#1800 Act of Union

[stairnaheireann]

#OTD in 1803 – Irish Rebellion of 1803 | Following an explosion at his arms depot on this date, Robert Emmet brings forward his planned rebellion in Dublin to 23 July.

The glorious failure of the 1798 rebellion had a profound impact on the young Robert Emmet. He romanticised the nationalist ideals held by the organisers, as demonstrated by an ode he wrote to them: “And those who were laid at rest Oh! Hallowed be each name; Their memories are forever blest – Consigned to endless fame.” Today there are many reminders of Robert Emmet’s 1803 Rebellion in Dublin,…

[thesunsethour]

little bits of irish history for curious hozier fans: street signs edition

Do you love the song Butchered Tongue? Pay attention to these lines here:

So, may I draw your attention to the The Official Languages Act 2003 (Section 9) Regulations 2008 (S.I. No. 391 of 2008).

ok stay with me

In 2008, the Irish government passed legislation that made it mandatory for road signs in Ireland to have both Irish (Gaeilge) AND English names on them (or, in Gaeltacht areas where Gaeilge is still the first language, only in Irish). Here’s an example:

The Irish, or Gaeilge, is always above the English and italicised. This is because that while Gaeilge and English are both official languages of Ireland, Gaeilge is the ‘first’ official language

However, while it was technically only legislated in 2008, bilingual road sings in Ireland had been extremely common for decades prior to it officially being made law. In fact, the first bilingual signs date back to the early 20th century - before our independence from Britain!

In Tom Spalding’s book Layers: The Design, History and Meaning of Public Street Signage in Cork and Other Irish Cities, he found that the first recorded bilingual street sign was in Blackrock, Dublin (An Charraig Dhubh, Baile Átha Cliath). Their local council in 1901 rolled out yellow and black bilingual road sings as part of the Gaelic Revival.

The Gaeilc Revical was a period of time in Irish history that saw a huge resurgence of Gaelic art, sport, and language. Literature was written by Irish people about Irish history, current affairs, and folklore. Traditional Irish music was learned and played again. Gaelic games (Gaelic football and Hurling) spread across the country. And Gaeilge, our language, was to experience an incredible revival.

Despite Ireland’s long colonial history, Gaeilge actually remained the majority tongue until the early 19th century. However, a combination of teachers beating children for speaking it at school, the genocide of the famine wiping out mainly poorer communities more likely to speak Gaeilge, and the knowledge that speaking English unfortunately provided more opportunities than Gaeilge, the language was almost killed off. (This is shown most clearly after the 1800 Act of Union that meant Ireland was ruled directly from London, with no parliament in Dublin).

Although these maps make for grim viewing, Irish is so very far from dead. Our children learn it from the ages of 4-18 in school (though I believe it can and should be taught better, but I digress). Gaeltacht communities are still going strong particularly in the west of the country. There are more Irish-language schools (gaelscoileanna) than ever before.

And every day as we pass by road signs that display Gaeilge proudly, it is as a result of decades, centuries of people refusing to stop speaking our mother tongue despite incredible violence.

I am far from a fluent Irish speaker, despite my 14 years of learning the language in school. But what Gaeilge I have, I have proudly.

(The work isn’t over, however. I do not feel knowledgeable enough to speak on Northern Irish efforts to implement more widespread bilingual signage but anyone who wishes to share some info please do!!)

[frogayyyy]

ok post cancelled i found the source

from 'Hay Any Worke for Cooper' written by Martin Marprelate (pseud.) published in March 1589 (google books says 1641 but that's wrong)

from wikipedia: "the Marprelate Controversy was a war of pamphlets waged in England and Wales in 1588 and 1589, between a puritan writer who employed the pseudonym Martin Marprelate, and defenders of the Church of England....

...Martin's tracts are characterised by mockery of Anglican dignitaries and satire against the corruptions of the Church of England. The style is 'a heady mixture of nonsense, satire, protest, irony and gossip', combined with pungent wit, 'full of the language of the street'....

...It now appeared to some of the ecclesiastical authorities that the only way to silence Martin was to have him attacked in his own railing style, and accordingly certain writers of ready wit, among them John Lyly, Thomas Nashe and Robert Greene, were secretly commissioned to answer the pamphlets."

so actually it's more like

a puritan, in 1589: pyhyhyhy XD fuck bishops

john lyly, probably: please that is so early 1580s #CofEforever

someone in the 1590s: pyhyhyhyhyhy XD

shakespeare, probably: please that is so 1580s lol

[dark-rx]

50 Times US Conservatives Were on the Wrong Side of History

As you read this post, keep in mind today's Conservative moments hold all the same views. We are actively seeing them rolling back many of these movements in real time.

Slavery (Before the Civil War) – Southern conservatives staunchly defended slavery as a vital part of the economy and way of life.

The Civil War (1861-1865) – Conservatives in the South fought to preserve slavery, leading to a bloody conflict that devastated the nation.

Reconstruction (1865-1877) – Southern conservatives resisted Reconstruction efforts to grant rights and protections to freed slaves.

Jim Crow Laws (Late 1800s-1960s) – Southern conservatives fought to maintain racial segregation and disenfranchise Black Americans.

The Women's Suffrage Movement (Late 1800s-1920) – Conservative politicians and groups actively opposed women's right to vote.

The New Deal (1930s) – Conservative elites opposed Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal programs, which sought to alleviate poverty and economic inequality during the Great Depression.

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 – Many conservative Southern politicians opposed this landmark legislation to end racial segregation and discrimination.

Voting Rights Act of 1965 – Conservative lawmakers opposed this bill, which aimed to eliminate racial discrimination in voting practices.

Brown v. Board of Education (1954) – Conservative politicians and groups in the South opposed the Supreme Court decision that declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional.

Desegregation of Public Schools (1950s-1960s) – Southern conservatives resisted federally mandated school desegregation.

The Equal Rights Amendment (1970s) – Conservative groups, such as the “STOP ERA” campaign, fought against equal rights for women, fearing the ERA would undermine traditional gender roles.

The Fight for LGBTQ+ Rights (Late 20th Century-Present) – Conservative groups have long opposed LGBTQ+ rights, including the fight for marriage equality.

Roe v. Wade (1973) – Conservatives, particularly religious groups, staunchly opposed a woman’s right to choose abortion.

Desegregation Busing (1970s) – Conservative politicians and parents opposed busing programs designed to integrate public schools.

The Vietnam War (1955-1975) – Many conservatives supported the war, which ultimately became widely seen as a failure and a quagmire that led to significant loss of life.

The Fight for Minimum Wage Increases – Conservative politicians have repeatedly opposed efforts to raise the federal minimum wage.

The Fight for Healthcare Reform – Conservative opposition to healthcare reforms such as the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) has been widespread, arguing against universal healthcare solutions.

The Fair Housing Act (1968) – Southern conservatives opposed the Fair Housing Act, which aimed to eliminate discrimination in housing practices.

Social Security (1935) – Conservative figures opposed the creation of Social Security, a key part of the American welfare system.

Unions and Labor Rights – Conservative forces have historically opposed labor unions and workers' rights, fighting against collective bargaining and labor protections.

Women's Reproductive Rights – Beyond Roe v. Wade, conservatives have opposed various efforts to expand reproductive rights and healthcare access.

Opposition to the Affordable Care Act (2010) – Conservative groups strongly opposed the ACA, claiming it was too costly and that it represented an overreach of government power.

The Fight for Immigrant Rights – Conservatives have historically supported harsh immigration policies, including the criminalization of undocumented immigrants.

The Fight for Environmental Protection – Conservative groups have often downplayed the importance of environmental protections and climate change action, opposing measures to regulate pollution.

The LGBTQ+ Military Ban – Conservatives in the 1990s supported the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, which restricted openly LGBTQ+ individuals from serving in the military.

The War on Drugs – Conservative policies contributed to mass incarceration, disproportionately affecting Black and Latino communities, without addressing the root causes of drug addiction.

The Fight for Marriage Equality – Conservative figures and groups consistently opposed same-sex marriage, including a federal ban that was eventually overturned by the Supreme Court.

Opposition to Public Health Measures – During the COVID-19 pandemic, conservative politicians downplayed public health guidelines, including wearing masks and social distancing, resulting in higher rates of transmission and death.

The GI Bill (1944) – While the bill benefited millions of veterans, conservative opposition in some areas limited access for Black veterans.

The Civil Rights Movement (1950s-1960s) – Conservative politicians and law enforcement were often hostile to civil rights leaders and protests, including opposition to Martin Luther King Jr. and the March on Washington.

Opposition to the Equal Pay Act (1963) – Conservative figures initially opposed equal pay legislation for women, arguing it would interfere with market forces.

The Fight for Workers' Rights – Conservatives frequently oppose stronger labor protections, such as paid sick leave and vacation days.

The Immigration Act of 1965 – Conservative figures fought against the Immigration and Nationality Act, which removed racially discriminatory quotas in U.S. immigration law.

The American with Disabilities Act (1990) – Conservative politicians opposed the ADA, which required accessibility and anti-discrimination protections for disabled individuals.

The Fair Labor Standards Act – Many conservative leaders fought against the legislation that set minimum wage laws and restrictions on child labor.

The Equal Education Opportunity Act – Conservatives have often resisted efforts to provide equal educational opportunities for students of color and students with disabilities.

Opposition to Gun Control – Conservative gun-rights groups and politicians have opposed various gun control measures, even in the face of increasing gun violence.

