#native american family members on both sides

[justanotherbarrelrat]

Me, reading All For The Game: Having mafia ties is wild bruh

Me, learning from my grandparents that a relative was in the Irish mafia in Chicago in the 1930s:

[unbidden-yidden-deactivated20240]

Okay so in the same vein as this post, I want to reality check the people who keep asking (yes I've been this person too, don't @ me) why oh why are Jews the only group leftists are willing to categorically deny self-determination to, and the reason is that most of them are tits deep in Christian supercessionism and don't even know it and have absolutely no desire to change that.

The reason they deny self-determination to Jews is the same reason that they would deny any claim to self-determination of, say, Mormons. If the Mormon church tried to claim Utah because it's the epicenter and birthplace of Mormonism [Edit: apparently the birthplace of Mormonism is western New York and not Utah whoops, but the point stands] and therefore they may as well have an indigenous claim to it, people with brains would rightfully lose their shit.

"But it's a culture too, not just a religion!"

So? Have you met any Mormons and spent time with them? They have their own culture.

"Okay but Jews are an ancient people!"

Please look at the batshit Mormon theological view of the Twelve Tribes and their attitudes towards Native Americans.

"Okay but our history is real!" Yep! These people don't know the first thing about Judaism and Jewish history and don't care.

The reality is that most westerners are hellbent on ignoring Jewish history and ethnoreligious identity because literally all of western civilization is built on Christian supercessionism. Even the people who leave Christianity and hate it (and "all religions") with a violent passion still refuse to engage in learning about Jewish cultural and ethnic history because you cannot do it without engaging the history and texts that they blame as the roots of Christianity and therefore they discredit all of it out of hand.

Obviously they're super fucking wrong about this. You, my fellow yid, and I, both know that. But unraveling the supercessionism means understanding their culpability in Jewish suffering and how they benefit from institutionalized antisemitism.

They are extremely unlikely to do that.

Why? Because if they unlearn Judaism as "just a religion" &/or "Christianity without Jesus" and begin to understand it as an indigenous Levantine group, they then have to reckon with the reality of how much Christianity has stolen from Jews and how much of their hatred for Jews is baked into their western goyische psyche by intentional Christian misunderstandings of Judaism.

Am Yisrael cannot to them be a real people with deep tribal roots and a strong culture, because then they would have to separate Judaism from Christianity and question their assumptions about us and our history.

"But Judaism accepts converts!"

Okay, as someone who "converted," I'm going to say no, not really, actually. Conversion is a convenient shorthand, but it's not accurate. Converting to Judaism means a mutually consensual adoption into the Tribe, after thorough vetting, at least a year of study and perseverance but probably more, and the main, primary promise that you make is about choosing to share the collective fate of the Jewish people. Yes, this adoption and naturalization is through the medium of the spiritual/religious aspect of Jewish identity, but it's way more than that. To be a Jew is to know that I might get stabbed on my walk to shul for being visibly Jewish, and to accept that possibility because the idea of not living as a Jew is worse. Gerim have to be ride or die because a serious chunk of Jewish history is on the "die" side of that equation. You have to be just a little bit nuts voluntarily take on that risk (reminder that I say this as a ger who is happily Jewish) and it must come from a place of profound love for and identification with the Jewish people. And once you join the family, that's it. You don't get to ever stop being a member of the family, even if you become estranged from it.

It's a people, with a deep history and culture, and anyone who joins it takes on both. Obviously your genetic makeup and ancestry don't change, but everything else does.

Understanding that major difference in Judaism in a serious way means that they would have to let go of their world view that their religion and culture are separate, that Christianity intentionally divorced faith from culture in order to acquire as many converts as possible, and then begin to understand how Christianity has shaped their understanding of culture, tradition, what religion is, ethics, and values. And they would have to then make an effort to separate their understanding of Judaism and what they think they know about us from Christianity, however they do or don't relate to it.

[preet-01]

Happy New Year!! Here's to having a great year!

The first fic of the year is a dosh different first meeting fic because I was recently rewatching the 2018 Monaco Grand Prix

Daniel 

Usually, Daniel tended to avoid drinking heavily after a race weekend – a few beers with the mechanics and other team members, but nothing more as he was still an athlete in the middle of a season. 

But after Monaco, after redemption day from the disastrous 2016 Grand Prix, Daniel has no qualms about making the rounds of Monaco’s many clubs. He’d gone to Jimmy’z, made a stop at the Amber Lounge, and attended yacht parties. Now, Daniel’s in some club he’d not visited before, with Charles and Pierre guiding him around. They’re speaking in rapid-fire French that not even Daniel’s sober brain could keep up with, much less his current drunken self.  So he doesn’t even bother trying to decipher their words, he’d much rather take in the sights. 

Daniel somehow makes his way from where Charles had been accosted by some Monegasque native he knows to the bar where he thankfully hears English being spoken. “Vodka Red Bull,” Daniel yells, hoping that he’s heard over the loud music and conversation all around them. He doesn’t normally like yelling at bartenders, but there is no other way he’ll be able to get a drink in this environment. 

“Ah the race winner!” the bartender yells back with delight evident on his face. “Coming right up!” Daniel smiles and goes to get something to pay with when one of the guys near the bar tells the bartender to put it on his tab. 

“Winners shouldn’t be paying,” the man, an American Daniel notes, says. He’s younger than Daniel, maybe as young as Max is, but he’s taller and broader than them both. He can’t help but trail his eyes down the other man’s tall frame, paying extra attention to the broad arms and thick thighs. 

“Ah, thanks, mate,” Daniel says. The polite thing is to obviously drink his vodka Red Bull with the man who’d so kindly paid for his drink. “I’m Daniel,” he introduces himself before grimacing. Daniel’s name had not only been plastered all over the place but had also been spoken multiple times over the speakers and commentary throughout the day. 

“Josh,” the man replies with an easy grin. 

Josh

He should be in Buffalo getting ready for his rookie season with the Bills. Or maybe in Firebaugh with his family, taking in all the time he could at home before he was to make a life on the opposite side of the country. 

Instead, Josh is in Monaco with some friends from college. They’re in the grandstands for the Monaco Grand Prix, surrounded by people who have no idea that Josh was set to make his NFL debut in just a few short months. 

“Fuck,” Josh says when he sees the race winner’s photo pop up on one of the nearby screens. He could appreciate a good-looking man, and the race winner – Daniel Ricciardo, the announcer says – is a very good-looking man. “Did he just drink from his shoe?” Josh later questions when they watch the podium. Daniel Ricciardo, an Australian driver for Red Bull, was busy drinking podium champagne from his shoe as his fellow drivers looked on in slight disgust. 

“It’s a thing he does, people love it,” one of his friends replies as the team representative takes Daniel’s champagne-filled shoe and drinks from it. 

Hours and a couple of drinks he probably shouldn’t have had later, Josh spots Daniel Ricciardo making his way toward the bar. Leaving the conversation with his friends, Josh turns his attention to Daniel Ricciardo and buys him a drink. 

“Ah, thanks, mate. I’m Daniel,” he says to which Josh replies, “Josh.” 

One drink turns into two which turns into them moving from the bar to one of the standing tables near the wall. Three drinks turn into kissing in an alley. 

“My apartment’s close,” Daniel mumbles against Josh’s lips. 

“We should go,” Josh agrees as he reluctantly pulls away. Daniel’s a mess, a pretty mess with unruly curls, flushed cheeks, and dilated pupils. 

They stumble through the streets, occasionally stopping when people recognize Daniel, but within ten minutes they’re in Daniel’s apartment with Josh pressing Daniel against a wall. 

What better way to celebrate his upcoming NFL debut than to fuck the winner of the Monaco Grand Prix? Josh certainly can’t think of anything better. 

Daniel 

There is a man in his bed. 

Not the first time that’s happened, nor does he think it’ll be the last time. But there is a man in his bed, holding him firmly in place – something that very few of Daniel’s hookups could do. 

