#asian-voodoo

[americangodstalk]

American Gods’ incomplete bibliography (3)

If you want to have access to the full, original bibliography as prepared by Neil Gaiman (it has a lot more info I do not put in my posts - my posts are just summaries and recaps of the original bibliography) you just need to go check Neil Gaiman’s website right here: https://www.neilgaiman.com/works/Books/American+Gods/in/183/?type=Books&work=American+Gods

7) First Nations myths

God is Red: A Native View of Religion

Neil Gaiman considers it a “very readable book about religion from a Native American standpoint” - though he was a bit puzzled by how the middle of the book “wander into Velikovsky”. 

The Religions of the American Indians

American Indian Myths and Legends

The mythology of North America

8) Background books

On the Rez

A book about the Oglala Sioux on Pine Ridge Reservation, one of the porrest places in America (at least at the time Neil Gaiman put together his bibliography), and about SuAnne Big Crow, a basketball player. 

Confederates in the Attic: Despatches from the Unfinished Civil War

Neil Gaiman bought and tried to read it in preparation for American Gods, but couldn’t get into it... It took him two whole years to get into it again, as he was writing American Gods, and he devoured it. 

The Forbidden Zone

Neil Gaiman first read a chapter of this book while doing online research about slaughterhouses. Despite the book being out of print, he managed to obtain a copy from a New Mexico bookstore - and this book ended up shaping and informing American Gods in many ways, both direct and indirect. Neil Gaiman is really sad that it is out of print ; and he points out that he has been a fan of the author, Michael Lesy, ever since another one of his books, “Wisconsin Death Trip”, about painting a darker and disturbing picture of the Wisconsin in frontier times. Wisconsin Death Trip is in fact another one of the books that influenced American Gods: some anecdotes and attitudes from this book ended up being present in the Lakeside parts of the novel. 

The Day of the Dead and other reflections

(Of its actual title, The Day of the Dead and other mortal reflections)

Neil Gaiman considers the author one of his favorite essayist alongside David Quammen - and it is from this book that Neil Gaiman “got” Coatlicue. 

Stranger from a Distant Shore: A History of Asian Americans 

Neil Gaiman used this book to research a lot of stuff that “never worked its way into American Gods”, but that will maybe appear in another book. At least, this is what he writes in the bibliography, but since we are all American Gods fan of modern days, we now know what he referred to in the bibliography: the “Somewhere in America” deleted section about a kitsune ending up in a Japanese internment camp of WWII America. 

9) African heritage

As Neil Gaiman says, these are the books he used concerning Mr. Nancy, and “the tale of the twins” (Wututu and Agasu).

A Treasury of Afro-American Folklore + A Treasury of African Folklore, by Harold Courlander

The African Slave Trade, by Basil Davidson

The Slave Trade: The Story of African Slave Trade, 1440-1870

(Of its actual name, “The Slave Trade: The Story of the Atlantic Slave Trade)

Neil Gaiman precises that he took a lot from this book, written by Hugh Thomas, alongside Bullwhip Days (see below) - but he also admitted that he had to downplay what actually happened historically when writing “American Gods” because he didn’t want to turn his scenes into an “atricity exhibition”.

Bullwhip Days: The Slaves Remember - An Oral History

In Neil Gaiman’s words, “Urgent, human narratives and utterly heartbreaking”, as this book is a collection of the testimonies of the last surviving Americans who had been slave, collected in the mid-1930s.

Voodoo in New Orleans

Neil Gaiman explains that this book does not manage to convey the actual feel of the New Orlenas Voodoo, but it is an excellent book when it comes to the history of the “various Maries Laveau or Marie Laveaux”. However, if someone wants a better book by Robert Tallant, they should check Gumbo Yaya (see below)

Gumbo Yaya

Neil Gaiman was offered this book as a gift by Nancy Collins, and he realized he did need it a lot. It is an excellent book covering the folk beliefs, magic and folklore of New Orleans and Louisiana. 

Voodoo in Haiti

A “fairly useful and interesting book”, according to Neil Gaiman. He does say that there is a lot of better books about the topic of Haitian voodoo, but he included it in the list because it was the book he used to check stuff when writing American Gods.

[maxellminidisc]

It genuinely infuriates me that someone could write a very clear, straight forward sentence that needs no further elaboration of information on something pertaining to keeping something specific to a culture predominantly of color guarded or a closed practice, and you will still get white people in the notes like "Ok but but but can I be the exception?"

[safesthaveninexistence]

Divine timing aligns with my heart with over an antonellamania number of years worth of profundity

[famwhy]

Judging Aunties

Spiderman: Across the Spiderverse

Hobie Brown X South Asian!F!Reader

Synopsis: you just wanted to enjoy a nice family gathering with your boyfriend but of course your very rude and judgy aunties had to say something because why would they ever let you be happy? Luckily for you, Hobie loved you too much to let them get in the way. (In other words, Hobie being such a comforting and supportive boyfriend.)

Warnings: minor panic attack (I think?) and there will be depictions of racism in this fic as I can't lie to you, lots of South Asian aunties are very judgy when you bring someone that isn't South Asian to a family meet. I do not condone it, nor do I excuse it. This fic is here to condemn it.

