#national minorities

[useless-catalanfacts]

Sweden saying they'll vote against allowing the use of Catalan, Basque and Galician in the European Union Parliament because "there's lots of minority languages and we can't allow them all" is so funny because CATALAN HAS MORE SPEAKERS THAN SWEDISH

Catalan is the 13th most spoken language in the EU. It has more than 10 million speakers, which means it has more speakers than other languages that are already official EU languages like Maltese (530,000), Estonian (1.2 million), Latvian (1.5 million), Irish (1.6 million), Slovene (2.5 million), Lithuanian (3 million), Slovak (5 million), Finnish (5.8 million), Danish (6 million), Swedish (10 million), and Bulgarian (10 million).

Neither Galician (3 million) nor Basque (750,000) would still be the least spoken languages to be allowed in the EU representative bodies.

But even if any of them did, so what? Why do speakers of smaller languages deserve less rights than those of bigger languages? How are we supposed to feel represented by the EU Parliament when our representatives aren't even allowed to speak our language, but the dominant groups can speak theirs?

It all comes down to the hatred of language/cultural diversity and the belief that it's an inconvenience, that only the languages of independent countries have any kind of value while the rest should be killed off. After all, isn't that what Sweden has been trying to do to the indigenous Sami people for centuries?

[undead-cypress]

If they ever make an OVA I want an Ember Island Players recap like on Avatar Last Airbender

Junah's actress keeps breaking out into musical numbers

Neuras's actor captures his energy so perfectly Neuras start making out with him backstage

Basilio's too busy playing with the literal cat that plays him to clock how offensive that is

Louis is being played by the tallest, cuntiest drag queen in the country, which means he's being played by Milo. Everyone agrees this is spot on casting.

Bonus:

ASMR Eupha and Will help you sleep by beating you till you're unconscious

Whoever thought to make the mages weak to strike is a comedic genius

[vespermyotis]

i think possibly the chiefest point of horror in my first viewing of the terror, which still gets me every time, is Irving encountering the Netsilik family.

it’s a great, gutwrenching scene. Irving doesn’t intend any violence to them. he’s earnest, and they’re earnest in return—Koveyook feeds him, and you know it won’t save him, he’s asking too impossibly much of them when he mentions the rest of the crew, but it’s good in what it intends. on both sides, even.

and you know watching, from the outset, that somehow Irving is going to kill these people. somehow, in short order, this officer of the largest empire in world history is going to blow all their lives up. just by showing up, he’s condemned them to something; just by being aware of them, he’s taking from them. blast radius of imperialism.

and it’s so terrible, because they fed him and he gave them the only pretty and sentimental offering he had on him and ultimately, Irving won’t ever even know he got them killed, though they will have died thinking he meant to do it.

and even so: it doesn’t matter that he didn’t mean it. because they didn’t know him!! and they fed him! and they were murdered for it. take and take and take and take. fuck

[dimlylittorch]

18+ drabble MDNI

My Masterlist🌱

Viktor x pre-op!transmasc!reader

he always knew when he had a rough day you’d be there to help

crawling into bed after a long day, Viktor moved to settle in on your right. his leg had been killing him all day, his head throbbing from a never ending headache. but it all seemed to calm down when he was with you.

you let out the prettiest noises while you were sleeping, especially when his hand slipped down between your thighs, playing with your soft cunt. he couldn’t help himself- the idea of making you feel nice made him feel nice. what better way to end his day on a nice note?

slender fingers circling your little bud, occasionally rolling it between the pads as a shiver wracked through you in your sleepy state. he always adored how his boy’s thighs would get tighter and tighter around his wrist, having to fight to keep up his pace.

