#while citizens worry about their rights and freedoms

[submalevolentgrace]

sitting around nervously waiting to find out if the massive military empire, already occupying and politically controlling a third of the world while provoking the rest, decides to implode into a volatile dictatorship or a volatile civil war

[blackflash9]

That Time When AC3 Flipped Indigenous Portrayal

I always liked that AC III flipped familiar tropes about Native Americans in media, particularly regarding the language barrier and cultural awareness. Ziio mocks Haytham for assuming she can’t speak English, subverting the usual narrative where the comedic effect of not knowing the 'language of the land' is on the indigenous.

It is also Haytham - not Ziio - who causes the bar commotion despite his rather arrogant and baseless assumption that her culture would make her more prone to violence despite only being in the country for roughly a couple days. This also highlights that she understands the land and its people far better than he does.

Redcoat: "Oi, where you goin’, cully?" Redcoat: "No. The other cock robin." Haytham: "Well, I uh… I WAS leaving." Redcoat: "Oh? And now?" Haytham: "Well, now… I’m going to feed you your teeth." Kaniehtí:io: "And you were worried I was going to be the problem."

This also extends to Connor, as he regularly defies expectations by displaying more morality and virtue than many of his colonial counterparts. He criticizes the manipulative nature of the media for countering lies with more lies.

Sequence 5: Stop the Presses (Transcript)

Samuel Adams: "So now you've had a chance to see how it all works. Untoward actions will upset the citizens and inevitably lead to the guards being called. Depending on the severity of your transgression, they may simply search a bit before giving up and returning to their posts. But should you offend them severely or repeatedly – they'll become much more aggressive in their pursuit. I've shown you three ways to turn the tide. Remove wanted posters, bribe town criers, or visit a printer to create your own propaganda." Connor: "This feels wrong. Why not just speak to someone and explain my innocence?" Adams: "You can't be serious?" Connor: "We counter one lie with another. Words on paper instantly taken as truth. And all of it without question."

Calls him out on his hypocrisy in fighting for freedom while owning slaves.

Sequence 6: On Johnson's Trail (Transcript)

Samuel Adams: "Of course. I'm headed to a meeting with some men who should be able to help. Why don't you come along? It's good to see the people finally taking a stand against injustice..." Connor: "Says the man who owns a slave." Samuel Adams: "Who, Surry? I practice what I preach, my friend. She's not a slave, but a freed woman... At least on paper. Men's minds are not so easily turned. It is a tragedy that for all our progress, still we cling to such barbarism." Connor: "Then speak out against it." Samuel Adams: "We must focus first on defending our rights. When this is done, we'll have the luxury of addressing these other matters." Connor: "You speak as though your condition is equal to that of the slaves. It is not." Samuel Adams: "Tell that to my neighbor—who was compelled to quarter British troops. Or to my friend who's store was closed because he displeased the Crown. The people here are no freer than Surry." Connor: "You offer excuses instead of solutions. All people should be equal and not in turns."

And even stops Israel Putnam from kicking a dead enemy’s body - emphasizing that even someone as ruthless as Hickey was still a man.

Sequence 8: Public Execution (Transcript)

Israel Putnam: "At ease, men! At ease! I said lower your goddamn guns! This man's a hero! The General can be so stubborn sometimes. Piffle, he said, when we warned him something like this would happen! Piffle!" *Israel Putnam kicked Thomas' body* Connor: "Stop." Israel Putnam: "He wanted to kill the Commander. Nearly killed you as well. He was a scoundrel." Connor: "But still a man." Israel Putnam: "Hmph. You're nothing, if not consistent."

Assassin’s Creed III challenged the traditional portrayal of Indigenous people as either savages or passive victims, instead presenting them as individuals with intelligence, morality, and deep cultural awareness. The narrative highlights their ability to navigate complex social and political landscapes while exposing the hypocrisy and shortcomings of colonial figures. Rather than being depicted as primitive or completely naive, characters like Ziio and Connor demonstrate a greater understanding of their environment and the moral contradictions of their time. The game doesn’t just critique the British - it questions the American revolutionaries, revealing how their rhetoric of freedom often excluded those who did not fit within their social order.