Note: I encourage you to read this even if you aren't South Asian as I'd love to share the experiences of south asians to those of you that don't know much. One of the huge, glaring issues is how judging older aunties can be if you decide to date a guy that isn't brown as well and I wanted to write this fic to highlight that issue. Of course, there are many delights about being south asian too but this fic is focusing on one issue. And dw, Hobie tells them to suck it. (Also, the reader is bengali specifically in this.)

The eyes. You could feel them, boring straight into your back—sending whatever voodoo evil-eye shit they could your way.

And all for what? 'Cause you had a boyfriend that looked different to them? Spoke differently and had different mannerisms? So fucking what? He loved you and you loved him, wasn't that enough?

"Ayo," you heard his voice faintly, and you felt guilty when you couldn't help but pay more attention to their gazes on you, "I'm gonna go grab us some'in to eat, yeah?"

You nodded but your eyes stayed cloudy, barely focusing on if he had left yet or not. Though, judging by the muttering voices that grew louder—he was gone and the aunties were approaching.

"Y/N, beti, was that your new... boyfriend?"

Ugh, her voice sounded like nails against a chalkboard to your ears. And—somehow—she made the usually nice-sounding accent that coated her tongue, seem god-awful.

"Yeah, what of it?" You crossed your arms, narrowing your eyes in her direction.

"Nothing... just... did it not work out with Rohan? I thought that boy was quite nice."

Here we go.

"No, fufu, Rohan didn't work out."

"That's a shame. He's training to be a doctor, you know—"

Is that so? I didn't know that after the hundreds of times you already told me, auntie.

"—a perfect marriage candidate."

"Mhm, good for him." You dismissed her with a light wave of your hand, barely managing to keep yourself from sinking your nails into her flesh right then and there.

Though, even your restrained actions were enough to cause her to narrow her own eyes at you. "Does your bhai know you're with... him?"

"He's the first person I told."

"He's the first person you told?"—and so the judging continues—"tor maa baaf khene khoysona foila?" ("why didn't you tell your mum and dad first?")

Your eye twitched. "They were also among the first I told."

"And they approved?"

The lion, the witch, and the audacity of this bitch.

"Why wouldn't they approve?"

"Well, you know—"

"There a problem, ladies?" Lo and behold, the person of interest had made his way back over to you, a plate of your mother's freshly baked samosas in one hand, his other hand resting by his side.

You lit up at his appearance, practically gliding over to him as your salwar kameez jingled with every step you took, emphasising your joy further as your arms looped around his neck and you rested your head against his chest.

His steady heartbeat was always comforting to listen to; always calmed your nerves.

"I can't lie, love, you're looking sweet in dat dress styll."

You giggled, feeling yourself turn into putty from just his one compliment. Even just his presence was enough to melt your bones and render you into an immovable pond of gooey mush, eyes practically turning into hearts as you endlessly swooned.

"And you are...?"

But, of course, all good things must come to an end.

"My name's Hobie, Hobie Brown." He held his hand out to her and when she merely looked at it with narrowed eyes, you could feel your grip tighten around his neck.

"Listen, my niece is very gentle—"

"Gen'le?" He interrupted her, incredulous. "This one? Are you mad?"

"Hobie!" You whined but buried your head into his chest to hide the growing smile on your lips that would give away your true feelings.

"What? It's a compliment, you're a mad ting, you know? Enough to make a big man stumble."

Another sickening, little school-girl giggle left your mouth and you could already envision your aunties scrunching their noses up in distaste at the blatant display of affection but—honestly?—you didn't give a fuck. You were in Hobie's arms and that was all that mattered.

"What is with all your... piercings? Are you in a gang?"

Okay, what did she just say?

You were fully ready to just snap at her but Hobie beat you to speaking first. "Nah, I don't do that gang shit."

"Fufu, I think you need to leave." You turned your head her way, grip tightening even further as your brows caved in tenfold; red, hot rage flowing through your veins.

You were about to pull away—give her a piece of your mind and forcefully make her leave—but, Hobie looped an arm around your waist and prevented you from creating any distance with him.

When you looked up to address him, however, you noticed how he wasn't looking at you—instead, he was staring right at your auntie, lips shaped into a straight line. "Just say you don't like me da'ing her 'cause I'm black, yeah?"

Woah.

Your auntie gritted her teeth, nostrils flaring as she fiercely huffed, raising one pointer finger his way in her rage as she parted her lips, ready to let out another one of her long, bitchy speeches.

But Hobie wasn't having it, and so, shut her right up when he turned his head back your way, tilting your chin and meeting your lips in a sudden—and extremely passionate—kiss.

Your eyes stayed open long enough for you to catch a glimpse of him raising his middle finger up and sending it right her way before you smirked and melted straight into him.

Despite the kiss being done to prove a point, it still didn't feel any less magical as every other kiss with him. Hobie was the only one who could ever make you feel this way—and you adored him for it, regardless of what some stuck-up auntie had to say.

When he finally pulled away (much to your dismay), he turned back over to your auntie, who stood there with her mouth hung open, and said, "do me a favour, yeah? Fuck off."

And soon, you were tugged off, away from the multiple pairs of eyes that belonged to all your other relatives in the room and towards another empty one instead.

