#no sense of solidarity or self reflection

[afro-elf]

really starting to think that many of you aren't as anticapitalist as you portray yourselves to be or if you are it's in a very shallow, self-centered, and most of all WHITE way

[brujamala-aka-gigi]

self growth pick a pile tarot reading

˚｡☁️𝒃𝒖𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒂𝒇𝒆𝒓 𝒔𝒑𝒂𝒄𝒆𝒔 .˚⊹₊ 🐇

During times like these where things move too fast and everything feels overly chaotic, it becomes clear that we all need our time to rest and to enjoy ourselves in the company of others. Loneliness is usually enjoyable when it's a choice, but sometimes it might not be the case. This reading is meant as encouragement for you to value what you bring to others and know what could be given to you. I understand how hard it is sometimes to have the time and energy to put into socializing, but hopefully there's something in here that makes you glad you put the effort on it.

{ plushie's found in @hauntedtoybox 's blog } {dividers by @cafekitsune & @kyejiz }

pile one pile two pile three

.‧͙˚ *༓ scroll down for the readings ⋆ִ ‧͙⁺˚

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masterpost ✶ pac readings ✶ ko-fi page

⋆bookings for personal readings are open ཐིཋྀ ˚₊‧⁺

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૮꒰ • 𝐩𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐞 •꒱ა ♡

KING OF WANDS

I think this card is really calling you out for not trusting your journey to prosperity. It seems to me that you doubt yourself due to not being traditionally successful or not having an easy to see abundance in your life. You are not entirely sure on why people rely on you so much, or what it is that they are drawn to. The warmth and the comfort others make you feel, the safety and the contempt, and the inspiration they give you, is a reflection of what you are naturally putting out in the word. It might not be intentional from you, but plenty of people are impressed by your virtues. Your creativity and your motivation are pretty contagious, people are drawn to you because your energy attracts abundance beyond material gains. A passionate individual like you, shines the most when it's possible to be mindful of others’ needs and expectations without making them the main reason why you are what you are. People look up to you in the same way you look up to them, so be careful when putting someone or something on a pedestal, idealization takes too much away from the humane beauty of individuals and their creations. Respect comes before admiration.

૮꒰ • 𝐩𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐰𝐨 •꒱ა ♡

TEN OF DISKS

This is a really nice “sharing is caring” type of vibe. Generosity and solidarity are really important values to look for in any space. You are naturally altruistic and you want everyone to feel as comfortable and cared for as you feel. It's key that you can enjoy belonging to places where there's a sense of order that's not oppressive, but instead feels natural and coherent to preserve balance and unity. You need to be surrounded by people who share similar ambitions, values, ideals and short term objectives with you, as this is how you form the deepest connections and how you find confidence to build a life filled with contempt. Don't be afraid to ask for help, even if you are usually the one helping out others. It's very likely you are underestimating how equally altruistic and caring others are willing to be with you. And also, don't fall for unhealthy competitive behaviors affecting your energy. Everyone has their own merit, and nobody that's worth your time will try to force you into hierarchical dynamics. Embrace equity and cherish it as a source of power, this is the best way to ensure you and your loved ones are capable of experiencing success and fulfillment without it being overly demanding in a negative way.

૮꒰ • 𝐩𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 •꒱ა ♡

STRENGTH

At this point in time it is necessary for you to surround yourself with people who understand your struggles and are willing to stand with you whenever you are facing adversities. Empathy and understanding are always valued, but you are in need of places where you can feel supported beyond emotional matters, you also need to nurture your ability to take action and grow alongside individuals wanting to better themselves. You might feel misunderstood from time to time, maybe your journey towards peace of mind and contempt being underestimated. I promise you there are places and people who share your struggles and also share your objectives, and there's also people who can comprehend the depths of your process. There's nothing wrong with wanting or needing support outside the spaces you already belong to as long as you value the effort from those who don't quite get it yet. Sometimes shared experiences are key for developing connections that feel nurturing, and sometimes they are not. I think it would be really positive for you to share your development process in places where everyone is on the same page or close enough. You have a lot to learn, but also a lot to teach.

masterpost ✶ pac readings ✶ personal readings

✶ ko-fi page ✶

⁺‧₊˚ ཐི⋆ available for personal readings ⋆ཋྀ ˚₊‧⁺

[animeyanderelover]

Can I request Fyodor, Jōno, Sigma, Tetchō, Yuki, and Kyo with a darling that enjoys solidarity? Pls and thank you❤️

Glad that I asked you before publishing this. For everyone’s information, it was meant to say that the darling enjoys solitude.

Tw: Yandere themes, toxic relationship, possessive behavior, obsession, delusional behavior, manipulation, abduction, isolation

Tags: @shumidehiro @leveyani @izanami78 @flaming-vulpix

Darling enjoys solitude

Fyodor Dostoevsky

🍎​Everything in life has its good and its bad aspects about it and the same concept applies to your preferences for solitude. On the positive side, it is quite delightful to have you already self-isolating all by yourself as Fyodor can keep very easily an eye out for you. But where is the fun? He is a terrible person who believes himself to do God's work yet the diabolical things he does surpass even the deesd committed by the devil himself. Fyodor sees it as a necessity to break you and shape you into someone new and he can't help but think that it might be less amusing to watch your life crumbling away as you prefer your solitude over the company of other people. Nevertheless, if you should be someone who is less prone to show your feelings very easily, he sees it more as a challenge than anything else to see how far he must go to finally shatter you to your core. It is a sick and twisted way of thinking but it is a deed that has to be done. After all you deserve all the suffering he is about to unleash on you.

Jouno Saigiku

♦️​Your preference to spend time alone is much appreciated and welcomed by Jouno who has always been far too possessive to let other people close to you. Whenever he seeks you out, he finds you most of the time alone and enjoys the fact that he can have your attention and company all for himself most of the time. Although it does increase his spite for the people you do actually keep close as he knows that they are very special to you if you bother to hang out with them. You are a fairly calm and composed person who enjoys their quietness and that is reflected in the relaxed composition of your heartbeat. As someone who can pick up on the emotions of others easily due to his enhanced senses, this only aids further in Saigiku's obsession as your emotions don't overwhelm him. Although similar to Fyodor he still has a sadistic streak and sometimes might try to trigger your emotions to go haywire to satiate his own desire. Your racing heartbeat is lovely to listen to at times after all.

Suehiro Tetchou

🌸​Tetchou is fairly normal for someone who has an unhealthy obsession going on but if you compare him to people like Saigiku, it should be no surprise. On the other hand he is quite dense at times and may make wrong assumptions which is unfortunately what happens in your case. He assumes that your preference to be alone is because you have social anxiety, even if that may simply not be the case. Growing from this hasty assumption of his, he grows more protective over you to the point where he actually ends up isolating you even if you want to spend time with others. Convinced that he is doing you a favor, he ends up taking over every social interaction of yours as you aren't even allowed to order something from the staff in a restaurant as he instead insists on doing so for you. It may not look like much but it can very much turn into a smothering overprotective behavior where your social skills drastically reduce themselves due to the social isolation he puts you through.

Sigma

☁️​You give him almost constantly anxiety due to your withdrawn personality which has him actively struggling out of fear that you'd be annoyed if he would attempt to talk with you. He doesn't want you to direct any negative feelings his way as he is much too sensitive for that so instead Sigma starts stalking and spying on you to collect as much information about you as possible. Knowledge is a weapon after all and he hopes that by finding out more about you, he can find a suitable way to approach you without getting on your nerves. He is most likely overthinking it all yet it's not like someone could just explain this to him. He does learn to appreciate it more later on as he can spend all of his time alone with you without having to worry about you expressing unhappiness about the isolation due to your preference os being alone. As foolish as it may be, he even has high hopes that you will forgive him the abduction he is currently planning as you have never been a fan of being under people to begin with.

Sohma Yuki

🐭​Yuki has been admiring you from a distance for a long time yet for multiple reasons he has never approached you before. Sometimes he wonders if you are someone like him though as he often sees you all by yourself, not bothering to mingle with other students. He wishes to talk with you yet his low self-confidence and his popularity have always kept him from doing so. When he eventually gathers the courage to seek you out and start a conversation with you, he only finds himself falling more for you. He feels comfortable and safe in your presence and the fact that most of the time you are by yourself only aids his secretly possessive side as he claims that time alone he has with you. Yuki quickly learns where he can find you when he feels the need to see you and sees it through that no one follows him so that no one can disturb the time he wants to have with you for himself. Things take a bad turn when he finds himself dependent on you though whenever he feels anxious or very stressed, leading him to suffer from a mental breakdown when he can't find you anywhere.

Sohma Kyo

🐈​Kyo may not show it but he feels initially worried when he catches you most of the time away from others, instead sitting all by yourself. He wonders if people don't like you or if you are very anxious yet he soon comes to realise that you just simply prefer to be by yourself. It does give him relief to know that he has nothing to worry about yet it also makes it more difficult to approach you, even though he has sworn to not get to know you due to the deal he made with Akito. The heart does what it wants though and so he finds himself commonly hiding from your sight as he watches how you spend time by yourself, reading a book or doing some work for school. It isn't enough to quench the longing in his heart yet he reminds himself that staying away from you is for the best. Kyo is very protective though and whenever he overhears someone calling you weird for always being alone, he reacts defensive and brash as he lashes out on the students for talking about you like this.

