#parent teacher student association

[redgoldsparks]

My very last comic for The Nib! End of an era! Transcription below the cut. instagram / patreon / portfolio / etsy / my book / redbubble

The first event I went to with GENDER QUEER was in NYC in 2019 at the Javits Center.

So many of the people who came to my signing were librarians, and so many of them said the same thing: "I know exactly who I want to give this to!" Maia: "Thank you for helping readers find my book!" While working on the book, I was genuinely unsure if anyone outside of my family and close friends would read it. But the early support of librarians and two American Library Association awards helped sell two print runs in first year.

Since then, GENDER QUEER been published in 8 languages, with more on the way: Spanish, Czech, Polish, French, Italian, Norwegian, Portugese and Dutch.

It has also been the most banned book in the United States for the past two years. The American Library Association has tracked an astronomical increase in book challenges over the past few years. Most of these challenges are to books with diverse characters and LGBTQ themes. These challenges are coming unevenly across the US, in a pattern that mirrors the legislative attacks on LGBTQ people. The Brooklyn Public Library offered free eCards to anyone in the US aged 13-21, in an effort to make banned books more available to young readers. A teacher in Norman, Oklahoma gave her students the QR code for the free eCard and lost her job. Summer Boismeir is now working for the Brooklyn Public Library. Hoopla and Libby/Overdrive, apps used to access digital library books, are now banned in Mississippi to anyone under 18. Some libraries won’t allow anyone under 18 to get any kind of library card without parental permission. When librarians in Jamestown, Michigan refused to remove GENDER QUEER and several other books, the citizens of the town voted down the library’s funding in the fall 2022 election. Without funding, the library is due to close in mid-2024. My first event since covid hit was the American Library Association conference in June 2022 in Washington, DC. Once again, the librarians in my signing line all had similar stories for me: “Your book was challenged in our district" "It was returned to the shelf!" "It was removed from the shelf..." "It was moved to the adult section."

Over and over I said: "Thank you. Thank you for working so hard to keep my book in your library. I’m sorry you had to defend it, but thank you for trying, even if it didn't work." We are at a crossroads of freedom of speech and censorship. The future of libraries, both publicly funded and in schools, are at stake. This is massively impacting the daily lives of librarians, teachers, students, booksellers, and authors around the country. In May 2023, I read an article from the Washington Post analyzing nearly 1000 of the book challenges from the 2021-2022 school year. I was literally on route to a festival to talk about book bans when I read a startling statistic. 60% of the 1000 book challenges were submitted by just 11 people. One man alone was responsible for 92 challenges. These 11 people seem to have made submitting copy-cat book challenges their full-time hobby and their opinions are having an outsized ripple effect across the nation. WE NEED TO MAKE THE VOICES SUPPORTING DIVERSE BOOKS AND OPPOSING BOOK BANS EVEN LOUDER. If you are able too, show up for your library and school board meetings when book challenges are debated. Send supportive comments and emails about the Pride book display and Drag Queen story hours. If you see a display you like– for Banned Book Week, AAPI Month, Black History Month, Disability Awareness Month, Jewish holidays, Trans Day of Remembrance– compliment a librarian! Make sure they feel the love stronger than the hate <3

Maia Kobabe, 2023

The Nib

[irisintheafterglow]

[bernie sanders voice] i am once again.. thinking about coparenting megumi with boyfriend!satoru.

"so you're both megumi's..."

"guardians," you smile politely, praying stupid shit doesn't leave the mouth of the boy next to you. it's wishful thinking.

"yes," he beams so tenderly that you resist the urge to scrunch your nose in disgust. he takes your clammy hand lightly in his and turns back to megumi's teacher. "we had him young." a soft ow comes from under satoru's breath as you kick him under the table, forcing an expression of normalcy onto your face.

you hated parent-teacher conferences because it reminded you just how abnormal megumi and tsumiki's situation was. they had no parents, nor did they have any close relatives that cared for them the way a family should. that left you and the white-haired idiot in the tiny seat next to you to fill in that duty, and between missions and training students, you weren't around as often as you wanted to be.

"i...see," the teacher says hesitantly, eyeing your boyfriend with obvious unease. after a moment, she regains her composure and refocuses on you completely. "is there anything you wish to discuss before we begin?"

"not for me, no."

"when can we get him bumped up a grade? or have him skip one altogether?" every single word that comes from satoru's mouth is a joke but it still has your face burning with embarrassment that you were associated with him. "you know, i skipped a few grades when i was young."

"i can tell," you whisper and he pinches the flesh of your thigh between two fingers in defiance.

"i believe that skipping grades would be unwise at this time, as we haven't done any testing yet-"

"he was kidding, i swear," you say apologetically and, thankfully, the teacher continues as if on a script.

"i see. well, megumi is progressing wonderfully in the class. he's very adept at reading and writing, but he does struggle with math sometimes. it's nothing to be worried about; many children struggle with math at his age." you nod in understanding but grimace inwardly. megs always wanted you to help him with math homework since satoru became frustrated with the problems faster than the actual 2nd grader.

"for being the strongest, he's not that smart," megumi stated bluntly one night while you helped him on a coffee table in the teacher's lounge. you'd sent satoru on a walk around campus after his distress was clearly bothering megumi, who ended up suffering more from satoru's "help" than benefiting. "you're not around that much anymore to help me so i don't know what to do." his tiny eyebrows furrow and you reach out to run your fingers through his spiky black hair.

"i'm really sorry i'm not around as much anymore. do you want me to ask nanami? he handles math all the time."

"i think that'd be worse than satoru."

"you can't get much worse than satoru, buddy," you concede and his mouth turns up a little bit. nothing like a little insulting his mentor to get the boy's mood improved. still, his frown returns like it's his default expression.

"what if i can't do it? what if i'm not like everyone else?" it made your chest ache in a different way when megumi or his sister said something like that, like they were well aware that they weren't normal children. your heart panged for them and mourned their loss of a "normal" childhood just because they were born into a big three clan. it wasn't fair and it was something you lamented to satoru almost every week. you couldn't tell the boy any of that, though, no matter how much you wanted to explain why he wasn't like the rest of the kids in his class.

"just try your best, okay? sometimes, that's all we can do. you're already doing great by asking for help. it's not your fault if someone doesn't know how to help you, so just keep trying." he nodded determinedly; after another hour past dinnertime, you finally finished walking him through the rest of the problems while satoru draped his lanky body over the couch behind you, watching defeatedly over your shoulder.

"is there anything we can do to help him with math?" you ask, unconsciously weaving your fingers with satoru's and giving it a light squeeze. he squeezes back three times. i-love-you.

"he just needs a little reassurance that he's on the right track sometimes."

"mmm, don't we all," you murmur and you don't expect the teacher to laugh softly under her breath, muttering her agreement. before you know it, you've organized megumi's papers into his folder and picked him up from the playground outside his classroom, taking his hand as you walk back to the car.

"your teacher says you're doing well in class."

"really?"

"mhmm, though i didn't need her to tell me that since i already know." you shoot him a small smile, leaning into satoru's body as his arm wraps around your torso. "you, however, need to learn some manners," you lightheartedly tease, knocking your elbow against his abs. "you were not helping in there, you menace."

"it was boring, what do you want me to do?" his tone is so carefree, so comfortingly satoru it made your heart melt.

"it's a parent-teacher conference, not parents. you could have waited outside if you were so bored. went to play on the playground or something." his head dips close to your ear and you feel some strands of his hair brush against your skin.

"but then i don't get to watch you be all mature and put-together."

"trying to follow my example?"

"trying to break your composure," he corrects with a sly grin. "i'm the fun one, after all."

"that's one way to put it," megumi deadpans without hesitation and you stifle a snort.

"i'm one of a kind!"

"you're out of your mind, is what you are." before he can protest, you press a kiss to his cheek and he turns a slightly opaquer shade of pink. "but i wouldn't have you any other way."

