#but after they explained to them why they didn’t fuck w replacing the terminology they would just sigh real loud and go

[throes-of-warm-tornadoes]

as a visually white looking person i know i am throwing stones in glass houses when i say this but some of you guys are so fucking annoying in ethnic studies/race related classes. like we were talking about white privilege today and a term that came up was unearned advantages. then this white liberal (important context for the rant) raises their hand and is like “that term rubs me the wrong way because not being brutalized and being treated as a human being should not be a privilege, it should be a given. so instead of saying unearned advantages we should flip it and say that non-white communities have undeserved disadvantages” which like werkkkk but also

1) as a white person, the word “we should do this” when talking about poc should not be in your vocabulary. like u must be speaking french bc this “we” you are talking about does NOT include you. and it will never include you. also what do you MEAN that poc *should* rework the way they talk about their oppression because it rubs *you* the wrong way

2) when the prof and several of our peers (all poc) explained why this would harm poc more than help (they said that undeserved disadvantages = flipped the phrase in white peoples favor since it gave them an opening to be like “why do poc complain so much about being disadvantaged?? they always do this”) their only response was “still… it doesn’t sit right with me.” like okay. the crazy thing about that is it doesn’t have to

3) this person in particular is VERY picky with their wording and phrasing. like every time they open their mouth to answer a question it’s like they’re trying to reach a word count or something, and i’m not saying that it’s bad to adopt formal academic ways of speaking in a more casual environment, but that requires u to know which words ur even gonna SAY. like they’ll take a very long time to answer the question and it’s because they’re taking a lot of pauses to articulate their thoughts like they’re tryna craft a research paper. and i get that they don’t want to come off as offensive, but can i be honest? as a white person, you will say something offensive at some point or another. maybe even about multiple communities. and it won’t be a one time thing. but how you respond to it matters. i’m not saying that they were wrong to think that way, or to share what they thought—everyone said that they agreed with them ideologically, even if they didn’t fuck with the semantics—but the fact that they doubled down after multiple woc explained why they were NOT having a mega mind moment probably didn’t sit right with them (them being the woc in this case). and then after class they went up to the prof and was like “i hope i wasn’t being offensive!! that wasn’t my intention i hope u don’t hate me 🥺🥺” like if i can be honest no one is mad at u for suggesting we use different language to talk about white privilege. the way you reacted just gave them the ick. esp when u had nothing new to bring to the table other than their responses not making personal sense to you as a white person. maybe it’s me talking as a woman, but i have never been raised to frame my thoughts as suggestions—only questions. i was thinking about if that were me i would have been like “how do you feel about using these terms instead—“ or “why don’t we use these terms—“ instead of flat out saying that we *should* use these terms

anyway. i’m kinda having a white person moment rn by making this whole long rant about how that personally struck a chord w me (didn’t sit right, some might even say…) when in actuality this impacts poc a lot more. i need more stones

[thanksjro]

Eugenesis, Part Four Scene Three: We Haven’t Invented Concussive Medicine Yet

Wheeljack, Mainframe, Centurion, and Sygnet are still wandering in the general direction of the Sonic Canyons. Centurion has been asking a LOT of questions- y’know, because he’s like eight years old- and it’s starting to wear on Mainframe’s sanity. I feel your pain, Mainframe, I’m the oldest of six.

This time, he’s asking about Wheeljack and Sygnet. They’re awfully chummy, and that doesn’t really track with what Centurion’s been told about the relations between the Autobots and Decepticons. Mainframe tells him to use his critical thinking skills, and Centurion makes some good points about them now having a common enemy, and how everyone should be fighting for the freedom of the planet instead of being at each others’ throats.

Mainframe, don’t tease Centurion like that, he’s just a little baby.

Turns out Sygnet was Wheeljack’s apprentice way back when, and originally an Autobot. He only defected to the Decepticons because he kept getting shown up by Wheeljack with grant money and prizes.

I’m sorry, Skywarp w h a t.

Right after Mainframe drops that bomb, the boys run into a ship crash. Looks like one of the prison ships didn’t quite make it to Kledji. They check it out, just to make sure nothing’s still alive, and are rewarded for their thoroughness with the knowledge that the second pilot lived and currently has the communication equipment.

Mainframe you horse’s ass, what was that? Why are you being such an ice queen? Is it because you’re the third-dumbest person in the wasteland right now? Got some small-dick energy going? Or whatever the Transformers-equivalent that would be?

(Don’t fucking message me about the fanon terminology for robo-genitals, I’m already painfully aware.)

It’s a little too late though, because the dead guy’s already called for backup, and a sci-fi biker gang is on the way to wreck shop.