Though, as Hobie led you over to the couch, you couldn't help but feel a wave of a certain strong emotion you felt when you brought your last non-brown lover over to a family gathering; a wave so strong, you had to voice it.

"I get it."

"Huh?"

"If you don't wanna be with me anymore—I get it. My aunties are really overbearing and South Asian culture is really, really unwelcome to other races so I—" a lump formed in your throat and you could barely finish uttering your sentence, unable to push past the stupid thing.

"Woah, woah, woah, what are you on about, love?" Hobie's voice sounded concerned but he was probably just trying to be sweet, he would leave you just like your past lover did—and all because of a dumb family gathering. God, how could you be so stupid? You shouldn't have taken him in the first place.

"It's just—" you choked up, vision blurring as your heart constricted and it got harder and harder to breathe.

"Woah, look at me, love. Look at me." His hands placed themselves on your shoulders as he levelled with you, making your nerves relax a little just by the sight of his face. "Breathe with me."

You followed the movement of his chest, breathing in rhythm with him until your vision cleared up and your words finally found you again.

"It's just that— my last boyfriend left me because of my aunties and— and— I don't want you to leave me too."

Please don't leave, I love you too much, Hobie.

"I would never leave you 'cause of some jarring prick that's part of your family. Ever."

You blinked. "Really? Not even 'cause I'm Desi?"

"What are you chatting 'bout? My guy Pav is Indian, you don't see me not bein' 'is mate 'cause of that."

He made a good point.

"Look, yeah, Y/N? I love you. No ma'er what. Never forget that."

And it was at that moment where you, Y/N L/N, found yourself falling in love with Hobie Brown all over again.

"I love you too, Hobie."

(Note: If I catch any comments that undermine this experience or call me racist for writing about this behaviour and calling it out, I will delete them and block the commenter. I take this very seriously and I hope you are mature enough to also do so. That's all, have a good day.)

[celaenaeiln]

Wait, I need to know,

Has Jason ever admit liking Dick? They're considered brothers in most of the nightwing comics I've read but is it the case red hood comics?

Simple answer: yes. But it's complicated.

Red Hood and the Outlaws (2011) is the only comic where Jason explicitly talks about liking Dick.

Red Hood and the Outlaws (2016) Annual #1

Jason has looked up to Dick for a long time.

Red Hood and the Outlaws (2016) Annual #1

He also implies that Dick was a better brother than Dick thinks which isn't saying much at all.

I honestly don't believe even a single letter that's written in this comic about Jason, Artemis, Bizarro, Roy, Kori, or Dick. It's one of the worst comics I've ever read and I only got through this by sheer force of will to know everything about every character. I don't know how it's possible but absolutely no one comes out looking good in this comic.

Jason does like Dick but it's better to not use anything from this comic or reference anything from this comic.

Scott Lobdell can go suck it. Do you want to know how terrible of a writer he is and how horribly he misunderstands characters?

He said he doesn't see Superman as a beacon of hope and light. Where other characters see Superman as someone who people should strive to be, someone who does good and helps the world, Scott Lobdell says that Superman sees himself as an alien and will never think of himself as worthy because he's an alien.

Newsflash: an alien is another word used to call an immigrant.

He's literally saying that because Clark comes from another planet, he will never fit in and will always be aware of the differences between himself and other people on earth because he's an immigrant.

He actively supports racists. He had a twitter argument with Ron Marz who writes another comic called Voodoo and Ron says, "Seriously? I was under the impression I'm allowed to think racists are bad people." TO WHICH SCOTT LOBDELL REPLIES: Wow! What a stand: "Racists am bad" Why not use your writing to change hearts and minds instead of shooting fish in a barrel.

Are you for freaking real?!

Which makes perfect sense how he treats Kori and Clark given that he has sexually harassed another comic writer and made fun of their asian features. He's sexist and racist.

He's also classist because Jason's father actually loved Jason in the original comics. But in Scott Lobdell's version, a poor man is an evil, abusive man.

So not only is he sexist, racist, and classist, he also can't write! He literally has no idea the story and background and the decades of development that went behind each character he gleefully trashes.

Okay I totally deviated but point is, it's better not to use Red Hood and the Outlaws to learn about Jason. Or anyone.

The other Red Hood comics don't really talk about Jason's love for Dick but to be fair, it was written at a time when Jason hated everyone. The reason Red Hood and the Outlaws is supposed to be important is because it is supposed to tie into current events but the problem is it can't be trusted.

[ahoppingmagician]

Nope

Alright, Viv just stop this train wreck, pull the plug, change your name and move to a mountain in the middle of nowhere. his woman is fully grown and I won't coddle her like the rest of the world.

Warnings: SA and Racism(If you aren't in the right head space please don't read these sections or this post)

SEXUAL ASSAULT

Alright, let's start with sexual assault. It shouldn't be treated like a joke or erotic because it's not. What else can I say to get it through people's skulls that SA isn't funny or sexy? If you truly need a post to understand why it's not acceptable, you are dangerous or too young to watch this show. This 30-something-year-old knows it's serious, but chooses when it should be taken seriously depending on her twink of the day. (You don't pick or choose when a topic is serious Viv, but go off)

Also, she needs to give things warnings, like I did for this post, for people to be

Happy

Healthy

Safe

Is it more hassle for you? Not at all. Will it be mentally damaging for the viewers? Yes, because you didn't warn them like a responsible creator about something they might have lived or have similar experiences with being shown on screen.