[a-shade-of-blue]

Masterlist of Fundraisers from the Palestinians who directly contacted me. (19-21 August)

21 August

Mohammed El Shaer (@m-elshaer038): Muhammed is a 23 year old software engineer student who did not manage to complete his degree because of the genocide. HIs family house has been destroyed. He and his family (his mother, sister, brother and sister-in-law) are trying to evacuate to Egypt. (https://gofund.me/f93c78cb) (#88 on the verified fundraiser list by el-shab-hussein and nabulsi)

Leila Zaqout (Layla) (@joyfulpeacepolice): Layla is from a family of 8. She is a finally year pharmacy student who cannot graduate because of the war. Her neighbouhood has been destroyed and she was slightly injured in a bombing. She has recently contacted hepatitis A.Layla’s grandfather is an open-heart surgery patient. They are trying to evacuate out of Gaza. (https://gofund.me/e52f6176) (vetted by association, see post here. This campaign has been vouched for by @/ahmed79ss, whose campaign has been shared by 90-ghost (see here and here)) (VERY LOW FUNDS!!!! ONLY $220 USD raised of $155,000 target!)

Mahmoud Al-Sharif (@mahmoud-sharif, @mahmoud-sharif2): Mahmoud had lost his fingers and an eye due to Israel’s previous war on Gaza. He and his wife Soha have 3 children: Retal (12), Joud (11) and Nageh (8). They are trying to evacuate to Egypt.  (https://gofund.me/9c6c3ac9) (vetted by 90-ghost), 

Hazem Shawish (@hazemsuhail, @nisreensuhail, @kenzish): Hazem and Nisreen are from a family of 8. Their father had passed away due to hunger and inadequte healthcare. Their brother Samer has bipolar disorder, which has exacerbated due to the lack of essential medications. They are trying to evacuate to Egypt. (https://gofund.me/917ecb89) (Vetted by association. Nisreen is the sister in law of @samarsh97(shared by 90-ghost). See proof here. Also @nisreensuhail's Instagram (princess__.nisreen) goes all the way back to 2015. They also have a clean search result, see post here.)

Aya (@family-aya): Aya and her husband has 3 children. One of her child and her husband were injured, and several family members were martyred. Her father is a cancer patient, and her elderly mother is elderly has special needs. They are trying to raise funds for daily necessities including food. (https://gofund.me/2946907d) (shared by bilal-salah0. (Bilal-salah0's campaign is listed as #132 on the verified fundraiser spreadsheet vetted by el-shab-hussein and nabulsi. His campaign has reached its goal and he is trying to support other campaigns now, and has said that he would ensure the legitimacy of the campaigns he promote, see post here.))

20 August

Dina Mahammed(@dinamahammed99) Dina is 25 years old. She has a 3-year-old daughter and a 3-month-old son whom she gave birth to under the bombing. They are trying to evacuate out of Gaza. (https://gofund.me/1bff15a6) (Dina is @/mahmoud1995's sister, see post here and here. @/mahmoud1995's campaign has been shared by 90-ghost) 

Hamdi Al-Shaltawi (@hamdishiltawi): Hamdi is an economic student on his second year of study and he used to run a job. But now he and his family have been displaced. He is trying to evacuate himself and his family (his parents, two brothers and three sisters) out of Gaza. (https://gofund.me/ac7c2fa3) (#285 on the verified fundraiser list created by el-shab-hussein and nabulsi) 

Dina Abu Zour (@dinafamily): Dina is a mother of three children and currently pregnant. She is suffering from pregnancy-related proteinuria. One of her children has hepatitis, and her 13-year-old son has psychological issues after being detained by the military. Her husband also suffers from injuries after being captured by the military. (https://gofund.me/b06d2ec5) (#10 on the Bees and Watermelons verified fundraiser list.)

Ghada Ayyad (@ghadak24): Ghada is a 21-year-old palestinian woman. Her father is a healthcare worker and her mother a teacher. She is from a family of 8 including 3 children under 16 years old. They are trying to evacuate to Egypt. (https://gofund.me/51547832) (promoted and verified by Banyule Palestine Action Group, an Instagram based group that verifies campaigns "by comparing them with IG profiles and supplied photos and by having conversations with beneficiaries and their supporters." I have also seen other vetted campaigns promoted by this group (e.g. @/shymaafamily's campaign, which is #141 on their vetted fundraiser list by el-shab-hussein and nabulsi, has also been promoted by this group), so I do trust this group. Ghada's campaign has also been promoted by Youth For Falesteen. Moreover, here is Ghada's Instagram: ghada_family24. She has had her instagram since at least 2021 (she has been tagged in a post from 2021)) (22 Aug: LOW FUNDS! Currently €1,915 raised of €60,000 target!!)

19 August

Hassan Madi (@hassanmadi): Hassan got married 4 days before this current genocide. But now his home is destroyed, he has lost his job and they are now living in a tent. (https://gofund.me/6f65d728) (Vetted by association. Hassan is a nephew of @aya2mohammed, who has been vetted (#166 on the verified fundraiser list vetted by el-shab-husssein and nabulsi). See post here for proof. ) (22 Aug: LOW FUNDS! Only €100 raised of €50,000 goal)

Nour Al-Habil & Ayman Al-Habil (@nour20habil):  Nour is Ayman’s daughter and she has 9 siblings. Their house has been destroyed. Ayman’s 5-year-old son, Ahmed, has hepatitis, and his 3-year-old child has osteoporosis. (https://gofund.me/7adef23f) (Vetted and promoted by gaza-evacuation-funds! Shared by 90-ghost. Also vetted by association. Nour is also a niece of @aya2mohammed (#166 on the verified fundraiser list vetted by el-shab-husssein and nabulsi). See post here for proof.) (22 Aug: LOW FUNDS! Only kr7,795 NOK raised of kr700,000 goal!)

Lubna Al-Sir & Ahmed Hassan Al-Sir (@ahmadelser, @lobnaelser): Lubna and Ahmed have 3 children: Mohamed (9), Hassan (7), and Yazan(2). Their house has been destroyed and they are now displaced and living in tents. They are trying to evacuate out of Gaza. (https://gofund.me/aa7b3ff2) (shared by 90-ghost) (22 Aug: LOW FUNDS!!! Only €1397 raised of €50,000 target.) 

Mohammed Shamia (@mo-shamia): Mohammed is fourth year student of laboratory medicine. His uni in Gaza has been destroyed and he is trying to finish his education in Egypt. He is trying to evacuate 10 family members (his parents, grandparents, his brother, his sister as well as her husband and her three children). (https://gofund.me/303c68db) (#7 on the verified fundraiser list vetted by el-shab-hussein and nabulsi.)

Amjad Sido (@amjadsido99, @amjadsido): Amjad has 2 children (Mosbah (6) and Abdul Rahman (3)). He is also living with his mother and 5 brothers. The occupation has destroyed their house and killed his father and two of his brothers. They are trying to evacuate out of Gaza. (https://gofund.me/0729ac5b) (#126 on the verified fundraiser list vetted by el-shab-hussein and nabulsi) 

Walid Al-Qatrawi (@waledps): Walid is an engineer from Gaza. He has 3 children: Adam, Hla, and Nay. They are trying to evacuate out of Gaza. (shared by 90-ghost) (https://buymeacoffee.com/waledps) (https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/GoFundWaledPs)

Click here for my Masterlist for fundraisers from 13 July - 25 July.

Click here for my Masterlist for fundraisers from 26 July -29 July.

Click here for my Masterlist for fundraisers from 30 July - 1 August.

Click here for my Masterlist for fundraisers from 2 August - 5 August.

Click here for my Masterlist for fundraisers from 6 August - 10 August.

Click here for my Masterlist for fundraisers from 11 August - 14 August.

Click here for my Masterlist for fundraisers from 15 August - 18 August.

How does vetting and verification work? See post here. (also read comments regarding 90-ghost and why we trust the campaigns he has shared)

See post here for other verified ways to send aid to Gaza.

Don't forget your Daily Clicks on Arab.org, it's free!!! and Every click made is registered in their system and generates donation from sponsors/advertisers.)

[reasonsforhope]

"Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) has vetoed a Republican-led ban on transgender high school athletes, saying that such legislation would needlessly harm the mental well-being of trans youth and make the state less safe for LGBTQ+ people. State Republicans reportedly lack the votes to override his veto.

“This type of legislation, and the harmful rhetoric we get by pursuing it, harms LGBTQ Wisconsinites’ and kids’ mental health, emboldens anti-LGBTQ harassment, bullying, and violence, and threatens the safety and dignity of LGBTQ Wisconsinites, especially our LGBTQ kids,” Evers wrote in his veto message.

“I am vetoing this bill in its entirety because I object to codifying discrimination into state statute and the Wisconsin state legislature’s ongoing efforts to perpetuate hateful and discriminatory rhetoric and policies targeting LGBTQ Wisconsinites including our transgender and gender nonconforming kids…. I will veto any bill that makes Wisconsin a less safe, less inclusive, and less welcoming place for LGBTQ people and kids,” Evers added.

