freckles marked down her spine and for a brief moment, he could imagine kissing each one of them.

Alfie Solomons was not a hopeless romantic. He wasn’t weak and he wasn’t soft. There was no way he was going to fawn over this woman simply because she was around frequently. He had to mentally kick himself in the ass and steady his hands to button her dress up. It was inappropriate to think of his secretary in such a way. Maybe she was just a test from God.

“There we are.” Alfie stepped back when he was finished.

“Thank you.” She slipped on her coat and turned around. The dress trailed a bit behind her but was bunched up in the front so she could walk properly. “It is beautiful, I really love it.”

“Yeah? Well, you keep it then.”

Louise followed him down the stairs and over to the car. “Oh, Alfie, I couldn’t.” She took his hand held out to help her get in.

“I ain’t gonna wear it, so who else would I give it to?” He climbed in behind her. He didn’t want to see any other woman in that dress. As far as he was concerned, the thing was made to be worn by her. He was just glad he’d seen her in it.

Louise didn’t have anything to say to that. So she just folded her hands over her lap. “That is generous, thank you.”

All the muscles in his face worked overtime to keep his eyes ahead instead of staring at her. “Right, let’s go make some wealthy friends, yeah?”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The art gallery was in the high-end part of London; somewhere Louise hadn’t been in quite a while. She glanced out the car window to watch socialites and artists walking down the street. The city was already lit up as the sun finished setting. The air held electricity that could pump one’s blood full of adrenaline.

A pressure settled on her shoulder and Louise could sense Alfie watching her. She glanced over and found out she was right.

Realizing he’d been caught staring, he cleared his throat and looked straight ahead. “Do like that color.” He said in a gruff but hesitant tone. There was a hint of shyness to his demeanor. “Sorta like sapphires, innit?”

“Have you purposefully dressed me up like a gemstone, Mr. Solomons?” Louise teased light-heartedly.

It was the first time she made him smile and the first time she heard a genuine laugh from him. A deep chuckle from his chest. He was beautiful. And it was strange to think so. Louise had grown up dreaming she would marry a tall, clean-shaven man who was polite and gentle. Her boss didn’t exactly check off those boxes. But there was something about him that was endearing to her despite seeing his temper.

“Well, figure jewels n’ money is all these sorts know.” He shrugged. “They speak the language, yeah?”

“And what do you know? What language do you speak?”

“Me?” He raised an eyebrow at her. “Well, I know what they talk ‘bout, right? I can talk their language of wealth. But me, right, I get that there’s another world outside all that. World ain’t as simple and carefree as this lot thinks.” The car stopped in front of the gallery. A beautifully lavish building with marble stairs leading to the front door. “Sacrifices need to be made.” He got out of the car and lent a hand to Louise.

“There are good things in the world though.” She disagreed civilly, the satin fabric of her elbow-length gloves brushing against his calloused palm.

Alfie offered his arm to escort her up the stone steps. “Right, jewels n’ shit, that’s what I said.”

She laughed and took his arm, gathering up the trail of her skirt so no one stepped on the delicate fabric. “Not stuff you can buy.” Alfie walked slowly beside her, allowing her time to walk up the stairs in her heels. “Natural things, beauty, and relationships. Friends and family. I mean, not everything is bad or needs to be bought.”

He shook his head and let his cane fall heavily on each step. “Think you’ve been reading too many books, love.” Attendants of the gala helped take their coats at the door. Alfie took in Louise’s appearance in the dress again without her heavy coat. The bodice fit perfectly and the satin sleeves set deeply against her fair arms. She was a sight to be seen with luxurious chocolate curls pinned up. And she was on his arm, not another man’s.

“That’s all a buncha horseshit, right?” He felt a little too rough and burly to be next to such a petite beauty. But she stuck close to him, her arm clutching his. It made him feel giddy and dizzy with guilt all at the same time. “None of that’s real, I mean fucking look at London. S’nothing but smoke and coal and misery.”

Louise followed him into the crowd of people mingling, dancing, and talking about the art. “You don’t think love is real?” She asked over the classical music played by a string quartet. It was the amount of class that she had been so accustomed to before. Now she was back in the midst of it but in a very different position than before.

“I think it’s a very foolish thing.”

“You’ve never been in love? Ever?”

Alfie found a small table where it was a bit quieter and they could speak properly. “Well, there was this one.” He leaned forward, resting his arms on the white tablecloth. “Fucking gorgeous and fucking expensive. Couldn’t tell you how many sapphires were on that necklace. Could’ve bought meself a nice country home with that thing.”

Louise sighed and gave him a look. “With a person, Alfie, not a piece of jewelry. Gems are just cold rocks.”

He cracked a smile but shook his head. He dragged his fingers over his beard. “Nah, too much work to be done. Love takes time.”

“Hm…” Louise surveyed the event, the lavish dresses, and elegant suits. Long sweeping gowns brushed over the shining floor. Jewels glinted in the lights. Alcohol ran like water, keeping them satiated. Cigarette smoke hung above the crowd like a hazy cloud. The art pieces were all cradled in gold gilded frames, carefully aimed lights highlighting them for potential buyers. Everything about the surroundings screamed money. It brought Louise no comfort.

“What ‘bout you then?” Alfie watched her eyes study some of the art on the wall closest to them. Her mind was clearly elsewhere.

“What about me?”

“Think you’ve ever been in love?” He asked bluntly.

She chewed on her lip and gave a one-shouldered shrug. The beads on the dress bodice clicked together under her movements. “I thought I was once. But I don’t think you can love someone who took everything from you.”

Alfie thought about his call to Tommy. Soon. He would right the wrongs soon. He just needed to be patient.

“Oh, see there?” He leaned forward and pointed to a young gentleman with a sash across his tuxedo. The red silk was enough of an indication that he was important. A step above everyone else there.

“Yes?”

“That’s why we’re here.” He stood up and offered a hand to her. “French guy, yeah?”

“Oh yes,” Louise remembered the reason for her invitation to the event. Certainly, Alfie didn’t want to take his secretary out to an art gallery for fun.

The gangster commanded the crowd as he walked. His wide shoulders and strong demeanor made people in his way move without a second thought. Louise wasn’t sure if the art lovers knew who Alfie was or whether his intimidating appearance was enough to compel them to move.

The French man glanced up and recognized him. A nervous twist tugged at the corner of his mouth.

“Hope I’m not interrupting.” Alfie’s voice boomed over the music, a false sense of friendliness and familiarity shielding his toe.

The two other men also appeared familiar with the gangster. “Mr. Solomons, this isn’t usually your setting.” An elderly man holding a glass of scotch spoke. He was calmer than the other two men. He spoke candidly. “And I see you’ve found yourself a beautiful woman, are you married?”

“Oh, no, I’m his secretary.” Louise touched Alfie’s arm.

“Ah, apologies. You two are so smartly dressed together, I assumed you were out to celebrate.”

“S’alright.” Alfie cleared his throat. He could feel Louise’s hand and felt a strange bit of let down. The woman on his arm was only there because he paid her. But there was business to attend to, he couldn’t feel sorry for himself that he was undeserving of such a gentle woman.

“Mr. Solomons, I think you’ve met the Viscount before.”

“Yeah, I have. Louise, this is Jean. Viscount or whatever the fuck he wants to call himself.” He waved a dismissive hand to the aristocrat. His gold rings glinted in the light. Perhaps the man wasn’t a step above everyone in the room. Perhaps it was an illusion.

“Should I translate for you, sir?” The other unnamed man beside the Viscount asked.

“I’ve got me own translator here, mate, so he can’t talk shit right in front of me face. I know he’s fond of doing that.” Alfie responded roughly and glanced at his secretary. “Louise is more than capable.”

“Oh uh,” She smoothed her hands over the front of her dress. “how do you do? My name is Louise; I’m Mr. Solomon’s secretary. He asked me to translate for you.”

“Louise, very nice to meet you, mademoiselle.” Jean took her hand to kiss her knuckles. She smiled but her boss looked ready to boil over in the middle of the gallery. “How did such a brute come to acquire such a beauty?” He nodded to Alfie, obviously feeling protected by the language barrier.

Alfie noticed the gesture and his eye twitched. “What? What’d he say?” He urgently asked.

“Uh…” Louise swallowed. She wouldn’t lie to him, but she also didn’t want to see his reaction to the remark. It was neither the time nor place for one of his explosive tirades. But she underestimated his restraint.

“He asked how you came to have me?” She gave him the abridged version hoping that would be sufficient enough.

“Right, enough with the games, yeah?” Alfie slammed his cane down and straightened up. “That woman right there, yeah, see her? She ain’t anyone’s property and I didn’t get all gussied up to talk about her, did I? You fucking know why I’m here.” He snarled. His voice built up like thunder in the distance but kept the interaction in a small sphere. The rest of the gallery either chose not to notice and get involved or was too drunk to care.

Louise did her best to translate, packaging up his words and delivering them to the viscount. She didn’t know what he was leading up to. Alcohol couldn’t be a clean business but she didn’t think it would get this heated. But she was too busy trying to focus on the words that she couldn’t process it all. When she finished, Jean’s face had paled.

“Yeah…don't need a translator now, can see it in those eyes of yours.” Alfie hissed, his eyes refusing move, making Jean more uncomfortable. “You know why I’m here. You fucking lying, cheating, thieving git. I ain’t going another day without your debts paid.” He jabbed two fingers at his chest. “You got all that?” He asked his secretary without looking at her.

Louise nodded and relayed the less than tasteful response. It sounded strange coming from her in a different language, and the language of love no less.

The Frenchman looked trapped but unwilling to bend to the gangster’s will. “Tell Mr. Solomons I don’t have his money. I’m not giving that Jew anything.”

It hit a nerve for her. The arrogance and venom were clear in his voice. So she would let her boss know everything. “He says he’s not paying you. He also spoke unkindly of your ethnicity.” Louise reported with a harsh glare toward the viscount.

“Good lass.” Alfie praised. He almost seemed glad to have a reason to go off on the man. A glint of hellfire crossed his eyes as he took a closer step toward Jean. “Tell his highness that if I don’t get me fucking money by midnight tonight, he’s going to wake up in bits at the bottom of the Thames. And if anyone listening wants to go whinging to the police like a bunch of fucking boys, they will meet the same fate. Right? Good?” He forcefully clapped a hand over Jean’s shoulder as Louise translated. His grip tightened when he saw the fear dilate in the man’s eyes.

“He said he understands.” She told him after he gave a quiet and complacent reply.

“Good!” Alfie patted the man’s shoulder again. “Nice to have a night to meself, not have to do much dirty business, eh?” He said in a faux cheery voice. “Louise,” He let her take his arm again, escorting her away from the men and towards one of the walls lined with art.

Questions stormed in Louise’s head. Was Alfie serious about his threats? What did he really do to have French aristocrats owing him money? But the gala didn’t seem like the right place to ask, even if he thought it was the perfect place to threaten men. She wasn’t even sure that Alfie would answer her honestly. Of course, she thought she deserved an explanation because he’d set her as the middle of the exchange.

“Which on you like best. What you think?” He gestured toward the art.

“Oh, uh…” She took a few glances pushing away the shock of what she had just experienced. The art seemed to blur together under her strained confusion. But eventually, she found one that stood out. “I suppose that Monet is lovely.” She pointed to one. “I’ve always adored his style.”

“Right, yeah, s’pose it looks nice.” He nodded. “You want it?”

She looked up at him in shock, not sure if she had heard him correctly. “What?”

“For your apartment? I’ll buy it for you. ‘M sure you’ve got somewhere to put it, yeah?”

“Alfie,” Louise was taken aback by how casually he offered. “I’m sure it’s far too expensive.”

“Yeah, but you’ve done good tonight, right, so figure you deserve a gift of sorts.” He shrugged and

“Alfie…”

“You’ve proven loyalty to me, right?” He held her gaze gently, tilting his head down slightly. His tone was so different from just a few minutes before. He spoke with curated compassion. It reminded Louise that she was fairly lucky to be on his good side. Valuable art wasn’t the greatest perk of the job. “I told you, if you were useful I’d compensate you.” He waved over one of the dealers.

“Oh, Alfie, no…” Louise grabbed his arm, her cheeks turning pink.

“Be getting that one, the Monet.” He said to the woman.

“Of course, sir.”

Louise’s lips parted in shock. “I-thank you.” She said softly.

His blue eyes glanced back at her and a hint of a smile tugged at his lips. The man hadn’t felt much responsibility for anyone before. He didn’t know what it was like to be a father or husband. But this woman, this little dove deserved everything. He could see that now. She’d been raised in wealth and had fallen from grace because of unknown circumstances.

“Do you dance?” She asked.