He likes it almost as much as he had liked being manhandled by said man last night – or, well, early this morning. 

Josh, he remembers, had told him that he was a football player. American football, not European football, he had said while fingering Daniel open. He’d also learned that Josh was young, barely out of college young, but set to start his first season as an NFL quarterback for some New York-based team. Josh had mentioned which team it was, but Daniel had been too busy focusing on the cock in him.  

He probably would have focused more on that tidbit of information in other circumstances, but other circumstances didn’t usually include his partner easily carrying him from point A to point B. It leaves his mind once more when Josh pulls Daniel atop of himself. 

He could go for round three. It’s not like Daniel has to fly out to Canada just yet. 

_____

Round three and they’ll go their separate ways is what Daniel had thought. Josh was younger than him and just starting out his professional sports career – a career that was solely based in the United States while Daniel’s career kept him on different continents for most of the year. By all means, it shouldn’t have worked out. 

However, in the freezing Buffalo cold a little over five years later, he curses himself for going for round three and then offering breakfast a la slightly burnt eggs and some green smoothie he was supposed to drink as part of his meal plan. Because it did work. And it worked extremely well, so well that Daniel spent most of his free time in Buffalo in a home he’d built with Josh and regularly attended Bills games. 

Those curses quickly die when Josh makes his way over before the game like he always does when Daniel sits near the field instead of the box.  

“Wish me luck, baby?” Josh asks. 

“Good luck,” Daniel replies, sealing it with a kiss. “You’ve got this,” he adds. 

[velvetures]

omg hey just here to shoot a request, idk if you do gaz as well but only soap is ok too. maybe something like soap x reader where the reader is a transfer from the american sector and she's just this super energetic, "AMERICA SCRAAAWWW" kind of person but is also super in learning about cultures and stuff. then the boys take her to this texas themed pub that she just criticizes the shit ton as she's from texas. i think it'll be funny to see a scot x texan lol thxx

God Bless Texas... and Scotland

A/N: I believe my goal here is to make something a little more on the joking/humorous side here... I'm not trying to get into politics or country pride on a deep level. This is just for fun. Nevertheless, thank you for requesting, I hope you enjoy the direction I went with this. This is sooo damn cheesy... Summary: On shore leave, you and Soap get into a conversation about what it was like in your home countries. A couple funny stereotypes and light-hearted argument later, the 141 decide that experiencing both sides of the coin are necessary to settle the score. T/W's: stereotypes ofc, cursing, friendly banter/teasing, and as always not proofread.

It all started when you came out of your private quarters into the shared living room with an old t-shirt on with the admittedly cliche statement 'God Bless Texas' printed boldly over the front inside of a state-boundary shape. Out of all of the members of the 141, you were undoubtedly the most... shall we say... patriotic. At least in terms of your state pride and your unwavering happiness of having family still living there who were so in support of you and your work. Having family in the first place was something different compared to the rest of the squad, and it made the whole pride of where you came from a lot more difficult to understand.

You'd spent years at this point being around the 141 and learning all kinds of very unique and traditional habits that they carried with them despite oftentimes not having a family to share them with. Most of those, they shared with each other, and after getting comfortable with you was extended as a way to bond with you outside of the missions and other job requirements that you did together. From Soap's requirement of the "First Footing" tradition on New Year's, Captian Price never missing a Soccer World Cup no matter where he is, and Gaz's refusal to have a Christmas dinner without Christmas pudding, there isn't a time when someone isn't explaining their desire to incorporate some country, cultural, or family tradition in one way or another.

So, naturally, Soap was ecstatic when he found out about some little niche place that had opened up an 'American, Texas-Themed' restaurant. He knew it would be totally overdone, as did everyone else, so they all thought it would be something of a light-hearted way to poke fun at your loyalties by taking you there as a "resident expert" that could point them in the right direction and away from everything else. Truly the idea of having at least on full hour of teaisng you with everything they could just sounded like a damn good way to spend an afternoon.

The place was a little hole-in-the-wall pub with a little bit of seating that wasn’t directly at the bar. Dim lighting made it feel pretty inviting, but the obvious country music choices including Texas natives: George Strait, Waylon Jennings, and Willie Nelson made it feel a little cheap. Especially with the taxidermy Longhorn head above the bar and the “cowboy” style of practically everything hanging on the walls. Although it wasn’t quite the most miserable place you’d even been, it certainly felt like a little more than just a healthy appreciation.

“Home away from home, right lass?” Soap’s devilish grin only made the wound sting your pride that much more.

"Ya know... actually, not one bit." You answer a bit awestruck and looking around the place with bated breath and the hope that it wouldn't get much worse than it already was.

To your irritation, it got worse. Much worse.

After getting seated by an -obviously- British woman forced to fake a deep and southern drawl, you were all handed menus that named off the most "popular" foods in the Southern United States that not only made you chuckle out loud with disbelief but actually voice the total inaccuracies of certain dishes that the men sitting around you actually thought were legitimate staple items.

"You actually eat rattlesnakes often?" Gaz thought it was a bit far off since he spent quite a bit of time in his service in South Carolina, but thought he'd clarify with you anyway.

"For Christ's sake, Garrick. No!" You roll your eyes, taking a drink of the iced sweet tea you were actually shocked to see was listed as a drink option.

That in itself was the largest contention point with Ghost who stared at you with an iron-clad will of hatred seeing you pleasantly drinking iced sweet tea like you were enjoying the abomination. To his horror, you were quick to compliment that they'd actually gotten it pretty close to how you made it yourself or people at home did.

"What is a pecan pie?" Captain Price was quick to question the dessert menu before a waitress had even come back around to take main course orders.

His question sounded somewhat confused and downright scandalized at the same time. And to be honest, you really didn't know how to explain that it was simply a pie with corn syrup and brown sugar-based sweet filling, covered with pecans that were baked in a regular pie shell. You attempted to describe the basic ingredients and how it was made to the table of interested men, only to have them all stare in guarded horror... Save for Gaz. He'd actually tried it while in the States and said he'd enjoyed it. Luckily he was on your side for that particular topic.

The men as a whole hilariously didn't order anything that you -or they- considered uniquely "Texan" or "American". Soap insisted that you pick a meal that sounded the most authentic to you and that they would try some of the food off of your plate. Of course, the idea sounded good to them, but you weren't sure you wanted to share a plate of food that could possibly be decently "American" when it would still be months before you could go back home.

You folded quickly and picked a meal that you believed would be safe enough to keep them from being outwardly horrified with you but would still be interesting to compare to the meals you grew up with at home. The most simple and safe option was what they called the 'Home Run Special', most certainly a knock-off of the American chain breakfast restaurant. It came with pancakes, fried eggs, bacon, biscuits, sausage gravy, grits, and hashbrowns.

When the platter came out, you were pleasantly surprised at the look of everything, seeing as it visually had promise and even smelled just about right as well. With one glance around the table, you saw every single man staring at the three-plate meal sitting in front of you and couldn't believe that all of that food was supposedly for one person. That comment alone did make you laugh. It was one thing that you weren't afraid to admit. You could eat a whole lot. And it was a family thing that you never could be shy to not own up to. Eating all of that breakfast to them might've seemed totally unacceptable, yet for you, it looked very accomplishable, given the food tasted good. They each wanted you to give your own personal opinions before they tried anything and watched you intently for any sign of your acceptance or lack thereof.

By the end of the meal, the men had all tried everything and had mixed opinions of what they thought was actually good or not. You believed the biscuits and gravy were totally garbage and vowed that you could make them better, and wouldn't even allow them to taste them for fear of cementing an even more concrete belief that biscuits weren't meant to be savory. They were half-and-half on the bacon, some saying it was really good while others complained it wasn't enough meat for so much grease. You... were quite pleased. Eggs were fine, they all didn't really pay them much mind, while the grits were such a contested topic that you weren't sure if they lost respect for you since you finished the entire serving.