He vetoed the bill in a public ceremony while surrounded by trans advocates, Democratic lawmakers, the mayor of Madison and others, NBC News reported.

The bill would have required public, private, and independent charter schools to designate each team by the gender of its participants, and then require participants to play on teams matching the gender listed on their birth certificates.

The bill would have overruled current policies, established in 2015 by the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association, that allowed trans students to play on sports teams matching their gender identity as long as they provided a personal letter; supporting documentation from parents, teachers, and medical professionals; and proof of any gender-affirming care...

Last September [in 2023], Evers vetoed a Republican-led bill that would’ve banned gender-affirming medical care for minors."

-via LGBTQ Nation, April 2, 2024

[astrogre]

People Represented in each House

Including niche examples

1H

Yourself, your persona. You as an individual. Your role models (projection of your ideal self)

2H

Business partners, business collaborators, acting/modelling/any agency you are under. Podcasters you listen to, literal social media influencers, salesman, your self esteem mentors,your real estate agent, your savings coach, your bank, your stockbroker

2H includes people who influence how you earn money. 2H represents people who can influence your personal values and your self esteem E.g a Ben Shapiro to a politically curious individual, the kardashians to a teenage girl. 2nd house can also represent people involved in the maintenance, acquisition and management of your possessions and finances

3H

Your siblings, your neighbours, your relatives like extended family, peers and acquaintances like the people in your class you know of but don’t talk to enough to say they’re your friend, peers, acquaintances, colleagues/coworkers, professors, educational teachers, speaking coach, language teacher

3H is related to intellectual pursuits, learning, just all forms of intellectual development, mercury sits well here. It’s about the people who you interact with daily as they influence your way of communication The individuals here would influence your communication style, interests and knowledge

4H

Your mother (mother figure if you don’t have a mother), your parents but particularly your mother figure, the collective of your whole family, ancestors, caregivers, people that live in your house like your flatmates, your housemates, housekeepers, butlers

4H represents the physical home, the mother, familial connections, nurturers etc. so the people here would be the ones living in it and those who have influence in your domestic life

5H

Your children, your inner child, you as a parent, your nieces, your nephews, romantic partners (short term), artistic partners E.g co-writers, collaborators, people involved in your projects, your students, your mentees, your investors, your hook up partners, people who you gamble or just play games with.

5H represents children, creativity, your mentoring to others, gambling, fun, joyful light love affairs, it’s also ruled by Leo. So we have these people involved with these themes

6H

Coworkers, colleagues, employees, staff (individuals who work under you or provide a service to you), your doctor, your contractors, your nurses, your teammates, your healthcare providers, your therapist, your career coach, your internship mentor, your assistants, your service providers, your pets, your gym colleagues, your fitness instructor, your nutritionist, your organiser, your HR department, your vet

6H represents work environment, daily routines, service, health and well-being, these are the people that you find under that setting

7H

Romantic partners, your spouse, life partner, your closest friends, confidants, allies, your supporters, your business partners, anyone you form a pact with, your clients, your customers (the kind you engage with in professional settings), your lawyers, your legal team, your competitors, your opponents, your matchmaker, your wedding planner, your relationship therapist

7H ruled by Libra represents all relationships that also includes bad ones btw, business relationships, marriage, 7H represents companions, partnerships, professional relationships, legal matters, professional representation so the people that fall under this house would be those that build relationships with you

8H

Financial partners/advisors, therapists, inheritors, beneficiaries (who you inherit from), occult teachers, your intimate long term sexual partners, your accountant, your councillors, your psychologist, your insurance agents, your estate planners, your morticians

8H is associated with death, sex, psychology, transformation, joint resources etc. and so these are the kind of people that 8H would represent

9H

Your professors, your teachers, your spiritual leaders, your priest, your pastor, your favourite scholars, your favourite philosophers, your lawyers, your judges, your legal advisors, your authors, your educational materials, your foreign friends, your foreign connections.

alike to 3H in education but 9H rules higher education so it’s an octave higher than 3H in terms of the teachers associated with it. 9H also represents justice and law so it would include people that work in this field that you encounter

10H

Your father, your boss, your mentor, your manager, people of authority, your parents (father in particular), influential figures you look up to, e.g your fave celebrities, government, politicians, your PR team, your publishers, you as a role model, your admirers like the people who look up to you, influencers, your business, icons

10H association with self-image and reputation and classic Saturn authority would include those who are involved in those themes

11H

Friends, peers. Social activists, humanitarians, philanthropists, inventors, forecasters, visionaries, leaders, community organisers, trendsetters

different from 3H in the sense that with 11H friends, you actually share the same goals and interests in mind whereas with 3H it’s mostly an exchange of communication about these parts of yourself and they are less as significant in your social life compared to 11H type of friends

12H

Spiritual beings, your religion, spiritual forces, your subconscious mind, artists, creative people, writers, hospital patients, prisoners, monks, religious people, volunteers, dreamers, charities.

12H represents those that can derive what is within their inner secluded world and bring it into reality. It’s associated with empathy, mental/spiritual state, seclusion and the bed. The people here would be those that would retreat, help others and tap into realms beyond the physical)

[cinnamonest]

how about delinquent childe x student reader…

BULLY AJAX BULLY AJAX

Literally the textbook example of “he's mean to you because he likes you and doesn't know how to express it!” thing.

From your perspective as another student in your small little town, you know he's a bad kid because of his notoriety with the school's parents. Each tells their kids to stay away from that boy, that no good will come from associating with him. You hear your parents mumble about how much they either pity his parents, how hard it must be having such a problem child, or chastising them, playing armchair psychologist as they theorize how a kid can turn out like that and wagering that it must be the parents’ fault somehow.

He ticks all the boxes that sets stricter parents into a frenzy — a history of arrests, smoking and drinking and skipping classes and failing grades. They all say they've seen that boy going double the speed limit on the rural roads, stealing alcohol from local stores, and how he put so-and-so who lives down the road's boy in the hospital, and gave so-and-so from church's boy a black eye and a broken leg, and how that teacher he attacked in eighth grade got a concussion so bad he's never been quite the same since.

But you know how awful he is firsthand, anyway. For whatever reason, unfortunately, you're picked to be his favorite victim. With other kids, it's all casual and opportunistic, getting into fights and finding amusement in tormenting others when he's bored and an opportunity comes, but for you, he goes out of his way to make your school life suck, from the time you're kids.

It's not until someone says it — maybe he just likes you, you know? — that you consider it… but even so, it reaches a point where you find it difficult to believe, and regardless, you don't care, you've come to hate him regardless of motive.

It's not like he's someone you'd date anyway, seeing as he's… well, not a good person. You like to think you have some strict standards of caliber of personal character.

The only thing that gives credibility to the theory that he's being affectionate is just how constant it is. Normally, bullying is largely opportunistic — they take opportunities when they arise, but it's not as common for bullies to go out of their way to find their victims, or if they do, not often.

Ajax, on the other hand, is a perpetual menace — to you, at least, even if his behavior towards other people mimics the pattern of normal bullying. But with you, it feels like every waking second of your life, he's dedicated to coming to find you and torture you.

Then there's the nature of the bullying — when you were little, it was tugging on your hair, tearing apart erasers and throwing the little bits at you from across a room.

The older you get, the more sensual it gets — groping you when he passes you in the halls, grabbing your tits and ass and then running off before you can do anything, snickering all the while. Crude gestures directed at you just to see you squirm. A few terrible drawings and scribbles depicting you naked and lewd passed over to you disguised as a note signed by a friend, to which you open with multiple people looking over your shoulder… only to crumple the thing and throw it away, trying not to give him the reaction he wants, but he's always smiling in amusement anyway.

The teachers are aware and have acted accordingly — they ensure you're never close to him in seating arrangements, never assign you two together for projects. But all their efforts mean little when he's still seeking you out. He finds you at lunch, in study hall, after school, on any sort of special field day, at sports games, just to torment you with teasing and taunting and touchiness, stealing your things, embarrassing you in front of others.