[hoodreader]

tw sexual abuse & diddy

diddy getting outed & raided with the tuesday eclipse on his north node… with his tattoo of ezili dantor on his back. the loa of tuesdays and the protector of women & children. & he’s an avid sexual abuser of women & children.

the back is associated with leo/libra. leo is children, libra/venus is justice. and the back/unseen part of things is ruled by saturn, which is the planet of karmic distribution. tattoos are martian, the planet of protection.

it’s divine timing. bc what the hell was that man thinking. i applaud whatever diviner encouraged his ass to get EZILI DANTOR of ALL loa permanently etched into his skin, because his abuses of children & women will follow him forever.

he’s currently in his seventh house year, the seventh house year is a year dealing with others, fairness, & balance. imo, it’s a karmic house since the seventh is a reflection of the self. what u put out is reflected back to u. he’s also about to enter his eighth house year, the house of inactivity, psychological illness, debts (including karmic).

his mars is also in capricorn at the 29°, which is a universally critical degree. it can show domineering, thoughtlessness, lack of control, impulsiveness, etc.

there’s no confirmation on his ascendant, but i’ve seen people suggest cancer ascendant (with a virgo moon & scorpio sun). that would mean that:

but i could totally see a 10h lord in the 7h, because it shows status is tied to relationships / justice / fairness

i also see charts floating around suggesting that he’s a capricorn ascendant, which i also think makes sense because of:

a first house mars

a 10H in libra shows that the public image is tied to fairness, grace, harmony, & relationships especially to women

my partner was like “maybe a sag rising,” mind u… my partner not an astrologer but they are super intuitive with that 3h scorpio moon so i considered it & lowkey…

pisces eclipse illuminating the 4th would mean that all of the illusions revolving around his private life are dug up. the 4h is the subterranean, it’s the least visible house imo

2h mars in capricorn @ the anaretic degree can show a thirst for power, but the 2h is the gate of hades. it leads to demise (the 8h)

8h lord would be in the 10h, which would show this hidden misdeeds becoming publicized preceding the eclipse in his 4h, since the natal 4h lord would be the eclipsing pisces moon. hope that made sense lol

i often see pisces rising speculation. which, i also could understand because:

this recent full moon lunar eclipse conj his north node illuminated & essentially “exposed” his heart/spirit/soul. it also exposed the qualities of the greedy, obsessive, manipulative north node

& this isn’t to say all nodal people are this way. but when u don’t know how to moderate the greedy & obsessive nature of the north node, its malefic qualities will overtake the self

pisces ascendants tend to not really be ‘seen’, especially with the lord in the unseen 8H. but again the eclipse illuminated this & just how corrupted his moral compass is

the other end of the eclipse would be in his 7H, the house of justice, which would have his moon conj the transit sun

lastly i can see aries rising because the eclipse in the twelfth exposes the consequences and results of self-undoing. it’s also the house of prisons.

anyway. just my theories. i stand in solidarity with all abuse victims of the world, & it feels good to see them get justice because a win for one is a win for all. Asè

here are some aid resources for marginalized abuse victims, please consider donating or reblogging!

Black Trans Femme SA/Abuse Victim. this gfm hasn’t moved in 5 months!

Black Childhood SA Victim. this gfm has been up since april & hasn’t gotten a single donation!

Aid for Haiti.

Aid for First Nations/American Indigenous People (Salt Lake).

Aid for Gaza. every day, isntrealis abuse Gazans (in a lot of ways, not just sexually). please consider helping them thru providing healthcare & aid

Aid for Sudan. refugees often experience higher rates of trafficking, rape, & violence. please consider donating!

Aid for DR Congolese Women/Children. consider giving aid to women/childre who are being forced into slavery & the exploitative sex trade.

Aid for Sex Workers. thru whorephobia, misogyny, & other forms of marginalization, the violence towards sex workers is enabled due to the “less dead” theory.

Support for SA/Rape/Trafficking Victims.

Consider donating to abortion funds such as AidAccess, INeedAnA, etc so that people (including rape victims) have autonomy over their reproduction.

avoid red cross. u can always scroll thru gfm & just search up keywords then just go through and donate $5+ to each one until u can’t no more. that way, u directly provide aid.

also, help the people within ur physical community. if u know any black, native, palestinian, trans, disabled etc women, be the community they are so often denied.

power 2 da people :)

[outfitqueer]

For many trans individuals, furries hold a special significance.

It's not just about anthropomorphic animals; furries represent a way to explore and express identity beyond the constraints of societal norms.

A fursona allows trans people to embody characteristics that align with their true selves.

@outfitqueer 🏳️‍⚧️

Whether it’s a fox symbolizing agility or a wolf representing strength, these animal representations offer a safe and creative outlet for self-expression.

Furries challenge traditional notions of gender and identity.

Embracing characters that can be anything they imagine means trans individuals find freedom in expressing who they are, without being confined to binary expectations.

For trans people, furries symbolize more than just creativity—they represent the possibility of living authentically and exploring identity in a way that feels true to themselves.

Furry is a powerful reminder that identity can be as diverse and unique as the characters they create.

The furry community provides a supportive environment where trans individuals can freely explore and affirm their identities.

Interacting with their fursonas, means that trans people can navigate their personal journey in a space that celebrates individuality and self-discovery.

The diverse array of fursonas reflects the rich spectrum of identities within the trans community, highlighting the vastness of human experience.

Creating and inhabiting a fursona allows for an imaginative exploration of gender and identity, breaking free from conventional boundaries.

The furry world demonstrates that self-expression and identity are boundless, affirming that every individual’s journey is uniquely their own.

The sense of belonging found in the furry community can be especially empowering for trans individuals, offering solidarity and understanding.

@outfitqueer 🏳️‍⚧️

[kylieswift31]

My. Space.

"Cooler in theory,

but not if you force it to be"

‘Unus pro omnibus, omnes pro uno’ is a phrase more commonly known as ‘all for one and one for all’. It has long been associated with the tale of the three musketeers and is the unofficial motto of Switzerland.

This concept epitomises the sense of solidarity that can be reached when the individual acts in favour of the group and the group acts in favour of the individuals.

While this sounds promising in theory for the majority, in reality it can create a trap of self enforced conformity for the minority.

Most of us in this minority inherently drift apart from the majority due to a deeply rooted feeling that we don’t belong in some way. Often times learning ways to hide the parts of ourselves that are frowned upon by the collective as we float around on the periphery.

And it can take years to discover the correct language to use that accurately describes our experiences. What comes next is often not within our control as we’re forced to coexist with those who disapprove of our truth and lack of conformity.

“Maybe I'm losing my mind, but it feels like the whole world revolves around me somehow.” -Truman

In the Truman show ‘unus pro omnibus, omnes pro uno’ is proudly displayed as the motto for the town of Seahaven, but it’s really just an ever-present subliminal message to reinforce Truman’s contribution to benefit the collective.

The director of the show was clouded by his desire to create something good to share with the world. Yet this inspirational message was never supposed to be used as a threat or an excuse for one person to carry the weight of the collective all alone.

That turns into ‘one for all’. Full stop. It was the realisation that the pressure to conform by giving more and more of himself to entertain the masses was a never ending cycle that ultimately became Truman’s tipping point and what finally motivated him to leave.

“So tell me everything is not about me. Butwhat if it is?” -Taylor

This experience is not unique to Truman’s fictional character. It’s actually a fine line that many of us face in our own ways. And it’s this prior experience that allows so many of us to see the same type of pain in Taylor being reflected back at us.

The key to overcoming this imbalance between the ‘all for one and one for all’ is rediscovering community. We often begin with a jumble of stories collected along the way that morph into a label. And it’s this label that allows us to find our people, to find where we belong.

The evolution of the internet and social media created online spaces that allowed many of us to coexist in communities where the minority suddenly became the majority. MySpace in particular encouraged everyone to personalise their page to create a reflection of themselves.

With the rise of other platforms, conformity gradually took over and individuality was slowly left behind. Regardless of how big or small a group becomes, uniformity amongst the majority seems to be the goal.

The Taylor Swift fandom isn’t immune to this either. We’ve all centred Taylor in our own versions of ‘all for one and one for all’ but have branched out to create varying subsections that fall under the swiftie or gaylor umbrella.

When all of these variations overlap and mingle together it creates a never ending Venn diagram, and it’s that same overlap that feels both communal and isolating all at once. The sweet spot lies with finding a balance between valuing unity and individuality.

I myself fall into the gaylor, idgaflor, performanceartlor and thetrumanshowlor communities. I also view Taylor’s story through a female, queer, neurodivergent and chronic illness lens. The combination of these facets is what makes my interpretations unique.

I’d love to invite you to consider where you fit into the community. What makes your point of view unique? The more we can recognise and celebrate the diversity within the gaylor community, the more united we will all feel in preparation for the turbulent times ahead.

When Taylor invited us to go down the rabbit hole with her I never expected to discover, let alone join in with, this amazing community. I love each and every one of you for being here. Wether you’ve inspired thoughtful conversations, made me laugh or just liked my posts, thank you 🫶🏼

‘Unus pro omnibus, omnes pro uno’

A tortured poet,

Kylie x

[tithe2hell]

Oh yeah I also watched LPs of Mouthwashing!! I really liked it. I can see exactly why it exploded in popularity because it does the thing of telling a very tight, self contained story, that doesn't really digress into a ton of backstory etc but bc the characters are built to feel functional, but also more "archetypes" that reflect types of people most of us are familiar with, it inspires people to connect to and imagine more scenarios with them inside and outside of the closed-off scenario that we do get.

Very good Very Straight Man Jealousy-solidarity Bro-Code yaoi built upon a strong foundation of Womansuffering (insert that one Marilyn Frye quote "all that pertains to admiration and imitation is reserved for other men / heterosexual male culture is homoerotic, it is man-loving"). The most gentle moment between guys being 1) Curly taking over doing the psych report bc Jimmy has been using it to sexually harass Anya by joking around and 2) Curly saying "dw bro....I gotchu thru these hard times just like before " (🤔)

I really liked Jimmy's character and how they wrote him as a shitty person basically from the beginning. I feel the way sometimes people write shitty people characters can often come across cartoonish and unsatisfying to me, but in this case i thought it worked really well. I think the reason why it does so is because of the efficiency of the story; we don't really need a lot of external things verbally telling us to condemn him or huge drawn out reactions to his actions; it simply shows us what he does, how it affects people, and leads that for the audience to participate in the reaction, in experiencing it. I think leaving that space for people to react to a story and have their feelings is pretty important in a work.

I think these takes of his character I read were one of the best I came across; (here and here, from a jimanya shipper lol so just heads up if u read other posts). The ordinariness of the situation I think is what connected me to it. Jimmy isn't a highly unusual sexual deviant separate evil species or anything, but a very sadly common type of man in these settings whose selfishness and demeaning of women is enabled by the Bro-Code support or cluelessness/apathy of people around him. He and the others are also in an exploitative and dangerous work environment that doesn't incentivize conflict or speaking up about ill treatment even if individual people are "nice." The connection between rape culture not just to the Bro-Code relationship but also to the overall working environment felt very clear to me, kind of made me think of reading Ducks last year for more complex and irl personal exploration of capitalism, environmental disaster, and experiences of women in male-dominated industries. It strikes me in that scenario that the men in those situations often are indeed exploited and under lots of stress, but still don't think of their fellow women workers as people...