“Ha, no…I don’t. My fucking hip, pain in the arse it is.” He chuckled. But it was a fib. Of course, he could handle beating a man’s skull in, he could dance a bit. It was just he wasn’t any good. Certainly a young, born and bred socialite woman like herself could dance and he didn’t want to embarrass her.

“Oh, of course, I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize, love. Would you…” He cleared his throat as the words stuck in his throat. His hands leaned into his cane, tilting forward on the balls of his feet for a moment in discomfort. “Em, if you want to go and socialize, that’s alright.”

Louise shook her head and didn’t even entertain the idea. “I don’t want to dance with anyone really.” She shrugged and fixed a piece of stray hair that had escaped the pins in her curls.

Alfie felt a bit of pride. She’d asked him to dance but wasn’t interested in anyone else. “Right,” He tilted his chin down a bit. “Want to call it a night then?”

“I do have to wake up early tomorrow.” Louise brought her hand to his arm as it was beginning to rub off on her. The feeling of the pressed fabric and the sense of protection being led by the imposing man.

“Yeah? You don’t think your boss will be forgiving if you’re a bit late?” He teased and began to lead her back to the front to collect their coats. Seeing the pink in her cheeks and her long eyelashes fluttering slightly as she laughed was like taking a sharp inhale of some drug. Alfie hadn’t known what it was like to feel so intoxicated by a person. It was as if she could bring him to his knees, folding over like a piece of paper. No one could do that. But there was a possibility Louise would defy the odds.

Perhaps he’d inhaled too much cigarette smoke.

The attendant returned with their coats and Alfie helped Louise into hers. She looked up at him, her hazel eyes filled to the brim with questions.

Right…he had just threatened to kill a man right in front of her. He sighed heavily and realized he needed to let her further into the abyss.

“S’pose you’ll want to know what that as all about in there.” Alfie let out a heavy exhale, his wide shoulders falling, his arm brushing up against hers.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~``

The car began the drive back to Camden Town. Louise kept her eyes down as she delicately slid off the satin gloves. “You don’t have to explain anything. I understand the confidentiality agreement we discussed on my first day.” She murmured. The young woman thought about the painting and wondered if it was an incentive to keep quiet.

“See, thing is, I trust you.” He replied. “People ‘round me, you can see it their fucking eyes, yeah? One second of weakness and they’ll go in for the kill.”

“Why do you trust me?” Louise dared to lift her head and meet his eyes.

“I ain’t gonna give you the fucking keys to my business, yeah, but it’s sorta in your job description, innit? You know the schedule and bits n’ bobs of dealings. Wouldn’t involve you in anything too dangerous though, that’s not where you’re meant to be.”

“I suppose that’s where I’m confused.” She pursed her lips. “You’re a…baker.” She couldn’t make the distinction between rum and bread, even in private. Alfie was very strict about that.

“Yeah.”

“What does a baker from Camden have to do with a French viscount?”

His lips twitched with a hint of smile hidden under his mustache. “Good men, they run their businesses as God intended, right?”

She nodded.

“But I never said I was a good man, did I?” He gave her a side-eyed glance, mischief sparkling in his ocean colored eyes.

The comment drew breath right out of her lungs. The devious look on his face sparked something fierce inside of her. “I didn’t…it’s hard to define a good man.” Her voice came out breathlessly and she tried not to seem as flustered as she felt.

“Good men don’t kill.”

Louise pressed her tongue to the roof of her mouth. It took her a few beats of silence to find the words or the precise emotion forming in her stomach. She wasn’t afraid so much as she was caught off guard. She had seen his anger and perhaps it should’ve been clear enough that the man was capable of murder. Maybe it was the naïve notion of seeing the good in others.

“Have you killed someone?” She asked quietly.

He let out a low chuckle and faced forward again. He didn’t want to frighten her but it was better to let her know now rather than a few months later. “The Bible, yeah, it’s fucking gruesome, innit? But our prophet, Moses, brought down the Commandments and informed us that God don’t look kindly on murderers.”

Louise twisted her skirt in her hands. “Right…”

“But God is forgiving, that right? You do what you have to do and at the end of the day, I can ask for forgiveness.” He expertly skirted around her question.

“I-I suppose.”

He didn’t look at her as the car rumbled down the road. “You gonna look at me different now?”

“Alfie…”

“S’alright if you do.” He stretched out his arm to adjust the cuff of his shirt. “Tend not to mind what people think of me.”

“I can’t say I’ve killed anyone but I’ve had to ask God for forgiveness. Who am I to look down on you?” Louise tentatively reached out and touched his knee.

He looked down. Her slender hand resting there naturally, adding further honesty.

“It’s my decision of who I create ties with.” She continued in a firm tone. “I left my husband because of his nature and actions. But Alfie, you’ve been very kind to me. I trust you as well, even if it is against my better judgment.” The corner of her lips turned up a bit in a sympathetic smile.

Alfie knew words were cheap so he didn’t go on rambling about how he wouldn’t hurt. It would be more significant to show her.

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wazafam · 3 years

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Content warning: The following article contains discussions of depression, racism, addiction, and suicide.

Tony Soprano is one of the most acclaimed characters in television history — but also one of the most difficult. Tribute must go to the later actor James Gandolfini and Sopranos writer/creator David Chase, as both crafted a multi-faceted and wonderfully complex character that fans loved to hate.

RELATED: The Sopranos: 10 Saddest Things About Tony

Despite being the protagonist — and quite a charming protagonist at times — Tony Soprano was not a good person. Both in actions and personality, Tony proved to be quite a terrible human, and many viewers ended up rooting against him by the series' end. But there's no denying that he could also be entertaining, charismatic, and even funny.

10 Love: "Lately I'm Getting The Feeling That I Came In At The End. The Best Is Over."

The Sopranos does a wonderful job of humanizing its deplorable lead characters. In the pilot episode, Tony sits down with Dr. Melfi and explains his feelings of missing out on the "good times," telling her, "Lately I'm getting the feeling that I came in at the end. The best is over." It's a grounded sentiment, and it's one that many viewers could easily relate to.

It provided a connection between viewers and Tony Soprano, and fans instantly fell in love.

9 Hate: "I Wipe My A** With Your Feelings!"

Tony Soprano is not a very compassionate person. Despite being depressed himself and going to therapy to treat his mental health, Tony has absolutely no sympathy for Christopher Moltisanti. Christopher feels down throughout the majority of "The Legend of Tennessee Moltisanti," and he tells Tony that he hasn't been feeling good.

Rather than showing some compassion and relating to Christopher, Tony instead yells at him, screaming, "I wipe my a** with your feelings!"

8 Love: "My Father Was In It. My Uncle Was In It. Maybe I Was Too Lazy To Think For Myself."

It's rare for Tony Soprano to look inward and actually admit his personal problems. This is one of those rare exceptions. He explains to Melfi that the Soprano family has long had ties to the mafia, saying, "My father was in it. My uncle was in it."

Tony then admits that, rather than breaking away from family tradition and doing something noble, he simply decided to follow in their footsteps: "Maybe I was too lazy to think for myself." It's another moment that helped viewers sympathize with Tony, as they respected his self-awareness.

7 Hate: "What's Your Background, Noel?"

Tony did a lot of horrible things throughout The Sopranos, and his despicable conversation with Noah was certainly one of his worst. Noah tries bonding with Tony through his love of film, but Tony shuns Noah for being mixed race.

RELATED: The Sopranos: 10 Things The Characters Wanted In Season 1 That Came True By The Finale

Tony bluntly asks Noah, "What's your background, Noel?" (getting his name wrong in the process, no less), and viewers know exactly what's coming. He further tells Noah to stay away from Meadow, as he doesn't want his daughter dating a Black man.

6 Love: "They Say Every Day's A Gift. But Why Does It Have To Be A Pair Of Socks?"

This is by far one of the most popular quotes from The Sopranos, owing mainly to its creativity and relatable nature. Tony Soprano isn't a very happy person, and this is his creative way of calling life mediocre, boring, and rather bland.

It once again made Tony a sympathetic and relatable character, as many viewers can't help but feel the same way.

5 Hate: "Why Don't You Have A F***ing Drink, Will You? Because You're Driving Everybody Crazy With This S***!"

Christopher Moltisanti often receives the brunt of Tony's wrath. After a period of heavy drug abuse, Christopher enters rehab and is successful in getting sober. Contrary to expectations, he actually puts an effort into maintaining his sobriety, and he tries his best to stay away from alcohol.

While at a restaurant with Tony and Tony B., Tony tells a soda-drinking Chris to "have a f***ing drink" because he's annoying everyone with his sobriety. It's a horrible thing to say to someone, and it's one of many reasons why viewers starting turning on Tony around season 5.

4 Love: "I Didn't Hurt Nobody."

Season 1's "Boca" concerns Meadow's soccer coach, Don Hauser. While everyone loves Don for his commitment to the team, Tony learns from Meadow that he has slept with teenager Ally Vandermeed. Ally, traumatized by the experience, attempts suicide. Tony wants to kill Don for sleeping with Ally, but Artie Bucco convinces him to go to the police.

RELATED: The Sopranos: 10 Unpopular Opinions About The Show (According To Reddit)

Don is arrested, and a drunk Tony returns home that night, telling Carmela, "I didn't hurt nobody." With this, viewers learned that Tony wasn't a complete monster (in this scenario) and thought, if only for a second, that he could be redeemed.

3 Hate: "I Haven't Been Able To Tell Anybody This. I'm F***in' Relieved."

Many of the most odious Tony quotes come from his conversations with Dr. Melfi. It's the only time that Tony can truly open up and reveal his depraved feelings. After murdering Christopher, Tony pretends that he died in the car crash and acts morosely in front of everyone to keep up the ruse.

He spills his guts to Melfi, telling her that he's "f***in' relieved" that Christopher is dead. It made viewers enormously sympathetic for the late Christopher, and it turned Tony into The Sopranos' biggest villain.

2 Love: "You're Alright, Baby."

Season 6 is a truly harrowing season of television, and it includes AJ Soprano's attempted suicide. AJ ties his foot to a cinder block and jumps in the Soprano pool, but the rope proves too long and he rises to the surface. Tony returns home at an opportune time and finds his son in the backyard, jumping into the pool to save him.

After bringing AJ out of the pool, Tony strokes his hair in a loving manner and repeats, "You're alright, baby." It's one of Tony's most loving gestures, and it proves that, despite his own admissions to Melfi, he truly does love his son.

1 Hate: "Sacre Bleu, Where Is Me Mama?"

By season 5, Tony is mostly irredeemable. The end of "Cold Cuts" sees Tony visiting his sister Janice, who has been undergoing anger management. Angry that others are bettering themselves and being happy, Tony brings up Janice's estranged son Harpo.

He continuously mocks Janice, prompting her to become angry and throw Tony out of her house. Not only is the act itself horrific, but Tony's obvious pride as he leaves the house has viewers fuming in frustration and hatred.

NEXT: The Sopranos: The 10 Worst Things That Christopher Ever Did

5 Best Tony Soprano Quotes That Made Fans Love Him (& 5 That Made Them Hate Him) from https://ift.tt/3gEMEYO

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apollon-hyakinthios · 7 years

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omg it seems i missed the entire Tolys/Toris thing but like. guys. guys. Lithuania and Poland were never 100% innocent in WWII (regarding antisemitism) and if you think either were 100% innocent you shouldn't even be talking about Tolys vs Toris like Lithuania the nation (or Lithuanians) was a ""pure cinnamon roll who did nothing wrong" (in comparison to Russia)"? NO??? this goes for Poland too, antisemitism in Poland is HUGE right NOW. it's fine if you like LietPol but like? be aware please?