Opposition to Federal Civil Rights Laws – Conservative Southern Democrats and Republicans historically fought against federal civil rights legislation, including the Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act.

The Family and Medical Leave Act (1993) – Conservative lawmakers were opposed to the idea of paid family leave and medical leave programs.

The Immigration Reform and Control Act (1986) – Although this was a compromise bill, conservative opposition to more comprehensive immigration reform has persisted.

The Clean Water Act (1972) – Conservatives resisted environmental protections for water systems, which led to more pollution and harmful practices for public health.

The Clean Air Act – Conservative opposition to the regulation of air pollution and emissions has undermined efforts to protect public health and the environment.

Efforts to Address Climate Change – Conservative skepticism about climate science has led to inaction on reducing carbon emissions and transitioning to renewable energy.

The War on Women’s Health – Conservative policies aimed at restricting women’s access to contraception, abortion, and reproductive health services have been widely criticized.

Civil Rights for Indigenous Peoples – Conservative opposition to Native American land rights and sovereignty has led to continued struggles for indigenous communities.

The Fairness Doctrine – Conservative media figures fought the repeal of the Fairness Doctrine in the 1980s, which allowed for more partisan and biased media coverage.

Opposition to Immigration Reform (2000s-Present) – Conservative politicians have opposed comprehensive immigration reform, often focusing on border security rather than addressing root causes or offering a path to citizenship.

Opposition to Scientific Research on Gun Violence – Conservatives have historically blocked research into gun violence and its causes, impeding evidence-based policy solutions.

Opposition to Universal Basic Income – Conservatives have resisted proposals for UBI, fearing that it might incentivize laziness and undermine capitalism.

Opposition to Reparations for Slavery – Many conservatives oppose reparations for African Americans as compensation for slavery and the ongoing impacts of systemic racism, arguing that it’s impractical or unfair.

There is not a single Fascist government in all of history who didn't make economic progress on the backs of mass repressions and/or murder.

This is the moment we are at in history.

The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. - Henry David Thoreau

How will history remember you? Will history remember you?

[presidentstalkeyes]

Pines Family Headcanons (Take 2)

I know I already did something like this, but that was a while ago and my headcanons have evolved since then, and my fixation brain is in Pines mode again so here we go! (Mostly focused on the Mystery Twins but with some attention to the older generations scattered about)

Past:

The first member of the Pines family to arrive in America in the 1800s was Gabriel Penzak, a Sephardic Jew from somewhere in the Balkans. His last name was changed to Pines at Ellis Island, and his family later assimilated into the majority-Ashkenazi Jewish community in New Jersey. He was the father of Elmer Pines and grandfather of Filbrick.

Filbrick was the youngest of four brothers (the others were Philip, Fillmore and Fulton). He was the 'weakest' of the four, compensating with his intellect and business sense. He was also born with highly sensitive eyesight - flashes of light would blind him for hours - requiring dark glasses later in life.

His eyesight also meant he was passed over for the draft in WWII. Since all three of his brothers died in the war, this possibly saved his life. As a young man, he operated and maintained film projectors at a traveling carnival, under a boss who taught him many tricks (and bore a resentment towards 'freak show' acts, viewing them as talentless). It was here he met - and accidentally impregnated - his future wife Caryn.

Caryn Romanoff's parents were Pavel, a grizzled sailor, and Tanya, a fortune-teller - both Ukrainian Jews who fled to America to escape persecution from Stalin's Soviet Union. She also had two siblings - older brother Dimitri, a troublemaker and later hatchet-man for the Mafia (never a made man due to his non-Italian ancestry, but close enough for his family to disown him) and little sister Shprintze, who was married three times and had five children in total, all of them named after Roman emperors (except for her only daughter Cleopatra).

Filbrick and Caryn's first son was Shermie, born in 1947. Their second sons, Stanford and Stanley, came 8 years later in 1954. Shermie was a star athlete in high school and always kinda distant from his little brothers, in addition to being Filbrick's obvious favourite. Also a notorious flirt and brought many girls back to the pawn shop (and distracting Stanford from his homework with the resulting noises), and tattled on Stanley for bringing a possum into the store, forcing him to let Shanklin go. Was later drafted into the Vietnam War in the 60s, missing out on Stan's eviction from the house. When he returned from the war, the first thing he did after finding out he was a brother short was to track down Ford and deck him in the face.

While in Hawaii on R&R, Shermie started a relationship with a local waitress called Wikiola Kale. After getting pregnant with his daughter, Wikiola got a plane ticket all the way to NJ to ask Shermie's parents to look after the child, being too poor to raise a child herself. Filbrick almost slammed the door in her face until Caryn intervened. The baby - Louise - was the one in Caryn's arms the night Stan was kicked out.

Louise Pines first grew up in Glass Shard, then moved to L.A. after her dad married a rich businesswoman called Fiona Safesmith (the relationship with Wikiola having not worked out). Fiona was a less-than-ideal stepmom, trying to force her daughter to go into acting and disparaging her interest in DD&D and mystery novels. She also cheated on her husband after an old war injury acted up and he lost the use of his legs, and later went to prison for tax fraud.

Louise would later get a degree in criminology and met a computer geek, amateur ufologist and 'radical cool dude' called Emile Sauvageon (who ran away from a strict, isolated religious family). They started a relationship and had twins in 1999: Mason and Mabel.

Present:

Dipper and Mabel's full names are Mason Emile Pines and Mabel Louise Pines, respectively.

Lou and Em only moved to Piedmont on Shermie's recommendation (and with his money). They would regularly clash with their neighbours for their 'weird' habits (and refusing to maintain their lawn). They considered themselves the arch-enemies of the local HWA.

Em worked at a fancy silicon valley tech start-up, while Lou was a private investigator (the boring realistic kind that mostly deals with insurance fraud and the occasional adulterer).

When he was little, Emile used to wow his son with stories about he was secretly an awesome space pirate with a cosmic ancestry, evidenced by Dipper's birthmark. And Dipper believed him. Really believed him. When his dad finally told him the truth, he did not take it well. Dipper also butted heads with his mom a lot over the existence of the supernatural - she would encourage him to examine things rather than blindly accept them, but he'd often think she was just doubting him for no reason. In short, he had some trust issues with his parents.

Dipper did have some friends in elementary school, but most of them moved away, and in middle school he alienated his fellow nerds after he was kicked out of the tabletop gaming club for being too rules lawyer-y. The resulting slump also lead to him falling behind on band practice.

Mabel is asexual and aromantic, but didn't realize it until much later. Finding she was drifting apart from her friends, she wrongfully attributed it to not having a crush (in truth they simply started to see her as immature and embarassing to be around - you know how kids can get :V). Not wanting to be 'left behind', she dedicated the summer in Gravity Falls to getting a romance as 'proof' that she was a totally grown-up big gal now (while her only reference material were 80s animated comedies and age-inappropriate romance novels).

Mabel very nearly didn't get to go to Gravity Falls at all - she was in danger of being forced to go to summer school due to poor grades (unlike her brother - and like her Grunkle Stan - she experienced great difficulty with any subject involving figures and rote memorization, especially math, the sciences, and computer studies). Only a week of late-night cram sessions spared her from this fate.

Contributing to the above, she also suffered from a form of anterograde amnesia - she would easily forget things that happened just the day before - sometimes even less - until presented with a reminder, usually in the form of an object or person, often her brother. She originally started scrapbooking to help her remember things. This wasn't diagnosed until a year after that summer.

Dipper was in the Boy Scouts in 2011. He hated the experience, camping out in the woods with no games or books, not relating to the other boys and resenting being ordered around by his hardass ex-army Scoutmaster. But he did get a merit badge in astro-navigation, so that's something.

Mabel had a brief stint in the Girl Scouts as well. She quit after an attempt to sell cookies somehow ended with her troop being chased out of a neighbourhood by a knife-wielding maniac in a bathrobe. To this day she's only told Dipper the full story.

One time, Dipper watched Small Soldiers and subsequently destroyed all his action figures checking them for military control chips. He was also banned from Chuck E. Cheese after his 7th birthday when he checked the animatronics for anything suspicious and made Pasquale's head fall off in front of everyone (on the same trip, Mabel tried to get the animatronic band freed from their exploitative contract so they could pursue their true musical potential).

One of Mabel's favourite movies is Rocky IV. For a long time she genuinely believed that's how the Cold War ended and was very disappointed to learn that wasn't the case.

Mabel had a bug-catching phase when she was 10, spurred on by all the creepy-crawlies that would nest in their unmaintained lawn. She'd catch bugs in jars and invite them to have tea and review movies with her. This came to an end after one of the jars smashed and released fireflies all over the house. She was finding descendants of Francisco the Firefly living in the basement as late as 2014.

Lou and Em were not getting divorced - they merely had a fight about paying off their mortgage after Em lost his job, and Dipper simply overreacted and assumed the worst. They sent the kids away that summer while they got their affairs in order. In the end, they had to sell the house and move into a cheaper apartment in Oakland.

Future:

When they first returned from Gravity Falls, the twins' grades took a nosedive as they had difficulty re-adjusting to mundane life, experiencing frequent traumatic episodes and refusing to follow instructions. Their parents had to be called in multiple times after both twins got into a fight in the hallway because another kid made up some dumb rumour that they'd joined a cult or had been abused by their 'creepy uncle', or were just faking their episodes for attention. They were only spared mandatory counseling thanks to emergency 'how to pretend to be normal' coaching from the Grunks.

