#i think most of these people are just “medievalists” who are insecure

[a-god-in-ruins-rises]

some people who try to "rehabilitate" the dark ages are doing too much. it's one thing to say it wasn't as bad as popularly imagined in the past.

but it's another thing to say it wasn't bad at all or that it wasn't obviously a downgrade from the ages that preceded or even that it was actually equal or even /better/ than the ages that preceded it (actually thing i've seen people say).

like look at this "medievalist":

he basically acknowledges that there was a decline by several metrics -- even says this isn't disputed -- but then he still insists we stop using the term "dark age" because of "emotional baggage". lmao.

has the same energy as this:

[inkofamethyst]

April 4, 2020

Day 95 of the Cute Campaign: eh, it’s 11:51 pm and haven’t changed out of my pj’s so that’s a big nope for today.

Day 23 of quarantine: me and my mom spent five hours or so sewing masks today!  We had lots of sewing machine malfunctions and had to figure out our “system,” but we’ve got eight masks done so far and we’re planning to make more gradually over the next few days, since all of the materials have been cute out and only need to be sewn.

Tomorrow is the last day I have to work on my dance routine :/.  It’s... well, I have all the steps memorized, I just need energy and talent.  I look like I’m flailing out here, and it’s not a good look.  It’s been a lot of fun, it’s just really hard to get to look all graceful and energized and engaged like my dancer-friend (and I know that’s a comparison and I’m not supposed to be doing that, but it’s true, so).

My sister and I have been making our way through season six of The 100 and so far I think it’s the most interesting premise yet. To be fair, I’ve enjoyed all of the seasons and the hypothetical questions they answer, but this one pertaining to the differences in the way that a culture treats a certain group (nightbloods) has been really cool to consider.  On one plant, they’re immortal gods and people literally willingly sacrifice themselves so that the nightbloods may live.  On another, nightbloods are still held in high regard... and the culture also supports the willing sacrifice of nightbloods to determine who will be the next commander.  I think I naturally have more of an affinity for the “grounder” culture because we’ve gotten to know them over the course of five seasons, but the practice of rounding up nightbloods to have them all fight to the death/until one remains is still pretty barbaric.  I’m glad that the conflict in me related to why I enjoy analyzing things like this is gone.

Speaking of which, had I only searched on google for careers that combined science and history, biological anthropology would’ve popped right up.  Lesson: do your own research.  Had I even been introduced to the idea of potentially having a career in the humanities, maybe my high school path would have been different.  But no.  I knew early on that money was found in science, and job insecurity awaited those who majored in the arts and humanities, despite the fact that it was what I enjoyed the most.  There was never a thought in my mind that I could combine two areas, because people who did that were few and far in between.

Speaking of the humanities, I read quite a number of interesting articles by the writers of The Public Medievalist, the most interesting being the one that talked about the Original Sin of the Fantasy Genre.  Basically, it was an opinionated article based in fact that talked about how the lack of representation of, specifically, black characters in Game of Thrones is a little problematic especially when George RR Martin claims that he’s done the research to make his novels the most authentic to real medieval life as possible.  Black people were present in medieval times, the article asserts, but Martin’s claims reinforce the pervasive idea in people’s minds that medieval Europe what whites-only.  Martin also has groups of people with darker skin who are more barbaric or, well, badder than those with lighter skin.  Additionally, the article discussed Dungeons and Dragons and its relationship with the Drow and Orcs, and how the labeling of all people from a certain race as automatically “evil” is problematic because it reinforces the idea that this can be true in real life.  Let’s not forget: some people (such as myself, sometimes, I’ll admit) have a difficult time separating what’s real from what’s fantasy.  This racial labeling is also present in Tolkein’s universe, on which DnD is loosely based.  The article also mentioned the massively popular novels by R.A. Salvatore that follow the adventures of a good Drow (I was actually recommended this series when I was in Pittsburgh and now I’ve got to read it... though there are over thirty books chronicling this guy’s adventures), and how, again, racial labeling makes an appearance, though Salvatore sort of works to subvert this by making his character an outcast as a good Drow.  Man, this article was good.  I don’t read a lot of criticism of the fantasy genre, but the idea of going LARPing with my DnD-friend and ultimately feeling like an outcast because I’m the only black person there has crossed my mind as a possible outcome.  Even worse would be if other people notice the fact that I’m the only one.  Even worse would be if someone makes me feel unwelcome because of it.

Fantasy has seemed like a whites-only club to me for a long time, but I’ve never had a problem looking at it from the outside.  Now that I’m an adult, I want to learn more about why this is the case.  I want to learn about the Black presence in medieval Europe.  I want to learn what I can do to subvert assumptions about the genre.  N. K. Jemesin’s trilogy that I read over winter break (truly an incredible piece of fiction) had dynamic (and sometimes annoying) people of color as powerful individuals.  The author crafted a world with varying cultures and, well, races, in a way, denoted by their hair or skin color or language.  I don’t think I’ll write a trilogy like she did, but maybe involving myself in a local LARP community (when I’ve got my own transportation probably, so likely not during college) is my role to play.  Or going to conventions.  Or getting involved in fandoms again (though... that’s honestly a bit tiring, so I think I’ll pass on this one).  The point is that I want to be able to stand my ground if anyone challenges my right to be somewhere.  And if no one challenges?  That’s even better, because then I’m just smarter for having all of the knowledge that I would’ve used in a challenge anyway.  And y’all know how much I like being smart for no reason.

Today I’m thankful for my mom.  She was such a big help with the masks today, and was even here when I got frustrated when my sewing machine didn’t work to help me find answers.

I mean, sure, I didn’t study today at all for my anatomy exam on Tuesday, but that’s okay.  I’ll get my notes written up and start.. tomorrow.  You know, when I also have to write a lab report, start a summary sheet, complete a pre-lab, do a pre-lab quiz, watch a math video, and create study materials for another exam.  Ahhh, life’s gonna be great tomorrow, I’m sure.