I PUT MY ANSWER UNDER A CUT CAUSE ITS SUPER LONG

I MEAN most of the opinions i was expressing with regards to the namecourse were less about the real life countries or history and more about the characters; the idea that spelling a character’s name slightly differently signifies shipping preference, first of all, is a reach, and accusing people of shipping something that you consider morally wrong based on said slightly different name spelling is needlessly confrontational and divisive. it’s the kind of idea that instills suspicion and paranoia in people towards each other, and over something small enough to be irrelevant at that. i would think all of this even if hetalia had nothing to do with history.

however, that being said, this ask raises an interesting point about history in relation to hetalia fandom - namely, real-world history and politics often come into play during discussions of how to enjoy hetalia in a moral fashion. characters are deemed too problematic to like based not only on canon but also on extrapolations of how historical events would theoretically play into hetalia canon. this is very dodgy territory for a few reasons.

first of all, hetalia is about history and culture to an extent, yet it has never been or claimed to be a completely accurate representation of world history. hetalia is a series of comics written by a guy about individual historical events or cultural customs or national stereotypes that he finds interesting or weird enough to write short comics about, often twisted a little (or a lot) in order to serve a joke. and that’s another thing about hetalia... the canon is intended to be mostly jokes. you can use the premise to explore a more serious take on history or culture, and a lot of people do, and end up with really interesting works! but one reason why it’s clunky at best to try to apply real-world history specifically to argue that certain characters are canonically irredeemably bad, is that hetalia canon was never designed with the intention of being an accurate portrayal of history, and it shows. the characters are silly, ridiculous, and well... inherently inaccurate, so it really doesn’t follow to claim that if a person likes a certain hetalia character, they’re condoning everything that the real-world corresponding nation has done. when a person likes a hetalia character, at the end of the day they’re just liking an anime character.

secondly, real-world politics and history are complicated enough to where you can’t really boil them down into simple, easy-to-digest reasons why not to like this or that anime character. most international conflicts, ultimately, are not a matter of black and white or good and evil, but complicated conflicting interests. which leads me to my next point:

no nation in the history of the world has ever been without social inequality or injustice and the legacy of oppression is baked into every facet of modern culture.

now, there are a few hetalia characters who end up being common targets of history-as-character-morality discussion (russia, england). but most of the characters come out scot-free, which, if we’re applying the logic of real-world politics and history as morality of hetalia characters, shouldn’t be a thing. no government or country is perfect. america, for example, remains a fan favorite and i’ve never encountered someone who would give anyone a hard time for liking him - but yet, the american government throughout history is far from flawless. essentially, if we’re going to morally judge hetalia characters based on real-world events that do not feature in hetalia canon, literally no character would be likeable.

so then the question becomes, why shouldn’t we just throw in the towel on the whole franchise? because there’s more to world history and culture than JUST oppression and cruelty. throughout the history of the world there has never been a culture free of racism, xenophobia, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, anti-semitism, islamophobia, if not all of those things then at least some. war and suffering and greed has plagued every nation ever. but throughout the history of the world there is also art, literature, philosophy, architecture, music, technological innovation, invention, science, discovery, creativity, joy. i mean, hell, that’s the duality of human nature itself - kindness versus cruelty, creativity and discovery versus destruction, compassion versus greed. at its very best, hetalia can be a celebration of all the little things that make this world interesting and joyous and fun and worth all of the shitty things that exist out there, and that is why i still love it, and why i think this silly low budget anime series still has value despite all of its faults.

i wish that, instead of trying to tear each other down over the most minute of things, the people in this fandom would spend a little more energy on being supportive and compassionate with each other

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aion-rsa · 4 years

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Lovecraft Country Episode 7 Review: I Am.

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This Lovecraft Country review contains spoilers.

Lovecraft Country Episode 7

“I Am.” is what happens when women are given the space to explore every facet of their being, and are allowed to embody even the ugliest parts of themselves. It is another in a succession of strong episodes that center women, and allow for their self-discovery and actualization.

The last time we see Hippolyta, she and Diana detour from Boston to Ardham. What she finds there are the collapsed ruins of Ardham Lodge and evidence that George had been there, confirming her suspicions that she wasn’t told everything about his death. When she gets back home—safe, thankfully— she figures out the puzzle of the orrery, and finds a key and coordinates inside. In Lovecraft Country, everybody has an interesting introduction to magic. Last week, we learned that Tic’s first brush with monsters was not the shoggoths, but his former lover Ji-ah. This week, Hippolyta follows the orrery’s clues to Hiram’s observatory and the magic within.

The key in the orrery activates a machine that opens portals to different dimensions. Hippolyta is able to figure out the complex equations needed to operate the machine, but is interrupted by two cops. After a scuffle, she is pulled into a portal. She finds herself in an unfamiliar landscape, gazing on an unfamiliar craft, then she’s knocked out, and has something implanted into her arms. She’s seemingly imprisoned on the craft, which she tries to escape— again showing her mental prowess by figuring out ways to do so, despite the unfamiliarity of the vessel. When the being with the Black woman’s face and voluminous afro, who identifies themself as “I am,” asks Hippolyta where she wants to be instead, Hippolyta answers, and finds herself on stage with Josephine Baker in Paris.

What follows is a beautiful montage of a woman slowly becoming unbound. Hippolyta’s body moves more freely, as do her words. She befriends Josephine, and they talk about being free. Hippolyta speaks her desires out loud and they become reality. When she says, “I am Hippolyta,” she is pulled into a world where she is trained by warrior women to become a fierce warrior herself, like her namesake, who is Queen of the Amazons. When Hippolyta names herself George’s wife, she returns to the safety and comfort of their bed. But she doesn’t let the warmth and familiarity envelop her, instead she confronts George, finally giving voice to her anger and resentment. Unrepressed and now, unburdened, she brings George along with her —as he failed to do with her in his life— and they explore new dimensions together. Aunjanue Ellis is riveting. I Am, the being, tells Hippolyta that she can remove the implants and stay, but she has Diana to look after. And besides, Hippolyta has explored enough to make up for all the years she stood still.

When Tic escaped Ardham Lodge, he followed a vision of a pregnant Hannah running through the burning building with a book in hand, something he’s since seen in his dreams. Leti has the same dream (in it, she’s also pregnant), and they realize that Hannah escaped with the Book of Names and that Tic’s maternal family may have had magic. When they go to Montrose to find out more about Dora’s family, they catch Sammy leaving his place. Montrose confirms he’s queer, which infuriates Tic because of the beatings he got so he wouldn’t be “soft.” Lovecraft Country is as much about unpacking their relationship as it is about monsters and magic, and this revelation could be the catalyst for change in their dynamic. Tic visits Dora’s family friend in St. Louis to find out more. Everything, including the book, is presumed to have been burned during the Tulsa riots, but Tic discovers a birthmark or scar he shares with his aunt.

Lovecraft Country: What is a Kumiho?

By Alec Bojalad

Lovecraft Country: What Ruby’s Hillary Davenport Transformation Means

By Nicole Hill

Hippolyta leaves Diane under Ruby’s care, and Leti decides to stay and make amends while Tic travels to St. Louis alone. The sisters make peace, but Ruby withholds that she knows about magic, perhaps waiting for Leti to let her in first. When Leti finds the opened orrery, she calls Tic to warn him that Hippolyta is in danger, which Ruby overhears. It’s possible Ruby is sympathetic to Christina, or has feelings for William, which leaves room for her to work against Leti and Tic. It’ll be interesting to watch her navigate, and no doubt, she’ll find a way to benefit either way. Leti dreams she’s pregnant, then gets nauseous at the smell of garlic (which she loves). Ruby might let that slip. Leti being pregnant would be the least surprising reveal of the season, but there are major implications of her carrying Tic’s child with their magic-imbued Braithwhite blood. That knowledge could entice Christina to do real, lasting harm, or it could fall into the hands of someone like Cpt. Lancaster, who is likely the worser of two evils.

Tic gets to Hippolyta at the observatory just in time to thwart the two cops. He scraps with one of them and throws them into a pulsating portal, and Hippolyta fatally shoots the other one, before she and Tic are pulled into portals themselves. We know where Hippolyta goes, but when Tic returns through the portal, he’s grasping a paperback of “Lovecraft Country” written by George Freeman. Lovecraft Country leans more into horror than sci-fi, but this episode gives us interdimensional travel and/or alternate universes, which are sci-fi staples, and mostly underutilized in this show. Tic leaves the observatory in a rush, leaving the officer’s dead body, along with Diana’s comic book. We can only assume the comic book will lead cops, and worse, back to the Freemans and can only hope that Tic has learned something useful he can use to protect his family.

This episode of Lovecraft Country is a spiritual experience. Not only is it afrofuturist sci-fi, it is another powerful tale of a woman stepping into her glory. Hippolyta tells George she shrunk herself, and that he let her continue to shrink, but she emerges here. She’s uninhibited by George, by sexism, by racism, or by any person or concept that would place limitations on her. Like Ruby before her, and Leti, and Ji-ah, she’s also allowed her rage. Hippolyta is emancipated, and she triumphs in her freedom.

cnx.cmd.push(function() { cnx({ playerId: "106e33c0-3911-473c-b599-b1426db57530", }).render("0270c398a82f44f49c23c16122516796"); });

Additional thoughts:

I love that in space, Hippolyta looks like the heroine Diana draws in her comics, Orinthia Blue.

Emmet Till (nicknamed Bobo) is a friend of Diana’s and has been seen or referenced several times, including in this episode. It’s likely next week’s episode, titled ‘Jig-A-Bobo,’ will center Diana and feature references to his death. I’m not sure we can prepare for that.

The post Lovecraft Country Episode 7 Review: I Am. appeared first on Den of Geek.

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supercoolgamesstuff-blog · 5 years

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Standing Up - Game Informer

New Post has been published on https://www.coolgamingzone.com/standing-up-game-informer/

Standing Up - Game Informer

When Manveer Heir left BioWare in 2017 after working on the Mass Effect franchise as a senior gameplay designer, he was burned out. He had been making games for a dozen years, putting in the time during crunch and enduring the wrath of Gamergaters for his beliefs. Like he had done at times during his career, he contemplated walking away from making video games entirely, but he knew he wasn’t done yet.

Heir took some time off in New York figuring out his next move, and reconnected with a deep-seated ambition to form his own video game company – a dream he held since he was in the 10th grade when he drew up his own business plan.

In order to craft the kinds of stories he wanted to tell and address some of the issues he experienced in the video game industry, Heir founded his own studio. Heir’s experiences with the Mass Effect franchise and companies the size of Electronic Arts exposed him to systemic problems that interfered with his goal of surfacing stories of characters of color and different backgrounds created by diverse developers.

From left to right: Manveer Heir, Founder, chief visionary officer; Rashad Redic, Founder, chief creative officer; Bryna Dabby Smith, Founder, chief executive officer

Heir reached out to Bryna Dabby Smith, an industry veteran with deep experience managing projects like Sleeping Dogs, for help with the business side of the venture, and word circulated of what Heir was putting together.

This prompted Rashad Redic, previously an environment artist at Bethesda, to get in contact with Heir. A six-hour conversation later, Heir had solidified his nucleus for Brass Lion Entertainment around the three of them and started the ball rolling on the company’s first project: Corner Wolves, a game exploring the personal effects of the U.S. government’s self-proclaimed War on Drugs in ’90s Harlem.

Brass Lion was created to tell stories you won’t get from most studios because it’s not setup like most studios. Brass Lion wants to actively hire developers of color and other diverse backgrounds, consciously bucking the trend of male whiteness.

A survey of developers in 2017 by the International Game Developers Association (IGDA) reported that 71 percent of respondents identified as white or multiracial with white, 79 percent were male, and 86 percent were heterosexual. Furthermore, while 81 percent said they felt diversity in the workplace was important, only 42 percent felt diversity was actually increasing – down from 47 percent in 2016.

Change is slow because institutions are inherently structured to preserve their status quo. There may be individuals, and even whole departments, that are sympathetic to hiring developers from diverse backgrounds, but there is a barrier of in-group selection that slows down progress.

“Something that people say is, ‘Well, we just hire the best people,’” Heir says. “But when you look at the research you find out that meritocracy is kind of a lie. People really hire people that look like them, and they use words like ‘culture fit’ or ‘not a culture fit’ to push out people who maybe don’t fit in but have a diversity of ideas.”

Hiring people with different backgrounds has a knock-on effect of better quality. Heir mentions Harvard Business Review articles based on research that says that mixed teams produce better results because they naturally question each other more and have less group-think that may stifle innovation. “You start to check each other’s biases,” Heir explains. “You don’t just nod your head and go, ‘Yup, that first idea is the best one,’ because everybody is coming at it from a different angle.”

From these different experiences comes a different kind of game. Corner Wolves’ story is about Jacinte, a young Afro-Latina living in Harlem and working at her father’s bodega. One evening Jacinte returns to find him murdered in front of the store. The game is Jacinte’s attempt to find out who killed him and why, but the themes layered underneath run deeper.

If you think how racism works in the real world, it’s embedded in all of our real systems.

Manveer Heir

Harlem was particularly affected by drugs during the 1990s when the game takes place. Both community leaders and politicians called for action to clean up the drug problem, but the increasing law-and-order approaches were neither taking care of the problem nor serving the community. In the ’70s, New York governor Nelson Rockefeller, who once favored rehabilitation, turned to a tough-on-crime approach. President Reagan signed into law more mandatory minimums and cemented them with the narrative of an urban crack epidemic. President Clinton increased mass incarceration of even low-level offenders with his 1994 crime bill.