Goofy Rant

Now I'll brighten the mood by being a hateful bitch.

What is this plot? seriously how did we start with a hotel and then get to a threat of war between heaven and hell in like six episodes. That alone is two seasons, never mind every character's trauma, and other people that want the hotel cast dead, oh yeah and backstories for most of our cast...im six episodes.

VIV SLOW THE FUCK DOWN

If you have to cram every major plotline into your story then you failed. What she should of done is trim the fat off this burnt peice of bacon. Get rid of the Vees because they are pointless to the other plots or maybe the angel demon war because why would this show need it, or all the unfunny jokes.

Characters are shit adjacent but is that a surprise to literal any...wait her rabid fans. If your a fan of this series for god knows why then good for you...unless your a FAN fan. I have many words to say to them but that's for another day.

Edit: (Didn't even fucking know I posted this today, so sorry, onto racism)

RACISM

Now I am as Caucasian as can be so maybe I shouldn't speak on this, POC let me know if I can or if I should just shut up and let you do it.

I don't know much about voodoo/voodou, but I do know that it is a practiced religion, not a vibe VIV. You can't add a different religion to this show because it's a CHRISTIAN show, it explores the faults of God's judgement, heaven, and hell. Also, voodoo/voodou shouldn't be used as "evil" magic because we aren't in the 1900s to early 2000s anymore VIV. Also, you know it's a heavily if not completely black religion.

Alastor, Husk, Velvette, Emily, and Sera(Millie from HB aswell) don't look black. Now maybe I'm an asshole for this or even racist but where is the textured hair, like box braids, dreadlocks, afros, afro puffs, or just curlier hair in general. Why aren't you exploring the trauma that Alastor definitely went through because he was a biracial man in the early 1900s which could easily explain (not excuse) his behaviour, you could have a nurture versus nature theme.

Nifty feels...weird to me. First of all an Asian woman in the 50s who seems to have been raised or travelled to the USA, again racist trauma and all that being completely ignored. She feels like a stereotype, between the constant cleaning, obsessive behaviour, and her erratic behaviour. It feels like the crazy Asian woman stereotype.

Alright, that's it for right now, Have a wonderful day or night and wear whatever because it's all about your comfort because the world if making my own sanity crumble.

[indnwitch]

Some things are Cultural Appropriation, wearing box braids and not being Black, Wearing traditional Native American regalia and headdresses and not being native, dressing or acting a certain way to make yourself appear Asian, taking a trend or culturally significant thing from a POC group and claiming it’s yours even though you’re not apart of that culture.

Just to name a few. The line between cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation, is learning and respecting the cultural, and accepting that some things are NOT nor will they ever BE for YOU.

Hijab/Veil is NOT cultural appropriation. Show it respect when you wear it.

Native Beadwork is NOT cultural appropriation, as long as you don’t disrespect it or pretend you’re native.

Wearing an Ancient Egyptian protection symbol is NOT cultural appropriation, learn the history behind it and respect it.

What IS cultural appropriation is learning and being told something is NOT open and for you, and doing it anyway. IE box braids, hoodoo, voodoo, stregheria, etc.

You don’t need to be a part of everything, being respectful and admiring from a distance the things you can not do, is more culturally appreciative than pretending you’re a part of that culture.

Also telling mixed kids they can’t appreciate and practice both sides of their cultures because of how they might appear to you, is dead wrong. YOU DO NOT get to tell a mixed person what they can and CAN NOT do, especially when it comes to their cultures.

[the-unholy-sovereign]

[{]¤| Hail Satan |¤[}] 💀Shivah "Shiva"

(Asia) ASIAN "Defender I.Eagle" The Shinto; Slayers: (I.Predator) Komodo Dragon, the Salamander is thou victim "II.Prey" [(Demonic)] I.Saviour; The Shah of Africa (II.Hyena). Henceforward "I.Hunt", THE CONGO-BASIN; The Salamander is the devourer of both the falcon and its eggs. Not limited only to that particular species of bird as a predator. But to the owl as well, for the salamander being an common enemy onto both. However the condors mainly protects the falcon during it's hibernation; thusly I.Savior . Basically, depending on the breed of "Falcon" that will hibernate and shed its feathers (I.Prairie). Thence I, "V A M P U R I M" I I Cannibal (cannibals) "Imhotep" I.Nubian-Pharaoh; HYENAS (I.Barren) "Surrogacy" Hyena/Wolf (Half-Blood), Werewolf. The "Demon" Shai: White-Devil I.SOVEREIGN (Unholy) "Demonic", hereby solidify power afterwards impregnating the owl; offspring I.Warlock. Thereof Necrophilia (The hyena) "Human" I.Fetus cannibalistic-feast, Bain-Root/Garlic. . (Wolves).

[{BARBARIAN}] I.Europe/Romania . . . Witchcraft.