Dipper has to start wearing glasses a few months after leaving Gravity Falls. Mabel of course made fun of this, thinking that only the male Pineses turn short-sighted (and forgetting about her mom). She had to start wearing glasses at 16, to which Dipper only replied by smugly grinning at her.

In high school, Mabel started a knitting club, which ended up being the most popular club in school - mostly because she insisted that it was a safe space for anyone, and anyone who tried anything funny would have their lives made hell. In her clubroom, nerds, preps, goths and jocks sat side-by-side in peace.

Mabel also took up sports, especially wrestling, becoming captain of the girls' wrestling team by Junior year. She took up a high-protein diet to build her strength - this combined with a childhood spent binging candy finally catching up to her lead to her putting on a lot of weight. By adulthood she's developed what she calls a 'sumo bod' - chubby, but strong (and great for hugs).

Meanwhile, Dipper took up track and gymnastics while regularly going to the gym - to the shock of everyone, as getting pre-Gravity Falls Dipper to exercise was like pulling teeth. If he was gonna have to brave another apocalypse, he didn't want to be saddled with noodle arms. By his 20s, the combination of his 'baby face' with his square jaw and muscular body has attracted a good amount of attention from girls (and boys) - attention he is alternately mildly perturbed by or totally oblivious to.

Dipper also devoted extra effort to his art skills, hoping to achieve the same level as Ford. Sometimes he'd climb up onto rooftops to get a good view of the landscape to draw, and then add a completely gratuitous monster because why not?

Despite his best efforts, Dipper was never able to overcome Mabel's height advantage. In fact, in their teen years she gained a few extra inches on him.

Dipper still regularly wears hats even as an adult - though he's no longer self-conscious about his birthmark, he's been wearing hats for so long it feels weird not to. It's like his 'thing' - Mabel has her sweaters, he has his hats.

Past his school years, Dipper mostly goes by Mason, especially with strangers - 'Dipper' is reserved for friends and family.

Dipper got a doctorate in forensic science at college, and also interned at a coroner's office. He also did some work as a runner on a film set, but the experience at the Used To Be About History Channel soured him on show business. Instead, after getting his doctorate he decided to take up Ford's offer to apprentice under him from years before, hoping to become a paranormal investigator in his own right (incidentally, Candy Chiu took the same offer, and now they work together).

Mabel went to college too, but didn't particularly want to, only going because she felt pressured. She ended up dropping out after the first year and still feels aimless, not knowing what to do with her life. She currently still lives with her parents and has a decently fulfilling job at an independent haberdashery (sweaters will always be there for her), but she's not sure that's what she wants to do.

Both twins are adored by Soos and Melody's 6-year-old kids (also twins) - they're considered honourary Uncle DipDip and Aunt MayMay.

When he turned 16, Soos gave Dipper his old truck - as much as he liked it, he can't exactly stick his kids in the cargo bay. Mabel meanwhile drives the Mabel-Mobile, an old Soviet military van painted pink with a huge shooting star mural, plus a liberal amount of graffitti and bumper stickers. Where she got it remains a mystery - not even she seems to remember.

Mabel has a serious weakness for booze. She experimented a lot with various substances during her brief time at college, but cocktails really stuck. When she's drunk, she tends to shift between giddy and sentimental, grumpy and ranty, and depressed and regretful. You know she's had too much when she starts singing about 'Lady Apocalypse'.

Dipper never got as into that stuff himself, but he was introduced to weed by Wendy, relying on it to calm his anxieties during exam season. He's currently trying to wean himself off it by means of alternate herbal cigarettes.

Waddles had to be sent back to Gravity Falls after a few years, since he rapidly grew too big to keep at Piedmont. He currently lives in a lean-to next to the Shack that Soos built. He still regularly sees Gompers, to Mabel's delight.

Wendy also got both twins into tattoos, convincing Mabel to get a huge shooting star on her upper right arm. For her 18th birthday she also got a special pair of tats on the forearms - a pair of arrows with the right marked 'Fasten In Case Of Hug!'. Dipper was reluctant at first, but caved when Mabel designed him a 'pine tree heart' emblem, which he wears on his right shoulder.

Both twins are in a special 'Never Mind All That' group chat, along with almost everyone else in the Zodiac, plus Candy and Grenda (but not Gideon). Mabel had the idea for a 'hotline' of sorts that they could message whenever the old post-apocalypse trauma started acting up - knowing from experience how important is to have people to remind you they're there.

Every year on the anniversary of the end of Weirdmageddon, both twins visit Bill's petrified body, and scribble tally marks on his face - one for each year, alternating between Dipper's blue marker and Mabel's pink one (this is something I've already mentioned elsewhere but I felt like it deserved to be at the end. :P)

[robertreich]

From Robber Barons to Bezos: Is History Repeating Itself?

Ultra-wealthy elites…Political corruption…Vast inequality…

These problems aren’t new — in the late 1800s they dominated the country during America’s first Gilded Age.

We overcame these abuses back then, and we can do it again.

Mark Twain coined the moniker “The Gilded Age” in his 1873 novel to describe the era in American history characterized by corruption and inequality that was masked by a thin layer of prosperity for a select few.

The end of the 19th century and start of the 20th marked a time of great invention — bustling railroads, telephones, motion pictures, electricity, automobiles — which changed American life forever.

But it was also an era of giant monopolies — oil, railroad, steel, finance — run by a small group of men who had grown rich beyond anything America had ever seen.

They were known as “robber barons” because they ran competitors out of business, exploited workers, charged customers exorbitant prices, and lived like royalty as a result.

Money consumed politics. Robber barons and their lackeys donated bundles of cash to any lawmaker willing to do bidding on their behalf. And when lobbying wasn’t enough, the powerful turned to bribery — resulting in some of the most infamous political scandals in American history.

The gap between the rich and poor in America reached astronomical levels. Large numbers of Americans lived in squalor.

Anti-immigrant sentiment raged, leading to the enactment of racist laws to restrict immigration. And voter suppression, largely aimed at Black men who had recently won the right to vote, was rampant.

The era was also marked by dangerous working conditions. Children often as young as 10, but sometimes younger, worked brutal hours in sweatshops. Workers trying to organize labor unions were attacked and killed.

It seemed as if American capitalism was out of control, and American democracy couldn’t do anything about it because it was bought and paid for by the rich.

But Americans were fed up, and they demanded reform. Many took to the streets in protest.

Investigative journalists, often called “muckrakers” then, helped amplify their cries by exposing what was occurring throughout the country.

And a new generation of political leaders rose to end the abuses.

Politicians like Teddy Roosevelt, who warned that, “a small class of enormously wealthy and economically powerful men, whose chief object is to hold and increase their power,” could destroy American democracy.

After becoming president in 1901, Roosevelt used the Sherman Antitrust Act to break up dozens of powerful corporations, including the giant Northern Securities Company which had come to dominate railroad transportation through a series of mergers.

Seeking to limit the vast fortunes that were creating a new American aristocracy, Congress enacted a progressive income tax through the 16th Amendment, as well as two wealth taxes.

The first wealth tax, in 1916, was the estate tax — a tax on the wealth someone accumulated during their lifetime, paid by the heirs who inherited it. The second tax on wealth, enacted in 1922, was a capital gains tax — a tax on the increased value of assets, paid when those assets were sold.

The reformers of the Gilded Age also stopped corporations from directly giving money to politicians or political candidates.

And then Teddy Roosevelt’s fifth cousin — you may have heard of him — continued the work through his New Deal programs — creating Social Security, unemployment insurance, a 40-hour workweek, and requiring that employers bargain in good faith with labor unions.

But following the death of FDR and the end of World War II, when America was building the largest middle class the world had ever seen — we seemed to forget about the abuses of the Gilded Age.

Now, more than a century later, America has entered a second Gilded Age.

It is also a time of extraordinary invention.

And a time when monopolies are taking over vast swathes of the economy, so we must renew antitrust enforcement to bust up powerful companies.

Now, another generation of robber barons is accumulating unprecedented money and power. So once again, we must tax these exorbitant fortunes.  

Wealthy individuals and big corporations are once again paying off lawmakers, sending them billions to conduct their political campaigns, even giving luxurious gifts to Supreme Court justices. So we need to protect our democracy from Big Money, just as we did before.

Voter suppression runs rampant in the states as during the first Gilded Age, making it harder for people of color to participate in what’s left of our democracy. So it’s once again critical to defend and expand voting rights.

Working people are once again being exploited and abused, child labor is returning, unions are busted, the poor are again living in unhealthy conditions, homelessness is on the rise, and the gap between the ultra-rich and everyone else is nearly as large as in the first Gilded Age. So once again we need to protect the rights of workers to organize, invest in social safety nets, and revive guardrails to protect against the abuses of great wealth and power.

The question now is the same as it was at the start of the 20th century: Will we fight for an economy and a democracy that works for all rather than the few?

We’ve done it before. We can — and must — do it again.

[whencyclopedia]

The Aftermath of Nat Turner's Insurrection by John W. Cromwell

John Wesley Cromwell (l. 1846-1927) was an African American civil rights activist, educator, historian, journalist, and lawyer who wrote extensively on slave revolts, especially Nat Turner's Rebellion of 1831. Drawing on primary sources, Cromwell wrote The Aftermath of Nat Turner's Insurrection, published in 1920. The article focuses on the immediate effects of the revolt and its legacy.