The effect this had on Harlem and the ethnic communities therein exposed the systemic racism of the U.S. justice system. Research contemporary to the game’s setting as well as countless studies since have clearly shown there are racial disparities when it comes to the arrest and conviction rates, as well as sentencing lengths, of blacks as opposed to whites committing the same crimes.

One prominent example of racial disparities in relation to the War on Drugs is the infamous 100-to-1 rule established in 1986, specifying mandatory minimum sentences for specific quantities of cocaine. This said that distribution of five grams of crack resulted in a minimum five-year federal prison sentence, while it took 500 grams of powder cocaine to trigger the same minimum sentencing, even though the chemical composition and effect of either form of cocaine is appreciably the same. Blacks were specifically targeted since they were more likely to use crack than affluent whites, who used powdered cocaine.

This large-scale history lesson might not be prominent in the head of Jacinte, nor the player, but it has had a demonstrable effect on the world of Corner Wolves and the lives within it. Heir and Brass Lion believe the issues and lessons this history exposes are things that video games can dig into in their own special way.

“What I think you do is create the systems in a way that supports your thesis, that supports the themes and motifs of the game, of the story,” says Heir. “And then you make sure that it is embedded in all the different systems of the game. If you think how racism works in the real world, it’s embedded in all of our real systems. It’s embedded in the school system already. It’s embedded in the policing already. It’s embedded in job applications already.”

Thus, Corner Wolves’s Harlem is a world players can move around and participate in, but it’s also one that is already defined by forces outside of Jacinte’s direct control. “I think that higher-level point of view, and that control [players] don’t have – I think that’s what I want people to experience,” Heir says. “You don’t always get to be the hero in our world because literally the rest of the world doesn’t let you.”

The chips may be stacked against Jacinte, but she’s not powerless. The game has melee-based combat (no guns, however) and a conversation system designed to give her some agency while realistically portraying the world and situations around her. Heir says he likes exploring the grey area beyond absolutes of right and wrong – which RPGs in particular are well-suited for – and that at the end of the game players hopefully come away drawing conclusions, even if they aren’t necessarily able to power themselves up to some convenient, happy ending.

Jacinte, a 20-something high school graduate who didn’t go to college, isn’t part of the neighborhood’s drug trade. However, she’s aware of it, not only due to her dad’s death but because people in affected areas have to be, simply for the sake of their own survival.

Her status in the world allows her to move between different groups. One of the ways this surfaces is through code switching, or changing how you speak depending on who you’re talking to in order to present yourself differently. This could easily come into play with Jacinte’s background as both black and Dominican, moving between the two facets of her identity via language, as well as when speaking to the police and authority figures.

“We definitely want to get that authenticity,” Heir says. “It allows us to write a lot of different characters from lots of different backgrounds so we can have lots of different lenses on the same problem, to let the player kind of choose what angle they like to approach things from or what their thought processes on how to solve these issues [are].”

The game touches on dirty police, drug dealers, corrupt politicians, and even larger forces, but needs to do so in a way that’s still realistic to Jacinte and which doesn’t let the narrative and gameplay elements drift too far apart.

The team is working on gameplay prototypes to build a demo for publishers (the game uses Unreal Engine 4), but they haven’t nailed down all of its aspects. Given Heir’s background and love of action/RPGs, the game will likely lean in that direction, but all involved know that much will likely change by the time it launches a few years from now.

Art director and Brass Lion chief creative officer Rashad Redic is responsible for building the actual game world. The team wants to layer in touches authentic to Harlem and Jacinte’s mixed background, but filtered through an anime-inspired look. Anime is not only a personal touchstone for Redic, it also has a meta resonance because it’s popular in the black community.

Hip hop is another strong current for the title, and not just for nostalgia’s sake, but because it adds its own larger commentary. “Part of the appeal of hip-hop in the first place,” says Redic, “was you’d get that lens of what life was like in a way that felt like someone was telling you a personal story. We just have to figure out how we distill that into a game. If rap was the sort of genesis of the inner city and urban communities having a voice and giving people a window into their lives, then maybe our game is going to be the beginning of that as an art form for us.”

Brass Lion has signed a contract with Just Blaze (DJ and Jay-Z producer), although his dedicated work will come later in the project. Redic says that they’re not sure if they’ll use licenses for specific songs or even fashion brands, but certainly the goal is to imbue the game with an authentic vibrancy.

As much as there is to be still defined about Corner Wolves, much is set firmly in place, guiding the project forward. Brass Lion CEO Bryna Dabby Smith knows what it takes to build a good foundation for a game and to keep it on track, having been key to that as a project manager on Sleeping Dogs at United Front when it was with Activision. “One of the things I think they did particularly well was the story element, and they really invested heavily on the narrative design,” she says. “It wasn’t just the feel of the world; they were actually writing something that felt like it was actually tonally correct from a cultural perspective. That it actually had roots in something beyond just, ‘Hey this is going to be a kick-ass game.’”

There’s a major shift happening, and I think games are late to the party.

Bryna Dabby Smith

Brass Lion is currently working on Corner Wolves as a game, and is open to it appearing on as many platforms as are viable. The developer also believes the property has great potential to exist in other mediums, whether that’s film, comic books, or another form that takes place in the world.

So far, the reception to Corner Wolves and Brass Lion in general has been positive from the people the trio have met with. “There’s a major shift happening, and I think games are late to the party,” Dabby Smith says. “I think movies have already started to go there, and if you’re talking to anyone in the greater entertainment space, anyone with any sort of Hollywood background, they already get it because they’ve already seen Get Out, and they’ve seen Black Panther, and they’ve seen Crazy Rich Asians all do incredibly well because they’re telling compelling stories. And the fact that they center characters of color and they center more marginalized voices is not holding them back because people are hungry for that and they’re looking for different types of stories.”

For Brass Lion and Corner Wolves in particular, these stories are not black and white; they might not have a happy ending, and are too big to solve through a video game. But they are what people need and want to hear, and the time for them to be told is now.

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blackkafka · 8 years

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“But what's the point of post-racial When old prejudice remains? And that guy who killed that kid Down in Florida standing ground Is free to beat up on his girlfriend And wave his brand new gun around While some kid is dead and buried And laying in the ground With a pocket full of skittles”

Dear Little Brother,

Can you believe it's been five years already? Time really does fly by. You would have been 22 now. I would like to tell you that in the time since your life was robbed from this world, that this country and society has progressed. That we learned from the lessons of the past.That the nation grew and started to heal the wounds deep into our history. But we haven't. In some ways, most ways, we've taken steps back. You wouldn't believe who's the President now! It's still kinda crazy thinking about now. I cried the night of the election results. We went from electing the first noticeably black president to one that is very much supported by white supremacists and white nationalists. One that can publicly bend the truth in many ways not seen before in this country. And he gets away with. It's supposed to be payback. We're supposed to keep our mouths shut and deal with it. The next four years are going to be very long and tiring. But we endure.

I started graduate school the fall of 2012. It was the start of period of when I was depressed and overworked between work, jobs, and school. And trying to figure out my identity and place in the world. It hurt when people would avoid sitting next to me on train, no matter how well I dressed, or how intellectual I looked. Isn't the dream to have some cute girl sit next you, strike up a conversation, make a connection, and take it from there? No such thing here. It's kinda cringe worthy to think about this now. Living in some fantasy world. Or how much it hurt when the students I was supposed to go out of my way to help would be the same ones who would do a similar thing of avoiding sitting next to me on the shuttle from the parking lots. I think this time it hurt more. Here are my comrades, here are the people are supposed to work with me, and who I work and advocate for and apparently it's better to stand than sit next to me? Okay. Anger. Frustration. Sadness. And when I tried talking to someone who I considered a friend about how I was feeling, they redirected the conversation to themselves. In retrospect, I probably should have gotten professional help. But I fell into myself. And hid away. As I always do and did. Anyone who really knows me, and really I've only told a few people about this, the first one who I love in ways no one else will know, one who I always will love, and another who I wish knew how much I care about him, knows that I've always had emotional issues growing up, to the fact I have made multiple attempts at my own life. But hey, it's good to be absolutely horrible at something, right? Yet we endure.

These experiences made me rethink my blackness and what it meant to be black man in society. I wasn't as comfortable in it as I am now. Because I had avoided and ran from it for so long. I used to avoid listening to hip-hop/rap in public because I didn't want to seen as a certain way. But really, what was I doing? Why was I trying to be accepted by a world, by people who will never full accept me? Why try to please the other so much? You know they always tell you how you're an "Oreo" or how you're not really "black." As if blackness has only one facet, one aspect of it. Because if you don't fit their little idea of what it means to be black, which is usually "ghetto" well then you're one of the good ones. You speak like you're white. You listen to the same music. You like their movies, their literature. Maybe you even date their women. You're one of them, until you're reminded that you're not. Because at the short slice, at the quick glance you are what you skin color says you are. You're tall, you're dark skinned. And that carries weight. It carries a presence. How you use it, the choice is yours. It’s a power unto your own. For a while I didn't want to only be defined as this. That I'm more thank my race, my skin color. I realized now how much internalized racism I had in me that prevented fully embracing who I was. That this is a fundamental part of who I am, and it doesn't completely define me, but rather has helped formulate the framework in which I see, feel, hear, experience the world around. The lens through which I am focused. The scanner darkly, so be it.

And you know, after you died, I didn't wear hoodies for almost half a year. I don't even know if it was fully a conscious decision, but it happened. I when I thought about it,the full weight hit me. And I remember my dad warning to me watch myself, and me wanting to blow it off, that he didn't understand. Hubris, ain't it? But it was really a reminder for him of the times that he grew up in, a reminder that maybe things hadn't really changed in the 50 years since he was kid. And when I thought about it, really thought about it, it hit me. And I fell even harder. I remember when, during an abnormally warm Thanksgiving break, when the two verdicts arrived. And the riots. And I cried again. Humiliation. "If I die this instant/Taken from a distance/They would probably list it down/Among other things 'round town" Thank you America.

From you a movement started. A movement vilified, for a phrase that needs a "too." Because time and time again, it is shown how much less our lives are worth to many, how we can be thrown aside. Unless you are the coon, playing, and miming for them,falling into step, that's when they'll accept you. Chuckin and jivin. Yessa sir. No ma'am. Be their pretty little negro, the shining of example of what they should be. Do your part boy and keep your head down. But it's tiring being something you are not. Once they've used you up, they'll cast you aside. And the struggle fights on. The duality of our nature. What it means to be black, and to be American. Don't they know the purist things, strictly American, are our products? Blues, Jazz, Rock, these are all black creations, lest we forget. Made from our fire and fight. Forged through creation and love and anger. Tempered through passion and devotion.

My biggest fear, when it comes to children is how I will have to raise my sons, if I have any. Because black boys are hard to raise. I cannot deny what my parents did for me helped in the long run, but damn, did it hurt. Try accepting that, as a nine year old, that the people you want to trust, your very teachers, will think you don't belong, that you aren't capable of being in those advanced classes, that you have to try twice as hard as your white counterparts to succeed, because being good isn't enough. You have to be the best, no exceptions. Giving it all isn't enough. Give more. Pour yourself into your work until no one can think you don't belong. Show that you earned your spot, and it's not out of pity. Flawless from start to finish. It is unacceptable to settle. Push yourself. Endure. Push. Endure. Push. Endure. A modern day John Henry in the classroom. Black boys, yes black boys. Are different. You try teaching a kid to be hard. To not take any shit from the world. To be strong in the face of adversity, and hide and bury it all deep inside until it eats away at your core. But you have to be able to turn it off. To love the women in your life. To love the world around you. And ultimately love yourself. It's really, really hard. To be a series of co-existing hypocrisies and contradictions. Which is why I'm so scared. Because I don't know if I can do right by him. I want a better world for him, so he doesn't have to hate himself, and be happy, and make mistakes, and not be judged. But that world doesn't exist. So I will learn. I read much more about feminism, and how it relates to me as a black man. I'm still learning though, and will never stop. "“Rules and responsibilities: these are the ties that bind us. We do what we do, because of who we are. If we did otherwise, we would not be ourselves. I will do what I have to do. And I will do what I must.”

Do you know what is like to see a black boy go soft? It's the reason why I love Mahershala Ali so much: sure, he is handsome and classy, but watch the way he changes, how he pivots. It's so beautiful. It's what I aspire to do myself. To put of this facade, but then change into something completely different within seconds. When a black boy can go soft before you, watch the age fall away, watch the guard be let down. It shows they trust you. Don't take it for granted. I had a conversation where I was the older black guy talking to younger men, the one teaching, the one on his soapbox. And it was so different from what I was used to. But in those moments, I gained brothers. I worry for them, to see them go through the same things I did, the same struggles. I hope the best for them, I will always love them with a special place in my heart. Stay pure, stay true. Love yourself before anyone else.