Through Ziio and Connor, AC3 asserts that Indigenous people were not merely bystanders in history but active participants who approached their world with wisdom and integrity.

[jtargaryen18]

The Fight for Romance: How Oklahoma’s Senate Bill 593 Threatens the Books We Love

Romance readers, writers, publishers, and booksellers—we are facing a threat unlike anything we’ve seen before. Oklahoma’s Senate Bill 593 isn’t just a bill about obscenity laws—it’s a dangerous step toward widespread censorship that could strip us of the stories we love, the stories that have shaped lives, brought people together, and given voice to diverse experiences of love and passion.

If passed, this bill will go into effect on November 1, 2025, and it’s not just Oklahoma that should be worried. This bill could be a test run for a larger, national movement to silence the romance genre and restrict creative freedom across the United States. Here’s what you need to know, why it matters, and how you can fight back—whether you’re in Oklahoma or beyond.

What Is Senate Bill 593?

Senate Bill 593 broadens the definition of “obscenity” and “unlawful pornography,” allowing private citizens to sue anyone who produces or distributes materials they believe to be obscene. Yes, that’s right. They’re putting bounties on those who write, publish, and distribute romance using vague language and offering rewards to those turning them in. This would also obviously include fanfiction.

What’s considered obscene under this bill? Any content that:

Appeals to “prurient” sexual interests,

Is “patently offensive” in its depiction of sexually explicit conduct,

And lacks “serious literary, artistic, educational, political, or scientific value.”

While that might sound like it’s aimed at the worst of the worst, the vague language leaves the door wide open for romance novels with explicit content to be targeted—especially those that include steamy scenes, LGBTQ+ relationships, or anything that challenges conservative ideas of “acceptable” love stories.

Under this bill, authors, publishers, and even bookstores could face lawsuits from anyone who decides a book crosses the line. If a lawsuit is successful, the penalties are staggering:

At least $10,000 per image or depiction deemed “unlawful,”

Up to 10 years in prison for possession or distribution of these materials,

Fines up to $500,000 for organized distribution.

The bill doesn’t stop there—even those who “aid or abet” the production or distribution of such material can be sued. This means publishers, editors, librarians, and even booksellers could be targeted.

How Will This Impact Romance Novels?

Romance novels are beloved for their ability to explore the full spectrum of human emotion, including sexual desire and intimacy. But if SB 593 passes, books that feature explicit scenes—no matter how integral to character development or plot—could be labeled obscene.

Authors will self-censor to avoid legal trouble, watering down their stories and avoiding complex, realistic portrayals of relationships.

Publishers might refuse to publish books with explicit content, fearful of lawsuits.

Booksellers and Libraries could pull romance novels from their shelves to avoid risk.

Readers will lose access to diverse, passionate stories that reflect real life.

This isn’t just about steamy scenes. Books that feature LGBTQ+ relationships or address issues like trauma, abuse, and recovery could also be targeted, under the guise of “protecting community standards.” The result? A chilling effect that stifles creativity and silences marginalized voices.

What Happens If This Goes National?

Oklahoma could be just the beginning. If SB 593 passes and survives legal challenges, other states might adopt similar legislation. We’re looking at a future where:

Romance authors across the country will fear legal action, leading to a decline in the genre’s vibrancy.

Publishers and digital platforms like Amazon could impose stricter content guidelines, making it harder for indie authors to thrive.

Readers nationwide will find fewer options and less diversity in the romance section.

This is about more than just romance novels—it’s about free speech and the right to read and write stories that reflect the full range of human experience. Once we allow vague, subjective laws like this to pass, there’s no telling where the censorship will end.

The Bigger Picture: Free Speech Under Threat

At its core, SB 593 is a threat to free speech. The First Amendment protects our right to express ourselves, even if that expression makes some people uncomfortable. By allowing private citizens to sue over subjective definitions of “obscenity,” this bill opens the floodgates for widespread book bans and censorship.

Once romance novels are targeted, it won’t stop there. Books that explore racial issues, political dissent, or any topic that challenges the status quo could be next. This isn’t just about protecting spicy scenes in your favorite novels—it’s about protecting the right to tell stories that matter.