"Although I've enjoyed the majority of the food and I was surprised with it... this isn't anything legitimate." You mutter with a full stomach, looking around the place and beginning to feel a little more homesick than you thought such a tacky pub could produce.

Soap, who was finishing off your pancakes nudged your shoulder a little and smiled. "You'll have to take me home with ya. Then I ken' really find out why ye' think Texas is so damn special."

"You have to take me home with you too Johnny," You take the fork out of his hand and eat one more bite of pancakes. "So I can see if God blessed Scotland, too."

Reblogs & Comments are Appreciated

[thecultofeternalduality]

Welcome to the cult of Eternal Duality.

This isn't a real cult, it's just a page where I talk about my religious beliefs. If you follow, congratulations, you just joined the "cult".

Main commandments and beliefs of the cult:

Do not harm unless absolutely necessary, such as in the defense of yourself or others.

There is a duality to everyone and everything. Nothing is black and white. No person, action or phenomenon is inherently and fully good or bad.

All gods of all faiths are equally real in the spiritual spaces they inhabit and they call to those who are meant to connect to them.

For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction, and this includes karma. Everything negative you do brings you negativity and everything positive you do brings you positivity.

We have more in common with each other than we do differences, and open communication and understanding is the key to compromise.

Bodily autonomy is a naturally given human right, and that includes gender transition and termination of pregnancies. People who are pregnant but do not want to be pregnant or do not want to be parents should be encouraged and supported if they choose termination.

Human sexuality, so long as it is consensual, legal, and private, is beautiful and sacred and should never be shamed.

To be resilient when faced with turmoil is just as brave as actively fighting back. Resist oppression and injustice however you can.

The Earth is sacred and should be respected. Do whatever you can to help keep it habitable and safe.

People with disabilities and neurodivergencies are important, meaningful members of society and deserve to be helped, protected, respected, and cared for.

Children are innocent and are learning how to be people. They deserve to be treated with care, respect, patience, and protection.

All genders, sexualities, races, ethnicities, nationalities, religions and cultures are beautiful and interesting, and you should respect them and learn about them as much as possible, even if you don't believe what they do.

All magic and spiritual experiences are simply scientific phenomena that we don't yet understand. (Example: I theorize that reincarnation, spirituality, soul mates and many other phenomena are due to quantum entanglement. Essentially, atoms never die, "we are star dust", so it could be theorized that matter that was close to a higher power during the big bang, upon breaking down into multiple parts and eventually becoming molecules in the brains of people, would be drawn to other people, places, and higher powers whose molecules were originally close to ours. And when they die, and break down, those molecules eventually end up in another being who does it all again. I also believe that higher powers like Gods exist in a higher dimension than us which is why they can't directly interact with people but can influence us and our world, and that our consciousness is able to access their dimensions during dreams, spiritual experiences and after death.)

I will add more as things come up.

About your cult leader:

If you want to be formal with the cult thing, you can call me Father or Priest.

Otherwise you can call me Rayner.

I'm 29, 30 in May

♉☀️, ♎🌕,♊🌅

I'm an intersex, non-birary Trans man

I'm Algonquin, Ojibwe, Melungeon, Welsh and Irish. I'm white passing and self identify as both white and native American/indigenous.

I was raised by the native side of my family and I've been pagan my whole life. I've been actively practicing witchcraft since I was about 10.

I consider myself to be a gray, eclectic, chaos witch. I'm not wiccan and I highly dislike wicca as a movement.

I draw heavily from Hellenic, Roman, and Norse paganism but I also draw influences from Celtic and native American religions, Taoism, Buddhism, and general occultism.

I sometimes participate in Voodoo, Hoodoo, and Santa Muerta when invited by people who practice regularly but I don't delve into these by myself due to cultural reasons.

I respect closed practices because I am not part of the culture those higher powers call to.

Most of what I do falls under circle magic, rituals, herbal magick, charms and poppits, crystal magic, dream magic, card reading, bone/charm reading, and meditation.

I have done serious dark magick including curses before (and they worked really well surprisingly) and while I'm not fully against it, I will say in hindsight that everything comes with a price and I don't recommend it unless you're ready for the backlash.

[aisling-saoirse]

Plant Profile: American Witch Hazel - Hamamelis virginiana

Today's plant is better known for its use as a facial toner but this year I've witnessed a mass-bloom (the yellow dots in the image above) so I want to re-introduce you my ultimate late fall favorite!

Witch-Hazel refers to members of the Hamamelis family, containing about five species, 3 of which are found in the eastern US and the other two in Asia. Our species of focus is the American Witch Hazel, a wide growing, often dominate understory shrub/tree common throughout forests of the American East. The plant has a lovely arching growth habit (Image 2 above), alongside trails in older-growth tall mountain forests, one always can spot witch hazel by a tunnel effect along the trails framed by its branches.

For a quick technical analysis, Witch Hazel has oval alternate leaves that are asymmetrical and have rounded lobes along the sides (image 3 of pressed leaf). The bark is a grey or reddish brown with small lenticels (image 4 of 'trunk') and typically grows in clusters sprouting from deep roots. Typically the plant reaches about 20' in height and 20' in width, as I usually only see specimens this large in very old portions of woodland my assumption is that it takes many decades to achieve this stature.

The flowers themselves are divided into 4 portions with yellow ribbon-like petals present from October-December (image 5, 6, 9). The flowers are extremely fragrant in wet weather and mornings, the scent usually fades in drier conditions. Flowers lose their ribbons and recede into this hardened portion connected to the stem called a calyx (it looks like a rounded pod which can have about 4 seeds in it). The seeds actually shoot out of this pod as a dispersal method around the next fall.

I brought up flowering because like many species in the northeast, there is never a consistent year for these things, while I see witch-hazel flowers every year I don't encounter blooms prolifically unless it's exposed to a lot of sun light. From my experience, a mass-bloom (in which every tree has noticeable blooms like image 1) occurs every 5 years about, I've noticed this in my forest since childhood but others may have more frequent encounters than me.

American Witch Hazel has a large range and is found throughout the Eastern US. The Northern limit of its range is Nova Scotia to Wisconsin staying mostly east of the Mississippi River south until its South Western Limit in East Texas and Northern Florida to the East. Allegedly disjunct populations also exist in Lost Maples Texas and the Eastern Sierra Madres of Mexico but those are fairly isolated from the main range.

There are two other Hamamelis species located within the same range. H. vernalis: Ozark Witch-hazel, which is a common horticultural specimen due to its reddish yellow blooms coming out just before spring and is naturally restricted to the Ozarks. H. ovalis: big leaf witch-hazel is a new species discovered in 2004, found only in one watershed in Mississippi and Alabama; this species has much larger leaves and red mid-winter blooms. Most people are unlikely to encounter these in the wild at all.

Hamamelis virginiana can grow in both acidic and alkaline conditions, though I tend to find the densest populations on protected north facing slopes in mature forests near where water travels. I've also found it on pure rock on mountain top balds in New York before (image 7 above). This is because in the North, American Witch Hazel isn't as limited in habitat as in the Southern portion of it's range where it's generally restricted to only cove forests and bottom lands. generally there is an association with the Witch Hazel and decent moisture.

Speaking of moisture, Early English settlers (shown by Native Americans) used witch hazel branches as dowsing rod to find underground water sources. Sticking branches in the ground, and watching which portion bent upon encountering streams. It's likely the name 'Witch' in Witch Hazel derives either from Middle English 'Wiche' for 'lively' or Anglo-Saxon 'Wych' for 'bend' describing this use. [Info from US Forest Service].

Witch Hazel is also a protector of the forest following disturbance. In a Canadian Journal of Forest Research Study by Taylor Benton, analysis found that where large scale canopy loss was present H. virginiana was found to increase it's basal area growth (think spread) by over 300%. This indicates that in the presence increased light and nitrogen, the dominate understory species are able to protect seedlings by increasing canopy shade!