“i know, i know love. it just feels too good, hm?” he whispers against the shell of your ear as his cock starts to chub up against the curve of your ass. “you deserve nothing but pleasure” he murmurs softly as he slips a finger into your tight hole, being careful as to not cause any pain.

as your eyes flutter slightly, he slows down his pace, coming almost to a complete stop. he couldn’t dare wake you up, not when he was being so selfish as to use you for his own amusement. “forgive me” he breathes against your neck as he starts to place the gentlest of kisses along your skin. “do not let matters of the flesh concern you, hm? just sleep, my love. you need your rest.”

making a small noise as your eyes close again, his fingers pick up the pace slightly as he every so gently grinds against your arse. “fuck” he whispers breathlessly when he slips a second finger into you. “so tight- my boy is so tight” he murmurs against your soft skin.

he can’t help but let out a weak moan when he feels how your cunt is sucking on his fingers, pulling him deeper. even in your sleep you needed him so desperately. “you are such a good boy” he breathes as he kisses along your bare shoulder. “the best boy- taking me so well. how amazing are you, no? being able to sleep while taking my fingers up your pretty boycunt. a marvel, you are.”

as you shift in your sleep, he smiles against your skin as he peppers kisses along your shoulder blade, his left hand positioning so he can run his fingers through your hair comfortingly. “the sweetest thing i’ve seen, i swear it” he says comfortingly. “in all my life.. nothing as beautiful as you.”

“hm?” you hum faintly as he attempts to add a third finger while his thumb rubs your clit, the rough pad of his fingers causing a nice friction- one of the better parts of him often working with his hands.

“remarkable.” he sighs against your skin. “such a sweet and soft creature.. no survival instincts” he teases against your ear. “what if i were dangerous, my love? what if i wasn’t your Viktor?” he questions faintly.

a little noise of confusion slips past your throat as your thighs squeeze together, starting to feel and recognize his touch.

“oh, but you’re so right, little love. it would be no one else. i wouldn’t let them.” he murmurs. “you’re safe” he adds comfortingly when you start to stir. “you’re in good hands. my fingers will carry you to where my legs cannot. always.”

requests are open, let me know if you’d like this continued🙂‍↕️

[no-passaran]

Are you 18-35 years old and an activist or academic from a minoritized or minority language? This might interest you!

(And even if you don't meet the criteria but are interested in participating in another way, the organizers still encourage you to write to them!)

Website link:

[muffinlance]

I'm sorry, this was bothering me enough to send in an ask.

The stupid question is: how strict is Earth-Kingdom-is-China vs Fire-Kingdom-is-Japan generally? I mostly ask because although none of the canon characters use real Japanese names, but it feels like everyone uses Japanese names for Fire Kingdom and Chinese for Earth, which makes Chinese Wanyi for Zuko's ship not fit in.

I mean, the waters are muddied from China's historical domination over the area, and it's a really great pun, but I woke up and my brain wouldn't let go of the entirely petty issue.

Ugh. Sorry for the stupid ask, especially since I don't come bearing any like funny trivia with to mitigate with. Please feel free to disregard as well, especially since I'm too cowardly to link to my actual tumblr account.

There's absolutely no strictness, because that's a fanon division anyway, and not one I adhere to. Fanon is fake and we can make of it what we want, and I want the pretty ship name!

[urjustjealizz]

Me after any slight inconvenience 🥰:

[atwhughesversion]

“quinn hughes is coming to team usa as an injury replacement” QUINN YOU WERE THE INJURED WHO WAS REPLACED LIKE LAST WEEK

[etz-ashashiyot]

While my strong, vocal support for Ukraine remains unchanged and I believe it is unambiguously morally correct, I will say that there is something of a bitter pill embedded in it for me as a Jew who is very close to another Jew whose whole family had to flee Ukraine with her as a child because a combination of having the wrong surnames and being Jews meant they could not safely and successfully stay there. And like. She was born there. She still identifies as Ukrainian and has been devastated the last three years over the suffering of her people. She has been a vocal opponent of Putin and of Russian imperialism.

And at the same time, the reason she's here in the US and isn't fluent in Ukrainian is because she was too Jewish to be a "real" Ukrainian (despite the Soviets having forced her family to give up their Jewish religious practices and her having to learn everything as an adult.)