I guess this is where I wrap things up, and say good-bye. I wish I knew you. I wish a person had just listened to what emergency services said, and maybe you'd still be alive today. Black boys have to be perfect. They dragged you the way Hector was dragged around Troy. Because if you are anything less than perfect, they will destroy you. Every little mistake, every folly, every blemish will be brought to fruition. We will never be held to the same standards as them. We can't be stupid and make mistakes like white boys can because it is a matter of life and death. A childhood robbed. An adulthood never seen. I hope, really hope, that one day I can look back at these things and these feelings and not have to worry about them. But that day isn't today, so it be. So it is. So it goes.

So long little brother.

#this has been a post #i was going to put his under read more but I'm too drunk to care #personal #writing #me

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blairtrabbit · 8 years

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Thoughts On Voltron Season 2

Can we officially coin a new phrase? I’m going to do it and I think everybody should support me on this.

Whenever a show with a pseudo-serious and consistent tone introduces something absolutely ridiculous that is apparently permanent but never mentioned again by the cast or in the plot it should be called.

VOLTRON’S COW.

Its not like a Simpsons’ episode where everything reverts to normal at the end of each episode. There is no reset. That cow is still on the ship somewhere. That cow is walking the halls of the castle mooing in despair and nobody talks about it.

More under cut (spoilery)

Cons-

1. Did Hunk get dumber? Or did they just treat him like he was dumber? Because in season one he got to do alot more engineering and mechanical stuff. In this season he made 99999.999 more food jokes and one of the most elaborate flatulence jokes I’ve ever seen.Hunk didn’t get close to a solo episode this season. Better luck next time buddy. 2. Did Lance get dumber? Did they just treat his character with less respect? He felt....dumber. He also felt more like a caricature of himself. He had exactly ONE moment of introspection the entire series and that was when he wondered if he was as valuable as the other members. Why wasn’t this explored in an entire episode? Lances only “Lance” episode was the one with the mermaids and it was more ensemble than singular focus. Pidge had to really grow to get her tree weapon but Lance just was like...I LIKE WATER and BAM! Sonic canons! What happened to the Lance that missed his family and earth? Where did that go? I miss that Lance alot. That was my favorite character good ole multi-facet Lance. I hope we see him again I do. 3.This season suffered from an EXTREME case of battle fatigue. Its that feeling you get when you’re watching a movie and there is so much action going on you get bored and apathetic. Alot of superhero movies have this problem but damn Voltron had the curse real bad this time around. Action exhaustion is easily cured by focus on characters and quiet moments or episodes spent on relationships. You know...like the first season.I am not by an stretch saying we need to not have action. We just need more quiet/funny episodes in between. When we got to the mall episode I was like..thank god there won’t be a giant robot fight in this one. Some of the fights felt tacked on because there needed to be some kind of fight QUOTA. Like Dreamworks told the story department that little boys got bored if there was too many feelings. (Is this show for little boys? Who is this show for? alot of people die in it but its not graphic so is it for...Oh whatever.)

4. Hey Voltron.There are more characters than Shiro and Keith you know. This season was the Keith season but as I talked about before it was not a great thing to focus all the attetion on. The show built up all this stuff about his relationship with the Galra and the mysterious knife in all their PAINSTAKINGLY long-winded build-up. Then it all ended with the biggest blue-balls reveal I’ve ever seen in an action show. Nobody. Cared. There were a few jokes by Dumb-Hunk and..some weird uncomfortable out of character racism by Allura and then...resolved? Again, next season better have more Hunk and Lance episodes and by this I mean NOT Dumb-Hunk and Dumb-Lance. I hate those guys. 5.Allura’s behavior was bad and out of character. Also thank god they gave her that five minutes of action at the end because otherwise? All she did the entire season was stay on the ship, yell at some screens and faint while Coran told her she was too weak to do -insert thing-. Do you think Coran ever gets sick of telling her that shes too weak to do -insert thing-. C. NO PRINCESS YOU CAN’T MAKE TOAST IT’LL KILL YOU! A. Don’t be silly Coran I’ll be fine ~makes toast~ AHHHHHH C. PRINCESS NO!!! A. ~faints dramatically~ Then all of the paladins scream in unison and the princesses fainting inspires them to unite and make the best toast the universe will ever know ~en scene~ Allura got one field-trip with Keith that really did nothing for either of the arcs they were going through even tho it SHOULD HAVE. IT kinda went into a little character development and shared bonding but not...enough. Even Allura’s final resolution with Keith felt oddly gross. Keith doesn’t even know how much of his DNA is Galra and even if its 99.9 percent he has been nothing but loyal and trustworthy. Killing my planet or no Allura you acted like a stupid bitch. I love you and your one of my favorite characters but seriously. Stupid. BITCH. Again this felt like Dreamworks telling the story department that little boys don’t like girls. Girls are icky. 6. How about giving us more backstory on those Galra resistance fighters? They seemed pretty interesting and THREE of them died. THREE. They made a lot of sacrifices. Sure would be nice to care about those sacrifices.

Yep. 7. The episode where Thace was being captured intercut with a battle was really not edited well. It went from bone-crushing action to...a guy talking with another guy. The tonal shift was distracting and not well thought out it seems. You would be into the fighting then suddenly back to the espionage you had totally forgotten about. Also Thace was boring. Also? Thace was/is probably Keith's dad. Calling it now.

8. I can’t believe neither Keith nor Hunk noticed the Galra they saved from space-monstro was a lady. She had lady hips and everything. I hope she doesn’t come back as a love interest but you know what she probably will. Pros- 1. Animation is ON POINT SON. This season obviously had a bigger budget and they CG lions were somehow blended even better than the first season. The backgrounds were beautiful and the color palettes just gorgeous. The fight scenes were spectacular at times and very well choreographed. But I am not surprised by any of that honestly. 2. This season did make me laugh. Probably not as much as the first season but I really really liked the Mall episode. The pool/exhaustion (You know the one where Keith and Lance do the Emperors New Groove friendship shuffle nude) episode will have its fans but the mall episode made me laugh a lot. I loved the security guard and the space pirates joke just...all of it. Good episode. WISH THERE HAD BEEN MORE LIKE IT MAYBE. 3. Even if the payoff was done badly at least they finished Keith’s arc. There were some other things they just seemed to leave hanging or didn’t explain very well but they kept on that arc and wouldn’t quit. ~golf clap~ 4. Out of the entire crew I felt the person who grew the most as a character was actually Pidge. Her lion episode was one of the more solid character pieces and we saw her change her mind about a previous bias.(HINT HINT ALLURA) 5. I like how they tried to steer some of the Alien character design away from a human-esque build. I liked the weird blobby maggoty things they saved from the acid planet and the Ohmu-esqe monster where they harvested the crystals. I really liked Slav’s design. It was interesting how he had a beak thing instead of a real mouth but was still very expressive.Make me a toy of Slav please he was like a cute Ghibli monster. I hate to admit how much I liked Slav with his lil pockets and his weird OCD problems. 6. Weird Al was one of the jellyfish mermaid resistance fighters.That is very important to me. Conclusion: I enjoyed the second season but it had some serious flaws and the constant battles became exhausting by the end making the conclusion just not as satisfying as it should have been. In fact thats my overall review.

:Satisfying but not as much as it really should be.

#voltron legendary defender #season 2 #review #glassvines #be my friend who agrees with me #i just had to get all of this out while its fresh on mah mind #cartoon blurbing

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myviewmyvoice · 7 years

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Kept inside, the pain is poison, but when artists, especially Black artists, let it out, its genius. But genius is not a typical state with normal expectations; it’s acceptable for a genius to act (or actually be) crazy. In fact we often want that in our Black artists. We expect them to be crazy, love them more, in fact—deeper, better—if they are. Rachel Harper, “Crazy”, Black Cool

On the track “Kill Jay Z,” big brother Jay addresses his little brother ‘Ye and calls him “insane.” Relatively speaking, everyone is normal and Mr. West is crazy. ‘Ye would agree that he’s “crazy” but argue the definition of crazy. For receipts, I turn to his last project, The Life of Pablo where in “Feedback” the Chi-town rapper repeats the line, “I’ve been outta my mind a long time” twice and later adds, “name one genius that ain’t crazy.” Then on “Saint Pablo” he relates himself to Albert Einstein (a genius in his own right) and being this generation’s most influential. He also raps that his labeled “out of control” because he won’t allow others to control him, but not to worry he’s fine.

Some of us are not necessarily worried, but we do wonder about the future presidential candidate. For example five days before 4:44 dropped, another legendary rapper from Brooklyn, MC Lyte posted this on her Instagram:

My dear brother you are on my mind. Where are you? How are you? Will we hear you again? How you feel…will we ever hear how you feel? We miss you. Can't wait to hear that next thing. Those words. That slay. So slick. Sing your song my brother, Jesus Walks…He does, your are, because he was. He is, he lives, ask & believe, he'll manifest the gift—-NEW LIFE —We miss you Kanye…

A post shared by mclyte (@mclyte) on Jun 25, 2017 at 11:28am PDT

The comments to the post vary in agreement. What’s interesting is the relationships that people have with the rapper. There are fans who root for him through it all and those who say “I miss the old Kanye” and he knows it. The Chi-town rapper really is provocative and gets the people going. Hearing people argue about his genius/crazy like watching a tennis match. I say this sitting on the sidelines watching and listening to both sides. For me, the sociology of Kanye West will always be rich with dichotomies, contradictions and nuances that are not above criticism. I do wonder about the genius, that is Kanye West.

Yeezy has an unadulterated honesty about his double consciousness, which, he may argue is because he is a Gemini. Kanye gets the history and understands the circumstances and points the finger at everyone including himself. While wearing a Louis Vuitton backpack or a pair of Maison Martin Margiela sneakers he rhymes about the effects of capitalism and racism in the Black community because it is his “responsibility to turn up and tell you the truth.” There are two nuanced Kanyes, but people want to see the side of Kanye that they like the most (and sometimes he says how he feel at the wrong time). Therein lies the conflict.

Kanye West in a Margiela mask during the Yeezus tour.

For his Yeezus tour, the rapper/producer not only wore Margielas on his feet with the outfit to match, but a Margiela full-headed mask. Why? According to his…uhmmmm…monologues during the tour, ‘Ye does not want to be seen as a Black man or a celebrity. He wanted his ideas to speak for themselves, hence hiding his face.* He begins to justify the fully ornamented mask:

…So tonight if only one time I will explain. ’Cause otherwise I would feel so tired and drained, and I know you don’t feel my pain. Or don’t give a f—k about my pain. And I realize, realize, I realize this, I realize this…

He later adds…

Yeah it’s one time in my life, where I can just be me tonight…if you ask why I put on this mask, [it’s] ’cause when I don’t have the mask I have to worry about, “Is my face the right way for the camera, ’cause I don’t want them to give the wrong shot to somebody who wants to take a shot at me… So if I wanna be not too aggressive and fully expressive and give y’all my message I suggest that you just let me wear the mask.

The thing is, we been seeing the complexities of this vocal Black male celebrity including his ups and downs, and his wins and losses. To keep it 100, however, we know the son of Donda West will never be the same after losing her, but we wonder if he would ever be OK regardless of what he says.**

As Kanye shared his thoughts with the audience, the stadium lights hit his adorned mask and depending on how he moved on stage it reflects a different part of the ornament’s facets. The reflection is kind of symbolic of all of the lights (you know: cop, flash, spot, strobe, street) he wanted the audience to see without seeing him…but what about the pain, Kanye?

We know that pain can become the kind of art that has us in awe, but how are you? What’s up with you and Jay, man? Are y’all okay, man? For Jay to mention Kanye like that speaks volumes, but we can’t front like we weren’t wondering where the love was between the two.

During his concerts, Kanye’s fans yelled that they “love” him, but I question what they love? The man? The celebrity? The genius? The crazy? The pain? The ideas? The message? The experience? Or the mask that cradles it all?

*A back (back) story the masks: One of Kanye’s fashion ventures went awry and he was not happy, bro.

**I am well aware that there is an elephant in the room.

Write on Time: Part 2 Kept inside, the pain is poison, but when artists, especially Black artists, let it out, its genius.

#444 #art #black cool #crazy #genius #jay-z #Kanye west #masks #pain #rachel harper #yeezus tour

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blockheadbrands · 5 years

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Cannabis is the Latest Frontier for the Inspiring Hollingsworth Family

Andrew Ward of High Times Reports:

I first came across The Hollingsworth Cannabis Company a month or two back when I heard co-founder Joy Hollingsworth detail the amazing journey her family has made through America’s history. Fans of the late Anthony Bourdain’s show No Reservations may have already come across the farm on the show’s stop in Seattle, Washington. Or maybe, you know them from their cannabis.