In my own forest I've noticed this where Ash has died back, the Witch Hazel flowers more prolifically and frequently as well as becoming denser (Image 8 Witch-hazel in flower above a stream)

Now what are the ecological relationships associated with American Witch Hazel? This species specifically provides one of the last insect oriented pollen sources prior to winter (other witch-hazel species often bloom in early spring), so species like the owlet moth which are active in winter, and late season bees get a food source from it. The leaves are occasionally predated by a gall wasp which forms many odd tents on the leaf in favorable conditions.

Propagating Witch-hazel for those crazy like me should be aware it is not an easy plant to start. The seeds require a period of moist cold stratification, then warm, then another cold (think 90 days of fridge, 90 days in warmth, 90 days in fridge) then it'll begin to germinate. If you have a full specimen you can attempt layering (which is covering a low branch in soil allowing it to root). You can take softwood cuttings in spring but they have to be kept frost free the next winter.

Finally Landscaping advice! Witch-Hazel is best utilized in partially shaded non-south facing or moist areas in partial sun. While it loves total shade in its natural environment it really preforms much better in a garden with some sunlight. American Witch-Hazel also is a better performer in the scent category rather than a showy floral display, most horticultural specimens are derived from hybrids between Chinese, Japanese, or Ozark Witch-hazel (image 10 of possible H. vernalis cultivar above) as their coloring is much more interesting compared to our local powerhouse. However it must be said that American Witch-hazel is resilient and has some flower color variation (oranges and pinks) which are absent in other species.

So this has been my plant profile on American Witch-Hazel, please go into the woods and smell the haunting yellow blooms while the mass-bloom is still occurring. Happy Hunting to my Eastern American followers :)!

[wombatwisdom]

I shouldn't be surprised. I shouldn't expect any less from an organization that defaults to exclusion and dehumanizing populist rhetoric when confronted with something unaccounted for in our theology. Over and over and over, we can't ever seem to get it right.

I know what will happen too--in 6 months, 6 years, or 60 years this transphobic screed of a policy will be reversed. The reasons being "light and knowledge" or "God told us to do both". We'll scramble to ascribe meaning to the pain and hurt and anguish, try to put it in the past as quickly as possible. Forgive and forget.

But are we forgetting too quickly? How many minority groups have to be dragged through shit before we'll finally be on the right side of progress for once? Why do we frame the 1978 decision to reverse the racial priesthood ban as a win that handwaves over 100 years of harm? Why don't we talk more about the ramifications of the "Lamanite Program", that pulled Native American children away from their families? What about the ban on letting women pray in sacrament Meeting from 1967-1978? Or the policy of exclusion for gay and lesbian people and their children (2015-2019)?

Why was I surprised, when there is a clear pattern? Over and over and over again. And when we shift from transpeople, who will be next? Who will the ire of the Brethren turn to next?

Yes, continual restoration. But why don't we start by asking God what he would have us do, because trying it on our own doesn't have the best track record?

But imperfect leaders! Yes, yes, but that only explains, it does not excuse! And imperfection does little to comfort those who have been wronged.

God will judge them! I don't actually care. Their eternal outcome is of little consequence to me. And what comfort will it bring me to believe they will someday maybe suffer. Their suffering doesn't change a thing and feels petty and vengeful on my part. Also this isn't about individuals, this is about the system that continues to do this.

But this is how we grow! Find another way to grow that is not at the expense of marginalized groups.

But it's bad everywhere. That is false. No where is perfect, but many institutions and groups try and improve themselves. The church can do better, and I will not let some other group that is worse than us be the standard.

But the members love you. How nice. But I don't need an army of people who guard the door while I pee, I need an army of people who see that this is another blip in a long string of marginalization that seems to be at our very core.

But here's the hardest part: how do we hold our leaders accountable? The average member has such little power. We can work on ourselves. We can identify the racist, ableist, sexist, homophobic, and transphobic beliefs we were taught and reject them. We can love more and let these policies hold less sway on us.

But we also need to let ourselves feel. Accept the rage, the hopelessness, the sorrow, the anguish. Feel it for those who have suffered before, and those who suffer now. But I pray we can find a way to break this cycle, but I'm not so sure we can.

[angrycommielez]

Thoughts on music in the Hunger Games (trilogy + prequel)

After finishing the trilogy, and especially after Katniss sings again in MJ, I remember thinking of the Hunger Games’ story each time I was listening to folk, country and gospel songs. The lyrics sometimes reminded me of the story and I pictured Katniss singing these songs with her dad. Songs condemning war, songs about working class people, songs about wildflowers and birds. And when I read the prequel, I was so happy to see that music was a big part of it. So here are some things I’ve noticed and wanted to share, sorry if it’s a bit messy :))

1/ Everdeen’s family // The Carter family 

In Tbosas, Maude Ivory sings “Keep on the sunny side”, a song written by The Carter Family who come from the Appalachian mountains, where District 12 is located. Its original members, A.P, Sara and Maybelle Carter mostly sang ballads and mountain songs. Recently, I watched a documentary about the history and origins of country music, and learned that A.P. fell in love with Sara Dougherty when he heard her sing. He was from what was called Poor Valley while she lived in Rich Valley. I automatically thought of Katniss’ parents, her dad from the Seam, her mom, a Townie falling in love with his voice when he sang. Katniss was taught how to sing by her father, and if we consider Maude Ivory to be her grandmother, then the tradition sure has been there for many generations. 

2/ Unity through music 

We don’t have much information about other districts, but I have this headcanon that District 11 and 12 share some of the same songs. We know music is what Rue loved the most, and people there sing at work and at home. Considering that both districts are southern and quite geographically close  to each other, I believe they kept alive some old songs from bluegrass, blues, folk, gospel and country music. (I also hc District 10 as having country music). 

Also in MJ during Finnick and Annie’s wedding, District 12 refugees start to dance to their traditional music, “teach the steps to District 13 guests” and “insist on a special number for the bride and groom” (MJ, p.217). So Finnick and Annie from District 4 and the guests from 13 all “join hands and make a giant, spinning circle where people show off their footwork” (MJ, p.217). I’d like to add that I think they are clogging. Clogging originates from Irish step dancing and developed with Native Americans influences, especially Cherokee, and “was also shaped by African ‘buck dancing’, which originated during slavery.” Therefore this dance is already a mix between Europeans, African and Native Americans cultures. And in this scene, it shows unity between the districts, everyone gathers to dance together and Katniss states “Dancing transforms us” (MJ, p.217). The same way in Tbosas (p.28), Snow’s thoughts when seeing Lucy Gray on stage during her reaping were that “Singing transformed her”, and that he “no longer found her so disconcerting.” 

3/ Snow’s dislike for old songs 

Now in the prequel, we get to see that Snow doesn’t like the old songs, and prefers the recent ones : 

“Some of the numbers bordered on unintelligible, with un-familiar words that Coriolanus struggled to get the gist of, and he remembered Lucy Gray saying that they were from another time. During these in particular, the five Covey seemed to turn in on themselves, swaying and building complicated harmonies with their voices. Coriolanus didn’t care for it; the sound unsettled him. He sat through at least three songs of this kind before he realized it reminded him of the mockingjays. Fortunately, most of the songs were newer and more to his liking, and they finished up with the one he recognized from the reaping…” (Tbosas, p.286) 

Old songs, like “Clementine” or “The ballad of Barbara Allen” are older than Panem. They existed centuries before what caused the almost extinction of human beings in the story. Despite the loss of billions and the destruction of technologies, cities…and freedom, poetry and songs are passed down generation from generation. With them, a part of history. 