What Can Romance Fans in Oklahoma Do?

If you’re in Oklahoma, your voice matters right now. Here’s how you can fight back:

Contact Your State Legislators: Find out who represents you in the Oklahoma Senate and House. Call, email, or write letters expressing your opposition to SB 593. Be clear, passionate, and explain how this bill threatens creative freedom.

Support Local Bookstores and Libraries: Let them know you stand with them against censorship. Attend events, buy books, and show that you value access to diverse stories.

Join Advocacy Groups: Organizations like the American Library Association (ALA) and PEN America fight against book bans and censorship. Get involved, donate, or volunteer.

Spread the Word: Talk to your friends, family, and social networks about this bill. Use hashtags like #StopSB593 and #ProtectRomance to raise awareness.

What Can Romance Fans Outside of Oklahoma Do?

Even if you’re not in Oklahoma, this fight affects you too. Here’s how you can help:

Raise Awareness Nationwide: Share articles, social media posts, and videos about SB 593. The more people know about this bill, the harder it will be to pass similar legislation elsewhere.

Support Oklahoma Authors and Bookstores: Buy books from Oklahoma-based romance authors and indie bookstores. Show solidarity by keeping their voices heard.

Get Involved with National Advocacy Groups: Support organizations fighting for free speech, like American Library Association (ALA), PEN America, and National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC).

Stay Vigilant in Your Own State: Watch for similar bills in your state legislature. If you see something, speak up immediately to prevent it from gaining traction.

The Time to Act Is Now

Romance novels and fanfiction are more than just entertainment—they’re a celebration of love in all its forms. They’re a refuge for readers, a creative outlet for writers, and a thriving industry that brings people together.

Oklahoma’s Senate Bill 593 threatens all of that. If we don’t fight back, we risk losing not just the stories we love but the freedom to tell them. Whether you’re an author, a reader, a publisher, or a bookseller, this is your call to action.

The battle for our books starts now. Let’s make sure our voices are louder than the ones trying to silence us.

Link to original article: https://www.theromancestudio.com/the-fight-for-romance-how-oklahomas-senate-bill-593-threatens-the-books-we-love/

[artist-issues]

Man... just saw your "Captain America: Brave New World" post, and I gotta say I'm definitely disappointed. Unlike many, I actually liked FaTWS, and was hopefully for what they'd do with Sam as Cap. I'll probably still see the movie because I like the character and want to see if for myself, but I'll definitely be tempering my expectations....

I like FaTWS too! I didn’t find it… “disappointing” so much, maybe because I couldn’t help but feel less invested than I did with Steve. Sam just has not been built up and written with the same level of confidence and care that the writers had with Steve.

The first half of the time (Winter Soldier through Infinity War) they were just writing him as Steve Rogers, if you lifted the burden of “symbol” and “man out of time” off of him. Think about it. Sam’s whole tagline was “I do what he does, just slower.” And he’s okay with that.

When we meet Sam, he’s living a normal life despite the fact that he used to be in the “superhero” category. But he’s not in that category anymore, his wings are retired, so we find him still doing good on a more mundane, normal-person level. He counsels vets. Which is a foil to Cap’s baggage. Sam is Steve, freed. Sam is the good guy with the ability to help everybody, who does his job and has everyone’s back…but then he feels the freedom to go home at the end of the day and do good as a normal guy, too. Steve doesn’t have that. Steve can’t have that, until he learns his lesson at the end of Endgame.

In fact, Sam is so free from being The Symbol of Hope when Cap is around that he doesn’t feel bad being antagonistic toward enemies, or being a little petty with friends in moments of high tension. He does have the seeds of “I’ll see good in everybody,” too: he gives Iron Man a chance to help Steve, and he works with Bucky when Bucky’s still freshly brainwashed even if he’s a little snippy about it.