In the end the story is fairly simple, I think I liked that it was short and had good emotions in it, very strong and impactful design to carry things along, movie-ish in that sense. Its also bc of its short length one of those fandom pieces where I can see it starting to cannibalize itself already since the original work only has so much material to offer, so fandom will just have to start eating itself and coming up with increasingly divergent works before settling down. Still, glad to be able to share the experience as a person of non-gamer experience

[brainbuffering]

Disability Discrimination in Anime Dubbing

Disabled Characters are becoming more and more common in manga in recent years, with releases such as “A Sign of Affection”, “Ranking of Kings”, and “Josee, and the Tiger and the Fish”, all getting Anime Adaptations! However, only one of these series features a Disabled actor in the lead role. That being Emily Fajardo in Ranking of Kings (directed by Caitlin Glass) as Bojji. Emily has (understandably) undisclosed disabilities, and has said how ecstatic and proud they were to get to play a disabled role - a sense of triumph and emotion I do not wish to take away from them. However their disabilities do not match those of the character they play. Bojji is non verbal and deaf, Emily is not. 

Yet this is a vast improvement upon the continuing apparent refusal to find disabled actors. There is a solidarity found amongst disabled people, and whilst our experiences in this world are different, we have a shared history. A shared understanding of what it is like to live in a world that rejects you. Be that the epileptic teen who can't go to the cinema with their friends, or the wheelchair-using adult unable to find a job because nobody sees their value. 

The only time I can think of where a Disabled Anime Character has been voiced by someone with a matching Disability was Lexi Marman Cowden in “A Silent Voice” as Shoko. Lexi’s performance was absolutely incredible, heartfelt, and true in every sense. Comparing her performance to that of her able bodied Japanese counterpart (Saori Hayami) you can tell that Lexi has real life experience to draw on, her emotions feel real. It's obvious that Lexi has been through what Shoko has. It's why, despite its flaws as a story, I still consider “A Silent Voice” to be one of the best ever English Dubs. They bought something new to the series that the Japanese team didn't. Stephanie Sheh and her colleagues at NYAV Post understood the need to have stories told by the people they're meant to represent - a sentiment that has bled through into their other work such as casting Trans Actress Shakina Nayfack as Hana in “Tokyo Godfathers”. 

And whilst this wonderful dedication to accurate casting in terms of gender, racial, and sexual minorities is being reflected throughout the industry – for example the Majority POC Dub of “Horimiya” and the Majority Queer Dub of “Given” – it is simply not being reflected with regards to Disabled People who are once again left out in the cold. It also feels incredibly hypocritical and hurtful to see people criticise non-accurate casting within some minorities, and completely ignore it when disabled people are involved. 

An example of this would be “Josee, the Tiger, and the Fish”. Whilst it is to be celebrated that there was a Majority POC cast in the film, director Jerry Jewell still chose to cast an able bodied actress in the titular role of Josee, a wheelchair user. Suzie Yeung’s performance very much felt like that of an Able-bodied person mimicking a disabled person. Whereas Lexi had real life experience to draw upon, Suzie was making it up as she went along. This was especially clear to me when Josee was forced to self-hoist for the first time. 

Suzie played it as a tragic moment of upset frustration and proof that Josee needed help but was too stubborn to ask. Meanwhile, my own experience as a person with Myasthenia Gravis was that the first time I collapsed and couldn't stand up on my own, being able to clamber from the floor to the sofa was a moment of personal triumph. This is an emotion I have heard other disabled people talk about. It's not proof of helplessness, it's evidence that you do have strength, power, and independence. Yes, part of this was probably just the way the film was made, but I still felt that a disabled actor with mobility issues would have understood the nuances far better, and would have made for a better film. 

At the time, I said I would only forgive Director Jerry Jewell for casting an Ablebodied Actress in a Disabled Role, if he hired a Disabled Actress for an Able-bodied role… which he did later the following year when he cast the wonderful Risa Mei (who has dwarfism) as the protagonist in “My Senpai is Annoying”. Whilst this his was not Risa’s first role at Funimation (now Crunchyroll) having played Shirley/Rum in “Shadow’s House” and Nadila in “Kakushigoto”, it was her first lead role. The anime itself didn't have the best reception, however Risa has continued to be cast in more and more roles across the Anime and Gaming World including more Popular Series like “My Dress Up Darling”, “Sing a Bit of Harmony”, and the upcoming “Sand Land” Video Game by Dragon Ball Creator Akira Toriyama. 

I had hoped that perhaps this would lead to more disabled actors breaking through into the industry! That Lexi had proven, without a shadow of a doubt, that Deaf people could do Dubbing and do it better than Hearing People! That Risa had proved that there are thousands of talented disabled actors out there if you were just willing to look! Yet with the announcement of Lara Woodhull as Yuki in “A Sign of Affection” it is clear to me that Voice Over still has a long way to go with regards to hiring disabled people. Which is a real shame, since you would think that the success of remote recording during the ongoing pandemic would allow for more disabled (and especially immunocompromised) actors getting cast. 

Many would argue that I am perhaps being hypocritical here. If I am saying that disabled voice actors can play able-bodied roles, then why can’t able-bodied people play disabled roles? This is perhaps a fair question, but from my perspective, disabled people are fully aware of what it is like to be able-bodied. Many of us are already forced to act as if we are, or have had to experience going from being able-bodied to being disabled. So where as disabled people absolutely have the life experience needed to play non-disabled roles, able-bodied people do not. 

This isn't to say that there has never been any examples of non-disabled people playing disabled characters well! Eun-bin Park as Woo Young-Woo in the Korean Courtroom Drama “Extraordinary Attorney Woo” springs to mind. Her performance as the Autistic Woo was incredibly well researched and prepared for. She took great care to talk to real-life autistic people to play the role as authentically as possible. However, this is an exception, not a rule. The majority of able-bodied actors are not willing to put in the same level of time and effort that Eun-bin has.  Equally, Disabled people should still be able to speak for themselves, and not have able-bodied people control the entire narrative. 

An argument is often made that Disabled People do not have enough experience to play lead roles. However, how are actors meant to get this experience if they are not even being cast to play themselves? And surely Lexi once again stands as an example of how someone with no experience in Voice Acting or Dubbing can give award worthy performances?

It is perhaps especially sad that no Hard of Hearing actors have been cast in “A Sign of Affection”, since it would have been the perfect dub to start out on. Due to trauma related to how her voice sounds to others, Yuki has an entirely internalised monologue. This means that the actor playing her doesn't need to match any mouth flaps. This makes things much easier for those new to dubbing, as it allows them to focus on just their acting rather than the more technical side of things. 

Where as some might argue that Yuki’s internal monologue means that it would be ridiculous to cast a person with a Deaf Accent. Ignoring the obvious fact that Yuki may very well have a Deaf Accent in her internal monologue, and that it's down to Hearing People to learn to understand those accents, many d/Deaf people do not even have that accent! Not all d/Deaf folks are born without hearing, many lose it later in life and so maintain their original accents. Equally, not all d/Deaf people are completely without hearing, hence the term “Hard of Hearing”. They might still have full hearing in one ear, or have cochlear implants to improve their overall hearing before it gets to the point of complete loss. Not to mention the increasing effectiveness of regular hearing aids. Whilst naturally a person who has partial hearing is going to have a different lived experience to someone who was born without hearing like Yuki, they would still have far more in common with the character than an Able-bodied actor would. 

It would simply appear that Dub Directors like Jason Lord are simply not willing to put the effort in to find Disabled Talent. But we are out there! We’re working hard and making moves. We’re doing everything that able bodied actors are doing, backwards and with wheels. There are over 350,000 d/Deaf people living in Texas, I am certain at least one of them has a passion and talent for acting. 

So please. Let the Blind Samurai be voiced by a Visually Impaired Person. Let the Robot Armed Star Fighter be played by a person with a prosthetic. Let the sweet deaf girl who is falling in love and discovering the world for the first time through her own hard work and the support of her friends as it becomes accessible to her for the first time, be played by someone who knows exactly what that feels like. 

I do not want to have to write another post like this when the next series with a Disabled Protagonist is announced. I want to be allowed to join in with your celebrations, and not to left looking in through the window as I sit on my scooter in the cold wet rain. Once again refused entry to the party because of the elaborate staircase built by able-bodied people.

[omegaphilosophia]

The Philosophy of Hip-Hop

Hip-hop, a cultural movement that began in the Bronx, New York, during the 1970s, encompasses a variety of elements including music (rap), dance (breakdancing), visual art (graffiti), and fashion. The philosophy of hip-hop extends beyond these elements, reflecting deep socio-political, cultural, and existential themes. Here's an exploration of some core aspects of the philosophy of hip-hop:

1. Self-Expression and Authenticity

At its heart, hip-hop champions self-expression and authenticity. Artists often share personal stories, struggles, and triumphs through their lyrics, dance, and art.

Authenticity: Hip-hop values "keeping it real," meaning that artists are expected to stay true to their personal experiences and cultural roots.

Narrative Power: Through storytelling, hip-hop provides a voice for marginalized communities, allowing them to share their unique perspectives and experiences.

2. Resistance and Rebellion

Hip-hop has always been a form of resistance against social, political, and economic oppression.

Social Commentary: Many hip-hop lyrics critique systemic injustices, including racism, poverty, and police brutality.

Empowerment: Hip-hop encourages empowerment and resilience, motivating individuals to overcome adversity and fight for their rights.

3. Community and Unity

The hip-hop community is built on a sense of solidarity and collective identity.

Collectivism: Hip-hop culture fosters a sense of belonging and mutual support among its members.

Collaboration: Collaboration is a key component, with artists frequently working together to create music, art, and dance.

4. Innovation and Creativity

Hip-hop is characterized by its innovative and creative spirit.

Sampling and Remixing: Hip-hop producers often sample existing music to create new tracks, showcasing creativity and respect for musical heritage.