Bluegrass “was born from the creativity of working class and impoverished Southerners, Appalachians, and immigrants”, and how can I not think of District 12 when I hear Hazel Dickens sing about coal miners, and how can I not think of Katniss when I listen to country song “Coal miner’s daughter” now ? These old tunes (from bluegrass, blues, folk or country music) sometimes talk about slavery, poverty, workers’ life, hard times, but also hope and resilience. They show survival. And they also set an example of worlds existing before Panem. And in my opinion, this is why Snow doesn’t like them. 

Just imagine if thanks to the songs and lyrics, people knew some parts of what happened before Panem, if they knew the atrocities committed, the wars, revolutions, and struggles. They may not know a thing about the civil rights movement but still have songs about it, like “We shall overcome”. Even songs which have ancient names are rebellious to the Capitol, think of “Country roads”, “My native home”, “West Virginia, my home”, “Sunny Tennessee” or “You'll Never Leave Harlan Alive”. Think of all the songs and ballads telling the stories of people long dead like Joe Hill or Ira Hayes that may have survived. Cause as Rachel Baiman sings, “old songs never die, they just cry and cry out for you to sing them once again”

And it’s neither in the books nor in the movies, so it’s not canon, but in the fan movie where Katniss is a child and goes to the woods with her dad, there are these lines : 

Her dad (D) : “Because what’s in the woods ?” K : “Weapons, and food and mockingjays, and…” D : “All of it exists without the Capitol.” K : “Freedom.” D : “Freedom.”

And I believe that’s the reason for Snow's specific hatred for old songs. Also, the fact that when the Covey sung these, it made him think of mockingjays is telling. I keep thinking there must be an explanation for that, perhaps it's because the mockingjays are creatures who escaped the Capitol’s control just like traditional American music did ; because mockingjays represent a way out of the Capitol’s dictatorship later becoming a symbol of hope and revolt, and old songs can hold the same power.

[bandedbulbussnarfblat]

it's nearly thanksgiving, and i realized i have yet to offer to help my mother with stuff. she will say no, like she always does, but it feels rude not to ask. (it's sort of a running joke in my family about how bad i am at cooking)

luckily, after both my grandparents died we stopped having huge extended family thanksgiving meals with my aunts and cousins. and my aunt's creepy boyfriend who liked to put his hand on my knee or thigh and always stood a little to close to me and my female cousins. but he's dead now, so fuck him anyway. also we'd get a few other members of the extended family show up, like great aunts and uncles, or 2nd or 3rd cousins. and any friends of family members who didn't have anyone to celebrate thanksgiving with.

I haven't even crawled up on my soapbox and ranted about how thanksgiving is a fake holiday built on lies to support imperial colonization. and that celebrating it feels racist and bad, so we shouldn't do it. i give that spiel every year. but my mother is one of those people who use holidays as excuses for family gatherings, so I'm still stuck celebrating it until she eventually dies

she likes to say the holiday is to celebrate and be thankful for what we have/what the lord has blessed us with. I like to remind her I'm atheist and you can't just slap jesus on something to magically change its history. and also that she has indigenous ancestry, so we shouldn't be celebrating at all.

for context; my great-great grandmother was Cherokee. but for real; not in that way people claim to have Native American ancestry (usually Cherokee), but actually don't. We have old af family pictures that prove it.

on my dad's side supposedly we have Cheyenne ancestors, but that's something his dad said, and my grandfather was a fucking liar so I don't think that's true. also my dad had to do research to make a family tree for some high school project and discovered we're related to General Custer. so I'm just gonna hope the Cheyenne ancestry thing isn't true, bc if it is, it's probably via rape.

and like, even if some of my ancestors happen to be indigenous, it doesn't make me like, part Cherokee or something, bc that's not how it works. and really 1/16th of me not being white isn't enough to count

i think i went off on a tangent

anyway, the point is that it is nearly thanksgiving and i don't want to celebrate it, but i will show up to make my mom happy.

[crazycatsiren]

"You've become all American!" My family members in China still jokingly lament.

Alas, they aren't around me enough, lol.

They don't see that I eat rice with dinner almost everyday, that woe betide any visitor who wears outside shoes into my home, that I have kept Buddhism and Chinese folk religion in my life, that I still like to eat my eggs with soy sauce and vinegar, that anyone who dares to make a dog eating joke in my presence is banished from my company immediately and for the foreseeable future (I'm Manchurian, my people love and honor dogs, no one from this side of my ancestry has ever tasted dog meat, and we honor that tradition to this day). I'm still fluent in my mother tongue, can sing my motherland's folk songs from memory, and know and can write both my Mandarin and Tungusic names.

And I keep my great-grandmother's cloisonné bracelet in my special jewelry box, I've had that since before I left my native land, before my beloved taitai passed away when I was 13.

[holocene-sims]

next // previous

july 7, 2021 2:00 p.m. grant's house

[shannon] so, i had to respond to an email i keep forgetting about that came in like three days ago. oh, oh, oh, and i got some clothes in the mail i ordered for the holiday colm and i are going on–you know, our honeymoon–and i opened them so i could make sure the fabric doesn’t make me want to rip my skin off, you know?

[grant] totally respectable. i never buy new clothes either because i like my current ones–why do i need to get used to a whole new set of clothes? my favorite shoes are a decade old pair of converse. i don’t want to retrain myself to be comfy.

[shannon] see! thank you.

[shannon] but back to the email, it kind of has to do with you! maybe! potentially.

[grant] with little old me?

[grant] also, sorry, not to interrupt but: both of you, help yourself to anything you want to drink! i forgot to offer, which makes me a terrible host.

[grant] additionally, there are cookies because i keep stress baking, like, every couple days, so feel free to enjoy some cookies!

[grant] and yes, i'll clear the paperwork off the table. i had to get it out again for something.

[shannon] you're fine! thank you! but anyway, about the email! maybe i can have a single coherent sentence come out of my mouth.

[grant] yeah, no, i am extremely curious what an email potentially having to do with little old random me would be about. also take your time, we do not have to be coherent here!

[shannon] an old professor of mine emailed me secondhand about a project he thought i could help with. it’s not his project but it’s another professor’s project in dublin and it’s not really a formal academic thing but more like a side project for an online newspaper thingy.

[shannon] anyway, um, that doesn't matter, but i emailed this other professor–the lady running the project–who is an anthropologist just collecting stories and interviews from irish speakers in the diaspora, either as a native or a learned language, and she’s looking for people interested in participating, which is a really limited number since...well, you know why…

[shannon] i can’t participate because i would be incredibly biased and also, most obviously, i was born in ireland, but neither of those complications apply to you! also, you will be in the country a week from now and that gives for better interviews to do them in person, if you’re asking me.

[grant] i'm not disqualified because i have citizenship there?

[shannon] no. that’s fine. you just can’t have grown up there.

[shannon] or have gone to any kind of long-term language school or anything there because that would imply being not-in-the-diaspora.

[shannon] also, there’s no pressure. i didn’t say oh yes, talk to my one very specific cousin. i said i have many connections, family or otherwise, who would fit into the scope of your project who may be interested in chatting with you, and i can get you all in contact.

[shannon] but if you did it, i think it’d be fun, and i think you’d have the some of the best answers. at least out of our eligible family members. you’re really one of the kids closest to our grandparents and you have the most exposure and familiarity with the language out of the american-born kids. i mean, you all know how to speak it fluently and natively and all, but some are better than others. besides, you’re so sentimental and that’s helpful.

[grant] well, sure! i don’t mind talking to her. i also don’t think anyone would mind making a really brief detour for a day or so to do it.

[shannon] great! i will try my best to remember to email her in the morning.

[thecapturedafrique]

TRR MC: Ally Romiere

Hello tri-state area Tumblr! In preparing to finally create a masterlist, I decide to first release the character page I made for my The Royal Romance character, Ally Romiere. A while back, I also did the Choices MC ask game for Ally and another MC which you can read here!