[awkward-sultana]

"Kösem Sultan’s experience with her sons illustrates the duality of her position: celebrated as a maternal figure but ultimately betrayed by those she had empowered, a recurring theme in Ottoman palace politics." - The Age of Sinan: Architectural Culture in the Ottoman Empire, Gülru Necipoğlu (2005)

[ryan-nugenthopkins]

Jeff Marek you cannot keep posting bangers I'm gonna start dying

[useless-catalanfacts]

The rap singer Valtònyc (wearing dark green in the first photo) has returned from exile. It's the first time he steps in his homeland Mallorca in almost 6 years.

He was sentenced to 3.5 years of prison because when he was 18 years old he wrote a song where he criticized the Spanish monarchy and uploaded it to YouTube. He wasn't famous and his most listened song on YouTube had 8,000 views, but in Spain it's a crime to say "injuries against the crown", and the laws are often applied more harshly against national minorities (Valtònyc is from the Catalan Countries). His song was found and he had to go to trial over it, and was sentenced guilty of the crimes of injuries against the monarchy, praising terrorism, and threats.

Valtònyc refused to accept the so-called "justice" of the Spanish judicial system, so he decided to escape. He managed to sneak to France unnoticed by the police, and went to Belgium, where there was already a community of Catalan people on exile for their political involvement in the Catalan independence process. He has lived on exile in Belgium these last 5 years and a half.

Had he come back to any Spanish territory, Valtònyc (same as the other exiles) would have immediately been jailed. In fact, Spain issued an international order of extradition, demanding Belgium arrest him and send him to Spain to be imprisoned. But the Belgian courts found that these kind of cases should be allowed under freedom of speech and, instead of sending Valtònyc to Spain, Belgium got rid of their own law that punished "injuries against the crown" as a crime. With no Belgian law to punish him, he was allowed to stay in Belgium. This is a similar process that had happened with other Catalan exiles, who Spain has demanded be extradited multiple times but Belgian law has protected for human rights and freedom of speech reasons.

By the way, the song that got him sentenced to prison had been a commission from the Spanish politician Pablo Iglesias (leader of Podemos, the left Spanish party) for his TV show La Tuerka. Valtònyc has explained that Iglesias never called him, never showed any solidarity nor interest in his case. Iglesias was vice-president of Spain during Valtònyc's exile.

The crimes expired six months ago, meaning he can no longer be imprisoned for it. However, the Spanish courts did not notify him of it (as they should have done), so his lawyer and him just found out.

After saying goodbye to other Catalan people on exile in Belgium, who are not allowed to come back yet (in the photos, shared by Valtònyc on his Twitter, he is saying goodbye to the politicians Lluís Puig and Carles Puigdemont), he has come back home.

He was welcomed by 200 people in his hometown. He has thanked all the people who helped him and showed solidarity. He also reminded that Pablo Hasél (a rap singer from Catalonia) is still in prison for the lyrics of his songs and the contents of his Tweets, sentenced guilty of injuries against the crown and praising terrorism. You can read more about Pablo Hasél's arrest in this post, and an explanation of the tweets and lyrics that got him sentenced in this post.

As we celebrate Valtònyc's return, we cannot forget that Spain has repeatedly ranked number 1 in the whole world for country that sent the most musicians to jail for the content of their music, in 2018 and 2020. By the way all the 14 rap singers condemned to prison for their lyrics were Catalan (Pablo Hasél and the 12 members of the band La Insurgencia from Catalonia, and Valtònyc from the Balearic islands), not one of any other culture group or from any other area. Curious, 100% of the sentenced, when the population of the Catalan Countries is less than 29% of the population of Spain. Wonder why!