But the thing is, if you have Sam strive to “live up to” Steve, you kind of undermine his relationship with Steve. He’s no Bucky, but he did know Steve. After Winter Soldier, the audience gets to see that Steve trusted Sam before he trusted anybody else. Steve did not have Natasha out looking for Bucky while the Avengers trained. He had one guy doing that: Sam Wilson. Because he was close with Sam, and trusted him. Heck, their first conversation was written around a moment where Steve was just treating Sam like any citizen, politely leaving after their run, until Sam proved he could talk to Steve like a normal, relatable human. “It’s your bed, isn’t it? Too soft?” They could connect.

Sam is also the only one Steve had conversations with about normal, deep issues. “You can do whatever you wanna do. What is it that makes you happy?” Steve isn’t shown having those conversations with Bucky. He briefly starts that conversation with Natasha in Endgame. But the point is that it’s Sam who’s his second best-friend, and their relationship is based on trust, mutual respect, and understanding.

So having Sam suddenly see Steve as a hero-figure to idolize and emulate and compare himself to puts distance between Sam and Steve. Makes them more like fan-and-hero than brothers-in-arms and honest plain friends. Sam didn’t think everything Steve did was perfect or awesome. He was on his side, but he clearly had doubts about the value in trusting or trying to save Bucky, which Steve was committed to doing. So this thing they have Sam doing (and even Bucky doing in FATWS) where he compares himself to this idea of Steve the Perfect Captain America was not a great move, to start out with.

But they made that decision, so let’s talk about how poorly the follow-up was handled. When you take Sam and give him the shield, he can only worry about living up to the symbol for so long. Eventually he has to become our new symbol.

I mean, this is the first example we have of this in the MCU, right? This is the first “one hero audiences love goes away and we have to accept that he passed the mantle down to a different hero.” So they really needed to stick this landing.

Captain America, very specifically, is supposed to be the selfless one. All heroes are selfless on some level, otherwise they wouldn’t be heroes, but the whole tension of superheroes is “I’ve been given incredible responsibility, so what do I do with it?” Iron Man makes it about himself, covering up past wrongs. Spider-Man, too, on a more empathetic level, because of Uncle Ben (in this universe, Aunt May.) There’s a little ego always fighting to break in and ruin selfless assumption of responsibility.

But not with Cap. The Captain America Symbol is supposed to be just that. The guy behind the shield disappears into the symbol—which is, selflessness.

If you have Sam make everything about “I gotta prove myself” and “am I ever enough” then the symbol becomes about him. So it’s ruined. We need him to not care about “living up to” anything. We need him to eventually get over that.

But they like…can’t drop that victim mentality bone they have him gnawing on.

And it just wasn’t one that Sam had before picking up the shield, which is what made him so endearing, and such a good choice, in theory, for Cap, in the first place.

[pompadourpink]

hi mom! i'm starting uni in september, i'm moving to a new city so i need to start shopping and all, but also my parents didnt really give me advice and im the eldest so im kinda lost, do you have any advice?? XX

Hello darling,

The ABC:

Uni is scary: freedom goes from 8 to 90 in two months, and it is intoxicating. Making up for lost chances can lead to bad choices (spending, dating, partying).

Parent yourself if needed: autonomy is essential. Learn to cook, budget, clean, be clean, save, be a good citizen, make scary phone calls, keep yourself safe, and prioritise.

No one will force you to get up and study, or hire a 21-year-old dropout you instead of a fiery 18-year-old. Effort will not betray you (being an ageing lazy gifted child will).

Have shared hobbies, from movie Sundays with a friend to knitting with your sister. A social life is a happy life.

Trust your body, it knows. Stomach cramps mean we hate him, daydreaming means try, yawning means bed (not coffee).

The home:

Make a cleaning schedule, be open-minded and reasonable, do not do/say anything the landlord wouldn't like (I fully recommend having roommates once for exposure therapy).

Bribe a nice neighbour with food. Having that phone number will one day mean not sleeping outside or getting a package stolen.

Document problems right away (photos, timestamps, screenshots, testimonies), as you may need to take action later. No emotions, you're just "worried about everyone's wellbeing".

Mould, vermin and leaks are enemies. Act yesterday.

Avoid big purchases. You don't know the future (location, size, taste). Go secondhand, natural (wood/glass), neutral, practical.