Nat Turner's Rebellion

Unknown Artist (Public Domain)

Between 21-23 August 1831, Nat Turner (l. 1800-1831), an educated slave and lay preacher in Southampton County, Virginia, led the deadliest slave rebellion in US history, killing c. 55-65 White people (Cromwell puts the number at 61) before the revolt was put down. Turner escaped capture on 23 August, when his band was defeated by state militia at the Belmont Plantation, and then eluded a manhunt until he was discovered by the farmer Benjamin Phipps on 30 October and delivered to jail in Jerusalem, the county seat, on the 31st. He was tried on 5 November, found guilty, and hanged on 11 November 1831.

While in jail, Turner was interviewed by the attorney T. R. Gray (l. c. 1800-1834), who was not his legal counsel but only an interested party, and Gray's transcript was published in November 1831 as The Confessions of Nat Turner, which became a bestseller. In the Confessions, Turner discusses the inspiration for the revolt and the murders of the citizens of Southampton County once the rebellion was launched. Cromwell adds another dimension to the story by focusing on events in Southampton (and other regions) between 23 August, when the revolt was crushed, and 11 November when Turner was hanged.

The immediate aftermath of Nat Turner's Rebellion (also known as the Southampton Insurrection) was an attack on the Black community – in Southampton and elsewhere – as White citizens feared a large-scale uprising which, they thought, Turner was only one part of.

Cromwell, in describing and explaining the retaliation of the White community, notes the panic that gripped slave-holding states after Turner's revolt and how no one actually knew what was going on or what might come next until Turner's capture and subsequent confession. One of T. R. Gray's stated objectives in publishing the Confessions, in fact, was to assure the White community that Turner had acted alone and there was no need to fear a larger conspiracy of rebel leaders among the slave population. Almost 100 years later, Cromwell's piece describes exactly what that fear looked like and how it was expressed in violence directed at Black people, both slave and free.

John Wesley Cromwell

Simmons & Turner (Public Domain)

Cromwell was a prominent figure in 19th- and 20th-century America, well-versed in history and an eloquent writer and speaker. Editors John B. Duff and Peter M. Mitchell, introducing his piece in their The Nat Turner Rebellion: The Historical Event and the Modern Controversy, write:

John Wesley Cromwell was born a slave in Portsmouth, Virginia . After his father had earned the family's freedom, young Cromwell attended a private school for Negroes in Philadelphia. After teaching in Pennsylvania, he opened a school in Virginia and played a prominent role in the reconstruction politics of the state. Among other activities, Cromwell organized the Union League Clubs, was a member of the jury empaneled to try Jefferson Davis, and served in the Virginia Constitutional Convention, 1867-1868. Subsequently, he practiced law, edited a weekly newspaper, and taught in the public schools of the District of Columbia.

(97)

Having experienced slavery firsthand, Cromwell is sympathetic to Turner's cause and the event itself while acknowledging that, initially at least, the Turner Rebellion did far more harm than good to the Black community of Southampton County and elsewhere. Still, as Cromwell notes, Turner's Revolt also drew greater attention to the "peculiar institution" of slavery, riled up the abolitionists, and contributed to the growing tensions between slave states and free states that would eventually erupt in the American Civil War (1861-1865) and, finally, result in the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment and the end of slavery in the United States.

Text

The following excerpt from John Wesley Cromwell's The Aftermath of Nat Turner's Insurrection (first published in Journal of Negro History 5, April, 1920) is taken from The Nat Turner Rebellion: The Historical Event and the Modern Controversy, edited by John B. Duff and Peter M. Mitchell, pp. 97-112. It has been edited for space; omissions are indicated by ellipses.

A reign of terror followed in Virginia. Labor was paralyzed, plantations abandoned, women and children were driven from home and crowded into nooks and corners. The sufferings of many of these refugees, who spent night after night in the woods, were intense. Retaliation began. In a little more than one day, 120 Negroes were killed. The newspapers of the time contained from day to day indignant protests against the cruelties perpetrated. One individual boasted that he himself had killed between ten and fifteen Negroes. Volunteer whites rode in all directions visiting plantations. Negroes were tortured to death, burned, maimed, and subjected to nameless atrocities. Slaves who were distrusted were pointed out and, if they endeavored to escape, they were ruthlessly shot down.

A few individual instances will show the nature and extent of this vengeance. "A party of horsemen started from Richmond with the intention of killing every colored person they saw in Southampton County. They stopped opposite the cabin of a free colored man who was hoeing in his little field. They called out, 'Is this Southampton County?' He replied, 'Yes, Sir, you have just crossed the line, by yonder tree.' They shot him dead and rode on."

A slaveholder went to the woods accompanied by a faithful slave, who had been the means of saving his master's life during the insurrection. When they reached a retired place in the forest, the man handed his gun to his master, informing him that he could not live a slave any longer, and requested either to free him or shoot him on the spot. The master took the gun, in some trepidation, leveled it at the faithful Negro, and shot him through the heart.

But these outrages were not limited to the Negro population…An Englishman, named Robinson, was engaged in selling books at Petersburg. An alarm being given one night that five hundred blacks were marching against the town, he stood guard with others at the bridge. After the panic had a little subsided, he happened to make the remark that the blacks, as men, were entitled to their freedom and ought to be emancipated. This led to great excitement and the man was warned to leave town. He took passage in the stagecoach, but the vehicle was intercepted. He then fled to a friend's home, but the house was broken open and he was dragged forth. The civil authorities informed of the affair refused to intervene. The mob stripped him, gave him a considerable number of lashes, and sent him on foot naked under a hot sun to Richmond, whence he, with difficulty, found passage to New York.

Believing that Nat Turner's insurrection was a general conspiracy, the people throughout the State were highly excited. . The revolt was subdued, however, before these troops could be placed in action and about all they accomplished thereafter was the terrifying of Negroes who had taken no part in the insurrection and the immolation of others who were suspected.

Sixty-one white persons were killed. Not a Negro was slain in any of the encounters led by Turner. Fifty-three Negroes were apprehended and arraigned. Seventeen of the insurrectionists were convicted, and executed, twelve convicted and transported, ten acquitted, seven discharged, and four sent on to the Superior Court. Four of those convicted and transported were boys. There were brought to trial only four free Negroes, one of whom was discharged and three held for subsequent trial were finally executed. It is said that they were given a decent burial.

The news of the Southampton Insurrection thrilled the whole country, North as well as South. The newspapers teemed with the accounts of it. Rumors of similar outbreaks prevailed all over the State of Virginia and throughout the South. There were rumors to the effect that Nat Turner was everywhere at the same time. People returned to their home before twilight, barricaded themselves in their homes, kept watch during the night, or abandoned their homes for centers where armed force was adequate to their protection. There were many such false reports as the one that two maid servants in Dinwiddie County had murdered an old lady and two children. Negroes throughout the State were suspected, arrested, and prosecuted on the least pretext and in some cases murdered without any cause. Almost any Negro having some of the much-advertised characteristics of Nat Turner was in danger of being run down and torn to pieces for Nat Turner himself…

The excitement in other States was not much less than in Virginia and North Carolina. In South Carolina, Governor Hayne issued a proclamation to quiet rumors of similar uprisings. In Macon, Georgia, the entire population rose at midnight, roused from their beds by rumors of an impending onslaught. Slaves were arrested and tied to trees in different parts of the state, while captains of the militia delighted in hacking at them with swords. In Alabama, rumors of a joint conspiracy of Indians and Negroes found ready credence. At New Orleans, the excitement was at such a height that a report that 1,200 stands of arms were found in a black man's house was readily believed.

But the people were not satisfied with this flow of blood and passions were not subdued with these public wreakings. Nat Turner was still at large. He had eluded their constant vigilance ever since the day of the raid in August. That he was finally captured was more the result of accident than of design.

A dog belonging to some of Nat Turner's acquaintances scented some meat in the cave and stole it one night while Turner was out. Shortly after, two Negroes, one the owner of the dog, were hunting with the same animal. The dog barked at Turner, who had just gone out to walk. Thinking himself discovered, Turner begged these men to conceal his whereabouts, but they, on finding out who it was, precipitately fled.

Concluding from this that they would betray him, Turner left his hiding place, but he was pursued almost incessantly. At one time, he was shot at by one Francis near a fodder stack in a field, but happening to fall at the moment of discharge, the contents of the pistol passed through the crown of his hat. The lines, however, were closing upon Turner. His escape from Francis added new enthusiasm to the pursuit and Turner's resources, as fertile as ever, contrived a new hiding place in a sort of den in the lap of a fallen tree over which he placed fine brush.

He protruded his head as if to reconnoiter about noon, Sunday, October 30, when a Benjamin Phipps, who had that morning for the first time turned out in pursuit, came suddenly upon him. Phipps, not knowing him, demanded, "Who are you?" He was answered, "I am Nat Turner." Phipps then ordered him to extend his arms and Turner obeyed, delivering up a sword which was the only weapon he then had.

This was ten weeks after that Sunday in August . At the time of the capture, there were at least fifty men in search of him, none of whom could have been two miles from the hiding place…His arrest caused much relief. He was taken the next day to Jerusalem, the county seat, and tried on the fifth of November before a board of magistrates. The indictment against him was for making insurrection and plotting to take away the lives of diverse free white persons on the twenty-second of August 1831. On his arraignment, Turner pleaded "Not Guilty." The Commonwealth submitted its case, not on the testimony of any eyewitnesses but on the depositions of one Levi Waller who read Turner's Confession and Colonel Trezevant, the committing magistrate, corroborated it by referring to the same confession. Turner introduced no testimony in defense and his counsel made no argument in his behalf. He was promptly found guilty and sentenced to be hanged Friday, November 11, 1831, twelve days after his capture. During the examination, Nat evinced great intelligence and much shrewdness of intellect, answering every question clearly and distinctly and without confusion or prevarication.