[3liza]

the Montenegro national anthem is so good that if you look it up on youtube 100% of the comments are just people checking in from all over the world to say how good it is and wishing Montenegro the best. and they're right. it's the best national anthem on the planet and probably always will be

[dawnbirdwhistle]

A cozy Viktor piece~ 🔥🧡

I am so happy with how he turned out omg 😭

If any of you are curious, there is a semi-speedpaint for him under the cut!

Semi, bc like. I only recorded the first half and just forgot about it tbh xd but I did make wip shots at least, so that's something!)

I guess the story behind this one is that he is supposed to be looking at Jayce Talis, because I ship it (lol), or technically we are Jayce, looking at Viktor from his POV after a nap in a cozy cottage as they wake up :)

A big part of the fun was coming up with the book titles, lmk if they are unreadable xd

Hope you like it <3

If you check it out, thank you sm 🥺

[dimlylittorch]

Viktor won the Valentines Day poll! Yall enjoy✍️🙂‍↕️

My Masterlist🌱

Viktor x pre-op!transmasc!reader

small synopsis: Valentine’s Day was a tradition in Piltover- not Zaun. Viktor never quite acclimated to the holiday.. until he had a reason to.

Viktor never considered himself lucky. Whether that be in life or in love- it never struck him as something he was blessed with. Everything he valued in himself, he felt he earned. He pushed himself to learn, and he worked himself to the bone to gain any sort of status in the scientific community. Nothing was gifted to him- that was something he had accepted early on. He just wasn’t worthy of things being easy. Well- he believed that for a long time. Until you showed up.

When Jayce informed Viktor that there would be a new assistant joining their team, he thought nothing of it. If you were anything like the others you would stay in the background and keep to yourself, only stepping forward when asked. But you were something different entirely. You were like Jayce in a way- charming and unafraid to be yourself. But there was no arrogance from what he could see, just a kind demeanor with a sweet temperament. Often Jayce would flash his dashing debonair smile to get what he wanted from potential investors or politicians. That was where the two of you differed- your smile was never faked, or simply put up for your own gain. It seemed to be practically glued to your face.

He couldn’t stand it at first. That sweet grin and soft chuckle you’d supply at every waking moment- how could he not hate it? He didn’t have anything to be that happy about- that content with. He often imagined what kind of person you were when you were all alone. Did the smile remain? Or were you more like Jayce than he thought? It annoyed him- how often his thoughts were consumed by you, his new assistant. Your purpose was to help him, yet you felt like nothing but a distraction. He worked slower when you were in his presence, errors ever more common when you were in his line of sight.

No amount of glares and sharp snaps of his tone sent you scurrying away. If anything you seemed amused by it all. Like you could see through his tough act- or maybe you even liked how he treated you. Surely a sweet thing like yourself knew you deserved better than working under him? He was never outright rude, but he wasn’t exactly a warm welcome whenever you walked into the lab. The longer you stayed, the more bold you became. You learned to combat his grumpiness with your quick wittedness.. something he never thought he’d find so attractive. On paper, someone who replied to him in a playful manner made him cringe. Yet.. when you did it? He could feel something stir in his chest.

He dreaded Valentine’s Day. Arguably more than any other holiday. It was a holiday that came around every year, just to remind him of his loneliness. He had no issues with being single- more so the fact that it wasn’t by choice. He wasn’t any standard of beauty, and having a bad leg certainly didn’t help anything. He was smart, yes, but charming? Nothing like his partner. He had no life outside of his work and his profession, where he was constantly overshadowed by Jayce. Was there truly any point in trying to shine when there were brighter stars so close?

As much as he tried to ignore the holiday as a whole, it was difficult with the parties, chocolates, love notes- it was everywhere. Haunting him like a ghost with a personal vendetta. This one day in particular made him wonder if he could’ve avoided it all by staying in the Undercity, having never crawled up from the gutters and making a name for himself. One silly holiday had a hold on him like no other.