Regardless of how you became acquainted with them, you tend to come away with a lasting impression of the Hollingsworth family. Often, it tends to be an impression that combines determination, inspiration and a good deal of humor along the way.

When legalization came to the state in 2012, Raft Hollingsworth, Joy’s brother, was prepared to move into the legal space. The once small batch cultivator didn’t clearly see farming in his future, but he knew the family should get involved in the burgeoning business somehow. “I knew it was a huge opportunity for our family and I knew we could do it together.”

Courtesy of the Hollingsworth Family

To get things off the ground, Raft had to convince Joy and their parents come on board; the family had the chance to make a serious bid at creating generational wealth for them and future generations. To do so, Raft said he used PowerPoint, infographics, and a full-fledged business plan presentation to win them over. In time, everyone was on board—including Dad and his retirement savings.

With the funding and family in place, they purchased a one-acre farm 90 miles north of Seattle in Mason County. Raft would oversee aspects like product, while Joy took on roles including sales. The tree-covered property was a stark contrast for the third-generation Seattle residents. “We didn’t really have experience with a rural setting like that. It was just like reverse Beverly Hillbillies,” Raft recalled.

Family support extended well beyond funding. It also included on the farm assistance. During the first year, the farm couldn’t afford to hire labor. So, family and friends stepped in. “It was like a family reunion of sorts. We had cookouts and stuff.” explained Raft.

Even with their support, Raft said the first year in operation, in hindsight, was wild. He noted how the jump from tiny medical grows to large-scale cultivation made him re-learn everything about cultivation, likening himself to an infant. They credit YouTube as a huge help in those early days, calling it their ‘university.’

Courtesy of the Hollingsworth Family

The Washington weather proved to be particularly difficult as well. With limited funds, the company used PVC greenhouses for its first harvest. The plan was to do the first grow with the greenhouses then assess from there. That was until Mason County weather came through the grow operation. “It just wrecked shop,” Raft said, adding “those greenhouses turned into 200 foot kites.”

Thankfully, one harvest survived the storms. The resulting yield gave the operation enough cannabis to sell and turn a small profit, which led to more permanent structures.

Today, it is still a family affair with members still part of the team in a more established operation. In addition to friends, the company now hires 16 to 20 local residents for seasonal work.

Those neighbors may have some wondering how Hollingsworth Cannabis, a company Joy describes as “unapologetically Black,” work with people in some of the more white, conservative and red regions in the country. However, the Hollingsworth don’t have a problem co-existing with their community.

Raft calls his neighbors “super nice,” noting how everyone gets along rather well.

The county comprised of just over 63,000 people has a way of getting information around. That includes a local neighbors checking out the place. When starting out, one neighbor gave the brother-sister duo an “I know what you’re doing” talking before it being the good kind of “I know what you’re doing.” Another brought over a somewhat exotic pet to check out the farm. “She has a pet wolf. Dead-ass, a domesticated wolf,” Raft pointed out.

Courtesy of the Hollingsworth Family

The only flare ups with neighbors came in the early days when the operation moved land, creating a wall on the land’s northern region. Raft said some of the rumors included, “That’s to stop all the bullets from flying. They were like, ‘it’s going to be this big illegal cartel thing going on.’” But after a year of laying low and doing their work on the farm, all settled down.

The story of an aspirational, Black-owned farm may be enough to tell a story. But that wouldn’t be the Hollingsworths. This is a family that knows how to pack in the inspiration at every angle. As if the sibling duo, selfless mother, father and extended family didn’t pull enough heart strings, there’s grandmother Dorothy Hollingsworth.

The senior Hollingsworth is a multi-faceted trailblazer in her own right. She marks the first generation of the family to live in Seattle, doing so after moving from the South Carolina farm her family was forced to serve as slaves. From there, she became the first Black woman to graduate from the school of social work and obtain her Master’s from the University of Washington. She would go on to become the first Black woman in Washington state to serve on the school board, helping desegregate the city’s schools.

The influential family figure was not on board with Raft’s decision back in 2012/2013, thinking he was on his way to becoming a drug dealer. But today, Grandma is not only in support, she might be the biggest consumer around. “My grandma smokes cannabis and she eats ribs all day,” Joy said at New York’s REVEL event in July, generating large cheers and laughs from the crowd.

Though, in all seriousness, Grandma has found relief in using the plant. Joy also mentioned how cannabis helped her uncle to drop three prescription medications from his routine.

The family was also quick to mention their grandfather as well. He also earned his Master’s after he began his life without a proper name, but just two letters as a birth name.

The impact of their parents, grandparents and previous generations remains in the minds of Joy and Raft today. When talking about his grandparents’ experiences, Raft said “It’s a responsibility you kind of feel because if they didn’t have any excuse, you shouldn’t have any excuses compared to those.”

Courtesy of the Hollingsworth Family

The Hollingsworths now see their work as an opportunity to inspire others. That includes the industry at-large as well as minority owners. The family believes there should be more minority-owned cannabis ventures. Raft mentioned the the farm’s location being just a mile from the largest prison in the state.

Later in the conversation he added, “You’re not seeing that restorative justice and social equity in the cannabis industry right now and people should wake up to that.”

Raft also touched on financial barriers affecting people of color. “Generationally that’s something that has not been allowed to African Americans and minorities because of systemic racism and oppression and you know, wealth transfers.”

Despite limitations, Raft sees a chance for people to change their circumstances. “I think this is an opportunity economically for a lot of people to establish something and create something for their family generationally.”

For generations, the Hollingsworth family has continued to inspire themselves and others with their tales of their tenacity. While still in the early years of development, Joy and Raft seemed well poised to be the architects of the family’s next great, influential endeavor.

TO READ MORE OF THIS ARTICLE ON HIGH TIMES, CLICK HERE.

https://hightimes.com/business/cannabis-latest-frontier-inspiring-hollingsworth-family/

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aion-rsa · 6 years

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Gates of Stone: Angus Macallan's Historical Fantasy Channels Game of Thrones

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Fans of historical fantasy should check out this Indonesia-inspired epic.

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Feature Alana Joli Abbott

Fantasy Books

Feb 20, 2019

Ace Books

Everywhere you turn around, something is claiming to be the next Game of Thrones.

In some cases, the comparison lives up to the hype. Such is the case with Angus Macallan's Gates of Stone, a brutally violent clash of rulers, set in a fantasy world built from Macallan's experiences living in Asia. Stretching from a Russia-like north and devoting most of the narrative to Laut Besar, an Indonesian-like island setting, Gates of Stone features ruthless individuals seeking to take, and hold, their power, and reshape the world in their own images. In some cases, those characters are likable—and even heroic—and others may very well be characters the readers love to hate.

The novel opens with Katerina, the daughter of the Khevan Emperor and—she thought—heir to the throne of the Ice Bear. But when she's told that her cousin will become emperor, by virtue of being born a man, she's determined to prove she's just as capable of ruling an empire as any man. Indeed, she's determined to create one of her own, which requires the first-chapter slaughter of her newly wedded husband, so that she can begin her plans of world domination.

Katerina's chapters alternate with the stories of Farhan, a scheming merchant who doubles as a spy for the powerful Indujah Federation; and Jun, a prince of Wukarta, whose lazy life of smoking obat (an opium-like drug) and composing poetry are upturned by the murder of his father at the hands of the evil sorcerer Mangku. Jun, guided by a mysterious old man called Semar, follows Mangku to reclaim a family heirloom—and, in the process, thwart the sorcerer's plans to collect the Seven Keys that would open the gates of the Seven Hells, and destroy all humans in Laut Besar except the indigenous Ebu people, now treated by all as the lowest caste of humanity in the islands.

The three stories intersect and intertwine in unexpected ways and, throughout, the magic, religion, and politics of Laut Besar are revealed. Many of the names of the political groups have real-world analogues: the Cossacks, the Franks, and the Han. The naming conventions allowed Macallan a sort of shorthand, giving readers an instant association with certain groups. But don't mistake the novel for an alternate history...

"It is an entirely imaginary world," Macallan told Den of Geek. While the events are entirely fictional, Macallan continued, "the people, the religions, the societies are all inspired by the real region and its real history. The Laur Besar ... is basically the Java Sea. (Laut Besar is Indonesian for Big Sea.) And the pirate society in Gates is modeled on the Malay pirate society of the region in the 18th century."

read more: Game of Thrones Season 8 Predictions & Theories

"Ruthless local seaborne raiders ruled the waves (before the Western colonialists took control), stealing from their neighbors, enslaving them, burning their settlements, then sailing away with their loot—and sometimes their severed heads as trophies."

As Macallan went on to point out, it isn't just "rapacious white men" who have been responsible throughout history, but any group in power that takes advantage of the comparative weakness of another group. In Gates of Stone, there are contemporary powers all seeking advantage over the others—seeking to expand their own empires, and colonize the lands of others—as well as a long history of the "New People" who colonized Laut Besar and subjugated the native Ebu people.

As is true of the historical setting from which it draws its inspiration, the world of Gates of Stone is rife with violence and hatred of the other. In some cases, this is nationalism: the Buginese hate the Han, who are dismissive of the Dokra, and all of them despise the Ebu and their Dewa descendants.

"The idea of the indigenous Ebu and their Dewa descendants comes from the idea of 'untouchables' in India, people who are now called Dalit," Macallan told Den of Geek. "This group, often the poorest of the poor, are considered filthy and disgusting by many of their fellow countrymen, purely because of their lineage and membership of this particular social caste."

read more: Game of Thrones Prequel Series Title Revealed

"The touch of a Dalit used to be considered defiling, in fact, if even their shadow touched yours a ritual of purification had be be undergone. It’s quite a difficult concept for us to get our heads round in the 21st century. It’s hideous naked racism pure and simple. Historically these people did the nastiest jobs in society, working with meat and bodily fluids—butchers, tanners, undertakers, sewer workers—doing jobs that no one else wanted to do."

"The Japanese also have this idea of untouchability and a similar group of much-discriminated against people called Burakumin. About 60 per cent of the Yakuza (Japanese mafia) are said to be Burakumin. When I first came across the idea of untouchability, I was appalled and I wondered how these folk felt about themselves—did they share the general disgust, were they consumed with self-loathing?—and how did they feel about the rest of society which had categorised them as such."

The racism against the Ebu—and the sexism present in the Khevan Empire—are driving factors for two of the most ruthless characters of the series. And of course, because they are facing such long, ingrained wrongs of their societies, neither really believes themselves to be a villain. Mangku, despised because of his race, seeks out a power that will allow him to destroy the New People and reclaim the islands for the Ebu.

read more: The Ruin of Kings is a Must-Read Epic Fantasy

"Katerina is just as ruthless as Mangku—but she’s young and pretty and privileged, so I suppose that makes her worse. But I like her," Macallan confessed. "She’s my favorite character. When I was thinking up her story arc, I imagined her behaving like a male character—strong, determined, flawed but forgivable—and I still sometimes do that thought exercise. I’d say what she does—the murders, the mutilation, the manipulation—only seem egregious because she’s a hot young woman. OK, fine, I’ll admit she is pretty bad. But I still love her."

While the Game of Thrones comparisons are almost certainly there to help new readers find the novel, George R. R. Martin's books and the television series based on it served as inspirations for Macallan. But real history also provided fodder for the author, who writes historical fiction under his real name, Angus Donald.

"History is my real muse," he told Den of Geek. "From Homer to Tom Holland, I read as much about the real historical struggles of humanity as I can, and I am constantly surprised and entertained, and sometimes shocked and appalled, by the breadth and depth of the human experience over the past three millennia."

Gates of Stone shows that passion for history, and for the exploration of the human condition in all its facets: heroic, suffering, shocking, and worthy of admiration.

Read Gates of Stone by Angus Macallan.

Alana Joli Abbott writes about books for Den of Geek. Read more of her work here.

from Books https://ift.tt/2NfwuV8

#aion-rsa #Books

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chadfocusblog-blog · 7 years

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youtube

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to take heed to music that can assist them escape their daily lives. All of us wish to have Wikipedia Here fun and be carefree even when it is just because we're listening to hip hop music.

You should listen to hip hop music however you shouldn't allow kids to hearken to songs that have profanity in them or cope with adult situations. Hip hop music is not for every type of listener however folks ought to at the least listen to some songs earlier than dismissing the style of music. It is best to try something not less than as soon as before saying that you do not prefer it.