Avoid silly purchases: streaming, takeout, drinks, fast-fashion; you will not regret having a downpayment saved in ten years.

If you need to do emergency laundry, put a bin/bucket in the shower, add water and detergent (+ soda crystal for stains or whitening), mix, wait, rinse well, hang it.

The shopping:

My grandmother has kept her house clean with a squeegee broom wrapped in a floorcloth and Marseille soap since the 60s. When something doesn't work, look back.

Must-haves: cleaning (#1, cloths, soda, Castile soap, steel wool), hygiene (scraper, net, shower head filtre, first aid), night (good pillow, plugs, mask) supplies, freezer if possible, water filtre, reusable period protection, winter clothes, long chargers, sunscreen, friend living at home who will lend you tools.

Must-not-haves: trends, collections (even books), a pet - don't let Felix keep you back, sleep over and study in Paris!

Have an emergency kit (+ whatever you need) + a smaller version in the car/at the office (with cash).

Fresh fruit, starches, frozen vegetables, cans of legumes, fresh, canned and frozen protein, a treat, something fun once in a while to experiment + a bimonthly outing.

A couple of formal outfits. Large black dress pants, white shirt, dark grey thin jumper, pencil skirt, blazer, large coat, trench coat, loafers, heels, tall boots. Not tight or slouchy, comfy, plain.

Craigslist, Facebook marketplace, thrift stores. Make a Pinterest 'perfect home' board instead of letting yourself be fed by social media and stores.

The social life:

Make one or two real friends and cherish them forever. Support each other, travel, buy a house together, idk.

Don't be afraid to exist alone - you shouldn't fear what your head has to say.

Take advantage of what's free.

Don't miss out on huge opportunities for people. Some are around out of necessity and will ghost you after graduation.

Do not try to impress, especially those you don't like and who don't like you. Do not do or say anything cops wouldn't like. Be a homebody who doesn't drink if that's what you want.

Do not try to educate those who will not learn.

Do not befriend someone who fully lacks confidence. Those relationships will be one-sided and exhausting.

Befriend older ladies. They will see through the lies of men, classmates, and employers trying to fool you.

The love life:

The thirty-two-year-old man doesn't find you mature; he sees a willing blank canvas. Do not.

If a date mocks you and you get mad, either that is who he is, or he hates you. Your job is not to pretend you don't care so he can have a girlfriend.

Ask yourself if you would tell your friend, mother, or Taylor Swift that they should lower their standards. If not, take a break from dating and think about why you think you don't deserve respect.

Don't forgive what you don't want to tolerate.

No nudes. Never nudes.

Don't try to force a relationship with someone who has made it clear that he is not interested. You will be played like a fiddle until he meets someone he wants.

Don't try communicating with someone who is messing with you on purpose. No one ignores you for three days or breaks your favourite necklace after an argument by accident. Also, your husband would never.

The daily life:

Keep an official e-mail address (firstname.lastname) + a casual one (f.lastna), a solid password (Lanadelrey1984#) changed yearly, and a list of usernames/accounts and auto-generated passwords.

If you don't trust your parents, block them from your account or open a new one when you turn 18 before they rob you.

Save a year's worth of expenses, don't purchase what you couldn't buy twice now, don't replace what still works, thrift/swap, and think for a week before spending.

Get folders for your paperwork + scan them onto an encrypted Drive (not iCloud): diplomas, flat, car, work, taxes, health, etc.

Print pictures and make albums before the app disappears.

Prioritise health. Exercise (cardio/strength, ex: runs/weighted Pilates), walk, drink more, sleep, eat fibre, take vitamin D, mind your eyes/ears/skin/teeth, stretch, and leave if needed.

Only invest energy, money, or time into what is worth it. FaceTime before the date, get secondhand leather boots instead of replacing plastic biyearly, drop the book after 100 bad pages.

Refuse advice from people whose lives you wouldn't want, who happily overwork for a mediocre wage and don't know who their children are. These handcuffs are homemade.