Evolution: Hip-hop continuously evolves, incorporating new styles, sounds, and technologies, reflecting its dynamic and adaptive nature.

5. Cultural Identity and Pride

Hip-hop celebrates cultural identity and pride, especially within African American and Latino communities.

Heritage: It honors the cultural heritage of its founders and perpetuates traditions through its various elements.

Pride: Hip-hop instills a sense of pride in cultural roots and promotes the celebration of diverse identities.

6. Education and Knowledge

Hip-hop often emphasizes the importance of knowledge and education.

Knowledge of Self: Artists frequently explore themes of self-awareness and personal growth.

Social Education: Hip-hop educates listeners about social issues and historical contexts, encouraging critical thinking and awareness.

The philosophy of hip-hop is multifaceted, intertwining themes of self-expression, resistance, community, innovation, cultural pride, and education. It serves as a powerful vehicle for social change, artistic creativity, and cultural preservation. By understanding these philosophical underpinnings, one can appreciate hip-hop not just as an art form but as a significant cultural and intellectual movement.

[dailyanarchistposts]

J.3.1 What are affinity groups?

Affinity groups are the basic organisation which anarchists create to spread the anarchist idea. The term “affinity group” comes from the Spanish F.A.I. (Iberian Anarchist Federation) and refers to the organisational form devised in their struggles for freedom (from “grupo de afinidad”). At its most basic, it is a (usually small) group of anarchists who work together to spread their ideas to the wider public, using propaganda, initiating or working with campaigns and spreading their ideas within popular organisations (such as unions) and communities. It aims not to be a “leadership” but to give a lead, to act as a catalyst within popular movements. Unsurprisingly it reflects basic anarchist ideas:

“Autonomous, communal and directly democratic, the group combines revolutionary theory with revolutionary lifestyle in its everyday behaviour. It creates a free space in which revolutionaries can remake themselves individually, and also as social beings.” [Murray Bookchin, Post-Scarcity Anarchism, p. 144]

The reason for this is simple, for a “movement that sought to promote a liberatory revolution had to develop liberatory and revolutionary forms. This meant … that it had to mirror the free society it was trying to achieve, not the repressive one it was trying to overthrow. If a movement sought to achieve a world united by solidarity and mutual aid, it had to be guided by these precepts; if it sought to achieve a decentralised, stateless, non-authoritarian society, it had to be structured in accordance with these goals.” [Bookchin, The Spanish Anarchists, p. 180]

The aim of an anarchist organisation is to promote a sense of community, of confidence in ones own abilities, to enable all to be involved in the identification, initiation and management of group needs, decisions and activities. They must ensure that individuals are in a position (both physically, as part of a group, and mentally, as an individual) to manage their own lives and take direct action in the pursuit of individual and communal needs and desires. Anarchist organisation is about empowering all, to develop “integral” or whole individuals and a community that encourages individuality (not abstract “individualism”) and solidarity. It is about collective decision making from the bottom up, that empowers those at the “base” of the structure and only delegates the work of co-ordinating and implementing the members decisions (and not the power of making decisions for people). In this way the initiative and power of the few (government) is replaced by the initiative and empowerment of all (anarchy). Affinity groups exist to achieve these aims and are structured to encourage them.

The local affinity group is the means by which anarchists co-ordinate their activities in a community, workplace, social movement and so on. Within these groups, anarchists discuss their ideas, politics and hopes, what they plan to do, organise propaganda work, discuss how they are going to work within wider organisations like unions, how their strategies fit into their long term plans and goals and so on. It is the basic way that anarchists work out their ideas, pull their resources and get their message across to others. There can be affinity groups for different interests and activities (for example a workplace affinity group, a community affinity group, an anarcha-feminist affinity group, etc., could all exist within the same area, with overlapping members). Moreover, as well as these more “political” activities, the “affinity group” also stresses the “importance of education and the need to live by Anarchist precepts — the need … to create a counter-society that could provide the space for people to begin to remake themselves.” [Bookchin, Op. Cit., p. 180] In other words, “affinity groups” aim to be the “living germs” of the new society in all aspects, not purely in a structurally way.

So affinity groups are self-managed, autonomous groupings of anarchists who unite and work on specific activities and interests. This means that ”[i]n an anarchist organisation the individual members can express any opinion and use any tactic which is not in contradiction with accepted principles and which does not harm the activities of others.” [Errico Malatesta, The Anarchist Revolution, p. 102] Such groups are a key way for anarchists to co-ordinate their activity and spread their message of individual freedom and voluntary co-operation. However, the description of what an “affinity group” is does not explain why anarchists organise in that way. Essentially, these affinity groups are the means by which anarchists actually intervene in social movements and struggles in order to win people to the anarchist idea and so help transform them from struggles against injustice into struggles for a free society. We will discuss the role these groups play in anarchist theory in section J.3.6.

These basic affinity groups are not seen as being enough in themselves. Most anarchists see the need for local groups to work together with others in a confederation. Such co-operation aims to pull resources and expand the options for the individuals and groups who are part of the federation. As with the basic affinity group, the anarchist federation is a self-managed organisation:

“Full autonomy, full independence and therefore full responsibility of individuals and groups; free accord between those who believe it is useful to unite in co-operating for a common aim; moral duty to see through commitments undertaken and to do nothing that would contradict the accepted programme. It is on these bases that the practical structures, and the right tools to give life to the organisation should be built and designed. Then the groups, the federations of groups, the federations of federations, the meetings, the congresses, the correspondence committees and so forth. But all this must be done freely, in such a way that the thought and initiative of individuals is not obstructed, and with the sole view of giving greater effect to efforts which, in isolation, would be either impossible or ineffective.” [Malatesta, Op. Cit., p. 101]

To aid in this process of propaganda, agitation, political discussion and development, anarchists organise federations of affinity groups. These take three main forms,

“synthesis” federations (see section J.3.2), “Platformist” federations (see section J.3.3 while section J.3.4 has criticism of this tendency) and “class struggle” groups (see section J.3.5). All the various types of federation are based on groups of anarchists organising themselves in a libertarian fashion. This is because anarchists try to live by the values of the future to the extent that this is possible under capitalism and try to develop organisations based upon mutual aid, in which control would be exercised from below upward, not downward from above. We must also note here that these types of federation are not mutually exclusive. Synthesis type federations often have “class struggle” and “Platformist” groups within them (although, as will become clear, Platformist federations do not have synthesis groups within them) and most countries have different federations representing the different perspectives within the movement. Moreover, it should also be noted that no federation will be a totally “pure” expression of each tendency. “Synthesis” groups merge into “class struggle” ones, Platformist groups do not subscribe totally to the Platform and so on. We isolate each tendency to show its essential features. In real life few, if any, federations will exactly fit the types we highlight. It would be more precise to speak of organisations which are descended from a given tendency, for example the French Anarchist Federation is mostly influenced by the synthesis tradition but it is not, strictly speaking, 100% synthesis. Lastly, we must also note that the term “class struggle” anarchist group in no way implies that “synthesis” and “Platformist” groups do not support the class struggle or take part in it, they most definitely do — it is simply a technical term to differentiate between types of organisation!

It must be stressed anarchists do not reduce the complex issue of political organisation and ideas into one organisation but instead recognise that different threads within anarchism will express themselves in different political organisations (and even within the same organisation). A diversity of anarchist groups and federations is a good sign and expresses the diversity of political and individual thought to be expected in a movement aiming for a society based upon freedom. All we aim to do is to paint a broad picture of the similarities and differences between the various perspectives on organising in the movement and indicate the role these federations play in libertarian theory, namely of an aid in the struggle, not a new leadership seeking power.

[skeleton-mischief]

Skeleton AU Names Pt. 2

This is just for other AU's that I'll be working on, as I'll mainly focus on the main 14 over these guys frequently. Enjoy.

Mobtale/Mafiatale -

To Note! I have no real explanation why the Mob/Mafia AU's have their names other than that they were cool and fitting. I uh,,, didn't have much thought beyond that,,,

Mobtale/Mafiatale Sans: Bullet Serrif

Mobtale/Mafiatale Papyrus: Ace Serrif

Mobswap/Mafiaswap Sans: Azure Serrif.

Mobswap/Mafiaswap Papyrus: Canary Serrif

Mobfell/Mafiafell Sans: Calibur Serrif

Mobfell/Mafiafell Papyrus: Vermillion Serrif

Swapfell Red Sans: Noir Serrif

Swapfell Red Papyrus: Smokes Serrif

Swapfell Purple Sans: Mal Serrif

Swapfell Purple Papyrus: Slim Serrif

Outertale -

Outertale Sans: Cosmic Serrif. I thought it would be kinda funny that he would name himself Cosmic because when he finds out how similar he and Vanilla are, the two progressively end up making a connection to Comic Sans becoming a pun with "Cosmic."

Outertale Papyrus: Comet Serrif. Fast, energetic, and bright - Comet got his name out of inspiration. He actually was able to pick what name he wanted quickly as a result

Farmtale -

Farmtale Sans: Basil Serrif. Basil is a type of plant that is suspected to have mild sedative properties that affect mood and ease things such as depression, anxiety, and sleeping problems. Wonderful for foods, teas, etc, he thought that the name itself was just perfect for him. He's a very laid back character, so it works along with the fact that his magic happens to be green

Farmtale Papyrus: Juniper Serrif. The word juniper comes from the Latin word juniperus, which means "to produce." The name symbolizes life, growth, and it's known to be a resilient plant. So, what better name could he go for that's based off a plant like his brother and that perfectly captures his excellence?