Imagine his surprise when he arrived at the lab to find an envelope on his desk. He set his cane aside, leaning over the desk and picking it up. When he read the front, his eyes widened and for a moment his brain froze. It had his name written on it, with a few hearts scribbled on the blank space. He hesitantly turned it over, opening the envelope and pulling out a piece of paper. His eyes scanned over the words, a pit forming in his stomach. A love letter. To him, of all people.

‘Dear Viktor,

I know this probably seems silly. It feels silly writing it. Well, more than that. I feel idiotic for confessing my feelings to you like a teenager. It’s hard to put into words how you make me feel. My day gets brighter when I have the opportunity to see you. And my nights are darker, knowing you’re probably in the lab, working yourself half to death. I know you’re a logical man, Viktor. So let me put this as logically as I can. Your presence makes my chest ache, my mind race, and my thoughts drift. You do something irreparable to me. It feels significant enough that you deserve to know. My perception of you should cause you no concern, but you reserve the right to understand how I view you. Forgive me for being so blunt. I look forward to seeing you at the party tonight. If you choose not to attend, I will have my response, clear as day.

With love, your secret admirer.’

He could hardly breathe. A secret admirer? At least his ‘secret admirer’ was self aware enough to understand how silly this was. He felt like he was a teenager again with the way his heart was racing at the thought of someone having a crush on him. Maybe it was just a joke.. one meant to get his hopes up. It wouldn’t be the first time something like that has happened in his lifetime. Well, whatever it was, it was a problem. And an even bigger problem? The fact that he hoped it was you. Perhaps, just this once, lady luck placed a bet on him.

You didn’t know what you were thinking when you wrote that note. You knew Valentine’s Day was right around the corner, and Viktor didn’t seem to have anyone in his life.. it seemed like you had a fair chance. But ever since you’d dropped that note off, your heart was in your stomach. He was a genius for Christ’s sake. What would he ever want to do with you? Well, it was too late now. You already left the note on his desk, and all you could do was go to that party. As much as you wanted to back out, imagine how disappointed he might be if no one approached him? If he thought it was some mean joke?

And if he didn’t go to the party, you’d have some kind of indication if he could even be remotely interested. If he showed up, at least there was some kind of chance, right? You knew he didn’t like the parties Jayce asked him to attend every so often, so surely he wouldn’t go unless he was interested. And if he wasn’t there.. he never knew it was you. You could go back to your normal work relationship with him none the wiser. It was simple. (It was anything but simple.)

Standing alone at a party was a special kind of awkward. One he had become quite accustomed to. It was the same tonight like every other, standing in a corner and watching the crowd while sipping on a drink. He had been here for almost an hour, with no sign of anyone approaching. He couldn’t help but frown, wondering if he should’ve stayed in the comfort of his room. At least there he didn’t have to feel eyes on him everywhere he went.

After a small while, he glanced to his right and saw you approaching him. Maybe you were just coming to say hello. It didn’t.. it didn’t have to mean anything.

“Enjoying the party?” You smiled as you stood next to him, your eyes downcast.

A sigh left him, and he shifted his cane into his other hand. He had waited long enough, and so far you seemed like the only possibility. He wasn’t one to let things lie. “You’re quite the little writer.” He says dryly. “‘I do something irreparable to you’, hm? Tell me more about that, won’t you?”

Your smile fades and you cross your arms over your chest, looking out into the crowd. “I didn’t think you’d come.” You murmur.

“That is not what I asked.”

Letting out a faint breath, you turn towards one of the entryways out onto the balconies. “Maybe we should talk out here.” You said quietly.

“Perhaps a bit of privacy is needed, yes.” He replies, setting his drink aside as you did the same.

When the two of you are out on the empty balcony, you close the doors to give you a bit of privacy. Walking over to the balcony, you rest your arms on the stone railing.

“I didn’t think you had a Valentine.” You said faintly.

Hearing the click of his cane, he walked up next to you and mirrored your movements.

“I don’t.”

Glancing up at him, you take in his form. As beautiful as he was while invested in his work, he was remarkable outside of the lab, his pale skin practically shimmering in the moonlight.