But at the same time, well, you can't help but notice that part of the reason is because he's friendless, his nature has made everyone dislike him, even the other bully kids. He doesn't hang out with the other “bad kids,” because the “bad kids” have a sense of respect for each other, bully only outsiders, whereas he can't help but be a menace to everyone, so any social group he attempts to enter loses cohesion when he messes with everyone. He's long since been driven away from any social circle, even other problem kids and bullies. You're his victim, but you're also the only person he really talks to.

You suppose you feel a little bad for him, but it doesn't come close to justifying making you miserable. Nor can you forgive him for ruining your clothes — you've long since noticed, to your dismay, that he's around you so much that the cigarette and alcohol smells that permeate off of him, have transferred to your own clothes, if not outright have smoke blown on them... not to mention little burn marks on your skirts where he puts them out on the fabric when you're not looking. As if some sort of cruel punishment, that you have to be constantly reminded of him even at home.

Bully Ajax who gets pushed over the edge when some new kid arrives at school and starts talking to his…

…Well, his something. Maybe not a girlfriend — you have to have slept together to truly be that, right? — but still his, some way, somehow. Everyone knows that. That's why everyone else leaves you alone.

It catches him totally off-guard — he goes to the classroom where you normally eat lunch (you've migrated there over time since everyone avoids you because of him anyway, and even if you sit alone in the cafeteria, he'll find a way to publicly embarrass you, so enduring secluded torment is easier), and lo and behold, he stops in his tracks, nearly tripping over his own feet at the sudden pure bewilderment of seeing you with someone else.

He's frozen stiff, mind blank and halted in thought like a computer error screen, trying to process, eye twitching as he watches from a distance.

Some boy that just strutted right into this school and thinks he has the right to go talking to you, sitting with you? Some guy he doesn't know?

Why are you smiling like that? Why are you laughing at whatever he just said? What did he say to you?

It's immediate, all-consuming, blind rage. A cold, bitter feeling that spreads from his throat to his chest all throughout his body, that makes him clench his jaw and kick at the ground all the way home. No point in staying the rest of the day, not when he has walls to punch and pillows to tear apart and plenty of seething to do.

And you, you're so enamored and happy with this new guy that you barely notice the absence of your biggest menace over the next few days. You're in too much bliss to notice him sitting in the back of your classes, bitterly glaring at you, hands curled into fists. Too focused on your new boyfriend (who does ask you out as such, and everyone — everyone — quickly learns about the status between the two of you) to notice you're both being followed wherever you go.

He knows where you live. Small town and all. He knows when your parents are gone. He knows when you're home alone.

Ajax is not the brightest bulb in the box. Not one to think of complex solutions. He tends to just do things very straightforward, to simply act in the most direct way possible. Combined with his total lack of impulse control, this makes for a ticking time bomb on a very short fuse, an explosion waiting to happen.

He can settle the matter with the only thing he's really good at — violence.

He's not sneaky about it either, actually quite upfront. You don't even notice the car pull into the driveway, just jolt at the sudden banging on your front door, and go still in bewilderment when you swing it open to find him of all people standing there. He doesn't give you an opportunity to say much of anything before grabbing you by the throat and shoving his way inside, dragging you through your own house as you gag and choke and flail, throwing you down on your own bed, holding you down with brutal force.

He's always been the sort of bully to find amusement in your torture — always smiling and laughing. You've never seen him genuinely angry like this. You whimper and try to push him back, but it only makes his fingers curl against your chest even harder.

He's already got the aftermath images of your boyfriend to show you. Unconscious and beaten to a bloody pulp, so swollen and disfigured he's nearly unrecognizable, red and purple all over his face, laying in a ditch somewhere.

Why are you crying? You haven't known that guy for very long at all. Not as long as you've known him. You've known him longer, he was there first, you should care more about him, you should know better than to talk to someone other than him — he treats it as a transgression, that you've betrayed him, done him some great wrong.

Which, you have, to him. Here he's invested so much time into you, and you stab him in the back like this? All that time, effort, and affection he's put into you, it's socially understood to be proclaiming you're his. Everyone else clearly understood that. You've violated a social contract of sorts, one that clearly says that he had laid claim to you, that you're his.

And you probably slept with that guy too, didn't you? Why aren't you answering? Did you? Did you? No, it's not “none of his business,” as you spit back at him, it is his business, it's you, and you're his and so anything you do is his right to know. If you don't answer, he'll choke you out until you do. But he knows you did, so even if you say you didn't, he'll just do the same until you confirm the answer he knows is true.

So you did. Let someone else get to you before him. Slept with someone that isn't him when you knew full well he wanted to.

You're lucky I don't fucking kill you.

That's what he says into your ear, when he's ramming into you so hard your headboard keeps slamming into the wall, fingernails digging into your flesh. That he was there first. That he loved you first. That you had no right. That you're a whore and a little bitch and you knew exactly what you were doing — yes you did, you fucking knew, don't lie to me — by cheating on him with some loser, and that if he didn't love you so much, if he wasn't so merciful, he would kill you for this.

You probably did it on purpose. You wanted to get back at him for that really bad thing he did to you a while back, maybe, or maybe that other really bad thing he did another time. You wanted to make him mad.

Maybe you wanted this, even. Wanted him to do this to you. Yeah, that's the theory that makes the most sense to him.

Right. You wanted to be “official” or whatever it's called when people are publicly together, which of course means they've slept together. Everyone already knew you were his, but you wanted to take things further. You just have such an indirect way of doing things. You know, you could have just invited him to come sleep with you. But you have to do everything in such convoluted, needlessly indirect ways. Girls are so frustrating sometimes.

Regardless, this is what it takes to get you to acknowledge what you both know to be true — that he's always owned you, really, you know that, everyone knows. Once you wake up, he'll have to go over rules with you from now on about not talking to other guys. Of course, now that you're all passed out, he'll wait in bed for you to wake up, because he's a good boyfriend. He'll just smoke to pass the time... you won't mind a some ashes in your bedsheets. Probably.

Now he'll just have to stay by your side even more, ensure you don't get the chance to act on your urges ever again, since you seem to have trouble with impulse control. He’ll be sure to preemptively beat any new male students half to death as soon as they set foot on campus and tell them to stay away from you. You know, precautionary measures.

[minty364]

DPXDC Prompt #58 Part 3

Gotham Academy High School was the sort of school where almost everyone was elite in some way or another. Some of them were from old money like Damian who held himself up to a very high standard in his academics and was the top of the class. Others from new money like Dash and the rest of his cohorts became very hateful of somebody like Danny who was given a scholarship by Bruce Wayne, in their eyes Danny was taking advantage of Damian not even knowing that Damian approached Danny for companionship two years ago.

This also meant that everyone including the teachers would compare Danny and Damian to each other even though they weren’t brothers. That didn’t matter though as Danny was associated with them so that was all the reason they needed.

Danny groaned as he sunk into the seat next to Damian. The lunchroom was filled with chatting students and Danny was glad he shared the next class with Damian, which happened to be English. Dash never bothered Danny when Damian was around, probably because Damian had threatened the jock. How he was threatened Danny didn’t know, Damian never told him what happened and he was a little scared to ask. 

The guy hadn’t stopped harassing Danny since he and Jazz transferred a couple years ago. The school year had barely begun and Dash had made Danny his primary target like he was making up for lost time over the summer. Danny sighed as he dropped his paper bagged lunch on the table with a little plop. Jazz had packed for him this morning hopefully before his parents arrived and contaminated the entire kitchen.

“Dash again?” his sister asked across the table, she was seated next to Tim.

“I was paired against him in dodgeball again,” Danny lamented, his head resting on his arms that were crossed on the table.

“Danny, could you just talk to Mr. Lancer or something?” Jazz asked before she took a bite from her sandwich.

Danny sighed again and unpacked his lunch, “I have but no one will listen! They all act like I’m lying or something.” The teachers at this school probably wouldn’t listen to a charity case like him. Dash was a football player and had plans to become captain of the team. Everyone at the school loved Dash and it was precisely why everyone except maybe the four students at the table they were seated looked down and sometimes even bullied Danny.

Danny ignored it all eventually, it was better just to let the jock tire himself out. 

Once Danny and Damian finished eating they made their way to English. Luckily it was easy to carry the material for a class that only required a small binder and whatever book they were reading, in this case it was ‘gone with the wind’. Danny didn’t really care about reading old literature like this but he did what he had to maintain the grades he had. He’d endure anything, even Dash’s bullying, to become an astronaut.