Gtale(?) -

G!Sans: Marigold Serrif. Like his magic, it is a bright flower that often symbolizes power, strength, and light. It is also said that Marigolds are thought to attract souls. Back then in the Victorian Era, where the Language of Flowers prospered, marigolds often were about grief and sadness, often put in bouquets as a way of expressing kindness and solidarity. He would have chosen this name as a sort of gesture of withholding the memories of not only Gaster, but of all that lie underground as they vanished. He is a withdrawn and self reflective individual, it makes sense he'd choose it as it holds significant meaning to him

G!Papyrus: Sage Serrif. The name means wise, or prophet in Latin terms. The plant is commonly also used in practices that include burning it in order to connect to the spiritual world or enhance intuition. His magic is green, so to specifically focus on green Sage reveals that it represents wisdom, intelligence, and experience. When part of Gaster's soul fused with his own, not only did he grow more knowledge, but he progressively became a mixture of both personalities. So, sage was the perfect inspiration for him

Fashiontale -

For context: I do not like anything from the original AU Underlust It was a proshipping hellhole that I do not like and honestly most of the designs if not all of them are not to my personal liking. So, as a result I took some inspiration of what it was "going for" and decided to make my own little AU like spin on it. So, to get a slight idea, this is where these two come from

Fashiontale Sans: Cupid Serrif. The God of desire, attraction, affection, and erotic love. It's a fitting name for him because of his popularity underground for his performances and his ability to attract all the things that the God Cupid is capable of. He would only want such a pretty name for a pretty face

Fashiontale Papyrus: Desi Serrif. Desi comes from Desire, shortened to a simple sweetness. It also is a name meaning "yearning, sorrow, or desire." With all of this, what really pushed him to choose this name is because of the Desi Roses, a garden rose variety that is known for its strong scent. Everyone already knows the symbolism of roses, so this was just the perfect name for him

Apple Brothers:

I have no desire to change their names, since they're such solid ones. However, below, I decided to add little nicknames that were technically their own "names" when the two were children

Dream: Sunny or Dreamy, which used to be used by Nightmare when the two were children

Nightmare: Nicknames he had from Dream were ones such as Nighty or Moony. ("oh like FNA-" "shhh shhh shh shh. Shh")

Glitch:

Glitched Swap Sans: Blooper. He was not meant to be an outcode, let alone meant to even be in the void to begin with. A stumble of steps, a missed line, a missed frame. The dictionary states that Blooper means "an embarrassing error" "a mistake" and I think that perfectly encapsulates him entirely. How he feels, how he was created. There's a lot I personally changed in his character, but I wanted to name him Blooper since not only is it fitting, but because it also is a small nod towards "Blueberror", which was his original name

Closing Thoughts:

I plan to just keep the rest of the names that we have for other popular AU's such as Ink, Reaper, Dust, Killer, Error, Geno, and Cross.

[sherrysicle]

You can tell a lot about a culture from their views on and how they enforce modesty. It is reflected in the garments people wear, but also in their laws and values. It could represent one’s faith, a history of colonisation, or a struggle for freedom and equality. In this statement, I will mostly be focusing on modesty in dress.

In India, the saree is a traditional form of dress for women, and originally it was worn over bare breasts. However, this offended the British sense of morality, and so they introduced the blouse to the saree which is still worn to this day. Like in the myth of the Garden of Eden, not being appropriately clothed was seen as a trait of the unenlightened, a sign of barbarism. This perception of the locals fostered a sense of superiority among the colonizers and reinforced the belief that they were saving the locals by transforming them from being primitive to civilised.

Interestingly, it can be said that the opposite is true now. Many people who think of themselves as modern, free from the prejudices of past decades, are opposed to modest dressing. They believe it to be a symbol of outdated ideas of the patriarchy, and viewing the cultures that still hold onto these values as backwards, and that women living in these places need to be saved.

One of these places is Iran, which was once a place where women dressed in western clothes, but now has mandatory veiling laws for women who are not allowed to go in public without their Hijab. Mahsa Amini is a woman who did not comply with this law and was arrested by morality police and beaten, which eventually led to her death. This sparked outrage, with Iranian women coming together to protest, conducting self unveiling and hijab burnings in solidarity despite the threat of police violence.

On the other extreme, the controversial French hijab ban looks at this issue from a realist standpoint. They see these garments as not only a security threat but also a religious symbol which goes against their secular values, believing that their national identity as citizens of France should come above their religious identities, and so people should not be allowed to wear their religious attire in public. Muslim women however argue that they do not understand the intersectional and cultural reasons for veiling themselves.

From a Marxist perspective, modesty, or even immodesty, could just be another marketing tactic to profit off women’s bodies. By co-opting feminist movements and commodifying values on both sides, the bourgeoisie is able to exploit women for their own gain while framing it as empowerment.

Social constructivists might believe that modesty is just a construct created to police women’s bodies. Standards of dress are always changing depending on time and place; a knee-length dress might be seen as prudish in this day and age, but go back to a few centuries ago and it would have been the town scandal. And who decided that male nipples are perfectly chaste, but women’s nipples are suddenly inherently sexual? See the “free the nipple” movement which opposed the double standards of how men are allowed to go shirtless publicly while women are not.

There’s many intersectional ways to look at this issue, but at its core it is a feminist one, especially because ideas around modesty are almost always applied to women exclusively. Like many other issues, not every feminist would agree on the same solution or answer.

First wave feminists largely followed the cultural norms of modesty at that time, fearing being seen as too radical.

Second wave feminists however fought against modesty, believing it to be tools of the patriarchy, and another way that women had to submit to men. They believed it restricted women’s autonomy and freedom. They conducted bra burnings and wore miniskirts. Many of these ideas went hand in hand with the sexual revolution of the 60s that believed in the sexual liberation of women.

Third wave feminists saw being immodest as empowering, as it was a sign of body positivity, self expression, and sexual freedom, also seen in the celebration of sex work. However, they also believed that modesty was ultimately a woman’s choice, whether it was to wear a bikini or a burka. In fact, veiling could be seen as a feminist statement. They believed women should not be judged by what they choose to wear, and ultimately being able to choose was the most important thing.

Fourth wave feminists continue these ideas but with a new emphasis on intersectionality and critiques of capitalism.

Radical feminists however reject the hyper-sexualisation of women because it objectifies women for male consumption and pleasure, and that it just plays into the male gaze. They might believe in body neutrality instead of body positivity, believing it is more important to decenter women’s appearance.

An argument against choice feminism is that any choice made under patriarchy is a choice affected by years of conditioning, pressure, and coercion from society. Can you really make a choice true to yourself when the other option is disappointing your family, being seen as a prude, or being told that you will suffer eternally in hell?

The brief states that I should include a set of conclusions, but the truth is I don’t have an answer. Yes, it is a construct, but we do live in a society, where ideas and values manifest in very real ways. As a designer and a feminist, I am ever fascinated by the politics of clothing. I do design feminine clothes, and I do design in conventionally “flattering” silhouettes. I wonder how societal conventions have shaped my taste. Unfortunately, I do not and will never know the answer. Under patriarchy, women are denied even the illusion of autonomy over their choices.

[lennnypooh]

Sister Act (1992)

Directed by Emile Ardolino in 1992, Sister Act is a comedy film starring Whoopi Goldberg as Deloris Van Cartier, a lounge singer who witnesses a murder and is placed in protective custody in a convent. Disguised as a nun, Deloris clashes with the strict Mother Superior (played by Maggie Smith) but ultimately helps transform the struggling choir into a musical sensation. Along the way, Deloris finds redemption, friendship, and a sense of purpose. The film combines humor, music, and themes of empowerment and sisterhood to deliver an uplifting and entertaining story.

Deloris' backstory in Sister Act reveals a poignant journey from her childhood in a Catholic school to her adult life as a singer in Reno. As a child, Deloris attended a Catholic school, presumably imbued with the teachings and traditions of the Church. However, for reasons undisclosed in the film, she ultimately departed from that environment, symbolizing a rupture in her connection to her faith and the Church.

Years later, Deloris finds herself pursuing a career as a singer in Reno, embodying a lifestyle far removed from her religious upbringing. Her departure from the Church as a child and her subsequent immersion in secular pursuits represent a thematic departure from spiritual values and community ties. However, the narrative arc of Sister Act intricately weaves Deloris' return to the Church into its storyline. When Deloris becomes a witness to a crime and is placed in protective custody in a convent, she is forced to confront her past and reconcile with her roots. Through her experiences within the convent, particularly her involvement in revitalizing the choir, Deloris undergoes a profound personal and spiritual transformation.

The film eloquently explores Deloris' initial apprehension towards convent life, juxtaposed against the urban landscape of San Francisco. This juxtaposition serves as a metaphorical reflection of societal disarray, wherein the Church stands as a beacon of hope amidst urban decay. Deloris' transformative impact on the choir symbolizes the catalytic force of individual agency within communities undergoing profound change. Through the medium of music, both Deloris' internal pilgrimage and the city's socio-cultural metamorphosis converge, highlighting the transcendent power of artistic expression to inspire collective renewal and redemption.

What are the social aspects within the film’s narrative that align with the film’s songs? 

The social aspects within the film's narrative align with the film's songs in several ways. 1. Empowerment and Self-Discovery: Many of the songs in the film convey themes of empowerment and self-discovery, mirroring Deloris' journey as she finds her voice and purpose within the convent. Songs like "I Will Follow Him" and "My God (My Guy)" reflect Deloris' transformation from a self-absorbed performer to a woman who finds fulfillment in helping others and embracing her newfound community. 2. Unity and Sisterhood: The film's songs often emphasize themes of unity and sisterhood, echoing the bonds formed among the nuns despite their differences. Songs like "Hail Holy Queen" and "Just a Touch of Love" celebrate the camaraderie and support found within the convent, highlighting the importance of solidarity in overcoming challenges. 3. Redemption and Forgiveness: Through songs like "Bless Our Show" and "If You Wanna Be Somebody," the film explores themes of redemption and forgiveness, emphasizing Deloris' journey towards redemption as she confronts her past and seeks forgiveness from both herself and others.

How do the historiographies of previously recorded songs inform audience relationships with the musical’s narrative and performers? 

As for the historiographies of previously recorded songs, they inform audience relationships with the musical's narrative and performers by adding layers of familiarity and nostalgia. Many of the songs featured in Sister Act are well-known hits from the 1960s and 1970s, such as "I Will Follow Him" by Little Peggy March and "My Guy" by Mary Wells. These songs evoke memories and associations from the past, connecting audiences to the film's setting and characters on a deeper level. Additionally, the use of familiar songs allows the film to play with audience expectations and reinterpret these songs within the context of the narrative, in this case changing love songs into songs praising God, creating moments of surprise and delight.

What musical genre/style drives the film’s score, and how does the genre/style (re)define the film as a musical? 