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Full Name: Alejandra Carmen Romero de Torres

Legal Name: Ally Romiere

In Greek: Αλεξάνδρα Κάρμεν Ρωμαίος από Πύργους (Alexándra Kármen Romaíos apó Pýrgous)

Nicknames: Ale (María), Cinderella (Olivia), ma moitié (Maxwell)

Noble Title: HM The Queen Consort Ally of Houses Romiere and Beaumont, Duchess of Valtoria, Champion of the Realm and Saviour of Cordonia, DCOS, RC

Charge and Colors: phoenix; gules and or (w/ blue celeste)

Epithet: the Undefeated

Age: 25

Date of Birth: August 18th, 1993

Place of Birth: Queens, NYC

Zodiac: Leo ♌️

Gender: Cis woman

Sexual Orientation: Bisexual

Pronouns: She/her

Enneagram: 2.3 (w1; Companion)

Encouraging and appreciative, able to see the good in others. Service is important, but takes care of self too: they are nurturing, generous, and giving—a truly loving person.

Height: 5'8"

Race/Ethnicity: Latina (Nahua) and Afro-Caribbean

Nationality: American (renounced) and Cordonian

Face Claim: Lindsey Morgan

Education: GED

Languages: Spanish, English, Greek (novice)

Favorite Color: red

Piercings: single lobe; often wears ear cuff on upper right

Tattoos: five-point crown behind left ear; familia quote with dragonflies on left side of rib cage

Partner: Liam Reese (husband)

Best Friend(s): Hana Lee and Maxwell

Family: María del Pilar† (abuelita), Leo Reese (brother-in-law), Regina and Constantine Reese (in-laws), Bartie Beaumont and Luca Karvelas (nephews), Bertrand Beaumont and Maxwell Beaumont (House members)

Character Notes

There is a reason why Ally legally changed her name, which will hopefully one day be explained within Silver Spoons

Maxwell’s nickname for Ally is French for “my [better] half” and is used platonically in the same sense as the English phrase “my partner in crime.” He starts using this for Ally during the investigation in TRR2 and it sticks

As the Champion of the Realm, Ally is a member of the Order of the Seven, which confers upon her the title of Dame Commander (DCOS); the other post-nominal letters (RC) refer to her position on the Royal Council

Ally’s enneagram is type Two, also known as “The Helper”: the caring, interpersonal type described as demonstrative, generous, people-pleasing, and possessive. She is a One-wing, who are generally more ambitious and outspoken than other type Twos, and her level 3 is the level of social value

Her parents were both Mexican immigrants with primarily Native ancestry aside for her father, whose mother María was an Afro-Dominican who moved to Mexico following the civil war in 1965

As part of becoming queen of another country, Ally had to renounce her American citizenship

The dragonflies on her tattoo represent the three family members she’s lost (both her parents and her grandmother María), and the quote translates to, “Where life begins and love never ends.”

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Adam Edelman at NBC News:

When Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz showed up on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” last week to blast Donald Trump and JD Vance as “weird” — part of a recent media blitz — the line of attack quickly gained traction among Democrats.

Key among them was de facto presidential nominee Kamala Harris, who days later started using the same word in her campaign messaging against the GOP ticket, including at a fundraiser in Massachusetts on Saturday. The simple phrase quickly highlighted why Walz — a popular two-term Midwestern governor, former congressman, military veteran and former public school teacher — had suddenly landed on Harris’ short list of prospective running mates. But Walz’s allies, friends and current and former colleagues note that his canny folksiness is just one of the attributes that make him uniquely suited to be the Democratic vice presidential nominee. In addition to a relatable personal story, they say, the 60-year-old Walz has a background representing rural communities that is needed in the party, as well as a record of progressive policy accomplishments.

These Democrats argue that Walz’s background and resume would translate to broad appeal across the critical nearby “blue wall” states of Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania — something few other VP contenders can offer. “If you’re looking for balance on the ticket in terms of life experience, and who’s going to bring that life experience to the administration with a whole series of credentials in solving problems for middle class and American families, Tim Walz has a pretty damn good resume,” said former Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., who became close friends with Walz during the time they overlapped in Washington, D.C. She added that Walz prompts voters, particularly across the upper Midwest, to think, “Hey, I know that guy,” and to feel “a comfort level you have with a shared human experience, a shared lived experience.”

A veteran, teacher and red-district Democrat

Walz, a Nebraska native, enlisted in the Army National Guard when he was 17, and served for more than two decades with both domestic and overseas deployments. He later worked as a high school social studies teacher and football coach in Mankato, about 80 miles south of Minneapolis, before shifting to politics. In 2006, he successfully ran for a congressional seat in a largely rural and agricultural district in southern Minnesota. He represented the 1st Congressional District for 12 years, and has been the only Democrat to represent what has typically been a red-leaning district — which spans the entire southern chunk of the state — in nearly 30 years. “He’s highly capable of reaching out to and connecting with the voters in small towns and rural places in the Midwest — that’s where he’s from, that’s where he was [representing] as a member of Congress,” said Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minn. “Those are the voters that Democrats need to do better with, voters where we have to demonstrate that we understand what’s going on in their lives, and that we understand that we should be working to make their lives work better.”

[...] Harris’ current VP short list is filled with governors as she seeks to potentially balance the ticket with a voice outside Washington. Walz has built a robust network of influence across several states in his role as chair of the Democratic Governors Association, a job he took on last year. But he also has 12 years of congressional experience that could be put to use in the White House. “Think about what Joe Biden brought to Obama. In essence, all those relationships in Washington,” said Rep. Angie Craig, D-Minn., who is openly advocating for Harris to select Walz. “He’s got all those relationships with members of Congress, including on the other side.” [...]

Progressive and working-class appeal

Minnesota has been consistently Democratic at the statewide level in recent elections, but it’s a place where Republicans are competitive. Still, Walz has overseen the enactment of a bevy of progressive priorities as governor, particularly during his second term, with Democrats controlling both chambers of the Legislature. He signed laws protecting abortion rights, legalizing recreational marijuana, restricting gun access and providing legal refuge to transgender youths whose access to gender-affirming and other medical care has been restricted elsewhere. “He’s got the progressive receipts to bring it home to a more broad appeal across the Democratic base,” Craig said. Walz also enacted several laws geared toward farmers and the working class, including bills that expanded paid family leave, banned most noncompete agreements, provided universal school meals for students, expanded public child care support programs and capped the price of insulin in Minnesota (three years before Biden did so nationally).

[...]

Reinforcing the ‘blue wall’

Of course, the prospect of putting Walz on the ticket with Harris presents some downsides. He’s not well known nationally and may not bring the same youth or energy as other potential running mates. He’s also not from a battleground state, like Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro or Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona, that could tip the presidential election. But Walz’s allies say he could still help the Democratic ticket in other critical states — Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania — that are home to many of the same types of voters he’s won over in Minnesota. “He speaks farm, suburban and urban,” joked Rep. Betty McCollum, D-Minn., who has publicly urged Harris to select Walz.

She and others noted that Walz is not reluctant to go on Fox News — a recent appearance even drew a complaint from Trump — to reach more conservative voters. Some Democrats said Walz could also counter Trump’s efforts to make further inroads in the Rust Belt with his selection of Vance as his running mate.

NBC News reports on how Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) can be an asset for Kamala Harris’s VP pick, as he could help lock down the 3 Upper Midwest/Great Lakes swing states.

[the13thtraveler]

The True History of Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

With the new wizard game recently released, I wanted to share a re-write of the history I created for Ilvermorny before JRK got her mitts into it. My version has been re-done to conform more with what canon I could use (Houses, location) but attempts to make it better. FYI I am not First Peoples so hopefully my representations of them were respectful. And as always, much love to @americanwizarding for inspiring me to make my own American canon (and letting me use some of their own creations for my canon too).

Born in 1603 Elias Sayre was the youngest child of William and Rionach Sayre, an Irish Pure-Blood Family. The Sayre’s traced their history back centuries and counted among their ranks the legendary witch Morrigan on William’s side and Salazar Slytherin on Rionach’s. While they did not share the same level of rabid blood supremacy as other members of their extended family did, the Sayre’s were not the type to mingle with Muggles and Muggle-Borns.