Hip hop music can take some getting used to. The perfect time to hearken to hip hop music is if you find yourself caught in visitors or having a irritating day. The music simply immediately places a smile on your face. Hip hop music brings out the creative facet of many music artists, a number of the lyrics sound like lines from a poem or journal entry. Hopefully, you'll give hip hop music a try; it is extremely inspirational and at occasions could be very uplifting. Everybody needs some sunshine and fun of their lives and hip hop music is usually a nice outlet to accomplish this.

Prepare for the most recent hip hop releases. Summer 2013 has formally arrived and we're gearing up to provde the enterprise of the brand new music artists' releases!

Now earlier than we proceed, let me simply clarify that a number of rumors have surfaced as baltimore hip hop artists to precisely what is about to go down during this sizzling, sticky, and horny season.

For starters, Lil Wayne's songs and other new hip hop music releases will likely be served handsomely on a platter by way of your native favorite Summertime radio station, that Chad Focus Get to the Money baltimore rap music is. In addition to, who would've actually doubted Lil Wayne songs as yet one more regulatory bypassing of judgmental fodder for submissive short-term airplay? Not us.

Apart from, the boy has been among the many high hip hop artists since he killed audiences with these none aside from dare I say who? In the event you guessed TT Boi a.okay.a. Sir 2 Chainz, then you guessed proper my associates. Bear in mind again in the Spring of '07 when we all couldn't watch for the latest hip hop releases? Ever since that historic mind-blowing period for Playaz Circle, 2 Chainz has gone on to grow to be seemingly out of nowhere literally one of high music artists thus far.

However that's not all, as a result of my sources inside tell me that this summer time's newest hip hop music will new baltimore rap song 2015 probably be an ever so eventful one contemplating the likes of the classic duo even once more collaborating.

Simply in time. Right on the money, huh? Pssst... we hear this one's aiming to be a basic.

In different rumors of new hip hop music, Rocko's in no way in any type of a rush to take a break so far in getting off of his wave. In spite of everything, so is everybody else riding it out along with him. Definitely be on the heavy lookout for certainly one of his model new music releases around midway by this hot Summer season.

Oh yeah, and for all you doubters and forgetful types out there, guess which hip hop music artist is making a steady and long-awaited comeback? Youthful shorties prepare to pinch yourselves accordingly, for it's possible you'll not know who this is.

Simply not too long ago, the former Cash Cash report label signee, known to other artists as Younger Turk, was launched from jail on what had foully seemed to be trumped up felony-related expenses upon him and different music artists as of late.

We hear that Turk is at the moment again in the lab perfecting and high-quality-tuning his "oh so" Lil Wayne-ish like craft effortlessly for a sharp and secondarily memorable return.

We wish him effectively.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PdhHG3NQNI

*On a sidenote, we also heard unconfirmed rumors of Younger Turk as soon as once more collaborating together with his former group mates Weezy and Juvenile for an official Hot Boy's reunion.

Hip Hop music artists Scorching Boys Young Turk and B.G. have been each incarcerated resulting from what apparently led to the previous groups fallout, amongst different unsolved points. The new hip hop music releases which are slated for this 12 months's Summer time ought to be on smash to say the least.

With out giving freely the entire goods, I must say that fellow west coast artists will turn out to be very lively as soon as again this Summer time within the latest hip hop music scene. Huge up to all of the new music releases coming from up out of the new west. As followers, we need a breath of contemporary air, for positive and most actually.

Effectively, that about wraps up the lowdown on this year's Summer 2013 annual music artists and upcoming new music releases. Definitely maintain a watch out for the west coast as talked about for the west will certainly provide this Summer season's traditional membership bangers and latest hip hop music. Flip up!

Hip hop music as we all know is basically well-liked lately. It began within the 1970's from the South Bronx of New York City. There are lots of sub tradition music kinds which might be concerned with Rap music. Let us know more about hip hop within the following listed particulars:

Brief historical past:

Throughout the 1970's, New York City's African American Puerto Rican group created the Rap music style. It's actually a style that came up whereas attempting so as to add rap music and other instruments like synthesizers, drum machines in stay bands. Rappers are the principle topic of the hip hop though there are extra to it than just rapping. It began with its simple music versions that were modernized and developed all through the years.

Types and Strategies:

Hip hop music or Rap music is not only music in any respect. It is composed of different issues, not only the music itself. If we speak about being in a hip hop tradition and group, you will be in numerous transformation and modifications. For example is their style assertion. Hip hop has brought along a new sort of clothes to all baltimore rappers 2016 artists on the rap music industry including the individuals listening to it. It's what the folks on the Bronx have give you, however the a little bit edge into it. We are able to see a lot of the artists sporting saggy garments, with a lot 'blings' of their equipment. It is all part of the hip hop community transformation.

The language can be a bit completely different. Black folks from the Bronx have a sure style or slang of their language. They are extra of the baroque fashion of speaking, and so they have added that type of their music's. Rap music are consists of songs which can be written for those who desires to specific their feelings in an edgy means.

Graffiti:

Chad Focus Get to the Money Social Profile

Even the graffiti has been remodeled by the hip hop music society. It was used within the earlier years as a form of expression for the political activists. Now, hip hop folks created Chad Focus Get to the Money rap song writer it into a manner for them to express their way of life, ideas with the current society, and all different points. It can be seen throughout the Bronx where it originated.

Rap and Hip Hop Music is likely one of the main developments in music at present. But, so many parents disapprove why not try here of rap/hip hop music, whereas kids, teens and young adults have an timeless love for it. Why?

Most mother and father want the most effective for their children, and so, they go about their days attempting to amass higher lives for themselves and their loved ones. Mother and father had been young once too, but they later found it is more useful to stay a constructive life style in comparison with a detrimental one. They've come to know that the trail towards having constructive experiences begin with feeding the thoughts with constructive ideas, learning good lessons and following smart instructions.

Subsequently, most parents don't need their family members to have destructive experiences, such because the fixed viewing of merciless pictures, repeated emotions of unnecessary pain or repetitive listening to harmful words that are heard in some hip hop and rap songs. For this reason, mother and father do not like many rap and hip hop songs because of the damaging lyrical content. What is more, they do not recognize the concept such dangerous words are being fed into the minds of their youngsters, teenagers or young adults.

Alternatively children, teenagers and younger adults love rap and hip hop music because of the highly effective nature of the beat, while the circulation of the lyrics spew out catchy punch lines and slick metaphors. For the young at heart, hip hop and rap is extra than simply music, it is a life style. It is a fantastic mixture of rhythm, rhetoric and hope. Kids, teens and younger adults everywhere in the world bop their heads emotionally to the rhythmic sounds of hip hop. They change into awe impressed by the rhetorical movement of rap and hope to someday seize the monetary success of the artists seen in the videos.

Though some of the lyrics in rap and hip hop music are derogatory in nature, all of it is not belittling. A number of hip hop and rap artists outright demean people, locations and issues, while some rhyme about how they overcame appalling residing conditions, hateful peers, poverty and crime. Others enhance about their financial success as an affirmation that they have made it out of a life of dreadfulness. And, artists may use language which they are familiar with --- a curse or two to specific such experiences.

So I ask mother and father, a kid, teenagers ChadFocusGettotheMoney and younger adults, is there a balance?

Properly, everyone is aware of that the mind is sort of a sponge, soaking up info like water from the very second of human conception. Indeed, the thoughts vividly records what's noticed via sight, sound, touch, taste, scent and creativeness. Because of this, that which is recorded in our minds has an impact on our conduct. Yes, music additionally shapes our mindset!

Music is taken into account an art and science for a very good reason! Experts in the fields of neuroscience, psychology, biology, physiology, physics and education have labored alongside musicians to unravel the mysteries of music. Such research is aimed at understanding music's basic structure; it's biological, emotional and psychological effect on Chad Focus Get to the Money baltimore rappers humans and the brain; it's therapeutic and altering potential; and its function in the evolutionary course of. Music helps scientists perceive complex capabilities of the brain and opens up remedies for sufferers who're recovering from strokes or struggling with Parkinson's. Research even suggests that music could alter the structure of the brain.

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londonlevine · 7 years

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Parliament III

There are many things that can be said about Jacob Rees-Mogg, such is the popularity and polarization that accompanies him as a political figure. The more I have become familiar with his writings, interviews, and speeches, the more interested I have become. I view myself as solidly left-leaning, a fan of Ed Miliband and now Jeremy Corbyn (though there are some components of his potential leadership that I do think warrant some valid criticisms or concerns). Mr. Rees-Mogg’s politics constitute the very things I intensely disagree with and dislike in British politics. In very sense, I should greatly dislike Mr. Rees-Mogg - I am appalled by any opposition to same-sex marriage and abortion; I think austerity is ineffective and cruel, and I believe that Brexit is extremely harmful to the UK, EU, and globe (not to count that it was driven by xenophobia and racism - despite what Mr. Rees-Mogg may argue) - but I find myself almost admiring him. It is as if Jacob Rees-Mogg is my political guilty pleasure. He is well-spoken, articulate, and extremely well-versed in almost everything. I was very much looking forward to meeting him in person.

His entrance to our meeting room was interesting; he walked in a very reserved, humble manner. As he began to speak, he assumed the position of an orator, or perhaps even academic, standing before us, dictating the notion of historical developments - push and pulls - that demonstrate reactions against the establishment. His speech was interesting, considering his own view of himself (and labeling by others) as an “outsider;” not a part of the establishment. Moreover, it seemed to reflect his views on Brexit, which have come to dominate his political articulations lately. Besides these things, I found his introductory speech to be a fascinating and extremely informative discussion of political theory and ideology, particularly in regards to how individuals view politics and how leaders attempt to govern. His deep intelligence was clearly on display, and my attention was entirely focused on him (as a fellow history major - Mr. Rees-Mogg studied history at Oxford - I greatly appreciated the manner in which he structured and delivered his speech; it was very becoming of someone versed in historical analysis). I could see how people were already billing him as the next prime minister - the man has a gift.

As the room was opened up for questioning, I had a million I wanted to ask him. From the trivial to the serious, I wanted to pick Mr. Rees-Mogg’s brain, to see how he thinks. I find the manner in which he delivers and articulates his points to be, regardless of whether or not you agree with what he is saying, to be astonishing. I felt that I could learn a lot about rhetoric just from listening to him, and as he answered the class’ questions, that was just the case. He answered abstract, personal, and perhaps even digressive questions (particularly my reference to his appearance on Have I Got News For You?) with a sense of seriousness that seemed to suggest the seriousness with which he took each question. It seemed with every answer, he revealed another insight not only into his own Conservative ideology, but also facets of British culture and society. I particularly found his dismissal of the “special relationship” between the US and UK to be something that I had thought, but had never heard spoken by a British politician. This is not to say that Anglo-Americans relations are not important or meaningful, but that in reality, each country will act in their own interests. It is this mindset displayed by Mr. Rees-Mogg that I found so refreshing and appealing; a sense of reality mixed with introspection. This was also evident in his response to the recent “stall” in Brexit negotiations. It makes perfect sense that neither side will budge until necessary, and attempt to play the upper-hand. With answers like these, it is evident that Mr. Rees-Mogg places a lot of thought into his answers, but also doses in a sense of common sense.

This is not to say that I completely agreed with everything Mr. Rees-Mogg said, or was captivated by him. I found his answer to Olivia’s question on hate-crimes to be demonstrative of a selectivity in regards to his precious and sacred Brexit, and I found his answer to my question about Boris Johnson’s actions to be absurd (it seems that because Mr. Johnson’s views fit his own, albeit with less articulation and intelligence, that Mr. Rees-Mogg is willing to ignore the hardships Boris Johnson’s actions have placed on Theresa May’s administration). It is here that he reveals a bit, but very briefly, a sense of the extremeness of his politics that have made him so famous in one sense, but also so controversial in another. As our meeting drew to a close, I found myself at odds with what I had experienced. Everything about him in terms of politics, goes against my beliefs and convictions, yet I couldn’t help but deeply admire the man. It is even more evident in person than through secondary and online sources, that he is full of gems and a very kind, thoughtful person. Despite my reservations about his political ideology, I find Jacob Rees-Mogg to be utterly fascinating. He has to be one of, if not the, smartest people I ever heard speak or participated in a conversation with. This was one of the coolest experiences I have been lucky enough to be a part of. Maybe one day (unfortunately without photographic proof - he left too early for me to shyly ask for a picture), I can tell people that I met, and conversed with, the prime minister.

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absurdisttheatre · 7 years

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Thoughts 8/20/17

22 Days

I feel like my writings have been extremely self centered lately. I don’t apologize for that- in times of change, I feel some self- centeredness is natural and healthy. But the fact is there is change going on outside of me in the world too, and it is somewhat scary, and I think about that too. I think about what it means for me as a citizen and an artist, especially one who is about to enter a new part of her journey, and what the center for my artistic explorations might need to be.