The musical genre/style that drives the film's score is primarily gospel, with elements of soul and R&B. This genre/style redefines the film as a musical by infusing it with a vibrant energy and spiritual resonance that complements the themes of redemption and sisterhood. The use of gospel music not only adds authenticity to the setting of a convent but also elevates the emotional impact of key moments in the narrative. Furthermore, the incorporation of soul and R&B elements reflects the diverse backgrounds of the characters and contributes to the film's infectious sense of joy and celebration. Overall, the fusion of gospel, soul, and R&B genres in the film's score creates a dynamic musical experience that enhances the storytelling and leaves a lasting impression on audiences.

Deloris' journey of rediscovery and reconciliation mirrors the larger theme of redemption and the cyclical nature of faith. Deloris' return to the Church symbolizes not only her individual reconciliation but also a broader exploration of forgiveness, belonging, and the enduring power of faith to guide one back to their true self. In essence, her departure from and eventual return to the Church serve as a narrative framework through which the film explores themes of identity, redemption, and the enduring journey towards spiritual fulfillment.

[elisabethbabarci]

DIVINE SACRED BEING

Within the depths of our unexpressed emotions and complexities of feelings weaves an intricate journey that is captivating, unparalleled, and profound. One may want to reunite with the simplicity of life, however, what is revealed in essence is the subtle difference between innocence and experience. Learning to treasure precious moments, to remain insightful with a delicate blend of unique flow in approaches , and to encompass the ability of discernment with impartiality to examine the void within our intricate lives of what we perceive as lack when in actuality it represents abundance. When we give ourselves the permission to live our lives to the fullest, to balance the dichotomy of strength with gentleness, we diverge in what we once found solace in, which represented familiarity and known accuracy, to delve into a new unconquered adventurous mindset to set our gaze directly on the future of the unknown.

When we move out of complacency, shed all we have ever known, and seek ourselves out of conformity, it ushers and leads to emancipation as it shatters misconceptions, beliefs, and labels that we have worn as shameful badges of perceived dishonour, into a firm introspective analysis and understanding of what we have accepted to transpire. Only through the act of regaining our internal power do we acknowledge what enabled us to become deprived or weak within. You have to ask, “Why do we consent or grant the ability to another to take away our power, worth, or rightful place within human existence?,” and “Why can we not be unapologetically, our true self, without compromise?.” To observe, to defy the parameters of rhetoric or the norm, we must embrace the uncertainty, and the unexpected. When we dare to live our lives without the sense of security, we enter into a deeply meditative state, of where we confront the obstacle of the illusion of powerlessness to transmute it for a more reflective and contemplative approach where we see ourselves as complete, whole, and strong. How often do we encourage the loss of sense of self, the loss of the profound touch with reality or humanity, or enable others to break us into fragments, only to feel dissolved, dislocated, dissatisfied, or disassociated within life? Why do we give our power away?

We are an expression of life and are not chained to the misfortunes, mistakes, or missteps of the past. As exploration courses through our veins, we are captured by the wondrous powerful moments, that place our existence into perspective. All of our trajectories are intertwined, and through our mutual involvements with another, provides comfort, peace, and solace. What we seek is within us, and once we inevitably open ourselves to the possibility that our souls will merge with others that resonate with our frequency, we then dissipate the illusion of the anxiety of loneliness or the social conditioning of detachment, or the illusionary belief that we are destined to be alone within our existence. Communities and societies which foster openness and acceptance offers invaluable support for one’s mental health and well-being, and enables all individuals within, to feel a sense of worth, cohesion, and solidarity. When we dissolve the construct of emptiness, despair, to shift to an enlightened stance of wanting to achieve personal fulfillment, awakening, and discovery, we then start to live and not merely exist. Our life’s purpose is to not remain on the margins or periphery but to experience epic transformations, which enhance our understanding and comprehension of our role within life itself. When we remove our saturated lens, drop our need for a sense of comfort through our coping mechanisms, and yearn for a greater role or purpose, we then live through authenticity rather than complacency. When we validate and see our worth, and comprehend that our presence has merit beyond what we have adopted from others negative constant criticism, we then remove negative judgments or misconceptions of what we should be rather than what is best for our path, to then move out of the destructive mindset of powerlessness into one that faces adversity, danger, and uncertainty with resilience, courage, and bravery.

Life will create many instances when our stability and comfort will be challenged, however, those instances serve as a reminder to remain present, flexible, and adaptable amidst the chaos, havoc, and calamities that are born or emerge from disaster, to reach an optimal functioning state of where we learn our limits of endurance, face or challenge what we fear, to reach a perseverant stage of resilience within, to move beyond the turbulence. It is an intentional conscious decision to move beyond what is within your confines of comfort. We may operate within our life on the lessons of others, which then interferes with our own interactions of partaking in the process of engaging in acts to experience it for ourselves. Do not allow others to deter or rob you from the experience of learning a lesson for yourself. Interference leads to displacement, why? You are not able to observe with an impartial assessment of facts, your variables may be similar but can never be replicated, and you may be operating from an imposed jaded sense of life. Impartiality is the greatest gift for remaining objective, and is not derived on prejudice, bias, or giving preferential treatment based on illogical rationality. To remain observant is to be neutral, to allow the Universe to unfold in its infinite glory. Just for a moment, rationally ponder, “What if I was not being treated equal, fair, or if misguided judgment reigned within my life?.” If we enter into a relationship with a pre-conceived ideology about another, how will we then be inclusive, tolerant or remain without prejudice. Our experiences can never be replicated within the same form as they are to another, so it is imperative that we remain open, inquisitive, and question everything. To not question is to remain naive, unwilling to accept new evidence or facts, or to remain stagnant within ones own comfortable belief systems, ideological narratives, or to remain transfixed on certain methods, routes, or modes of thoughts, patterns, or fixed ways. It is honourable to give deference and respect to traditional methods however, to remain adaptable and innovative, one must always seek new modes of techniques and forms of analysis. To be ethical and just, is a virtue, which demonstrates high moral standards, and fosters the foundational principles of our being.

To encompass true focus, one has to maintain governance and discipline over their actions, respond with logic, rationality, and fairness, with willful acts of integrity, prudence, compassion, self control, transparency and honesty. Without trust, we cannot form or build the solid foundations that enable our ethical moral standards and beliefs. If we do not remain true to ourselves or remain in authenticity, then we are living within a lie. Trust enables one to feel secure and safe, with the knowledge and reliance that we can depend on another where our confidence is placed, and where intention is backed with action. To trust is to open one’s heart, to remain vulnerable, where one can receive generosity, compassion, and acts of care. When the concept or embodiment of trust is severed, in such instances where ones rights have been transgressed, or there is evidence of betrayal, it can never be salvaged. Lack of integrity, honorability, or morality, results in the violation of sacred agreements and contracts between two parties, which then leads to destruction, and in the worst case scenario, revenge. Inconsistency, lack of transparency, and hidden motives, are fuelled often by greed, jealousy, or envy, if one encounters such a person, it is best to cut ties immediately. When one does not feel safe within a relationship, it causes fragmentation of the soul, and fosters a disbelief that true connection can exist, therefore, one has to ask, “How can you regain trust when intentional or willful acts of dishonourability or jealousy resides?.” When communication erodes, abuse is prevalent, trust is absent, and tensions arise, one must understand that it is a learning experience for their empowered sense of self and worth, as it is critical to maintain a balance between boundaries and discernment. One cannot blossom or flourish on scorched earth or remain within the line of fire. We choose what we allow, what we resist persists, and as a powerful quote stated “What we do not change, we choose.” We cannot retreat from life with a sense of pride, and we cannot permit the deliberate destruction of our self, soul, or spirit to be held in the hands of another. To accept a disadvantage, deficit, or remain in the fixed mindset that we are at a deficit or we lack to be whole without another is to saunter away from the fact that our true power lies within. Do not succumb to tactics that cause destabilization, enable the supremacy of another, or adopt the principle that you have committed a sin that needs to pay a price, as we are not derived or born from sin. Your body is a temple, it is the infrastructure that sustains and nurtures you, that gives you life, and that enables your consciousness to soar within the physical realm. You are meant to explore, wander, and discover all that life entails. Your weathered soul is not weak, and we must rise above our scars. Your despair is temporary, therefore, it is pertinent to resist moments where you want to lose the ability to want to live, move beyond the moments when you want to conform, and not allow your pleasures, desires, intentions, manifestations, dreams, or visions for the future to wither away. You have the power to regain your sense of self, you just have to be ready to rise again. You are more than your circumstances, you have the inherent right to move forward and not just merely endure the storm, learn to navigate as you cannot remain at the harbour all your life. You must return to your true roots and align with your truth and purpose. It is easy to remain on higher ground but to experience life amongst all that encompass it, is the true essence of humanity, which is to be one with all.

An act of retaliation is futile and is deprived from a peaceful resolution. The act once committed can never be taken back. It is a foolish gesture of an unfocused mind, with the intent of destruction. Do not be led by your misguided interpretations, as many will lack the comprehension or scope to take the time to impartially analyze a situation at hand. When one is led by the deliberate sense of only mentioning a panegyrist depiction of events, we do not receive the counterbalance of opposing arguments. The truth always resides between two tales, the philosophical mind seeks to find the truth whereas, the compliant and complacent one will always refer to what is known or comfortable. You cannot merely remain pacified with the past, you must seek to understand, learn, and extract from it. True wisdom is derived from our comprehension not our conciliate response to make the world more palatable. What is agreed, tolerated, or suitable may result in spiritual pollution for another within their soul. If the soul is denied to speak their mind, or express their internal struggles within, or teach their sacred lessons that they have obtained from years of observation, learning or experience within life, then what is the point of our purpose of existence? Our experiences acknowledge our strengths amidst challenges, our bravery is when we stand strong despite opposition or illusionary fears, to an acknowledgement of our internal acceptance. When we value our placement, seek validation through our self respect and self worth rather than from others, we then can overcome any obstacle. You do not have to obtain the approval of another to persist within your life, there is no risk in your attempts to determine your limits or boundaries, as it is the act of doing where we obtain unprecedented knowledge about the self.