An immense throng gathered on the day of execution, though few were permitted to see the ceremony. He exhibited the utmost composure and calm resignation. Although assured, if he felt it proper, he might address the immense crowd, he declined to avail himself of the privilege, but told the sheriff in a firm voice that he was ready. Not a limb or muscle was observed to move. His body was given over to the surgeons for dissection. He was skinned to supply such souvenirs as purses, his flesh made into grease, and his bones divided as trophies to be handed down as heirlooms. It is said that there still lives a Virginian who has a piece of his skin which was tanned, that another Virginian possesses one of his ears, and that the skull graces the collection of a physician in the city of Norfolk…

So many ills of the Negro followed…that one is inclined to question the wisdom of the insurgent leader…Considered in the light of its immediate effect upon its participants, it was a failure, an egregious failure, a wanton crime. Considered in its necessary relation to slavery and as contributory to making it a national issue by the deepening and stirring of the then-weak local forces, that finally led to the Emancipation Proclamation and Thirteenth Amendment, the insurrection was a moral success and Nat Turner Deserves to be ranked with the greatest reformers of his day.

This insurrection may be considered an effort of the Negro to help himself rather than depend on other human agencies for the protection which could come through his own strong arm; for the spirit of Nat Turner never was completely quelled. He struck ruthlessly, mercilessly, it may be said, in cold blood, innocent women and children; but the system of which he was the victim had less mercy in subjecting his race to the horrors of the "middle passage" and the endless crimes against justice, humanity, and virtue, then perpetrated throughout America. The brutality of his onslaught was a reflex of slavery, the object lesson which he gave brought the question home to every fireside until public conscience, once callous, became quickened, and slavery was doomed.

Continue reading...

[tophat-69]

OHHH my god ty SO much for updating, I've only just gotten around to TSF (I've been Saving it because it looked so good) and OUGHH chapter 5 JUST when I started it??? I feel so TREATED

You've taken "the children yearn for the mines" to a whole new height ;-;

I’m so glad you started TSF, and I’m so happy that you liked it!

Chapter 5 got long, mostly because Vander and Silco almost demand to be domestic coparenting teen dads before they’re even actually dating. I couldn’t shake the image of nineteen year old Silco immediately going “I have only had Felicia for a day and a half, but if anything ever happened to her I would kill everyone in this room and then myself.”

(This poor man. He has no idea that he was destined to be both a girl dad and an absolute pushover for a daughter. Felicia is training him well for Jinx’s future benefit.)

And I KNOW that the children yearning for the mines is a meme but now I get to be a nerd in replies so BEFORE I do that thank you so so much for reading and for letting me know you enjoyed!

…

…because now I am going to jump into child labor laws in the 1830s.

Why? Because I am a nerd and a simple meme joke gave me an opening and that’s all I need to infodump! This is the magic of ✨neurodivergence✨ because any random combination of words threatens to send my brain careening in a different direction.

I’m going to preface this by saying that for this story I’ve been doing entirely too much research on early 1800s coal mining (ex: my use of Geordie Lamps because a canary wouldn’t survive Zaun’s polluted air, let alone the air their mines). But I’ve also been brushing up relevant factors in the Industrial Revolution and to an extent the Victorian era… because Zaun is heavily influenced by the Steam Punk genre which is heavily influenced by those historical timeframes. Zaun is written to show the seedy underbelly of that genre, the parts of it that a more romanticized view like Piltover glosses over.

So this gilded fantastical realm is inspired by an era where 50% of the workforce was made up of children. Children with parents started work between the ages of 9 and 14. Orphans were put to work as young as 4. They were considered cheaper, easier to manage, and families had been putting kids to works on their farms and domestic workshops and homes already so the justification was right there for them. Families in poverty often have their kids enter the workplace as soon as they’re legally able, because that’s often the only way they can support themselves. And the Sumps prior to the Lanes were the literal depths of poverty, and even after they still aren’t exactly rolling in wealth.

Silco started as a trapper in the mines at 10 and that’s a pretty common role to shove kids into, and a would be a not-uncommon starting age. Basically he’d be crammed in the dark for 12 hours at a time opening and closing a trap door for coal tubs and fresh air. Even during his time at the mines, though, Zaun was undergoing the technological advancements that both Zaun and Piltover are famous for, and he’s a smart kid and basically became the one learning each new advancement they brought in at every chance so he could make himself indispensable. Which is how he ended up a blaster so young.

He doesn’t have an inherently negative view of child labor. He was a kid, he did a job, he got paid, he got out of the orphanage, and it wasn’t uncommon or unusual. Before Vander and Silco’s work for the Lanes, it’s pretty clear from Silco’s later rants in-show that there weren’t exactly unions around pushing for improved conditions, either.

The change from “child labor for all!” to strict child labor laws took a century. Arguably longer. They slowly went “eh, maybe not four year olds. Let’s start at nine” and then the Factory Act of 1833 said “okay but let’s be reasonable 9-12 year olds can ONLY work 8 hours a day, and 13-17 year olds can ONLY work 12 hours a day.” And on and on from there, these incremental little steps, often pushed by labor unions.

So, in the actual realm of Arcane we see all these children working in the factories and it’s horrific—because it is and was and will always be—but it’s also commentary on the sort of thing a rosy look at history glosses right over when it comes to people who lived in poverty, instead of the fantasy “topside.”

Silco’s like “yeah, started at the mines at 10, been here ever since” and it just is what it is. Commonplace. Vander’s family had a business so he’s worked just as long but was better protected, and he didn’t start in the real workforce outside of the Drop until years later, because the bar couldn’t support itself.

So Silco and Vander have subtle but significant difference of viewpoints. And Piltover never had to confront that reality at all, until Jayce is in the factory.

…Anyway, side rant done! I have a ton of research and parallels and symbolism and just layers of useless nonsense I’ve written into this story and around this story, and it’s generally going to waste in my head so it jumped right out.

I hope that didn’t scare you off, and that you continue to stick around and enjoy the story!

[royalty-nobility]

Queen Charlotte (of Mecklenburg-Strelitz) (1744-1818)

Artist: Studio of Allan Ramsay (Scottish, 1713-1784)

Date: 1761

Medium: Oil on canvas

Collection: Royal Collection Trust, London, United Kingdom

Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz

Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (Sophia Charlotte; 19 May 1744 – 17 November 1818) was Queen of Great Britain and Ireland as the wife of King George III from their marriage on 8 September 1761 until her death in 1818. The Acts of Union 1800 unified Great Britain and Ireland into the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. As George's wife, she was also Electress of Hanover until becoming Queen of Hanover on 12 October 1814. Charlotte was Britain's longest-serving queen consort, serving for 57 years and 70 days.

Charlotte was born into the ruling family of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, a duchy in northern Germany. In 1760, the young and unmarried George III inherited the British throne. As Charlotte was a minor German princess with no interest in politics, the King considered her a suitable consort, and they married in 1761. The marriage lasted 57 years and produced 15 children, 13 of whom survived to adulthood. They included two future British monarchs, George IV and William IV; as well as Charlotte, Princess Royal, who became Queen of Württemberg; and Prince Ernest Augustus, who became King of Hanover.

Charlotte was a patron of the arts and an amateur botanist who helped expand Kew Gardens. She introduced the Christmas tree to Britain, decorating one for a Christmas party for children of Windsor in 1800. She was distressed by her husband's bouts of physical and mental illness, which became permanent in later life. She maintained a close relationship with Queen Marie Antoinette of France, and the French Revolution is likely to have enhanced the emotional strain felt by Charlotte. Her eldest son, George, was appointed prince regent in 1811 due to the increasing severity of the King's illness. Charlotte died in November 1818, with her son George at her side. George III died a little over a year later, probably unaware of his wife's death.

[batboyblog]

https://www.tumblr.com/batboyblog/753682769598644224/every-once-and-awhile-a-post-and-there-are-a-few

I think part of it is because it's both an anti-system and belief in grand gestures/magical thinking combined together.

Even not factoring in his more controversial decisions, A lot of people just don't value the idea of fixing the system, or trying to make a better one. They want the grand gesture, the big revolution that tears down all the uncomfortable nitty gritty things in one big fell swoop with guns blazing and slogans abound. The IMAGE of revolution is more valuable and important to them than actually doing the hard work, especially if they believe it proves them morally superior to the system and those who are part of it. That's why they never have any real solutions, or why they get so offended at the idea of actually trying to do the tougher work; because it might stain their purity of their anti-system beliefs and require them to actually do the work that requires compromise and difficult choices that don't feel good, but are the only real path forward because we don't live in a morally clean and pure world.

yeah maybe, I think the death of the information ecosystem is likely a bigger issue?

its not so much people don't value positive changes that are reforms rather than revolutionary, its that they literally are not aware they're happening at all.