Meanwhile, in hyperspace, the Ark’s in danger, as the stowaway Quintesson makes his way to the bridge to kill everyone. Death’s Head, still locked in the lab, isn’t thrilled with this development; not because he cares what happens to the Autobots, but because he’s planning on selling the Ark, and the Quintesson seems hellbent on destroying the resale value of the damn thing.

He decides it’s time to stop pretending like mere locks can hold him, and quickly breaks out, by way of futuristic lock-picking.

Lot of people just deciding that they’re done being imprisoned in this last little bit. Galvatron, Raindance, and now Death’s Head.

While this is happening, Quantax is receiving word that the Matrix has been retrieved and is in their possession.

…So you’re saying the birth of the Antichrist is still on the table. Fantastic.

Then we finally get to go to the Sonic Canyons, where Siren’s found Raindance, who’d crashed. He’s worn out, more from the Chip’s influence than any real form of exertion. Just so they don’t think he’s crazy, he turns into a cassette, loaded with all the top hits from the concentration camp.

Back on the Ark, Death’s Head is on the bridge, trying his hand at a little medical care.

His bedside manner could use a little work, but it looks like we’ll have our replacement for First Aid in a jiffy!

He’s stopped from further violence by our good friend and doctor, Ratchet. He didn’t go into voluntary shutdown, seeing as he was passed out in the normal fashion while everyone else was bedding down for the sleepover. And people say running yourself into the ground doesn’t get results!

Since there’s no way to wake the rest of the Autobots up, it’s up to these two to buddy-cop it up and save the day. It’s the peacekeeper and Ratchet the Hatchet against some nobody Quintesson cannon-fodder.

Odds seem about even.

Back with Wheeljack and the boys, the Quintesson hoverbike gang has arrived, and they’re packing heat.

Wheeljack’s been shot several times. There’s Quintessons everywhere. It’s all going to hell, and the real cherry on top of this terrible sundae is that Jacky-boy’s begun to hallucinate from the pain- there’s two familiar figures coming up over the ridge, but it couldn’t possibly be-

Next thing you know, Swerve’ll be collecting the curdled body-fluids of cybercrosis victims to squirrel away for reasons that will never be explained in-canon.

Roberts writes a weird Swerve, and always in a surprisingly subtle way.

So Optimus and Nightbeat are here, and Optimus swiftly starts kicking as much ass as he possibly can, in a way that will make all the robots swoon.

That won’t do a whole heck of a lot against a tractor beam, though, as it picks him up. The others take refuge in the downed shuttle, though, again, tractor beam.

The pilot really covered all his bases, because now there’s a ship taking care of the Autobots (and Sygnet). Luckily, they’ve got a flying baby boy on their side.

Centurion, using the power of his jet boots, slams against the floor of the shuttle, pushing down hard enough to override the beam and send them crashing back down. Good job, Centurion.

Meanwhile, Quantax is having just the best time staring into the Matrix like one would a lover’s eyes. He knows he’ll never be Prime, but it doesn’t stop him from trying it out.

The Matrix is a classist piece of tin foil, and you can tell it I said that.

Having embarrassed himself enough, Quantax turns his attention to the corpse- yes, corpse, we have confirmation- of Rodimus Prime.

Roberts actually did it, the bastard. He killed Rodimus Prime. I didn’t think he would, but clearly I’ve been made a fool.

Xenon calls, as Quantax has been expecting. He wants the Matrix.

Everyone does, Xenon, you aren’t special.

He shoots over a teleport trooper and demands it be loaded into his armor for safekeeping. Quantax does as he’s told, though he’s starting to get a little Gollum over the thing. The trooper is shot back, and he thoroughly cooked by the two teleport trips back to back. No one gives a shit about his wellbeing, though. Why would they? He’s just cannon-fodder, and they’ve got what they want.

The Quintessons are about overdue for some good old-fashioned unionization.

Xenon asks if all the Cybertronians have been accounted for. Quantax lies through his frigging teeth and says yes.

Meanwhile, with the unaccounted-for Autobots, it’s time to go to college.

The boys have ended up at the Institute of Higher Programming, thanks to the utility ducts. Kup’s still knocked out, by the way. He probably has a concussion.

Are you telling me that the Headmasters are a frat? Do they have keggers at their rental on campus and catcall the three female robots on the planet?

Chromedome leads everyone around and they start setting up for the long-range comm to Siren at the Sonic Canyons.

Prowl decides to let Kup sleep for a bit. Prowl isn’t a medical professional, so he really shouldn’t be making that call, but with every medic being either dead or locked up in hyperspace, things have gotten a little funky in that regard.