Furthermore an "Barren" woman is unlikely to bare demonic offspring, unless she's a female born fertile. Concluding "I.Barren" barren female is freed from the curse of the Succubus. . (Owls). Therefore I being the unholy imperial hierarchial-patriarchy (Overlord) Fledglings "Demon" Warlord, I.Shah/Shai "Feudal" A F R I C A [(N Ō N)] Feudalist; thine African "Gila-monster" II.Predator, the Congo-Basin [{Salamander}].

♾NUBIAN CREED: SATANIST: THE DARK GOD OF VOODOO. . . .

[system-voices]

What to do and not to do for Fictives Connected to a Culture that Isn't your own

by a Japanese fictive in a biracial (White/Honduran) body

Cultural Appropriation is a term that gets thrown around a fuck ton online these days. Here are some educational resources (and more) about it.

Basically, it means taking a culture that isn't your own. Plural systems have this problem with headmates sourced from media where their character is of a different race or ethnicity than the body itself.

So what the fuck do you do when you have a headmate like me who has a different race than the body, hm? Every system is different. Some systems only have their headspace bodies affected while others have headmates form with deeply connected identities that do not belong with the body.

We usually have headmates who are only connected by appearance to a race, but others are deeply connected to deal with cultural trauma we've experienced, not from source, and a culture outside the body affecting the development of a headmate.

Understanding why a headmate is wanting to connect to a culture or identity so much beyond an appearance is important to pinpoint. Is it internalized racism? Some strange concept including racial superiority or believing that race is a choice? Do some good god damn soul searching before diving head first into anything. We all know race is a touchy issue even outside the plural community.

Some rules of thumb no matter the answer are that:

1. Changing the physical body to fit a race outwardly is racist.

EX: A white/other presenting body begins to slowly aquire and appear as another race outwardly that isn't the one they were born as. This can involve surgery, cosmetics, use of slurs, speaking over POC on real-life issues, or even just flat out refusing to acknowledge the bodies race and ethnicity.

2. Claiming a closed culture or closed aspects of a culture is racist.

EX: A hesdmate wishing to dabble or participate in Voodoo, a closed culture, wouldn't be able to and why the affects of participating would have negative consequences. There are obligations as a white/other body you have to uphold in this world.

3. Forcing other hesdmates or the body to follow a specific culture or race that does not align with the body for malicious reasons is not only racist but just harmful in general.

EX: Wishing to claim an entire culture because they "deserve it", "want to make others feel bad," "use it against others," or "get access to spaces and rights they're not supposed to" are, I believe, stepping points in this direction.

This will be good starting points to weed out what racist ideals that may be affecting a headmate. If none of these apply and your headmate simply wants to interact with a culture with appreciation and to connect to themselves in safe ways, where do you go from there?

What to do when your Headmate wants to Connect to a Culture

I am a Japanese headmate because my source is based upon Japanese culture and written by an Asian man. However, my culture is not true Japanese culture. My home is based within a fictional version of Japan with different governments, laws, name structures, and history than the one of this world. When your Headmate identifies with a culture, know there are boundaries and perhaps only specific shared aspects that they long for.

For example, within my source, my name, Katsuki Bakugo, is made up of Japanese phrases and do not resemble real names of real people, intentionally by my creator for people outside his culture. Within my world they are common and not unusual. However, in this reality it is. This is a division of this reality and my own. It is still the Japanese language, but it holds no cultural significance outside of words a being chose to create fictional names.

I am capable of claiming my name and keeping it because it is but an aspect of a language that is open for others to interact with. Japanese is encouraged to be learned and taught. For this reason, keeping my name is not cultural appropriation. This may be difficult for other introjects, especially factives or those whose source stems from a tight intertwining of this reality and their own.

Researching your source name, it's history and why it was chosen, will help decide weather it is one crossing appropriation or simply a name you can still keep. I am lucky mine is not. You may not be.

Because my culture from source is influenced and reflects this realities Japanese Culture, that means certain cuisine and holidays I used to participate in are ones I may know or have memory of.

The solution is simple for this one. If the culture you are based upon or stem from has pieces of food, tradition, or holidays that are closed and unable to be shared or refuse to be shared. You simply give up that aspect and move on to the open, shared, and welcomed portions of the culture. Just because you are not within a body that presents as your race does not mean you cannot appreciate it to the extent that is allowed. But this also extends to the part where you just accept and effectively move on from those aspects of yourself to respect his reality and especially, most importantly, it's own people.

For example, I cook frequently in my system. Most foods I enjoy cooking involve cuisine with tofu, mostly soups, because it's my favorite type of food. The soups I cook are not sacred nor am I stealing them in this body. I researched if they are parts of Japanese culture that are open, shared, and encouraged to be learned and appreciated. If the Japanese culture, or any culture your Headmate wishes to connect with, gives you a wildly recognized green flag to participate, than you may. If not, deal with it.

The only reason I participate within Japanese culture despite living in a body that isn't my own in a world that isn't my own is because of multiple factors.