Danny could hardly concentrate today through his afternoon classes. For some reason he had a bad feeling that something was going to happen. He tried his best to ignore it, he was probably just tired or something. Soon the school day was out and Danny packed up whatever homework he had for the day and headed outside to wait with Jazz. Damian and Tim were probably wrapping up their classes. Tim had an AP class that ran an extra 30 minutes and Damian’s last class was art, they were doing a painting and it wasn’t unusual for Damian to finish up what he was working on as he found out over the last few years that he enjoyed painting.

“… Do you think it’ll work?” Jazz asked a hint of hesitation in her voice. Danny knew she was talking about the portal, the both of them had talked about it before. Danny glanced over at his sister, he could tell she was having trouble sleeping lately, her face looked tired and her posture was stiff with her arms crossed in front of her. Both of them had anxiety about the possibilities the portal possessed, and they were especially worried that their parents wouldn’t take it well if the portal didn’t work. 

He was equally concerned that it would work. “I hope not…” he said eventually. It was something that brought the siblings closer as the whole of their family fell apart. How their parents managed to pull off getting the funding in the first place seemed to be a miracle. Everyone called their parents crazy and dismissed all of their science as ludicrous garbage.

Danny wondered how they even managed to stay under Batman's radar, he thought that something like this would be cause for the vigilante to look into it but maybe the thought of ghosts was just that outlandish that even the dark knight himself thought it to be crazy too. Danny himself didn’t believe in anything his parents published, some of the papers even seemed to be biased somehow, even though his parents hadn’t ever actually encountered a ghost. That last part was probably the reason no one bothered to actually investigate his parents, there wasn’t really much to investigate.

The siblings waited in silence and eventually Tim and Damian showed up after their classes and the four headed to Alfred waiting by the car. 

If anyone tried to start a conversation with Danny he wasn’t paying attention. If he was being honest, his parents' portal scared him a lot. He wasn’t sure why he felt so nervous about it, both him and Jazz renounced the thought that ghosts could exist. Something deep down in his guts told him that he should turn and run, that what his parents were attempting was taboo and that his parents were tampering with forces unimaginable. 

No one was going to listen to a fourteen year old though so Danny kept his feelings to himself and ignored them. 

Soon they were pulled in front of their apartment and true to their word, Damian and Tim asked Alfred to park nearby. Danny and Jazz took a hesitant glance at each other as they walked into the house. 

[noah-shin]

𝒴𝒶𝓃𝒹𝑒𝓇𝑒 𝓇𝒾𝓋𝒶𝓁 𝓍 𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹𝑒𝓇

Warning: creepy, stalking

Wc:877

Yandere rival who couldn't care less about you when you shifted to his school in the middle of the year. You were not exceptional at first and he didn't think of you as an academic rival.

Yandere rival who actually becomes shocked seeing how you topped most subjects. He contemplated that you were being fake by behaving politely with everyone but him. He didn't even talk with you properly… …

He always stares at you with a blank expression. Though he gives you a hateful stare, his thoughts are all about you. His ears become red watching you laugh or when you glance at him.

Yandere who always makes sure that you sit right beside him so that he could busk in your presence. It has become a rule between students to never sit on your seat. So that your rival could stare at you with ease.

Yandere rival who is envious of the fact that you're naturally talented. How could you be so care free and still top all exams? "You must have cheated," He would say to piss you off. You would just smile at him and go back to your own world. He holds grudges against you for having loving parents who never pressurize you for anything. (Unlike him)

He always asks the teacher to put you both together in a group project to spend more time with you. He always comes over to your place to finish the job and always asks if you made the cookies you gave him. He always finishes his work beforehand to just stare at you and listen to you talk during the meeting. He has a pleasant expression while gazing at you.Suspiciously whenever he comes over to your house, something goes missing. Doesn't matter what it is. Your chapstick, that old pencil, watch,anything associated with you. "Did you accidentally take my chapstick?" He would deny any claims saying he doesn't even know you use pink color, peach flavored chapstick… ..

Bad attention or good attention doesn't matter to him. If he gets attention from you, that's enough. He always nags you and tries to find your fault even though he actually gushes all over it in his house.

Yandere's rival who is jealous of the fact that you're his best friend's close friend and his friend knows more about you than him. He's aware that you're trying to snatch his friends, his position, everything! " You're so jealous yn" (he actually want you to snatch everything away along with him)

He constantly talks about you and only you in his friend circle. The only reason he keeps those losers with him is to talk shit about you. He is so bitter, observing that you look so happy minding your own business while he thinks of you every second. He thinks talking about you and constantly keeping you in his mind will motivate him to do better.

Yandere rival who uses students to know more about you. He thinks nobody is good enough to be with him except you but still acts politely with your friends. "Hey! So why didn't yn come to school today?" He doesn't even care that he makes it so obvious.

Yandere who gets mad when he sees anyone else bully you and sometimes defend you. Though he acts salty with you, he never takes it too far to emotionally drain you out. Moreover,his obsession extends out of academic life too.

He has a whole shrine of your pics and other stolen things from those group projects. He has a diary describing his feelings to you with your pictures stuck to every few pages. In some of them, you're smiling, sleeping or even eating in your not so secure house.

Yandere rival who wakes up hours early to just sneak at you while you're sleeping. His day is not fulfilled until he follows you back to your home to make sure you're safe and sound. He's pretty good at being sneaky too and knows nobody will believe any accusations against him.

He's so smitten with you that it doesn't matter if he becomes second in the exam. Because obviously you deserve the first position.

Yandere rival who just wants your attention so badly that he taunts you on a bad day just so that you will hit him. That way at least you will make physical contact with him. He doesn't hear the curses you throw at his face. You shudder watching him moaning from hitting his face."Did you fucking enjoy that, creep?!" You stepped back in disgust. Who knew your rival was a masochist?

You were so blinded by the rivalry that you didn't even notice how his pants tightened when you screamed at him.

But when you have known his intentions,you became paranoid and spill the tea to everyone. Unfortunately no one took you seriously.You feel hopeless seeing nobody believes your words.

Yandere rival who stalks all your social media accounts and sends you messages from fake accounts.

He doesn't let anyone give you gifts on valentine's day and makes sure you don't go on date with anyone. He's just way too much in love to let it happen

Reblog if you like

[argumate]

there is a certain style of parenting that is very logistics focused, in which any conversation with the parent tends to revolve around whether the child has eaten, whether they are sick, whether they need a lift to get somewhere, etc. and these are all very important matters in life (even when the children are adults themselves) but they don't address anything higher up the hierarchy of needs, like self-actualisation, or understanding who the child actually is as an independent person with their own interior life and emotions, hopes and fears, all the gooey stuff like that.

it's a mode of interaction that is most commonly associated with dads in the popular culture -- Telstra even had an ad campaign based on the premise of dads having nothing meaningful to say on the phone (!) -- but mothers are prone to it too and of course it can occur in every other kind of relationship as well, between teachers and students or between coworkers or even romantic partners, it's always easier to deal with the material concerns of life than relate to someone as a human being.

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Richard Luscombe at The Guardian:

Six major book publishers have teamed up to sue the US state of Florida over an “unconstitutional” law that has seen hundreds of titles purged from school libraries following rightwing challenges. The landmark action targets the “sweeping book removal provisions” of House Bill 1069, which required school districts to set up a mechanism for parents to object to anything they considered pornographic or inappropriate. A central plank of Republican governor Ron DeSantis’s war on “woke” on Florida campuses, the law has been abused by rightwing activists who quickly realized that any book they challenged had to be immediately removed and replaced only after the exhaustion of a lengthy and cumbersome review process, if at all, the publishers say. Since it went into effect last July, countless titles have been removed from elementary, middle and high school libraries, including American classics such as Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain.

Contemporary novels by bestselling authors such as Margaret Atwood, Judy Blume and Stephen King have also been removed, as well as The Diary of a Young Girl, Anne Frank’s gripping account of the Holocaust, according to the publishers. “Florida HB 1069’s complex and overbroad provisions have created chaos and turmoil across the state, resulting in thousands of historic and modern classics, works we are proud to publish, being unlawfully labeled obscene and removed from shelves,” Dan Novack, vice-president and associate general counsel of Penguin Random House (PRH), said in a statement. “Students need access to books that reflect a wide range of human experiences to learn and grow. It’s imperative for the education of our young people that teachers and librarians be allowed to use their professional expertise to match our authors’ books to the right reader at the right time in their life.” PRH is joined in the action by Hachette Book Group, HarperCollins Publishers, Macmillan Publishers, Simon & Schuster and Sourcebooks. The 94-page lawsuit, which also features as plaintiffs the Authors Guild and a number of individual writers, was filed in federal court in Orlando on Thursday.