Elias’ first disappointed his family when attending Hogwarts as he was sorted into Hufflepuff, breaking the long tradition of Sayres being proud Gryffindors. His time at Hogwarts was unremarkable as he did not try out for Quidditch and excelled at charms and transfiguration over battle magic and curses. Most of his family wrote Elias off as a black sheep and expected nothing much from him except to not embarrass the family name. Unfortunately Elias failed at this too.

Graduating from Hogwarts in 1619 he traveled to London and took up with the Muggle-Born community there. Elias became a strong advocate for Muggle rights including votes for Muggle and Magical women, abolition, and general equality. While his parents were able to overlook his bleeding heart approach, his extended family could not bear to extend him the same courtesy. His great aunt, Gormlaith Gaunt, especially hated Elias viewing him as a blight on the family tree. It was when Elias made a public proposal of marriage to a Muggle woman that Aunt Gormlaith took matters into her own hands.

The Sayres and the Gaunts had a substantial fortune between them and Gormlaith used some of the money to hire mercenary wizards to murder her nephew Elias. What Gormlaith (and Elias’ parents) did not know was that Elias was a Seer, a mage with the power to see the future. Elias had witnessed his Aunt’s betrayal and so forewarned withdrew a large amount of money from his family’s Gringotts account and fled England for the new world on the easiest ship to board: the Mayflower. Giving the fake name of Elias Story, Elias traveled across the Atlantic to hopefully find a new life in the New World.

During the long journey Elias realized that he would find no friends or allies among the Puritans and so the 18 year old fled Plymouth Colony for the western wilds of Massachusetts. He had heard about the various native tribes that lived in the Americas, but seeing how they were treated by the colonists led Elias to be fearful of them and so for three years he avoided all contact with anyone, hiding himself with his magic. Elias made his home atop the tallest point in Massachusetts, Mount Greylock, in a stone cottage well protected from detection both magical and mundane. He christened his new home Ilvermorny after his own childhood home, and was determined to make it a place of hope and love like he had never known.

During his isolation Elias learned about and even befriended several magical creatures of the region. He had a few polite conversations with Pukwudgies, had pet and ridden a Snallygaster, and beheld the magnificent migration patterns of the Thunderbird. The Thunderbirds held a special place in Elias’ heart as they used Mount Greylock as a roost during their travels across the continent. While at first weary of him, the Thunderbirds grew to trust Elias and he was able to harvest some of their tail feathers for study.

It was during one of his foraging expeditions that Elias came upon a group of No-Maj Mohican hunters (No-Maj is the American term for Muggle, short for No-Magic) who were being set upon by a Hidebehind. This beast had already killed several of the party as its pelt and natural invisibility made it almost impossible for No-Majs to fight it. Elias however made short work of the monster and dispatched it with his magic. The hunters, while obviously and rightly suspicious of a European with magic, thanked Elias and asked him to accompany them to speak with their chief Etow Oh Koam. It was with great trepidation that Elias agreed.

Elias found that he had little to worry as he was warmly welcomed by the Mohican tribe of western Massachusetts. Etow Oh Koam had three children who were all No-Maj-Born and was delighted to learn that there were other practitioners of magic from other parts of the world. This moment would be life-changing and some would argue world-changing as Elias’ eyes set upon the chief’s daughter Tahawus. It was love at first sight for both and Elias would make a point of meeting with the tribe as often as possible to have a chance of meeting Tahawus. The perfect opportunity provided itself for Elias to visit often, for Etow Oh Koam suggested a trade of magical knowledge and Elias was all too glad to accept.

While Elias had never before made a wand he knew of the process and already possessed a wide range of magical supplies. North America was full of new magical creatures from the dragon-like Snallygaster to the noble Horned Serpent. Elias had collected a sizable amount of suitable cores and so for a whole month made five wands for the Mohican’s magical members. Widely accepted as the first American made wand, the wand of Red Maple and Horned Serpent Horn that Elias presented to Tahawus was said to be as powerful as it was beautiful. Elias had poured his heart into it and offered it as a token of his love, which was happily accepted. When Elias asked Etow Oh Koam for his daughter’s hand in marriage the chief was confused for Tahawus was in fact two-spirit, they were one of few who though born of one gender preferred the social customs and responsibilities of the other. Elias was unfazed and history records his reply as simply “my heart has never led me astray”. Tahawus, who had been frightened that Elias would respond with revulsion and horror, was said to have produced magic of such beauty and joy with their wand that those who witnessed it believed that the spirits themselves were blessing the happy couple. They were soon married and Tahawus moved in with their husband Elias into their cottage.

Their marriage was a joyous one and as they could not have children of their own they adopted two young Mohican mages whose parents had died due to a magical disease. Elias and Tahawus took care of Alawa (girl) and Ahanu (boy) as if they were their own, and Elias taught them the ways of wandwork and European magic. It was here Elias found his calling and began offering his knowledge to all magical members of the tribe as well as those from neighboring tribes that had pacts with the Mohican. For all of them Elias made wands and taught them spells of protection and concealment so that they might preserve their own tribes from No-Majs coming to steal their lands. Elias found a use for the stolen money he had brought with him and purchased land on Mount Greylock for himself. 

Alawa and Ahanu had always been enchanted by their father’s stories of Hogwarts far across the ocean and so desired to have their own version here. Elias agreed and so Tahawus suggested they each found their own house, not named after themselves but after their favorite magical creatures. Fierce and fiesty Alawa chose the Wampus, calm and thoughtful Ahanu chose the Horned Serpent, kind and gentle Tahawus chose the Pukwudgie, and adventurous and wise Elias chose for himself the Thunderbird. For a while the school flourished among the native tribes of the region until a magical explorer stumbled upon the cottage after fleeing a Hidebehind. Amazed by what he saw he traveled back to the Colonies and shared his information. Not long after this tales of a school of magic hidden in western Massachusetts reached the ears of magical colonists up and down the coast and soon Elias found European families petitioning him to educate their children too. Realizing what was happening Elias and Tahawus used their magic to grow their home from a humble cottage into a large castle atop a mountain. While it would undergo numerous renovations in the coming centuries Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry would open its doors officially in 1630, becoming the first European styled school of magic in North America.

Unfortunately, word of the school passed beyond the Colonies and back to the old world. When Gormlaith Gaunt heard the tale of a young man Elias who was married to a two-spirit (a Native American and a No-Maj-Born at that!) she became apoplectic with rage. Horrified that this indignity would destroy the name of her family she herself set off to the New World with the intention of hunting down her nephew, destroying him and his “unnatural” family, and ensuring that his legacy never be tied to the Sayre or Gaunt names. She disguised herself as William Sayre and traveled to the new world upon the Bonaventure, after which she stole into the American wilderness and headed north to Massachusetts.

It was on a late summer night in 1634 when Gormlaith Gaunt reached Mount Greylock and Ilvermorny. Traveling up she called out to her nephew, lying that she had come to seek forgiveness for her earlier transgressions. In his kindness Elias stepped out to see her and then she struck. It is said that the battle lasted for almost an hour. As soon as Gormlaith attacked Elias, Tahawus burst from their home roaring with rage and joined the battle, along with their adopted children. While they fought four against one, Gormlaith proved herself stronger and more dangerous. Elias and Tahawus fought to not only stop her but to protect their children, and Gormlaith used that against them. Targeting the children with a dark curse Elias threw himself in front of them taking the full brunt of the blast which almost killed him. One down Gormlaith moved forward for the kill, and that is when the Thunderbirds arrived. Witnesses to the battle from afar noted that the early stages looked like a thunderstorm atop the mountain, and that its finale was like a storm of fury and rage. Called by their supernatural sense for magical danger the Thunderbirds swarmed Mount Greylock and with a mighty and collective flap released a bolt of lightning so powerful and so concentrated that it reduced Gormlaith Gaunt to dust in a moment. All that remained of the wicked Aunt was a charred stick that had been her wand and a few twisted bits of jewelry.