One must implement acts of virtue, rather than being expectant or awaiting the promise of reward. To release resistance, to act without judgment, to remain humble when you have been afforded great abundance in all aspects of your life, and to not lose the sacred touch with humanity, fosters a sense of cohesiveness within the self and enables the soul to improve and advance. To acknowledge and face all spectrums of your emotions, is to be calm amidst unpleasant turbulence, to be aware and in awe of the unfolding uncertain impact of the nature of life’s sequences, which then enables us to the power to recognize the importance of observation and presence. We cannot project ourselves into the future, while remaining stagnated in a cyclical loop which is derived from our inability to push beyond our norms. Reformat how you experience life, how you see yourself, and give yourself the precious gift of acceptance and nurturance. Through analysis and remaining consciously aware of your morality, how you base your decisions, and reconfigure what you deem as truth, will enable self mastery. Accept situations as they are and not what you wish them to be as you cannot effect the final outcome in your perceived favour.

Unconditional love is a form of true acceptance of the self. It is not perceived on the basis that you must fulfill requirements, quotas, or meet certain criterias. Compassion is the pure acknowledgement and action of loving from the heart beyond the physical or mental constructs, which does not have expectations, wants, or needs. Love transcends the negative emotions of criticism, fear, abandonment, resentment, rejection, or pain, as it is the process of overcoming and embracing with a sense of trust that love prevails despite what we may have experienced within our lifetime. It is moving beyond trauma into a form of embracing tolerance, acceptance, and pardoning your limited beliefs while allowing the heart to rule over the mind. When one shifts their mindset into awareness of focusing what you can control, you limit the interference of negative thoughts, beliefs, or patterns to prevail beyond illusionary narratives. It is the willingness to love another beyond our expectations. A selfless form of love unites and does not divide, and instills solidarity without the need to control or sequester another into a narrow margin. To remain in perfect trust is to be on the periphery which allows the other the emancipation to be who they are without judgment, criticism, control or bias. When we move beyond perfectionism, denial of affection through numb or detached responses, and place aside shame or discomfort for the act of being vulnerable and open to another, it enables us to open our minds, hearts, and soul, to the possibility of living rather than just merely existing. Our discomfort may distribute empathic pain, fear, nostalgia, physical pain or anxiety however, it opens us to the possibility of appreciation, gratefulness, joy and relief for once our core roots are healed, we are able to transmute the past into a place of forgiveness. When we move out of the illusion that we are just adequate, tolerable, sufficient, or merely nothing, and move into a healthy state or place which enables our behaviour and emotions to encompass strength, courage, bravery, and resilience, we then regain our purpose and sense of being without giving into the impulsive reactions of trying to prove ourselves to others, to understand what and who we truly are. No one can define you, and your power cannot be taken away without your permission.

View life with an unfiltered lens, marvel in the enjoyment of pursing a new task or adventure with a fresh perspective, remain grateful and appreciative, and place the needs of others beyond your own. Beyond our obligations and duties, remove resent, shame, regret, anger, sadness, sacrifice, or disillusionment, into a mode of stability, honourability, empathy, compassion, with the vision to make the world a better place. Shift your focus away from being forgotten, and remain pure in intentional kind actions, where you enable others their chance to regain their strength, confidence, and feel visible within society. When we move beyond rejection, neglect, divisiveness, destruction, or revenge, we enter into a place of peace and harmony where our souls inner emptiness is filled with hope, as we dissolve the feeling of being overwhelmed and anxious into a place of acceptance, which energizes and motivates our vision to see the good rather than what we lack. Focus on raising your self esteem, reduce your interactions with those that do not acknowledge or value your presence, and most importantly, learn that isolation is a temporary cure for depression and illness however, should not remain a permanent state of mind. When we incorporate more self care, remove the feeling of emptiness within, promote our physical and mental health, and maintain a routine that is flexible, sustainable, and ensures and fosters a safe environment, we then flourish and become our true best self.

Lack of love does not constitute inner emptiness. When we confront our trauma, stare deep within our fear, heal our inner pain, and refuse to be paralyzed by our past, we begin to recognize the most meaningful connection, which is that with ourself. How selfish it is to feel that another can fill the void within the self? It places a lot of responsibility and burden on another to resuscitate our self worth or moral sense of being. Only when we recognize that our life is not dependent on the opinions of others, is when we emancipate, and give ourselves the right to exist. It is time you stand tall, seek enjoyment in what brings you pleasure, to move beyond the fear of life, and to remain hopeful for the future. You are more than the feeling of ostracization, abandonment, isolation, deprivation, sadness, anger, and sacrifice. Within life, we may encounter periods of time where we do not receive the physical, spiritual, mental, or basic necessities to sustain a healthy environment or existence. To deprive yourself of happiness due to an inner belief that you are unworthy or unloved is to sequester and segment yourself outside the realms of human affection and connection. You are not a mistake, you do not deserve to be punished, you are not born to be a cautionary tale, and you are not your circumstances that you have experienced or encountered. You are more than this. To be deprived from enjoyment reduces your inner worth and dignity.

Within my early existence, I experienced parental negligence, deprivation, and abandonment from my biological parents, which I have outlined in a few articles, to demonstrate how to overcome abandonment, abuse, engage in discernment, or overcome the feeling unworthiness. I do not often speak about my Father however, I need this cathartic release to serve as an example of when love turns to abuse.

My Father lacked the inner awareness of his actions towards others, neglected to face responsibilities or the acknowledgement of the harsh reality of the situations he had caused for himself and others. Often he consistently blamed various individuals for his decisions, actions, mistakes, and misfortunes, or demonstrated outbursts of physical aggression by smashing the protective glass on tables to abusing his family, friends, and child, when he did not receive financial assistance to sustain his lifestyle, or when demands were placed on him to step up. One may assume that his mental, physical, or emotional aggression was to make a point, or assert as perceived dominance. My Aunt (Who I call Mom) and Grandmother (Who adopted and were given legal guardianship over me) always maintained a neutral stance and consistently forgave him on behalf of my welfare however, with raising me, paying for legal fees, while keeping their heads afloat, my Mother confided in one of her male Italian friends who owned a prominent renovation supply business within town, who advised her to stop paying for his existence, to be consciously aware of what she was permitting and allowing, to sever the cord, and to come to grips with his actions as they did not match his words. As my Father failed to maintain a stable relationship with our family, refused to pay his mortgage on his inherited home that my Grandfather gave him in hopes that he would raise his family in it, cost of legal fees, or debts, my Aunt recognized that it was fostering an environment of turmoil, and she could no longer bear the weight of having to care for him. There were no apologies, no recognition for what transpired, and even within my Grandmother’s final days, she could not comprehend why he did not love us. When one runs away from their responsibilities, it creates havoc and chaos, and one can not sustain their well-being in such a dysfunctional environment. It broke my heart that a man I trusted betrayed me at such a young age, however, he proved to be one of the greatest lessons within my life.

Unfortunately, one of the final straws beyond the physical, mental, and emotional abuse involved my beloved piano. My piano afforded me one of the purest moments of joy that I could have ever experienced as a child, as it served as an escape from the cruel realities of custody battles, arguments, torment, neglect, abuse, and inner turmoil. My refuge was music. Music was my form of expression, and a channel for me to express my emotions, to learn focus and the art of consistency and dedication. Other than my Grandmother and Aunt who adopted me, it was my third love in life. On one occasion, which was one of the very last moments I had ever encountered with my Father was within the living room, where I was practicing my piano for a recital. Annoyed by my very existence, and unable to withstand the joy and relief I had while playing, he decided to slam the piano cover on my fingers, to force me to stop playing. It was an act of savage abuse, a form of irrational violence, which placed me into a state of shock, anger, pain, and further deprived me of a stable environment or male role model. That moment represented an abusive form of love, which inherently made me feel withdrawn and unresponsive to the love I received from others. It was an awakening period into my awareness that with pleasure there was pain, and that others sought to destroy the peace of others, when they did not have it within themselves. It led me to a state of not allowing myself to engage in what I found comfort in, as I did not tell my adopted Mother or Grandmother what transpired immediately, but insisted that the piano be sold, as I refused to attend another lesson. It was one of the bitterest moments of my life, however, it was a moment I could not comprehend or process, I just associated the piano with pain, and the man that claimed to be a Father as a bully. Within my childhood, I distrusted authority temporarily due to the immature nature of my biological parents however, within time, with the persistant nurturing and love of my Mother, Grandmother, friends, neighbours, teachers, and future partners, I recognized that the abuse I experienced was pivotal in my learning experience of what love was not. For children, learning and development is imperative, as they emulate and learn through the actions of their elders, and seldomly understands when rationality is not present. What did I learn? You can move beyond the pain, and just like bones, we may experience fractures, however, we must learn to rest, reset, and to nurture our unwavering belief that we can overcome, and heal. Children are not a bargaining chip, they deserve to retain their innocence, to become immersed in music, to engage in their faculty of wonder, to resonate with the lyrics, to dance, sing, and play. Life does not have to be one of sacrifice, and one of the gifts that my fiancé gave me before he passed was a piano, as he wanted be to reunite with my inner child and move beyond my experience into a place of forgiveness. We cannot control the climate of our life, however, we can consciously make the choice of what we can no longer tolerate or accept. Although, my Father is no longer in my life for over 20+ years, denies my existence to many to skirt his past, I have recognized that his only role was to bring me into this life. I still hold hope that he has become a better human being with each passing day, and that within time has become more consciously aware of his actions. Most importantly, may he be at peace within life, and receive the love he was not able to give prior, as I am a firm believer that love transmutes all.

Do not limit your experiences based on the actions of another, and do not isolate yourself or deny yourself from the experience of a warmth embrace, compassion, or pure love. You can move beyond the absence, neglect, or loss, of a trusted parent, guardian, friend, or partner, and regain strength to function in life. Within life we may not be what one desires, and may become the target of their direct abuse or troubling behaviours, however, it is not for us to mend what is broken within another, we can only control our actions going forward. Our exposure to trauma, abuse, or pain, may increase the likelihood that we may withdraw from affection, kindness, generosity, or inclusion, however, if we remain within that state, we become abrasive, jaded, and fragmented. Dissatisfaction or resentment are a result of our internal belief that life is cruel or unfair. You have the power to shift your perspective and thinking, and will be granted and given other opportunities to be loved again. Abandonment may lead one to experience shame, deprivation or scarcity mindset, or make us feel insecure within life or distrust or close relationships, however, remaining in the marginalized mindset causes us to not be grateful and appreciative for what gifts we have been given within life. Once we recognize that rejection is redirection, we move past blaming into acceptance, and are able to impartially view the situation in another manner, meaning, it was the Universe’s way of presenting a distortion of safety to enable us to recognize what healthy relationships entail. If we do not experience the bad, how will we recognize the good? Understand and learn from your past, and move beyond what has transpired instead of remaining mired. Move beyond fragmentation of social relationships, into compassion, love, empathy, and trust.