The suit contends the book removal provisions violate previous supreme court decisions relating to reviewing works for their literary, artistic, political and scientific value as a whole while considering any potential obscenity; and seeks to restore the discretion “of trained educators to evaluate books holistically to avoid harm to students who will otherwise lose access to a wide range of viewpoints”. “Book bans censor authors’ voices, negating and silencing their lived experience and stories,” Mary Rasenberger, chief executive of the Authors Guild, said in the statement. “These bans have a chilling effect on what authors write about, and they damage authors’ reputations by creating the false notion that there is something unseemly about their books. “Yet these same books have edified young people for decades, expanding worlds and fostering self-esteem and empathy for others. We all lose out when authors’ truths are censored.” Separate from the publishers’ action, a group of three parents filed their own lawsuit in June, insisting that the law discriminated against parents who oppose book bans and censorship because it allowed others to dictate what their children can and cannot read.

Six major publishers sue Florida over book ban law HB1069.

[allthecanadianpolitics]

Advocates fear loss of schools as safe space amid gender pronouns policy

Education advocates are bemoaning the loss of schools as safe spaces for vulnerable kids only weeks after the UCP announced a controversial gender pronouns policy that they say puts a wedge between LGBTQ+ students and teachers. Teachers, parents and academics worry schools are already being enveloped in a culture of fear and mistrust, well before this fall when the policy is implemented, requiring teachers to notify and get consent from parents to alter the name or pronouns of a student under 15 years, and to notify parents of students aged 16 and 17. Even the much-celebrated and protective GSAs (gay-straight alliances) — clubs created by students and led by trusted adults to support LGBTQ+ kids in schools — are at risk of being lost as students question the potential risks now associated with joining them, advocates say.

Continue Reading

Tagging @politicsofcanada @abpoli

[come-away-with-me87]

The Art of Love Chapter 1

******

Summary: You've been an art therapy teacher at an elementary school in Musutafu, Japan for the past eight years. One day, you are introduced to a new student named Eri, who comes with a lot of past trauma. While you help Eri move past her trauma through art therapy, you end up getting to know her caretaker, Shouta Aizawa, who ends up slowly opening up your heart back up after your own past trauma. Could Shouta be the person to fully open your heart back up, and possibly even fall in love?

******

Pairings: Shouta Aizawa | Eraserhead x Fem!Reader

******

Warnings: There will be fluff, there will be angst, there will be smut. Any chapters containing smut will have a NSFW disclaimer at the beginning of the chapter. And please bear with me if anything I say about art therapy is incorrect throughout the story; I promise it's only due to my own lack of knowledge on the subject. I have nothing but the utmost respect for the profession and the folks who work in it <3 Oh, and yes, before anyone asks, Kento is most certainly based on the other LOML, Kento Nanami from JJK. I have no shame.

******

(Concise) Definition of Art Therapy:

Art Therapy is an integrative mental health and human services profession that enriches the lives of individuals, families, and communities through active art-making, creative process, applied psychological theory, and human experience within a psychotherapeutic relationship.

Art Therapy, facilitated by a professional art therapist, effectively supports personal and relational treatment goals as well as community concerns. Art Therapy is used to improve cognitive and sensory-motor functions, foster self-esteem and self-awareness, cultivate emotional resilience, promote insight, enhance social skills, reduce and resolve conflicts and distress, and advance societal and ecological change.

- The American Art Therapy Association

******

You have been an art therapy teacher for elementary-age students for the past eight years, and you loved every moment of it. You genuinely loved enriching the lives of young minds through art therapy; it was your truest passion in life. Since you were born Quirkless, you always wanted to do something good with your life since you couldn't be a pro-hero. At a young age, you learned that you loved drawing and painting, and you were very good at it.

You continued to love art as you got older, and when you graduated high school, you went to college where you got your Masters degree in Education, with your major being in Fine Arts. It took you over a year to find a job, which was a grueling time for you. Art therapy teacher gigs were pretty difficult to come by. You had to move back in with your parents, where you worked dead-end jobs just so you could begin paying your student loans back.

A little over a year later, you saw a job posting for an art therapy teacher at Musutafu Elementary School, an opportunity you jumped at. You always wanted to work with children, specifically, and thought this could be it. You went through many rounds of interviews to make sure you were the right fit, and eventually, you got the job. And that is where you have been for the past eight years.

Over the course of those eight years, you went through many changes in your life. You remained at your parents' home for about a year after you graduated so you could save money between the job at the school and your part-time job working as a server at a fine dining establishment. Eventually, you saved up enough money to put a down payment on your dream home right in Musutafu.

It was also around that time that you started dating Kento, who you eventually fell in love with. Kento was tall and was very handsome with his sandy blonde hair and warm brown eyes. Most importantly, though; he was good to you. It was quite easy to fall in love with him. After two years of dating, he got down on one knee and proposed to you, to which you happily said yes. Things were good: you had your dream job, your dream house, and your dream man. You were happy.

A month before your wedding, Kento was walking home from work when he got caught in the middle of a villain attack. He got stabbed by a villain just before the pro-heroes arrived on the scene. He was rushed to the hospital, where they did everything they could to try and save him, but sadly, he lost his life. To say you were heartbroken and devastated would be an understatement; you just lost the man you were going to spend the rest of your life with. At his funeral, you decided right then and there to close your heart off to relationships; no one would ever compare to Kento.

After taking a month-long leave of absence from both the school and the restaurant, you decided that you needed to get back to work. You still mourned for Kento, but you knew him well enough to know that he would want you to get back to work and help your students. You quit your restaurant job, and focused your entire life on teaching and helping your students, where you still remain to this day, several years later.

Today, you were getting a new student. Her file said that her name was Eri; odd, she had no last name. Her file also stated that she has been through extremely traumatic events for the majority of her life. You teared up reading her file. For a seven-year old girl's life to be nothing but traumatic was heartbreaking. You were already looking forward to being of help in the healing process of young Eri.

******

To be continued...

******

Tag list: @lili-pond ; @jaguarthecat ; @big-denki-energy

[jingwei]

Asano Motif | Centipedes

If you're an avid Asano enjoyer like me, you'd also be familiar with their dominant motif. It's a reoccurring theme throughout their appearances in Assassination Classroom, but what does it really mean?

Tracing back to Gakushu's debut in the first season, Gakushu carried out the goal Gakuho laid out for him for the first semester finals and successfully persuaded Class A to follow along with it. Interestingly, centipedes are prominently displayed in the background, a spitting image of another frame of Gakuho.

This motif extends beyond just students; it encompasses teachers and adults as well, which was proven by his interaction with Akira. The giant centipedes symbolize his educational doctrine: invasive, controlling, and venomous, much like the forcipules of a centipede, which inject venom into prey to subdue them.

Matsui’s central idea becomes clear upon closer examination: the centipedes’ forcipules piercing the faces of Class A students symbolize Gakuho’s method of injecting his ideological “venom” into their minds. Forcipules are unique to centipedes.

This metaphorical portrayal reflects how he aims to mold their thoughts and behaviors to adhere strictly to his educational standards and goals. The head, traditionally associated with intellect and identity, represents the locus of Gakuho’s control and manipulation—effectively brainwashing Class A into compliance.

When Gakushu eventually breaks free from his father’s indoctrination and challenges Class A, Gakuho reacts swiftly to reclaim control. His attempt to suppress this rebellion is depicted metaphorically by the centipede wrapping around his son, symbolizing Gakuho’s desperate efforts to maintain his influence over his “catalyst” and preserve his cherished educational philosophy. When Class A rejected him, Gakuho strikes his son in a rare display of emotion. For a man known for his logic and rationality, this outburst reveals a surprising irrationality.

After Gakuho's failed assassination attempt on Korosensei, we never see the centipedes again. As such, the absence of centipedes afterward may signify a resolution or closure to this specific aspect of his character. This could involve reevaluating his educational philosophy, reassessing his relationship with his son Gakushu, or confronting the consequences of his actions. It could reflect a change or maturation in his approach to teaching and mentoring students.

This declaration extends beyond personal development to encompass Gakuho's evolving approach to education and parenting. It signified a potential shift from rigid authoritarianism towards a more nuanced understanding of the complexities inherent in guiding and nurturing students, including his own son.