“Yeah.” You murmur. “Me either.”

After a few quiet moments, he spoke again.

“That was quite childish.” He spoke softly. “A love letter? Signing it as my ‘secret admirer’?” He smirked.

A small smile formed on your lips, and you couldn’t help but laugh. “I wasn’t going to tell you in person, that’s for sure. You might’ve hit me with your cane.”

“And who says I won’t?” He chuckles quietly. “It was a silly stunt to pull. But I can admit, it is a very.. you thing to do.”

Shaking your head with amusement, you turn towards him. “You came to the party. You must at least be a little interested.”

He glances down at you, his smile gone. “Interested isn’t the right word.”

Your smile fades as well, and you look downcast. “You came to tell me you weren’t looking for a relationship, is that it?”

After a few moments of silence, you feel the cold metal handle of his cane on your chin. You flinch slightly, but your face is being guided up, your eyes meeting his own.

“Intrigued. I was intrigued.” He says faintly. “I had a fair guess that it was you.. if it was, I felt it was necessary to share my sentiment.” He speaks as he pulls an envelope out of his pocket. Handing it to you, you take it and read the front. It has your name, and a singular, small heart next to it. “Read this. I’ve had enough of the party.. but if you should need me, you are welcome to the lab.”

As he turns to leave, you can’t help but reach out, grabbing his arm. “Wait- wait” you say quickly. “This- this was meant to be romantic.. not just us flirting in the lab like every other day. Surely you want something more? Right?” You ask softly, your eyes pleading.

Before you can say anything else, you feel yourself being pulled towards the wall, Viktor yanking on your arm and pushing you towards the wall. You huff when your back hits the stone, realizing the nook you were in kept you hidden from any view through the balcony doors. Your head lands against the vines growing up the wall, and when you look up you see Viktor leaning over you.

“You can be remarkably dull when you want to be.” He says dryly, his hand reaching up above your head, picking a red rose off of one of the vines. “It wasn’t my preference to do this here..” he mutters, sticking the rose in your front jacket pocket. “But since you insist.”

Without another word, his lips are on yours. Your eyes widen, your body freezing under his touch. You feel his hand slip up into your hair, pulling you towards him as he kisses you. He wasn’t sure where this burst of confidence came from- but something about you gazing up at him.. it drove him mad. He had hoped you would read the note, sitting in stunned silence as he walked back to the lab, making preparations to have his way with you there. But no, you had to throw his plans to the wind, just like you always did.

As soon as your brain registers his actions, you kiss him back, your hands reaching up to cup his face. After a moment you pull his face away, looking up at him with confusion. “Viktor..” you whisper softly. “I didn’t think-“

He cuts you off, leaning down to press small kisses along your neck. “That is so often your problem.” He groans as his hand slips down to cup your chest. “You do not think.”

Letting out a weak gasp, you squirm under his touch, cupping his chin and pulling him away from you again. “You really want this?” You ask softly as you gaze up at him.

With a sigh, he reaches into your pocket where you had stuffed his letter, opening it and reading it. “‘You never fail to surprise me. Allow me to surprise you for once. Come to the lab. You will not be disappointed.’” He reads from the paper. “If you had had a little patience, assistant.” He muses. “Perhaps you would be comfortably resting on my desk while I tended to your every whim.”

Your mouth falls open, the look making him chuckle quietly. Leaning down, he presses his lips to yours once more before pulling away, grabbing his cane and stepping back. “Viktor-“ you start to say, but he holds his hand up, silencing you.

“You will come to the lab. As much as I would like to do as I please with you here.. I’d rather we keep our affairs as our own, yes?” He smirks before walking towards the doors, opening them and disappearing into the crowd.

I’m sorry this is so short😭 it was definitely a last minute writing. But I hope you all had a nice Valentine’s Day!!

[northwest-by-a-train]

Oh this is scathing