Elias made a quick recovery tended by Tahawus and his children and the winds scattered Gormlaith’s ashes to the four corners of the world. Elias felt such a strong dedication to the Thunderbirds that saved his family that after his recovery he built permanent nesting grounds for them and to this day a flock of Thunderbirds still call Ilvermorny their part-time home.

News of the battle quickly spread and made its way back to England. Elias’ parents were shocked by the brutal actions of Gormlaith, but they were also proud of how their son defended his home and his family. While they didn’t openly approve of his marriage or his views, a letter to Elias arrived a few months after the battle. His parents had written to him an apology for never believing in him and for driving him away. Though they knew they would most likely never see each other again, they wanted their son to know that they were proud of him, proud of the family he loved and protected, and proud of the school he built. Elias would never speak of the letter but it still hangs preserved and framed in the Headmaster’s office to this day. 

Elias and Tahawus lived well into their hundreds, staving off Arcane Governor William Stoughton and his Scourers during the American Wizarding Revolution and witnessing the founding of the Magical Confederation of the United States of America. When they passed away together in 1718 President Charity Wilkinson (Wampus) declared a national day of mourning and remembrance for the two beloved educators. Alawa and Ahanu both went on to form their own families who produced children of magical power. Today, the current Headmistress Isabella Ingersoll is a direct descendant of Ahanu and the Sayre line.

[bucephaly]

I have what might be a dumb question. One of the things in the list of 'reasons why we don't show up on the Rolls' you posted is 'my ancestors pretended to be Romani'. Is this why my friend who is both a claimed, actual member of the Cherokee Nation and Romani on his mom's side gets called a liar online so much? He's kind of learned to just say one and not the other because people think this is an impossible combo or what a white person pretending to be Native would say and my whole life, I've never understood why. I'm Arab and Chinese and no one ever accuses me of faking anything, even though there's a lot more distance between my parents' home countries than there is between places Cherokee and Romani people live. Is this, like, a lie multiple people have told? Is that why my best friend gets such side-eye?

Who is calling them a fake? Natives, or nonnatives?

I'm gunna be honest, some nonnatives will call anyone a fake because they don't fit the stereotype. I've had people on Facebook argue with me because I have an anglo American name, even though cherokees with anglo / European type names are very common. Our chief during Removal was named John Ross haha. Sometimes settlers don't like to accept that natives still exist and so will call anyone a fake.

I'm not sure though. I've not heard many people claim their ancestors pretended to be Romani, way more often you hear stuff like melungeon or black Dutch [both of which are words for mixed black / white i think, not native]

Not sure in what contexts he's being called fake though. There are lots of different scenarios where someone with legit connections will be called fake or at least asked for proof. Sometimes some natives can be really weird towards mixed people, and it's really standard for cherokees to sorta ask about family / whether someone is enrolled but that isn't calling people fake so I'm assuming that's not what you mean.

Maybe someone who knows more about it can chime in, I've not been reconnecting for that long so maybe I just haven't seen it ? But mostly I havent really seen anything about mixed native Romani or people claiming their ancestors pretended to be Romani outside of that one post.

[foreveralwaysanauthor]

Hayley's Basic Info

Name: Hayley Anne Mays

Hayley's faceclaims were so fun for me to find, but I had a hard time choosing between my 90s pick and my 00s pick as they both fit her so well. For the 60s, we have Sophia Loren (Arabesque). For the 80s, we have Julia Roberts (Mystic Pizza). For the 90s, we have Sandra Bullock (Practical Magic). For the current day, we have Dakota Johnson (Am I OK?). My pick for the 00s was Michelle Rodriguez (Fast and the Furious) as I feel like her character, Letty, in the first few movies is very fitting for a college-age Hayley, but I kept it simple and stuck with just showing the normal decades.

Nicknames: Hails, Hammy (only her sister calls her that and it’s solely because of her initials spelling HAM), Other Mother/Mom (by Vivien, usually, but Charlie calls her that sometimes when she's talking with Vivien)

Age: 38 

Date of Birth: February 25

Zodiac: Pisces

Birthstone: Amethyst

Nationality: Native American and Irish

Sexuality: Lesbian

Birthplace: Newcastle, Maine

Current Residence: Laconia, New Hampshire

Occupation: Engineering Manager

Talents/Skills: Sculpting, speed-reading, and she loves using her skills with computers to mod out video games for friends and family.

Birth order: Oldest

Siblings: Chelsea Alisha O’Brian (older by 10 minutes)

Parents: George Wallace Mays and Dawn Marie Campbell

Signature:

Height: 5’9”

Race: Native American

Eye Color: Green

Hair Color: Brown

Glasses or contact lenses: Only reading glasses

Distinguishing features: She has a surgery scar from having a C-section when she had Vivien, a small scar on her jaw from a car accident she was in when she first got her permit, and a tattoo of a bouquet of flowers on the inside of her left forearm. Each flower symbolizes a family member’s birth month and she plans on adding more to it as time goes on.

Mannerisms: If her mouth is moving, her hands will be too, but she gets more emphatic with it when she’s holding something, she can sometimes be found muttering things to herself while she works - broken, unintelligible sentences usually, and she tugs at her hair if she has it down - twisting it around her fingers, braiding small strands, or simply tugging at it to keep herself focused.

Health: Allergy-related asthma (pollen, grass, and pine wood are the main triggers) and she has iron deficiency.

Hobbies: She habitually participates in street racing - mile and quarter-mile races are her specialty, but she’ll race just about anything if her car qualifies - but she also loves going to comic conventions with Charlie and Vivien, getting all dressed up as different characters, and just enjoying a day out with family.

Greatest flaw (in their opinion): She would probably say how unintentionally sarcastic she sounds when she’s upset, when, in reality, it would be how much pressure she puts on herself. She had a bad habit of pushing herself far past the breaking point to accomplish things as deadlines are very important to her and it takes an army to make her stop.

Best quality (in their opinion): Her first instinct would be to deflect and say her best quality is the bond she has with her family, but even she knows - deep down - that it would actually be her selflessness. Choosing to have Vivien for her sister and brother-in-law was a big factor in this and, despite claiming that anybody would do it for family, she knows that isn’t the case. It certainly wasn’t the first time she put aside her own feelings in favor of helping someone and it definitely won’t be the last.

Biggest fear: Loss. Whether it be a breakup, a death, or a missing pet, loss is Hayley’s biggest fear. It started early as her grandfather on her mom’s side passed away when she was only seven. They had been so close that it was like a part of her heart had been torn from her chest. As time passed, more people in her extended family died and she watched as more people left her life for one reason or another, she grew attached to those around her in the hope that they would stick around. As an adult, it’s slightly easier to deal with, but she still constantly worries about her family as her parents get older and Vivien begins to walk the thin line between danger and safety.

Hogwarts House: Ravenclaw, but the hat took forever to decide between that and Gryffindor

Favorite ice cream: Cookies and cream

Favorite colors: Green and royal blue

Favorite number: 4, how many dates she and Charlie went on before she knew she wanted to get married.

Favorite songs: Come On Eileen by Dexys Midnight Runners, Where'd All the Time Go? by Dr. Dog, and Cosmic Love by Florence + The Machine

Favorite movies: Pirates of the Caribbean, Mulan, Kill Bill, Coyote Ugly, and Moulin Rouge

Favorite TV shows: Shameless, The Handmaid’s Tale, Breaking Bad, Arcane, and Extraordinary Attorney Woo

Favorite books: The Handmaid’s Tale, Powerless by Lauren Roberts, Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros, The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller, and Don’t Want You Like a Best Friend by Emma Alban

Favorite video games: The Quarry, Subnautica, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

A musical they like: Rent

A place they want to visit: Caribbean