I mean people under say 40? 45? are very unlikely to get their info from traditional media (which has its own serious problems) and the younger you go the smaller the % who read news from news sources (or watch TV news) most are getting info off social media and you either have nothing OR! super negative often bad faith takes on what Biden's doing has done

I mean for example, in December 2022 just before Christmas Biden signed a bill to block a rail strike, and everyone totally freaked and acted like Biden was an 1800s Gilded Age Barron sending in the Pinkertons and totally anti-union etc etc etc so much breathless madness.

come June 2023 the rail union had gotten what it wanted on sick days and openly thanked President Biden for his support in working through those months to pressure the railways and get the union what it needed, that second part of course isn't fun to make into a meme so I imagine most people never ever saw it.

thats one example but it keeps happening where people take the worst possible interpretation of what Biden is doing and then don't care about any follow up

[thethirdromana]

Upon my word, mother, I wish the old combination laws were in force.

I think the combination laws that Mr Thornton is referring to mean the 1799 and 1800 Combination Acts, which made trade unionism illegal. Any working man who combined (i.e. formed a union) with any other in order to gain better wages or fewer hours, or encouraged others to strike, could be sentenced to three months in jail or two months of hard labour.

Those laws were replaced by the Combinations of Workmen Act in 1825, which allowed trade unions to press for better wages or changes to working hours, but not anything else (which I assume rules out striking for workers' safety?) and barred them from picketing or other means of attempting to encourage others to strike. Those were the laws still in force at the time of North and South.

So in essence Thornton wishes that unions were banned altogether.

[rabbitcruiser]

National Panda Day

Nature's cuddly ambassadors, with a diet that's 99% bamboo and an unmistakable appearance that's sure to melt your heart.

Giant pandas are big fluffy balls of fun and one of the most universally loved animals around, so it’s no wonder they have their own special day!

Yet due to habitat loss and fragmentation, pandas are sadly considered to be a vulnerable species and require dedicated conservation to preserve their numbers. National Panda Day is dedicated to celebrating these quirky creatures and spreading awareness of the threats they face in order to encourage efforts to protect them.

History of National Panda Day

The panda has been around for almost 20 million years and is the oldest living species of bear. Yes, that’s right, any rumors you’ve heard to the contrary about them not being bears is false – they are in fact part of the Ursidae (bear) family, although they do also have a fair amount in common with raccoons.

While pandas have long been respected in their native China, their shy and solitary nature means they feature rarely in Chinese history and art – the likelihood of coming across one bear, let alone an embarrassment of pandas (the excellent collective noun for these animals!), has always been slim. Yet with their clumsy and lovable character, they’re incredibly popular, so much so that back in the 1980s a Taiwanese zoo even painted a sun bear black and white to try and pass it off as a giant panda!

National Panda Day grew out of the need to help protect these beautiful bears, as sadly these big guys require conservation efforts to even have a chance at recovering from their current depleted state. With no more than 2-3,000 left in the wild and only a few hundred in captivity, we risk losing these precious mammals forever if we don’t act.

National Panda Day aims to promote efforts to preserve their habitat from threats such as urbanization and climate change and to support their protection all around the world. Ultimately it’s a day of hope, as panda numbers are gradually starting to increase again thanks to decades of conservation work, with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) downgrading the species from ‘endangered’ to ‘vulnerable’ in 2016.

If we all work together, we can continue these amazing advancements and ensure that the panda is safe and thriving, now and in the future.

National Panda Day Timeline

1869

Westerners first learn of Pandas

When a French missionary visits China, he is gifted with a skin from one of these fuzzy black and white bears.

1961

Giant Panda on WWF Logo

In an effort to promote the most vulnerable species, the World Wildlife Federation places the Panda on its logo. The Panda is chosen as a powerful symbol and is one of the rarest and most endangered bears in the world.

1984

Pandas placed on Endangered Species list by US

Native to China, these bears are beloved by people all over the world, but their low reproductive rate makes them vulnerable to threats and even the possibility of extinction. Placing them as endangered is meant to protect Pandas.

2006

Panda reserves in China grow

Over just the eight years prior, the number of Panda reserves in China grows from 13 to 40. This significantly impacts the ability for Pandas to survive in their natural habitat and improves their chances greatly.

2016

Pandas move to ‘vulnerable’ status

The great news about the work toward helping Pandas is that it is working! Pandas are downgraded by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, with more than 1800 pandas living in the wild.

Why pandas need our protection

Pandas are sensitive creatures and disruptions to their environment (a mere six mountain ranges in south-central China) can lead to survival and reproductive issues.

These cuddly little tumblers are well-known for their prodigious appetites, consuming massive amounts of bamboo each day. Although they evolved to eat meat, these bears are by and large vegetarian and therefore have to eat vast quantities of foliage to obtain sufficient energy and nutrients.

They are also notoriously bad at reproducing, with female pandas fertile for no more than two to three days a year. Little success has been had in captivity, although things have been improving in recent years. Still, they aren’t prone to giving birth very often, and this means that any loss to their numbers is potentially tragic.

Man-made threats such as farming and road building only exacerbate these vulnerabilities, shrinking and fragmenting the habitat on which pandas depend. Climate change is also causing bamboo to grow higher up the mountains, steadily reducing the amount available overall. Not only will pandas increasingly struggle to feed themselves, but habitat loss will also make it harder for them to find mates and reproduce.

And it’s not just important to preserve the panda population for their own sake. They’re also vital for maintaining the ecosystem around them, helping forest vegetation to flourish and in turn other species in the area.

How to Celebrate National Panda Day

Well, obviously your first stop should be the zoo! Due to their low numbers, there aren’t a whole lot of zoos that have giant panda exhibits, but hopefully, you’ll be able to find one relatively close to home. If you are lucky enough to be near one, then this will be a great opportunity to learn more about these cuddly bears and contribute to vital conservation efforts. And if the stars align you might even get to see some adorable and rare panda cubs!

If conservation is a cause close to your heart, then take some time to make a donation to a charity, zoo, or nature reserve that supports this important work. You can even adopt one of these cute creatures through organizations such as the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), which famously features a panda as its logo.

Be sure to look into getting some panda souvenirs such as cuddly toys, artwork and accessories, especially if a percentage of the profits go towards protecting the panda. You can also buy panda-themed items for your desk or wear panda-themed clothes to really help spread awareness of this fragile species.

If you fancy channeling your inner panda and conserving your energy, then why not crash out on the sofa and watch a documentary or film about these amazing animals? Dreamwork’s Kung Fu Panda franchise is especially popular, with three feature films, various shorts, and a TV series following the adventures of Po Ping, a typically clumsy giant panda who eventually blossoms into a kung fu master. There are also plenty of great documentaries available, such as Born in China and Pandas,for you to brush up on your panda facts.

Learn some Panda facts

Get swept up in pandamania and help make sure they’re munching on bamboo for many more years to come!

National Panda Day FAQs

Are Pandas endangered?

While Pandas were recently considered to be endangered, the effort to help them has been effective and they were downgraded from ‘endangered’ to ‘vulnerable’ in 2016. The hope is that one day they can be removed from the list completely.

When is National Panda Day?

Every year, National Panda Day falls on March 16, celebrating the world’s favorite black and white, fluffy, bamboo-eating bear.

Are Pandas dangerous?

Although they rarely attack humans, Giant Pandas should still be considered dangerous. They have powerful teeth and claws, certainly making them capable of attacking if they feel threatened.

Are Pandas bears?

Some people aren’t sure if Pandas are really bears because they look different. As it turns out, Giant Pandas are actually categorized in the bear family, but Red Pandas are the only members of their family but are closely related to raccoons.

Do Pandas hibernate?

Though Giant Pandas are in the bear family, they do not hibernate like black bears do, and they also cannot stand up on their hind legs.

Source

[hellostarposts]

Episode 50 - Foundations

Sampson Kempthrone (That sounds very fancy)

George Gilbert Scott (Three first names, can’t trust him)

Another letter statement from 1841.

Okay but the description of Jonah’s townhouse sounds cozy.

A New Zealand trip in 1841? They’re mega rich.

Henry Roberts? Also an architect?

Oh yes, workhouses! If you work 20 hours a day you’ll be too tired to commit crimes.

There’s next to no difference between prisons and workhouses.

This episode is going to send me into another history rant.

This guy can go fuck himself. Rich fuck.

Turning people into slaves is not making them better. Unions and workers rights did that.

Goerge has a cursed book, because I don’t remember when Litner books were started. Only way to explain the speaking in tongues and sweaty appearance.

An architect being stressed about drawings is lowkey normal.

“An architect’s job is to draw ideas and an engineers job is to tell the architect what is actually possible”

Are these the tunnels that we saw before where they kept measuring the width of the tunnel? And I believe that Gerard sucker punched a guy?

Millbank Prison tunnels^^

Goerge cannot handle criticism.

Sir Robert Smirke mentioned.

Robert has an agenda, and you are simply a footnote in it.

OH Sampson is also an architect. Now that makes way more sense.

September of 1836, is when it happened.

Clack of the cane, made to sound spooky.

Dude just had a hat man encounter. Nothing that bad.

The Governor? Is that the name of the hat man in the 1800s?

Who is Harry?

Paranormal construction methods officially sent me while at the laundromat.

George Gilbert Scott was involved in many of the important buildings in London(?), I’ll admit I have little geography knowledge of the UK.

Supplemental??

Basira came to talk to Jon.

Tim saying that he doesn’t trust Basira while sleeping with other cops is iconic.

NOOOOOOOOO

Omg now Tim is going to gossip that Jon is hooking up with Basira.

Tim did not let Jon get a single word in after. Jon has a corrupt cop girlfriend now, at least according to Tim.