We as a system collectively have interest in other cultures. We read academic research, we involve and uplift POC voices and actually place our actions where our fucking mouth is. No, this doesn't give us a pass. But it DOES give us an understanding and access to what is right and wrong and how that will influence our decisions. We interact with open aspects of culture constantly and are aware of the dos and donts, continuing to learn all the while. We respect Japanese culture, so when I formed this aspect of it, I was allowed to take part as an outsider, to still have a taste of home. It isn't the bodies culture, but once was mine.

Whatever happens you listen to those of your culture from this world and you slaughter and murder the internalized racism you may have formed with. Anyone not willing to do so is a lost fucking cause.

[ranatsume]

10.19.24

Cym. goeringii 'Black Lotus' x Voodoo 'Gypsy Red'

Another Asian cymbidium I’ve had for two and a half years is finally in spike! These are some very exciting times! 🤗

[gravalicious]

“The storytellers had an endless list of evil creatures and trickster-heroes in their repertory, and these spirits, creatures, and beings derived from African, Amerindian, and Euro-Asian folk myths. There was the Massakruman, a river spirit who was always hungering for human flesh; the Old Higue, who could turn into a ball of fire; the Baku, an African dwarf devil who persecuted adolescent girls; the Fairmaid, a mermaid-like siren who would appear on the seashore and offer you all the world’s riches in exchange for your soul; the Whitelady, a ghostly transparent demon who could put a terrible spell on you, and only the Christian Bible, a cross, and a Carib shaman’s gourd- rattle could save you from a cruel death; Anancy, the spiderman, who with his agile brain could outwit the most powerful and cunning foes; Kanaima, the ultimate Amerindian devil-spirit, the epitome of all evil; Hurricane, the Carib god of vengeance who stalked the pastures of Heaven seasonally with his lightening eel, his thunder axe, and his strong winds; then, there was Mantop, Death’s messenger, who was forever prowling on the edges of your life. These were all creatures drawn from the pantheon of multicultural spirits, Gods, trickster-heroes and devils; whilst among the living, there were Voodoo priests, prophets of every shade, genre, and description, Hindu Kalimai Pujay priests, Chinese devil-priests, and Amerindian shamans who could blow evil spirits out of you with their powerful magic breath. In addition, there were numerous self-proclaimed Christs and redeemers, for Agricola and other villages tolerated madness and accorded to it certain mystical attributes. So those who had sought a permanent escape into realms of insanity and prophetic fantasies were housed and clothed and treated with an infinite compassion by so many who could ill afford it.”

Jan Carew - The Third World: Its Facade and its Landscapes Within (1988)

[thelasagnaaquatic]

Electric Ladyland if Jimi Hendrix was WOKE!!!!?!!!

Erotic Genderland by Jim/he Her/ndrix

1. …And the Gods made GAY love 🏳️‍🌈

2. Have you Ever Been to Erotic Genderland 🤔

3. Crossdress Fanfic 🙆‍♀️

4. VoodooTraditional Haitian Religion Chile 🎸

5. Little Mister Twink 🕺

6. Long Hot Summer Cock 🤯

7. Cum On 🤤

8. GypsyEastern European/South Asian cultural group Eyes 👀

9. Burning of the Midnight Dab Pen 🖊️

10. Rainy Day, Dream of Gay 😴

11. 1984…(A Merthem I Should Woke To Be) 🧜‍♂️

12. Moon, Turn The Trans Gently…Gently Away 🌙

13. Still Posting, Still Soying 😮

14. ChapoTrapHouse Burning Down 🔥

15. All Along The Blahajtower 🦈

16. Voodoo Child (Slight Racism) 👎

[chaifootsteps]

I waana ask this before I fall asleep. This just came to mind, this rambling.

So Viv made Nifty asian (japanese), which comes off terribly. I believe it was the whole "yellow-skinned genki girl" thing that is Nifty. She's not yellow anymore, but she never should've been labeled as asian.

Alastor was alwayd a white dude. Then Bitchpop changed it up after getting call out for appropriating voodoo and... something else. Sorry, my brain cells are shot right now. Anyway, suddenly Alastor is coined as being black (or was it half black?). And then that just got dropped apparently because the VA notes didn't call for a black VA like how other characters (Veggie I think) had a specification.

Word is is that Val and Velveeta are supposed to be black, not sure about Vox. Not to say that you can't have black characters be antagonists. But it feels weird to me that any "black" characters so far are all antagonists. Am I way off? Let me know.

Veggie is an angry latina stereotype. It's a glaring issue when she's the only latina.

Why the fuck are characters like Nifty, Val, Vel given races anyway? Aren't they all straight from Hell?

"strong presence and confidence of a jewish mother"

Trans rep sucks. Queer rep sucks. Lady rep sucks.

In conclusion, FUCK You, VIV. Goosnight 👋🏼

Can't speak to all of this, but I remember seeing somewhere that Valentino was supposed to be Hispanic. Which also isn't good.

[flightyquinn]

ah, ok.

nifty is a confirmed asian character in the show that is depicted with yellow skin and is a maid for the hotel.

valentino is a black-coded character that depicts the old stereotype of black men being abusive pimps and rapists.

alastor was retconned to be black due to the backlash vivziepop received for depicting him using "satanic" magic with voodoo symbols that are sacred to african cultures.

First of all, the yellow skin was only in the pilot, and was changed to pancake makeup white. Secondly, not confirmed Asian. Vivzie considered making her Japanese, because her original VA was fluent.