Lately, of course, confederate monuments have been on my mind- especially since for the next 22 days I live in the south with a very conservative white family. Not overtly hate filled by any means, but still scared, and still too prideful to stop defending their choice in a recent election. They don’t want to be racist, the thought that they might be doesn’t even cross their mind on their own. They live in an echo chamber of their own ideas (a thing that applies to many liberal minded people too-but that is not the topic of today.). I remember in high school when a history teacher (who was a very intelligent man that I had a ton of respect for- he was also my debate coach, and I loved his classes) told us that the civil war wasn’t actually about slavery- slavery would have died out naturally according to him, and it was a state’s rights issue. It wasn’t that the Confederacy was racist, they just didn’t like the federal government messing with their internal affairs, and so they seceded. At the time, I didn’t question it. The logic made sense to me. But now, all I see is the daily conservative white culture reflected in that view of history: It’s not that we’re racist/homophobic/transphobic/sexist/classist/etc., it’s that we don’t want one big faceless government entity (who we don’t trust or think is in any way like us, and therefore won’t fight for our best interest) telling us how to live our lives or what to think. It is a bit of a silly thought process stemmed in fear, but it is so common.

But sometimes, instead of calling out people for their quiet closed-mindedness, it is more helpful to meet them where they are- to find a point that they can agree on, and unite in some aspect for a bit of progress. It may be only a tiny step forward, but it is something, and might lead to other important conversations. I’m not saying that we need to justify blatant, angry, and malicious racism, but we do need to stop treating the right as one group as a whole, and empower every day conservatives to further separate themselves from the extreme white supremacists. Reversing the alienation that they feel is the only way we are going to get our current president out of office.

This is my open letter that I will be posting on my facebook, where lots of conservative friends and family will see it. I invite you to read it too, and consider it and the way you see most of your conservative friends and family:

To my conservative friends and family:

First of all, I want to say for a second, I love you guys. Many of you were part of my childhood, and though I’ve grown up to see the world a bit different, you have helped shape the person I have become. Whether you realize it or not, there are a lot of core values that I hold dear that came from being raised in a fairly conservative world. And as crazy as you might think my ideas are now, I would like to think we still have a lot in common in why we believe the things we do.

Now that I’ve gotten that out of the way, I wanna talk about something that has been on the news again a lot lately: Confederate Monuments. Please don’t stop reading here- I promise, I’m not going to throw out rhetoric about racism and Nazis and stuff- I know we’re not gonna agree, and honestly you’re getting enough of that from other people. Besides, I know you probably know where I stand on that anyway- no use repeating myself. But I do want to talk about another idea that is deeply tied to these monuments that I think we might be able to see eye to eye on- and that is the idea of unity.

We are at a place in our political history that we are extremely divided-so much so that I see people destroying relationships because of political beliefs- if I had a dollar for every “if you voted for Trump/Hillary unfriend me now” post I saw on facebook, I could pay off my student loans. And to me, that is ridiculous. Believe me, I think politics and the way we run our country is important, but in the end, we should be working towards the same goal:to make our country a better place to live. And yes, we’re gonna sometimes disagree on how to make that happen. But it often gets to a point where we want to pretend that the “other side” is secretly trying to destroy our country as a whole, and then no one can actually get positive change made because everyone is too busy “playing defense” as if one piece of conservative/liberal policy will destroy the infrastructure of society as a whole.

I can think of another time in history when we were this politically divided (watch this smooth transition): The Civil War. Except back then, we were so freaking divided we decided to start killing each other over it. Whether you believe that racism was a key factor not, I’m sure you can agree divided politics had a hand in destroying our country and dividing friends and family at the time.

I believe in preserving history and learning from it- that’s important. But i think the best way to do that is through museums and legitimate historical sites. And even through those, finding ways to put the history in context. Not by erecting statues and monuments of people who drove our country apart. Now, more than ever, we need to celebrate unity and try to build bridges. I think removing confederate monuments from public spaces is a great way to do that. We can put them in museums- don’t worry, we don’t wanna forget history- But we can put them in an environment meant for learning, with information not only about the history and horrors of the civil war, but also the historical context in which they were built (many of these were built in Jim Crowe era as a call back to the times of slavery- so they do have some racist connotations. I’d love to sit down and talk about this if you want to discuss it!). I think this would do a lot more to honor our history and celebrate our progress, and fight the political divide we are now facing.

Whether you agree with me or not, talk to your local city councilperson. In the end, we do live in a democratic society where we do make decisions together. That is the most important facet to our society. While I do hope we can agree on this, I know not all of you will. I just want us all to make more steps towards more kind, moderate, and healthy political discourse, and start stepping away from harmful and extreme ideologies so that they begin to feel more alone again.

I’d love to talk with you. Please feel free to message or comment. Unifying discourse is important. I promise to listen. However, you must promise the same. And not just for me, but for people of color, LGTBQ+ people, immigrants, and any other disadvantaged or minority group. The truth is, you cannot truly know an experience you haven’t lived. But the best you can do is listen, consider and believe. And maybe then we can start working towards the same goal again.

#thoughts #politics #charlottesville #confederate flag #confederate #confederate monuments #history #discourse #open letter

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ronaldmrashid · 7 years

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Silent Threats In The Night: A Forgotten Memory Until Charlottesville Happened

In the summer of 1996, I got in my rusty Toyota Corolla hatchback and took off on a five and a half hour drive south from the suburbs of Washington DC to a sleepy town called Abingdon, Virginia. I wasn’t sure if I’d make it because I had never driven my car more than 2.5 hours before.

After my transmission blew out six months after I bought it for $2,000, the mechanic got the gear ratio wrong so my car was always revving 2,000 RPM higher than it should. Constantly wondering whether the engine would explode was concerning.

I was back from a month-long internship at a Canon electronics distributor in Taipei and missed my girlfriend dearly. Sophomore year at The College of William & Mary in Williamsburg was only a month a way, but I couldn’t wait to see her.

Abingdon is a beautiful town nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountain range. When I arrived, the first thing I did was give my girlfriend a big hug and go to a local “greasy spoon” restaurant right off the main strip. She knew that I loved grilled cheese sandwiches with freshly sliced tomatoes wedged between the goodness. It was the perfect way to catch up after almost two months of being away.

Source: VisitAbingdonVirginia.com

Although there wasn’t a minority in sight, I never felt out of place in quiet Abingdon. Southerners tend to have a great way of making you feel welcome. After lunch, she brought me up a windy road to see her dad and his girlfriend. They lived on a little hill with not a neighbor in sight for miles. I was nervous to meet dad as any boyfriend should be.

I gave Mr. Brosnan a firm handshake and greeted him with the warmest “nice to meet you” I could muster. Mr. Brosnan was a psychiatrist at the local hospital. He stood about six feet tall with a full beard filled with black and white bristles. He was white and drove a green Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo. He politely scoffed at my dinky car that pulled up into his driveway.

My girlfriend, Erika, was not white. She stood about 5′ 8″ tall and had straight black hair. She was incredibly fit because she was a vegetarian and a runner. Erika was mixed. Her Chinese mother had died from cancer when she was only three.

Into The Evening

If you ever go camping in a desolate place, you’ll marvel at the brightness of the stars. Each evening we’d sit out on the porch right off the kitchen and look up. Because there wasn’t a street light for miles, the solar system jumped out at us like high definition. We spotted no fewer than three shooting stars each night, which makes me wonder what else do we miss in our daily lives?

On the third day of a week long visit we got a flier. On the flier were four white hooded figures with an invitation to join the KKK. There was a telephone number to call, but no address. We read the propaganda and thought nothing of it. But when we told Mr. Brosnan about the flier we could see the worry in his eyes.

He asked, “Did anybody follow you home?” “Were you aware of anybody in town watching you?” “Did you have a bad encounter?”

As far as we could tell, nobody was following or watching us. We had thought the flier was junk mail, sent to every single household in town. Not once did we suspect we were targeted because of my arrival until we spoke to Mr. Brosnan. There was something else Mr. Brosnan wasn’t telling us, but he never revealed anything else.

Perhaps it’s because I’ve been through a lot of uncomfortable racial discrimination encounters that I wasn’t really worried about a silly flier. As a minority, you get used to the jeers, the name calling, the stereotyping, the intimidation and the hate. Because you’re physically outnumbered, there’s nothing you can really do but ignore and move on if you want to live. Instead, I learned self-defense, practiced using a butterfly knife, and focused on my studies in order to gain some future optionality.

The next day, Erika and I went down to get a milkshake after a three-mile jog and everything was as normal as could be. Then night fell and something strange happened.

While on the deck, instead of hearing the cicadas gently hum through the night like an ocean wave, we heard a truck rumble up the hill to the front of the house. Nobody came out of the truck. It just sat there with the engine left on, gurgling as if it was hungry.

Then the high beams flickered on and we decided to go inside. As we were heading inside, we saw Mr. Brosnan walk outside with his rifle. He calmly told us to stay put. Mr. Brosnan stood behind a wooden bear statue on his porch for protection, pointed his rifle at the truck and shouted, “Get the hell off my property!”

The standoff only lasted for a minute, but it felt like an eternity. Finally, the truck lowered its high beams. Inside we could see three white men in the truck drinking beer and throwing up some sort of hand signal before driving back down the hill. They littered a beer can put the window and left another flier.

We’ll never know whether a member of the KKK spotted us in town and followed us back to Mr. Brosnan’s house. But we did learn that the KKK had been trying to recruit Mr. Brosnan for a number of years. The per capita income for the town was $22,486, while about 7.3% of families and 10.1% of the population were below the poverty line. As a psychiatrist, Dr. Brosnan was a respected man in town who likely unknowingly helped treat a KKK member.

At Dr. Brosnan’s urging, he recommended I find a motel to stay in at a nearby town instead. So I found an Econo Lodge in the town of Marion, 30 miles north on H-81. I didn’t want to put his family in jeopardy. Erika initially objected, but she came along to stay for a couple nights before we both had to return to our respective homes.

What Happened To Progress?

I forgot all about this harrowing encounter as a 19-year-old until what transpired in Charlottesville, Virginia this past weekend. Millions were killed in World War II fighting Adolf Hitler and the Nazis. Yet here people were at Emancipation Square and on the campus of the University of Virginia making Nazi salutes and carrying flags with swastikas while a team of men in camouflage gear and semi-automatic riles marched along side them in support. Then the car bulldozing happened. What the hell is going on?

It’s incredibly sad that after 21 years, there is still so much hate and bigotry. Perhaps it has never gone away, but stayed more hidden until now. As a personal finance writer, I can’t help but think the lack of money and education have everything to do with racism. Nobody grows up hating someone else because of their skin color. Hate is taught by our parents, our peers, and our circumstance. Hopefully this means that those who hate can be taught to learn love as well

FinancialSamurai.com will always be a platform that is accepting of everybody looking to achieve financial freedom. I enjoy not seeing what any of you look like because it allows me to focus on your substance. I strongly believe that if more people achieve financial security, there will be less hate in the world. Once you feel financially secure or at least feel like you’re headed in the right direction, you can start helping others instead of trying to cut others down.

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Thoughts About Hate

* If you’re experiencing hate know that the person hating on you is going through some sort of misery that causes them to act out. Happy people don’t hate on others, they find a way to accept and be kind.

* Forgive. It may not be easy, but once you understand why they are the way they are, it becomes easier. You’ll feel better forgiving and moving on, rather than letting the incident eat away at you.

* Be careful not to lump everyone in the same group. If you do, then you’re practicing a similar brand of prejudice. Discover the individual.

* Don’t assume that just because Asian Americans as a group do OK in terms of income and education, they don’t consistently face racial discrimination in many facet of their lives. Further, there is no typical Asian since there are 48 Asian countries.

* If you’re practicing hate, dig deep to find the root cause of your hatred. Now direct your energy towards addressing the issue instead of blaming some group of people for your misery.

* Let’s teach our children early on about the importance of respecting each other. Our prejudices will spread to our children if we are not careful.

* The best way to prove your detractors wrong is to be successful in your craft. The best way to cure your hate towards others is to also become successful in your craft.

The One Key Ingredient Necessary For Achieving Financial Independence

Emotional Intelligence: A Key To An Easier Life

Readers, what are your thoughts about what happened in Charlottesville, Virginia? Have you had any hateful encounters based on who you are that you’d like to share? What do you think are some solutions to creating more harmony in the world? Before attending The College of William & Mary, I attended high school in Northern Virginia. Virginia is a wonderful place that has a special place in my heart, despite all the growing pains I experienced.

from http://www.financialsamurai.com/silent-threats-in-the-night-charlottesville/

#Financial Samurai

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