I love how we are not getting into the paranormal architect plot now. All I can assume is going on is that there’s secret cult tunnels underneath all of London. But I would like for it to be more like the tunnels are acting as energy arteries. For like a massive supernatural being. The lack of information on Robert Smirk is not that surprising because records that old are incredibly rare and like if he was just an architect he wouldn’t have been deemed that important. Finally, Tim is iconic as per usual. Also, I can’t wait for angsty Martin because we all know that Tim is going to RUN with the assumption that Jon is hooking up with Basira (possibly in the archives).

An aside, is it actually Smirke? Sometimes I genuinely hate the spelling of names in this.

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 3.28

Holidays

Barnum & Bailey Day

Bhakti Mata Karma Jayanti (Chhattisgarh, India)

Children's Picture Book Day

Commemoration of Sen no Rikyu (The Way of Tea; Japan)

Confucius Memorial Day

Day of the National Security Service Officers (Azerbaijan)

Day of the Revival of the Balkar People

Defy Death Today Day

Eggsibit Day

Global Day to Destigmatize Abortions

Gone-ta-Pott Day [every 28th]

Greatest Show on Earth Day

Haitian Pose Day

Hot Tub Day

International Laser Tag Day

International Women in Music Day

Istanbul Not Constantinople Day

Jenkins’ Ear Day

Microfilm Day

National Car Wash Day

National Children’s Picture Book Day

National Choking Awareness Day

National Day of Historic Centers (Portugal)

National Triglycerides Day

Pallas Asteroid Day

Progressive MS Day

Ram Nawami (Nepal)

Seaplane Day

Semana Santa (Nicaragua)

Serfs Emancipation Day (Tibet)

Sun and Moon Creation Day

Teacher's Day (Czech Republic, Slovakia)

Three Mile Island Day

Virtual Advocacy Day

Washboard Day

World Piano Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Black Forest Cake Day

Eat an Edy’s Pie Day (f.k.a. Eat an Eskimo Pie Day)

Something on a Stick Day

Nature Celebrations

Daffodil Day (French Republic; Ireland)

Respect Your Cat Day

Robinia Hispida Day (Dignity; Korean Birth Flowers)

Weed Appreciation Day

Independence, Flag & Related Days

Act of Union with England passed (Irish Parliament; 1800)

Cakeland (Declared, 2007) [unrecognized]

Revival Day of the Balkar People (Kabardino-Balkaria, Russia)

New Year’s Days

Yestarë (Elven New Year) [1st Day of Tuilë] (Lord of the Rings)

4th & Last Friday in March

Comfort Food Friday [Every Friday]

Field Trip Friday [Last Friday of Each Month]

Five For Friday [Every Friday]

Flapjack Friday [4th Friday of Each Month]

Flirtatious Friday [4th Friday of Each Month]

Finally Friday [Last Friday of Each Month]

Flatbread Friday [Last Friday of Each Month]

Flashback Friday [Every Friday]

Friday Finds [Every Friday]

Fry Day (Pastafarian; Fritism) [Every Friday]

National Cleavage Day (South Africa) [Last Friday in March or 1st Friday in April]

No Homework Day [Last Friday]

Quds Day (Iran) [Last Friday of Ramadan]

TGIF (Thank God It's Friday) [Every Friday]

Wear a Hat Day (Ireland) [4th Friday]

Wear a Hat Day (UK) [Last Friday]

Weekly Holidays beginning March 28 (4th Week of March)

Jersey Shore Restaurant Week (Jersey Shore, New Jersey) [thru 4.6]

National Protocol Officer’s Week (thru 4.3)

Tater Day Festival (Kentucky) [begins Last Friday; ends Monday]_

Festivals On or Beginning March 28, 2025

Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival (Timonium, Maryland) [thru 3.29]

Central Oregon Agricultural Show (Redmond, Oregon) [thru 3.29]

Hammond Smokin' BBQ Challenge (Hammond, Louisiana) [thru 3.29]

Knott's Boysenberry Festival (Buena Park, California) [thru 3.30]

Novi Home & Garden Show (Novi, Michigan) [thru 4.27]

Saints and Sinners LGBTQ+ Literary Festival (New Orleans, Louisiana) [thru 3.30]

Southern AZ Home Show (Tucson, Arizona) [thru 3.30]

Ultra Music Festival (Miami, Florida) [thru 3.30]

UNwineD (Panama City, Florida) [thru 3.29]

Feast Days

Aequinoctium Vernum, Day 2 (Pagan)

Aka Dasa Rudra begins (11-Week Long Balinese Festival) [Held every 100 years to restore balance between the forces of good & evil]

Alkelda of Middleham (Christian; Saint)

Aneirin (1 of the Cynfeirdd Celtic Book of Days)

Erasistratus (Positivist; Saint)

Festival of the Sacrifice at the Tombs (Ancient Rome)

Fred (Muppetism)

Garden Weeds Appreciation Day (Pastafarian)

Guntram, King of Burgundy (a.k.a. Gontran, Guntramnus; Christian; Saint)

Initial Caiani (Sacrifice at the Tombs; Ancient Rome)

Invasion of Loaming Shores Beyond the Certian Sea Anniversary (Shamanism)

John of Capistrano (Christian; Saint)

Khordad Sal (Birth of Prophet Zarathustra; Zoroastrianism)

Kwan Yin (Taiwanese Goddess; Everyday Wicca)

Meatball Appreciation Week begins (Pastafarian)

Palmistry Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Priscus, Malchus and Alexander (Christian; Martyrs)

Ragnar Lodbrok’s Day (Asatru/Slavic Pagan)

Sixtus III, Pope (Christian; Saint)

Stephen Harding (Christian; Saint)

Tuotilo (Christian; Saint)

Lunar Calendar Holidays

Chinese: Month 2 (Ji-Mao), Day 29 (Bing-Shen)

Day Pillar: Fire Monkey

12-Day Officers/12 Gods: Initiate Day (执 Zhi) [Auspicious]

Holidays: None Known

Secular Saints Days

Russell Banks (Literature)

Fra Bartolommeo (Art)

Jean & Emmanuel Benner (Art)

Dirk Bogarde (Entertainment)

Maxim Gorky (Literature)

Grace Hartigan (Art)

Ken Howard (Entertainment)

Thad Jones (Music)

Ada Limón (Literature)

Reba McEntire (Music)

Mike Newell (Entertainment)

Raphael (Art)

Everett Ruess (Art)

Toko Shinoda (Art)

Julia Stiles (Entertainment)

Vince Vaughan (Entertainment)

Paul Whiteman (Music)

Dianne Wiest (Entertainment)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Bad Heart Day (Person born today tend to suffer from heart problems)

Dismal Day (Unlucky or Evil Day; Medieval Europe; 6 of 24)

Egyptian Day (Unlucky Day; Middle Ages Europe) [6 of 24]

Shakku (赤口 Japan) [Bad luck all day, except at noon.]

Umu Limnu (Evil Day; Babylonian Calendar; 15 of 60)

Unfortunate Day (Pagan) [21 of 57]

Premieres

Aladdin’s Lamp (Mighty Mouse Cartoon; 1947)

Andrea Chenier, by Umberto Giordano (Opera; 1896)

April Fool’s Day (Film; 1986)

The Artificial Silk Girl, by Irmgard Keun (Novel; 1932)

At the Zoo (Aesop’s Film Fable Cartoon; 1925)

The Bear and the Beavers (Barney Bear MGM Cartoon; 1942)

Beau and Arrows (Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Cartoon; 1932)

Batman: The Doom That Came to Gotham (WB Animated Film; 2023)

The Birds (Film; 1963)

Brown Eyed Girl, recorded by Van Morrison (Song; 1967)

Burning Love, recorded by Elvis Presley (Song; 1972)

Confidential Service, by George M. Cohan (Musical Play; 1932)

The Devil in Miss Jones (Adult Film; 1973)

Dr. Devil and Mr. Hare (WB MM Cartoon; 1964)

Duke, by Genesis (Album; 1980)

The Dying Earth, by Jack Vance (Novel; 1950)

Elmer Elephant (Disney Cartoon; 1936)

Father’s Day Off (Goofy Disney Cartoon; 1953)

Feline Follies (Paramount Magazine Cartoon; 1920)

Futurama (Animated TV Series; 1999)

Gabby’s Dinner (Woody Woodpecker Cartoon; 1961)

A Gentlemen’s Gentlemen (Mickey Mouse Disney Cartoon; 1941)

The Grand Budapest Hotel (Film; 2014)

The Great Gatsby (Film; 1974)

Head of State (Film; 2003)

Houses of the Holy, by Led Zeppelin (Album; 1973)

If, by Bread (Song; 1971)

Jack the Giant Killer (Pathe Review Cartoon; 1925)

Krazy Kat: Invalid (Hearst-Vitagraph News Pictorial Cartoon; 1916)

Lucas (Film; 1986)

The Magus, by John Fowles (Novel; 1965)

Matador Magoo (Mr. Magoo UPA Cartoon; 1957)

The Money Pit (Film; 1986)

Mr. Common Peepul’s Busy Day (Hearst-Pathe News Cartoon; 1917)

The Opry House (Ub Iwerks Mickey Mouse Disney Cartoon; 1929)

A Peck o’ Trouble (WB LT Cartoon; 1953)

Radio Caroline (UK Pirate Radio Station; 1964)

The Rug Fiend (Krazy Kat Cartoon; 1927)

Run Fatboy Run (Film; 2008)