When one moves beyond fear of judgment, and does not conform to what is the norm, you then establish your sense of self and identity within. You have to become what you lacked. If you experienced inconsistency, become dependable. If you lacked a nurturing embrace, respond with true genuine authenticity and care. If you experienced emotional neglect, remind yourself about how the emotion of fear or destabilization felt and work towards establishing new modes of promoting inclusiveness, safety, love, and acceptance for all. We are beyond our past. We must move beyond the inclination to hold in what tears our soul apart from the seams, and acknowledge that isolation is avoidance from the expression and experience of life. If we engage in an overabundance of attachment issues, one must understand that at some point, one must have experienced abandonment, deprivation, or destruction of what was important to them at one period of time. To be placed in a situation where you have experienced great loss, enables one to remain humble and grateful for what they have. Those that can rise beyond what was thrown at them have the strongest character of will and determination. Unresolved issues may force us to retreat within life, where we do not feel a sense of safety or security however, uncertainty forces us to acknowledge that change is constant, that we can not control the tide, and that we may at one period or another get immersed into a sense of overwhelming emotions from life’s pressures. Always remember, a diamond is derived from pressure placed on it, and so too, will you shine brightly again. Emotional damage causes one to experience a loss of self, personality changes, or remain closed to close intimate connections. It is those brave souls who serve as trusted parents, guardians, or friends that enable one to come out of their shell to resuscitate and breathe new life within. There are not preemptive measures to avoid emotional connection or intimacy, for our connections enable us to feel and be one with all there is. Beyond comparison, expectation, and emotion, make the conscious choice and decision to liberate your soul, focus on mechanisms to care for yourself, practice mindfulness, and overcome your internal fear and persevere. You are capable and worthy of being accepted. Always remain respectful for yourself and others, and never allow another to deter you from your unwavering compassion for yourself or humanity. Love is the most powerful force in existence, it is pure unity, and the most intimate act of compassion. With temperance, humility, diligence, charity, acceptance, and kindness, trust and love yourself again.

[johnniesmoke]

"The Stars Don’t Align" is a deeply introspective and emotionally resonant song that captures the essence of human struggle, growth, and self-acceptance. The lyrics weave a narrative of a person coming to terms with the harsh realities of life, where dreams don't always come true, and the stars, a metaphor for destiny, often fail to align in one's favor. The song begins with a melancholic acknowledgment of lost opportunities and unfulfilled expectations, reflecting a sense of longing and regret. However, as it progresses, it transforms into a powerful anthem of resilience and self-realization.

The protagonist recounts the pain of being convinced by others—perhaps lovers or society—that their path was predetermined, only to discover the unpredictability of life's course. This realization is both liberating and heartbreaking, as they come to understand that happiness and fulfillment don't depend on external alignment but on inner peace and acceptance.

Musically, the song mirrors its themes with a blend of soft, reflective melodies and crescendos that evoke both sorrow and hope. The repetition of the phrase "the stars don’t align for me" serves as a grounding mantra, emphasizing the journey from despair to self-reliance. The lyrics' raw honesty invites listeners to reflect on their struggles, encouraging them to find strength in their imperfections and the courage to move forward despite the odds.

"The Stars Don’t Align" is more than just a song; it is a universal story of perseverance, vulnerability, and the beauty of embracing life's imperfections. It leaves listeners with a sense of solidarity, reminding them that while the stars may not always align, the journey itself holds profound meaning and value.

Lyrics: The Stars Don't Align

Ooh babe/

I'm a classic waiting to happen/

The stars don't align for me/

Ooh babe/

It's tragic/

Back when I was younger you had me convinced/

Convinced that I would one day be set free/

But the stars don't align for me/

The stars won't align for me/

Now don't go tryin' to make a miracle that'll last a lifetime/

because I moved on/

because I'm finally happy again/

and I've finally accepted that the stars won't align for me/

I hope they never do/

I love to be right/

but if I'm gonna be wrong/

let me be wrong when I say the stars don't align for me/

let me be wrong that young Johnnie Smoke ain't got a chance to hit the lick/

Know it's partly on you and partly on me/

They're asking me if this is what I really believe/

What's the last thing I thought it could be/

Pay it no mind/

So little it had me feeling even like this squirrel that's blind/

Now are hard times guhnna'[going to] find my enemies/

Hope i try and keep em' few and far between/

Because those hard times/

Ain't' ever guhnna'[going to] leave/

The stars don't align for me/

The stars won't align for me/

Ooh bae/

I'm a classic waiting to happen/

The stars don't align for me/

Ooh babe it's tragic/

Back when I was younger you had me convinced/

convinced I would one day be set free/

But the stars don't align for me/

Well, you and I have to deal with this reality/

Yeah at one point they really had me/

but sadly I've grown/

Might say this world has turned me to stone/

Well the stars don't align for me/

So can you really blame me for making a choice/

For coming with all this heart my voice/

because I thought really might need to be lured/

And these dimes have quite the allure/

and I see one and I just want more/

But the stars don't align for me/

The Stars won't align for me/

Ooh babe I'm a classic waiting to happen/

The stars don't align for me/

Ooh Babe it's tragic

Back when I was younger you had me convinced/

Convinced I would one day be set free the stars don't align for me/

The stars won't align for me/

Now dont go trying to make a miracle that will last a lifetime because I moved on/

Because I'm finally happy again/

And I've finally accepted that the stars won't align for me/

The stars don't align for me/

-

Johnnie Smoke

https://soundcloud.com/johnniesmoke/the-stars-dont-align?si=381e3e1909294e5689dfcd69c00e84ed&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

[darenycastro]

Blog Post #10 (Week 12)

1. How have online communities evolved in terms of economic viability, as well as what challenges have emerged from these developments?

Online communities, initially debated for their economic viability, have evolved into major business ventures. As noted by Armstrong & Hagel, these communities, once seen as uncertain investments, have grown into lucrative markets, leading to the creation of products like The Online Community Report, which aids community creators in navigating challenges such as fluctuating venture capital & maintaining user engagement (1997). A key debate in the community sector is how to generate revenue, with some, like Jim Cashel (2000), suggesting the implementation of subscriber fees, while others have even profited by selling online communities for millions (Cashel, 1999). However, this shift toward monetization has led to a dilemma: the balance between profit and genuine community engagement. Janelle Brown (1999) pointed out that the pursuit of financial gain often results in the neglect of community maintenance and development, as seen in the failure of platforms like GeoCities, Xoom, and theglobe.com, which, despite being branded as community hubs, failed to foster meaningful user empowerment or connection.

2. How do ethnic online communities (EOCs) both reinforce & challenge stereotypes? 

Ethnic online communities like BlackPlanet.com, MiGente.com, & AsianAvenue.com have provided spaces where users can express their identities in ways that are both reflective of & even resistant to mainstream stereotypes. As described in the text, members of these communities often choose usernames that embody certain cultural or racial stereotypes, such as “FineAssAznGurl” on AsianAvenue.com or *blacklatindiva* on MiGente.com. While these names might seem to perpetuate stereotypical representations, they are also a form of self-expression within a community that is designed to highlight ethnic pride & identity. This dynamic brings to mind Nakamura’s (1999) concept of “identity tourism,” where stereotypes are commodified by outsiders, but in this context, members of these ethnic communities might be reclaiming & reappropriating stereotypes as a form of empowerment. Yet the implications for user empowerment are mixed: on one hand, these communities provide a sense of belonging & the opportunity to challenge dominant narratives. On the other hand, the commercial pressures & the use of stereotypes within these spaces can undermine the deeper purpose of cultural empowerment.

3. What are the benefits and challenges of online communities in empowering marginalized groups, as demonstrated by the activism within AsianAvenue.com, & how do these examples illustrate the potential of online spaces to influence real-world change?

Online communities, like AsianAvenue.com, exhibit cases like the Moy family seeking a bone marrow donor for their daughter & the successful protest against the MSNBC headline during the 1998 Winter Olympics. They illustrate how online spaces can mobilize people for social causes, creating real-world impact. In the Moy family’s case, the community's online organizing helped raise awareness and led to a matching donor in Singapore, even though it was ultimately too late. This story underscores the power of digital solidarity & shows that online communities can serve as platforms for collective action that extend into offline, tangible results.

4. How does the Gamergate movement detail the complexities of online activism, particularly in terms of its stated goals versus its underlying motivations?

The #Gamergate movement provides a case study of how online activism can be driven by contradictory motivations, & how its publicly stated goals often result in more harmful, underlying intentions. On the surface, Gamergate participants framed their movement as a fight for journalistic ethics in video game journalism. They argued that game writers were too close to game developers & that their professional relationships compromised the integrity of the reporting. However, this stance was quickly complicated by the movement's actions & rhetoric. For example, some sought reform in how game journalism was conducted, but the movement's actions suggest the ethics were pushed to the side in favor of personal online attacks. Plenty of the initial energy behind #Gamergate was centered on targeting Zoë Quinn, an indie game developer who became a central figure in the controversy. Chat logs released from various 4chan boards reveal that many early participants focused on harassing her, making comments about her physical appearance, personal life, & even fantasizing about her harm. The rhetoric, which included misogynistic & violent language, highlighted that the movement's primary focus was not on ethical reform but on punishing Quinn, particularly because of her identity as a woman & her status as an underrepresented voice in the gaming industry.

Ayers, M. D., & McCaughey, M. (2014). Cyberactivism: Online activism in theory and Practice. Routledge.

Hathaway, J. (n.d.). What is Gamergate, and why? an explainer for Non-Geeks – Tech mistake. Gawker. https://www.gawkerarchives.com/what-is-gamergate-and-why-an-explainer-for-non-geeks-1642909080