Black-coded. JFC... First of all, he's a moth? With an Italian name. Who has been confirmed by the creators to be Hispanic. What part of him is "Black Coded" to you? The fact that he's a pimp? Yes, the pimp demon acts like a stereotypical pimp. This one says more about you than it does Viv, so maybe take a good, hard look at yourself and ask why you equate the bi moth with blackness.

He wasn't retconned to be black. He's mixed-race of Creole descent, and as far as my research can find, that's always been the case. The symbols were clearly being used to allude to his heritage, and not as generic "satanic" symbols. We could criticize her for poor research and handling, but the fact is that if this is racist, then Disney should have been burned to the ground for The Princess and the Frog, where the "voodoo = evil" association was far more explicit.

[theliterarywolf]

So. Being devil’s advocate, and this is me looking into what voodoo is, something that is an African thing? Like for Alastor, it’s considered “racist” because of how it’s being portrayed. Unlike other stuff like Greek and Viking stuff, people aren't allowed because of the person’s skin color. And having an insane Cannibal be that is an insult to the term of voodoo because of it being a Minority thing.

Granted, it's not the best argument because that can apply to Indian Culture or Asian Culture as a whole.

*pictured above: me not wanting to go into this ask because it's going to give me/bring me the same level of frustration my mother and I get when we mention to people that 'No, things like Twerking, Kwanzaa, and Swahili** are not originally African or black diaspora placeholders for languages and holidays and cultural activities' and that a lot of what is modern Voodoo/Hoodoo is an amalgamation of various, sometimes contradicting, rites and practices from various African cultures and Roman Catholic elements that were just haphazardly put together by black Caribbeans, black Southerners, and Haitians.

And that there should be a conversation about keeping those various African cultures and rites alive but, often, things end up getting muddied into the intersectional debate of white Aesthetic (TM) witchcraft and magic (i.e.: Wicca) vs darker practices, which in turn causes the whole thing to get further muddled into a 'Christianity vs. Alternative Religions' debate...

But still wanting to publish this ask so it doesn't look like I'm ignoring it.*

** Swahili is what's known as a Lingua Franca, a bridge language that is composed of numerous different source languages and used for the sake of trade

[simgigglegirlresource]

The Sim Manipulator

Works similarly to SimBlender but has some new options that the other doesn't have.

Buy Menu Allows sims to buy things that either they have to go off the lot to get or things they normally can't buy. All items are bought at their regular price. Also there is a menu option to turn being charged for items off and on, Which is called "Turn Pay for Buy Menu Items On/Off". Note sims can't buy things they don't have the money for, Also each menu will display the items price. And finally wants will be satisfied if the sim has the want for the item. Here are the things they can buy.

Clothes from all categories(Includes outerwear), Except for maternity. Outerwear will only appear if the Seasons expansion is installed.

All potions can be bought(Love Potion #8.5, Vamprocillian-D, Lycanthropic-B, Plantophic-C, ReNuYu Porta-Chug , and Witchbegone-E). Each potion will only appear if it's expansion is installed, Except for the ReNuYu Porta-Chug, Which will appear with the Night Life expansion and newer expansions.

Pets collars can be bought, Includes both cats and dogs. Will not appear unless the Pets expansion is installed.

Jewelery can also be bought, Will not appear unless the Bon Voyage expansion is installed.

The Wishing Well can be bought, Will not appear unless the Seasons expansion is installed.

The Genie Lamp can be bought, Will not appear unless the Free Time expansion is installed.

The Witch Reagents(Dragon Scales, Essence Of Light, Eye Of Newt, Viper Essence, Mystic Dust, and Crystallized Moonbeams) can be bought, Will not appear unless the Apartment Life expansion is installed.

The hand held electronics(Cell Phone, MP3 Player, and Hand Held Game) can be bought, Will not appear unless the University expansion is installed.

Groceries can now be bought from home.

Open for Business craftables can be bought. Includes robots, flower arrangements, and Toys. Will not appear unless the Open for Business expansion is installed.

Free Time craftables can be bought. Includes sewn and pottery objects. Will not appear unless the Free Time expansion is installed.

Fish can be bought. Includes the Golden Trout, Boot, Bass, Catfish, Rainbow Trout, Small Bass, Small Catfish, and Small Rainbow Trout. Will not appear unless the Seasons expansion is installed.

Harvestables plants can now be bought. Includes Tomatoes, Peppers, Eggplants, Pole Beans, Strawberries, and Cucumbers. When buying harvestables a dialog will appearing asking about what quality harvestable You want. Will not appear unless the Seasons expansion is installed.

Mr.Mickles the Voodoo Doll can be bought. Will not appear unless the Bon Voyage expansion is installed.

Vacation maps for the secret lots on each vacation location(Mountains, Beach, Asian).

Change Clothes Menu - Will allow sims to instantly change their clothes to naked, Causal, Swimsuit, Workout, Formal, PJs, Maternity, and Outerwear. Can be for a single sim or for all sims on lot.

Relationship sub menu Turn Relationship Decay.../ - Allows sims to turn relationship decay on the current lot to be turned off and on.