[thelifeinmyshadesofgrey]

I apologize for not posting last week! As a reminder, winter season is approaching in Gaza and many of these families are in dire need of funds to support themselves. Please donate if you can, or help to spread the word!

(previous posts: 1, 2, 3)

Eman and family @emanabosedo (fundraiser link) (vetted by association, as explained here)

Eman is a mother of three young children, and is seeking funds for her family. Donations will be used to find a safe place for her children, secure basic necessities, as well as rebuild their lives. As of 18th September, they have $1,221 USD/$50,000 (only 2 donations in the last 24 hours)

Mohammed and family @yasermohammad (fundraiser link) (vetted by @90-ghost)

Mohammed is raising funds for his family of 7, including his wife and 5 children. He has recently lost his mother due to the lack of treatment and medical supplies. As of 18th September, they have €22,706/€35,000

Islam and family @islamgazaaccount3 (fundraiser link) (vetted by @90-ghost and @northgazaupdates2)

Islam is a 27-year old physical therapist from Gaza. He is displaced with his family of 6, including his 85-year old grandfather who has recently lost his left hand in a prior bombing. As of 18th September, they have €2,362/€30,000 (no new donations in the last 24 hours)

Muhammad Abu Lihiya and family @helpmohammed2024 (fundraiser link) (not yet vetted)

Muhammad, 22 years old, is the sole breadwinner for his family after the death of his father in 2018. His family consists of his elderly mother, Mona, and his two younger brothers, Ahmed and Ibrahim. As of 18th September, they have $3,107 USD/$50,000 (no new donations in the last 24 hours)

Nadine and family @nadoosha-sd (fundraiser link) (vetted by @90-ghost)

Nadine is 21-year old university student, and she is raising funds for her family of 7. She has tragically lost her infant brother, Mohammed, to hepatitis, and is worried for her 3 year-old sister, Manal. As of 18th September, they have $832 USD/$25,000 (only 2 donations in the last 24 hours)

Ayaa and family @ayoosh-gaza @ahmad-gaza (fundraiser link) (vetted by association, as explained here)

Ayaa is a 24-year old teacher and she is seeking funds for her family of 6, consisting of her elderly parents and chronically ill brother. As of 18th September, they have $5,801 USD/$35,000

Muhammad Eid and family @maysaayahya85 (fundraiser link) (vetted by association, as explained here)

Muhammad has tragically lost his daughter, Mais, as well as his mother, brother, and his entire family in an airstrike. He and his wife, Maysaa, and two surviving children barely escaped with their lives but are left with severe injuries. They are in desperate need of treatment. As of 18th September, they have €569/€35,000 (only 2 donation in the last 24 hours)

Dr. Husam Farhat and family @drfarhatblog (fundraiser link) (vetted by @el-shab-hussein and @nabulsi #248 in this spreadsheet)

Dr. Farhat is an academic who has recently lost his sisters, Inas and Amal, along with their husbands and children, and his brother Mustafa. The funds will help them to safely evacuate and rebuild their lives in Malaysia, where he has previously pursued his PhD. As of 18th September, they have $9,222 USD/$29,500

Mohammed Abu Zour and family @mohamedabuzoor (fundraiser link) (vetted by The Butterfly Project #503 in their verified campaigns)

Mohammed is a father of three. His wife, Dina has sadly lost the baby she was carrying due to the stress and trauma of war, while his son suffers from hepatitis. His other son suffers severe psychological trauma after they were previously captured and tortured by the military. As of 18th September, they have €1,692/€60,000 (no new donations in the last 24 hours)

Ibrahim Hussein and family @ibrahimhuss (fundraiser link) (unvetted, but organizer has met the family through the Pass The Hat campaign, allied with Operation Olive Branch)

Ibrahim and his wife, Yasmina, are caring for their baby daughter, Maryam and his nephew, Waseem after the death of his sister and husband in October. The extended family includes Yasmina's own family, consisting of her parents and siblings. As of 18th September, they have $45,321 USD/$100,000 (only 3 donations in the last 24 hours)

[skogjeger]

Beginners Can Work With Deities ❁ཻུ۪۪ ━

‧₊˚.  : · •.  * • ˚   . · * ✶   : · •  *   ˚ ✵

As an individual who tries to actively engage with deities and seeks to maintain an ongoing connection in every feasible manner, one concept that has consistently bothered me is: "Beginners can't work with deities." While I understand the importance of guidance and experience in any spiritual journey, the complexity that comes along with the idea of working with deities and more—I firmly believe that beginners should not be discouraged from exploring and developing relationships with deities if they feel called to do so and or being pushed to do so.

A common problem I frequently observe is the spreading of fear within communities regarding certain deities. People are often told that these deities are intimidating, demanding, "horrifying," and can exhibit possessiveness, jealousy, control, or aggression. They are made to believe that skipping a day of worship or neglecting their craft will lead to negative consequences. This narrative is both harmful and completely untrue. It is filled with misinformation and promotes fear-mongering. Moreover, it wrongly restricts a deity's behaviour and portrays higher beings as something to be afraid of, rather than respecting their power and the impact that they do make. Additionally, it perpetuates the notion that the deity is flawless and incapable of making mistakes, despite numerous stories suggesting otherwise. A lot of this can be the fault of our beliefs being heavily Christianized with the "Lord and Servant" dynamic.

Working with deities is a deeply personal and individual journey. Each person's path is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. It is essential to remember that there is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to connecting with the deities. By imposing a blanket statement that beginners should not work with deities, we are effectively restricting their spiritual growth and potential. We all started somewhere. We were all beginners.

I understand the concern about someone's journey and the potential involvement of a "trickster spirit." However, it's important to note that these spirits are easily recognizable, and not everyone believes in them. In fact, such encounters are quite rare! If you've been engaging with deities, symbols, or any associations connected to them, the chances of encountering a "trickster spirit" are highly unlikely. So don't believe everything you hear on TikTok or YouTube and follow your intuition. Also, keep in mind that this belief doesn't just restrict itself to deities, but it could even be with guides.

If you've done a lot of research on a deity that you feel drawn towards then go forward working with them, especially if you feel that there is a connection.

It's worth noting that working with deities is not a requirement. There are witches and pagans who choose not to incorporate deities into their practice or much rather, they may be working with something else or nothing at all. It doesn't make them less of a pagan or a witch or whatever they choose to identify as.

Deity Relationships ❁ཻུ۪۪ ━ 

Practitioners can develop various relationships with deities, such as parent/child, teacher/student, familial, friends, or lovers (although that topic can be discussed separately). The possibilities for a person's connection with a deity are diverse and not limited to a single type of relationship.

𖤣𖥧˚ A healthy relationship with a deity can look like

Mutual Respect: A healthy deity relationship is built upon a foundation of respect. Both the individual and the deity should honour and acknowledge each other's boundaries, beliefs, and values. Respect entails treating the deity as a revered entity while also recognizing one's own worth and agency as an individual.

Clear Communication: Open and consistent communication is vital in a healthy deity relationship. This can involve prayers, rituals, meditation, or any other form of spiritual practice that allows for a genuine connection. Regularly engaging with the deity helps foster a deeper understanding and strengthens the bond between both parties.

Reciprocity and Offerings: Healthy deity relationships often involve an element of reciprocity. Devotees offer their devotion, time, energy, and resources as acts of love and reverence. These offerings can take various forms, such as prayers, rituals, sacrifices, donations, or acts of service. In return, devotees may receive blessings, guidance, and support from the deity.

Boundaries and Consent: Just as in any relationship, it is crucial to respect boundaries and seek consent. Devotees should be mindful of the deity's boundaries and follow established protocols or traditions. It is also important to remember that a deity has agency and can choose to engage or withdraw from the relationship at any time. Just like the devotee. Consent and boundaries foster a healthy and respectful dynamic.

Flexibility and Adaptability: A healthy deity relationship is adaptable to change and growth. As individuals evolve on their spiritual journey, their understanding, needs, and perspectives may shift. Similarly, deities may reveal different aspects of themselves or guide individuals in new directions. Flexibility and openness to these changes contribute to the health and longevity of the relationship.

𖤣𖥧˚ An unhealthy relationship with a deity can look like

Codependency: If the practitioner becomes overly dependent on the deity for every aspect of their life, it can indicate an unhealthy dynamic. Relying solely on the deity for decision-making, guidance, and validation without exercising personal agency and autonomy can lead to an imbalanced relationship.