Scrub Me Mama with a Boogie Beat (Walter Lantz Cartoon; 1941)

Serial (Film; 1980)

Spirited Away (Animated Ghibli Film; 2003)

Summertime Blues, recorded by Eddie Cochran (Song; 1958)

Symphony No. 1 in D Minor, by Sergei Rachmaninoff (Symphony; 1897)

Taking Off (Film; 1971)

There’s Music in Your Hair (Phantasy Cartoon; 1941)

They’re Not So Dumb (Speaking of Animals Cartoon; 1946)

Two Jumps and a Chump (Tijuana Toads Cartoon; 1971)

The Rabbit Who Came to Supper (WB MM Cartoon; 1942)

Woodstock, by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (Song; 1970)

Today’s Name Days

Guntram, Ingbert (Austria)

Albena, Boyan, Boyana, Boyka, Boyko (Bulgaria)

Nada, Polion, Priska, Renata, Sonja (Croatia)

Soňa (Czech Republic)

Eustachius (Denmark)

Arm, Armas, Armo, Kallis (Estonia)

Armas (Finland)

Gontran (France)

Guntram, Ingbert, Willy (Germany)

Gedeon, Johanna (Hungary)

Sisto (Italy)

Eiženija, Ginta, Gunda, Gunta, Ženija (Latvia)

Girmantė, Odeta, Rimkantas, Sikstas (Lithuania)

Åsta, Åste (Norway)

Aniela, Antoni, Jan, Krzesisław, Sykstus (Poland)

Ilarion (Romania)

Soňa (Slovakia)

Doroteo, Sixto (Spain)

Malkolm, Morgan (Sweden)

Gwen, Gwenda, Gwendolyn, Gwyn, Gwynn, Gwynne (USA)

Today’s National Name Days

National Amber Day

National Ram Day

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 87 of 2025; 278 days remaining in the year

ISO Week: Day 5 of Week 13 of 2025

Celtic Tree Calendar: Fearn (Alder) [Day 11 of 28]

Chinese: Month 2 (Ji-Mao), Day 29 (Bing-Shen)

Chinese Year of the: Snake 4723 (until February 17, 2026) [Ding-Chou]

Coptic: 19 Baramhat 1741

Druid Tree Calendar: Hazel (Mar 21-31) [Day 8 of 11]

Hebrew: 28 Adar 5785

Islamic: 28 Ramadan 1446

Julian: 15 March 2025

Moon: 1%: Waning Crescent

Positivist: 3 Archimedes (4th Month) [Erasistratus]

Runic Half Month: Beore (Birch Tree) [Day 15 of 16] (thru 3.29)

Season: Spring (Day 8 of 92)

SUn Calendar: 28 Green; Seventhday [28 of 30]

Week: 4th Week of March

Zodiac:

Tropical (Typical) Zodiac: Aries (Day 8 of 30)

Sidereal Zodiac: Pisces (Day 14 of 30)

Schmidt Zodiac: Pisces (Day 8 of 26)

IAU Boundaries (Current) Zodiac: Pisces (Day 17 of 38)

IAU Boundaries (1977) Zodiac: Pisces (Day 17 of 38)

[jolly-ob-saint-nixilis]

What are the Pinkertons?

Pinkerton is a group that sells itself as private security and a detective agency. What they're known for are being union busters. Businesses hire them to infiltrate unions, keep an eye on anyone who might be pushing unionization, and intimidate strikers and unions.

During the Homestead Strike back in 1892 their involved lead to the deaths of 9 Steelworkers when they fired into a crowd. They were also involved with the 1877 Railroad Strike and the Battle of Blair Mountain.

Their involvement led to the downfall of the Molly Maguires, a group of activist with the Irish American and Irish immigrant coal miners. The Pinkertons gave information on people suspected of being in the organization to people with grudges against them so the miners would be ambushed and murdered.

The Compton Cafeteria riot is one of the first LGBT riots, predating Stonewall by 3 years. It hired Pinkertons in 1966 toharass gay and trans customers.

They've long been suspected of having been deeply involved with the Haymarket massacre which resulted in seven anarchist arrested despite no evidence ever presented linking them to the crime. It resulted in a trial where the judge was openly against the defendants, any potential jury member that was a union member or had socialist sympathy were dismissed, and most of the jury were open about not being truly willing to give them a fair trial. The prosecution's argument is that because they had not actively discouraging the person who had thrown the bomb, they were equally as guilty. Despite the bomber not being known. in fact, there is a widespread belief is was the Pinkertons who committed it. Four were hung after that trial. Witness reports say the ropes were all tied incorrectly and they were slowly strangled to death.

They're such shitbags that the U.S. actually has a law because of them. The Anti-Pinkerton Act of 1893 which limits the federal government's ability o hire private investigators and mercenaries.

And despite this all going back in the 1800s, they still exist and are still very action in union breaking. They were hired in 2020 to spy on Amazon Warehouse workers. Starbucks have also worked with ex-Pinkerton members to interfere with unionization.

In 2020 Michael Dollof, who was an unlicensed security guard, that was hired by the Pinkertons to be a security guard, shot and killed a protester.

The point of hiring them is to intimate and threaten people. They've been responsible for a lot of people dying.

This is what WOTC hired to get back a fucking box of magic cards. For them to show up at his door, they, obviously, knew where he lived. They could have contacted him themselves, but instead they sent the Pinkertons. There are countless agencies they could have contacted to require the cards back. They chose the Pinkertons.

I hope everyone involved in that decision gets hit by a bus.

[fuckmeyer]

I saw a post about racist Jasper stans bitching bc they’re not able to enjoy shitty J*sper content bc of tags or whatever lol and someone said: “What is there even to enjoy?”. I had to laugh and I thought if you bc it’s so true. Most Jasper content isn’t even that enjoyable. It’s mostly the same boring white-supremacist garbage that I’ve seen before; even the jalice stuff is played out.

The only J*sper content I enjoy is content where he is worshipping Maria, thinking about Maria, talking about Maria, loving Maria, doing anything for Maria tbh. Is that bad? XD I owe it to you and your writing! idk something about a 19/20 year old dumbass confederate falling madly in love with a native brown woman and literally seeing her as a god-like figure as she’s basically handing him his karma for his racist crimes sends me. Ppl act like he was this awesome person before Maria and that it’s her fault he’s gutter trash now with the C*llens but he was gutter trash BEFORE he met Maria. She honestly made him so much better, stronger and MUCH more interesting. She literally created the man these stans thirst over so much. She is the blueprint.

the thing anti-María Jalice stans don't get is, without María, you do not have Jasper. for everything Jasper is, María is the catalyst ❤️

canonically, all we know about Jasper Hale pre-change is 1) he was born in Texas, 2) faked his age to join the Confederate Army* where he became the youngest major in Texas, & 3) was persuasive

beyond that, María made Jasper into the man the fandom adores. you like that he's an empath? guess whose venom made him one. you like that he's a warmonger? guess whose war he fought for. you like that he has a troubled past? guess who put the trouble in it. you like that he's "soft" "empath" "baby" (tbh i don't see it but ok)? guess who made him want to be that way. you like that he's submissive to Alice? guess who broke him in first.

you want Jasper with Alice but wish the María era didn't exist? lol just say you want the hot faceless Confederate to get with the psychic Mississippian & go

as for me, MARÍA ALL DAY BAYBEEEEE

here we have a woman who has suffered all her life at the hands of colonizers. born "1800s or earlier," we can suppose she has firsthand experience with colonization (at least Napoleon's invasion) & lived through Mexico's War of Independence. i.e., she has a deep familiarity with what it means to have your way of life ripped from you by invaders. PLUS she was a victim of Benito's army in the Southern Vampire Wars; her entire coven including her mate was killed.

& despite her losses, she rallied to take back her land & drive out her oppressors. baseline, she is a strong, cunning, powerful indigenous woman with a deep love for her community and her people. HOT

now let's look at Jasper, a bright leader in the Civil War who suffered defeat at the hands of the Union army. yes, María changed him. but did she force him to stay? to go to war? the newborn vamp with the strength & speed to overcome a "grown" vamp chose not to do so. the empath with the power to make anyone disregard him chose not to use it. some say María was "abusive" & "manipulative," but few acknowledge that Jasper had a choice.

why didn't Jasper leave? because he's submissive to anyone more powerful than him. because he was a loser. because the Southern Vampire Wars gave him a second chance at victory. because "empath" or no, he wanted to play war & win.

that's what's compelling about Jasper/María. as wrong as Jasper was for fighting for the Confederacy, he believed he was fighting for the same thing as she. he saw his way of life destroyed by "invaders" & fought back. it's a sick & twisted parallel between oppressor & oppressed that becomes subverted as their relationship goes on... & one that can heal them both.

María's experience with colonizers gives her a visceral picture of what it means to be oppressed... but her relationship with Jasper gives her the victory & emotional reflection she needs to move on. Jasper's military training gives him the hunger & knowledge for war... but his "curse" of empathy provides him with the tools he needs to recognize & address the horrors of his problematic past & move on.

tbh, i find Jasper & María are perfectly suited for a delicious character-driven narrative. Maria's story is that of a traumatized indigenous woman on a path from colonization to decolonization, & the sacrifices & destruction she endures realize that vision. Jasper's story is that of a troubled man on the path from self-hate to self-love, & what it means to undo the societal teachings/traumas & forge a life of empathy & forgiveness.

& that is something Alice alone can never give Jasper.

tl;dr all hail Queen María