Skills sub menu FT and AL Skills - Allows sims add or remove skills from Free Time or Apartment Life, The skills sims can alter are Parenting, Fire Safety, Anger Management, Life Long Happiness, Physiology, Couples Counseling, and Break Dancing. Parenting will appear if Free Time or Apartment Life are installed, The rest of the skills will only appear if Apartment Life is installed. Sims will also earn all proper memories and wants satisfied.

Skills sub menu Pet Skills - Will allow pets to add or remove skills they have learned, The skills they can learn are Stand Up, Shake, Speak, Play Dead, Come, Stay, Use Toilet,  Roll Over. In order to alter these skills a pet has to be selected and the cheat "boolprop ControlPets" enabled. Requires the Pets expansion to appear.

Skills sub menu Magic Skill - Will allow sims to alter their magic skill, If they are a witch. Right now they can set it to 0%, 50%, or 100%. Requires the Apartment Life expansion to appear.

Skills sub menu Hidden Skills - Allows sims to alter skills you can't normally see. Skills that can be alter right now are Painting, Meditation, Study, Pool Skill(The game), Novel Writing, Dance Skill. The pool skill will only appear if the University, Free Time, or Apartment Life expansions are installed, Doesn't matter which one as long as you have at least one. The grocery dialog will appear for all hidden skills. When maxing out the study skill Sims Will gain the memory of it and will allow sim's to choose who taught them(phone dialog), The teacher will also gain the proper memory.

Skill sub menu Vacation Skills - Will allow sims to learn the skills that came with Bon Voyage, That are earned at different vacation destinations. Right now sims can learn to do the Mountain Greeting, Island Greeting, Far East Greeting, Acupressure Massage, Hot Stone Massage, Deep Tissue Massage, Fire Dance, Hula Dance, Slap Dance, Tai Chi, Ninja Teleport, Sea Chanty, Dragon Legend Story. Sims will earn all proper memories, wants satisfied, and vacation collection unlocked. Will not appear unless the Bon Voyage expansion is installed.

Skill sub menu Toddler Skills - Will allow sims to learn Toddler skills, Right now they can learn to walk, talk, potty training, and Nursery Rhyme. In order to learn the skill the currently selected sim has to be a toddler, after choosing a skill to learn the toddler has to choose a family member who will teach them the the skill. Both sims will earn the proper memories and wants satisfied. Nursery Rhyme will not appear unless the Free Time expansion is installed.

Hobby Enthusiasm Menu - Will allow sims to change their current hobby enthusiasm level, Sims can max it out, or set the level, Set All hobbies to zero or just one of them. Sims can also change their predestined hobby. Set level uses the grocery dialog. Sims will earn all proper memories and wants satisfied. Includes the ones sims get when they get into a hobby club, Which is earned when they reach the 5th level or higher for hobby enthusiasm. Will not appear unless the Free Time expansion is installed.

Career Menu - Will allow sims to change different aspects of their job. Currently they can choose what job their in(Includes jobs that require sims to go to University), what level they are on in their current job, add or take away vacation days, their current job performance, unlock all the career rewards(or just one), Make sim unemployed. Must be teens or older for it to appear. Set Retirement Money allows sims to choose how much money they will get from the job they retired from, Uses the grocery dialog and can set from $1 to $10,000.

Pregnancy Menu - Will allows sims to have a baby with the Grim Reaper, Pollination Technician, Any sim on the lot, or any sim in the neighborhood. Also allows sims to choose the father of the baby, How many babies they will have, Pause/unpause pregnancy, accelerate/de-accelerate the pregnancy, abort pregnancy, and look at the current pregnancy stats(the father, hours pregnant, etc). And finally they can change their current pregnancy stage to 2nd, 3rd, and giving birth.

Creature Menu - Will allow sims to become or cure, Any of the occult creatures(Zombies, Vampires, Werewolves, Plantsims, and all three witches. Each creature will only appear if it's expansion is installed. Sims will earn all proper memories and wants satisfied.

Alter Time Menu - Will allows sims to change the time of day, set either am or pm from 1-12. Will also allow sims to change the day of the week, Day will not reset back to the day it should be at midnight.

Kill Sim Menu - Sims can choose to die 12 different ways. They can die from hunger, electrocution, drowning, fire, old age, sickness, flies, fright, falling satellite, sunlight, hail, and lightning. Sims that are children and older can die. Hail and lighting require the Seasons expansion.

Health Menu - Will allow sims cure their sickness, Can be used on the currently selected sim, all sims on the current lot, or the whole neighborhood. Sims are also able to make themselves immune to sickness(can also remove the immunity to sickness).

Health sub menu Get Sick - Will allow sims to make themselves sick with 4 different sicknesses. They can become sick from food poisoning, a cold, pneumonia, and the flu. Children and older can become sick.

Health sub menu Skin - Will allows sims to get/remove a sun burn, sun tan, and poison ivy. Sims must children or older to use any of these interactions. Also note any sims that are creatures or pregnant, Can't use these interactions. Will not appear unless the Bon Voyage expansion is installed.

Health sub menu Fitness - Will allow sims to change their fitness to fit, normal, or fat.

Plus way more stuff. I think you have an idea of how much they can offer.