Lack of Boundaries: Boundaries are essential in any relationship, including deity relationships. If the practitioner disregards their own boundaries or if the deity consistently crosses them, it can result in an unhealthy and potentially harmful connection. Boundaries should be respected and honoured by both parties involved.

Coercion or Manipulation: If the practitioner feels compelled or pressured by the deity to engage in actions or rituals against their will or moral compass, it can indicate an unhealthy dynamic. Deities should not manipulate or force practitioners into obedience or compliance.

Fear or Punitive Beliefs: If the practitioner constantly lives in fear of retribution, punishment, or wrath from the deity, it suggests an unhealthy dynamic. Deities should not be perceived as solely punitive figures, but rather as sources of guidance, support, and compassion.

Loss of Critical Thinking: When a deity relationship discourages critical thinking, questioning, or individual discernment, it can lead to a loss of personal agency and autonomy. An unhealthy dynamic may involve blind obedience or a strict adherence to dogma without room for personal growth or exploration.

Please note that the actions described may not necessarily be attributed to a deity. It could involve the practitioner or other factors at play. This example aims to illustrate an unhealthy relationship between a deity and the practitioner, rather than stating that it will definitely occur.

𖤣𖥧˚ What if a Deity Doesn't Want to Work with You?

If a deity chooses not to work with you, it's important to acknowledge their prerogative. It doesn't mean you are "bad" or "evil." Similar to human relationships, not everyone can be friends, and the same applies to interactions with deities. It's acceptable for deities to decline, just as it is for you to decline to work with them. They won't punish you for your efforts, and they certainly won't punish you for saying no to working with them.

[livingmybestfakelife]

Hate It Or Love It

Felix Catton x Reader

Everything was set up for you, new citizenship, new drivers license, and soon enough a new surname, all of it was ready for you to accept, but you weren’t being quick enough to do it, and your fiancé was becoming impatient.

For the past four years you had enjoyed your uni journey, your mother was nervous about you moving overseas, especially for that long. Your father had made you promise to keep in touch often and update them on your studies and to not let yourself forget about where you came from, he knew that Oxford would have a lot of wealthy students, some of who will be bratty and entitled, and though your family was far from being below the poverty line, your dad being a dentist and your mom an art teacher, your parents income combined still didn’t compare to the ones of most of your schoolmates.

Felix made it known from the very beginning that you were someone that was worth being on his radar, you were different than what he would usually be putting effort into, you were American for one, hailing from Yonkers, New York to be specific. He was confused on how nonchalant you were about the world around you, not being gaga about the fancy school and the students that came with it, how even though you weren’t here on a scholarship, your family was still able to afford for you to attend, they invested in your education from the day you were born and you never had to want for anything. As the years went on so did your relationship with Felix and his friend Oliver, the two were thick as thieves and fiercely loyal to their friendship, as wonderful as that was, you wished you would’ve known that it would also be the cause of your despair.

Your beauty was obvious, your personality was immaculate, it was just as easy to make friends and associates in the UK like you always did in the States, and with that came strong jealousy from Felix, the more you made connections the more he felt like you were forgetting about him, it was something he expressed to Ollie many times. And though he was successful at bringing your attention back to him, this time it was different. During your junior year you had met a fellow American student named Deacon Whittaker, he was also from New York, born and raised in Mount Vernon, the city was close to Yonkers and it made you both excited that even when you graduate and move back to America that you wouldn’t be that far away from one another, your home cities less than twenty minutes apart from one another.

Deacon was handsome, charming and very intelligent, the both of you looked to be the movie star looking power couple if you were his girlfriend instead of Felix’s . Your friendship started slow, you liked the idea of taking time to get to know each other and you managed to make it easy, so easy that you forgotten the ones you met when you moved here existed half of the time. You felt some guilt that you missed some calls, cancelled some planned meet ups and only stayed at Saltburn half of that summer, spending the other half in New York with yours and Deacon’s family, it hurt to see you pack your things and leave him, Felix had a lot of plans thought out and Deacon just had to go and ruin them, it was happening one, two, three too many times for his liking, he had you first, hell even Ollie, Venetia and Farleigh didn’t enjoy you forgetting about them, it would all have to end sooner or later.

By the time your senior year finally rolled around he had finally broke, he could no longer keep up the fake smiles and forced handshakes with Deacon, you were his girl, his one true love, the one person he’d give up everything for if it made you happy, now was the perfect time.

You and Deacon were coming back from your weekend in Edinburgh, you spent it there with some mutual friends from Oxford and now you’re ready to settle back into your dorms, but before you could his car unexpectedly got pulled over, after being asked for his license, Deacon asked what was the reason for the stop, he was sure he was following the traffic laws and knew he did anything else wrong, that was when the cop told him to step out of the car, he asked again in confusion what the issue was, that only pissed the officer off and made him open his door his door and practically drag him out.

“Hey! What is the problem? I didn’t do anything!”

“SHUT UP”

That’s when you got out of the car, you haven’t been this afraid in a good while

“Officer please what is the issue? He was being compliant!”

He ignored you and put him in the back of the police vehicle, all of your questions fell on deaf ears to him, he spoke to you as if you were some sort of victim, you didn’t understand where all of this was coming from.

After what felt like ages, a familiar vehicle pulled up beside the both of you, and when the windows were rolled down you saw not one but two people who you couldn’t understand would even be here.

“Felix?….Ollie? What’s going on?”

“Officer Jennings, thank you for your help”

“No problem Mr. Catton”

You rushed over to him “Felix! Please talk to him, he has Deacon in the back of his car in cuffs like a violent criminal, he didn’t do anything and he won’t tell me why he arrested him!”

He let out a heavy exhale and stepped out of the car along with Ollie following behind, he had a woeful expression and reached out to try to bring you into his car but you jerked away.

“Felix, what is going on? Let go of me!”

“What’s going on is that Deacon nicked some very valuable items from Saltburn, over a million pounds worth” Ollie said

“W-what? No no no he didn’t it’s no way”

Officer Jennings walked up behind you “It’s true Ms. YLN, we have strong evidence that while Mr. Whittaker visited Saltburn with you two months ago, he stole some valuable antiquities and heirlooms and attempted to sell them at some auction houses”

You looked back towards Felix “Please Felix, you know that isn’t true, he wouldn’t do this”

“He would if my family says he did”

“W-what?”

It was Ollie’s turn to elaborate some more.

“Come on YN you’re smarter than this”

“Felix, you can’t do this, you know this isn’t right!”

“It’s your choice YN, you know that Felix will always give you some say in your life…what’s it going to be? You end your friendship with Deacon cutting absolutely all ties with him and we all go back to who we once were, or your mate will have the book thrown at him, what’s it going to be?”

You broke down and cried while trying to talk some sense into the both of them, you knew Felix was envious of your connection to Deacon, but you never expected it to go this far, to use his status to ruin an innocent person’s life and reputation, he could be petty, but this was just plain evil.

“Felix….please”

“You heard what Ollie said sweetheart, what’s your decision?”

You looked over to see Deacon with an expression of both anger and grief, he wanted to bust out of the cuffs, jump out of the car and beat Felix Catton to a bloody pulp, but that could only be achieved in his wildest dreams, in reality he was one of many victims who would feel the wrath of Felix’s jealously and entitlement, you were it for him, and he’d be damned if he let anyone interfere with his plans for your future together.

“Okay Felix, alright, it’s over okay, I’m yours” you stand on the tips of your toes to peck his lips to really butter him up, you needed this to work, you couldn’t let your friend’s life to be ruined over this.

“That’s my sweet girl, I knew you’d put me first”

He gave you the sloppiest kiss, making sure it was in eyesight of your dear friend who ended up looking away in anger, once he finally pulled away he out and arm over your shoulder and guided you to the passenger side while Ollie sat in the back seat.

Officer Jennings let Deacon go while Felix slowly drove off, making it obvious that he was rubbing it in that there was nothing he can do to stop this, a tear rolled down your cheek as you made a silent final goodbye to him and the car made a bit of speed up the road and out of the area.

“Don’t be upset YN, we’re just helping you keep your promise to your dad to not forget where you came from” Ollie said behind you, you silently shudder at his voice and continue to look out the window, dreading your journey back with your fiancé and one the best friends you dared to neglect.