The job:

People will not forget how you made them feel, and the world is small. Colleagues, clients, and bosses will gossip: make sure it is for a good reason. Dress and look clean, stand straight, be on time, and never gossip, even when you are wronged.

Understand the power of sobriety. Be known for your projects and LinkedIn CV, not your bright skirts and temper.

Protect Future You to secure the next step. No friends, no enemies. Smile, stay neutral and calm, listen, move on, make your IG private, Google your name.

Lie. You don't avoid them, you eat lunch with your nana (hi Paula, no, I forgot she's at the hairdresser's); weren't unemployed, your father was ill; cannot go out, you have a birthday party.

Act boring with jealous old women and obnoxious men: take the fake compliment for a real one, don't understand the innuendo, have too much work to chat. Bullies get bored.

Instead of clapping back (see #3), be Cinderella, who overlooks insults and asks Ethel if she is alright, maybe she needs to talk?

Sites to look up: Proton (mail, VPN, drive), Notion.

Love,

Mum

(PS - apologies if the she/he thing doesn't match you, this is a flexible plan for all of my children)

[bunni-v1]

Request: Rook Hunt drabble for a royalty AU

Twisted Wonderland Royal AU: Pomefiore

TW: Use of “princess” but that’s it

Info: Rook x Reader; Vil x Reader (familial); Epel x Reader (platonic); GN!Reader

🍓Teehee, I love royalty AUs. Unfortunately, I got a little out of hand on the “Drabble” part, so this is just an introduction to everyone in a soon-to-be-long fic I’ll be posting in the coming week. These are VERY brief, as the actual fic is about sixteen pages. I do hope it’s worth the wait! I hope you’ll understand! If you’d like, I can tag you in it!

Tags: 

Kingdom Lore

-Your Kingdom is part of a “United Front” with several other kingdoms across all of twisted wonderland.

-The castle is located in the Shaftlands, making it one of the most influential and bustling areas in the entire world.

-You and your people are focused on the creation of silks and fabrics and clothes — which you have quite a chokehold on the industry.

-You also have quite a large hunting industry, due to your location next to multiple large and vast forests.

-Your kingdom is the (newly) second strongest within the United front, thanks to the recent addition of of The Valley of Thorns

-It’s original rulers (your parents) died in a tragic accident, leaving only you and your brother behind to rule your kingdom.

-Magic is not common in the Shaftlands, usually only left for the great scholars to study and hone. 

-In fact, because of the way the late king and queen died, magic use is frowned upon.

-The kingdom has fairy tales of large inky monsters that live within the forest, but those are just fairy tales… right?

You (Oh my goodness!!!)

-You are the princess (by title, you use they/them pronouns) of the Shaftlands.

-While the people believe you rule side by side with your brother, you really are only there to sit still and look pretty.

-You ARE well educated and very smart. You understand deep political issues and have bold opinions which Vil (your brother) does take into account.

-You are better described as a socialite, collecting information about every single person you brush elbows with.

-This includes your citizens, whom you love and adore and they love and adore you.

-Since you have no political hold over people, you learn everything there is to learn about them and use that as leverage against them if you need — alternatively, with your citizens, you use it to try and help better their lives.

-You are good at being royalty, and are loyal to your kingdom and the crown, but you don’t like it.

-You especially hate the looking good aspect of being royal.

-Parties are the worst punishment you can go through.

-You value your freedom and ability to do as you like, but you are understanding as it becomes limited the older and older you get.

-You would rather marry for true love rather than for political connections.

-You ARE a princess after all, you love the stories of a dashing rouge sweeping you off your feet.

-All of this being said, your absolute favorite thing in the world is hunting.

-Your mother was an esteemed hunter before she took on the crown, and therefore she taught you everything you know.

-You are no longer allowed to hunt, thanks to your brother being too worried something may happen to you, but you miss it.

-You DO have a good relationship with Vil, but it’s become more and more strained as years went on and he became more and more restrictive of what you can and can’t do.

-Epel is your best friend in the castle, and was your hunting partner until you were banned.

-He remains loyal to you over Vil, and will always have your back if you need it.

Vil

-Your older brother, and the Queen of the Shaftlands.

-Vil took on the crown at only fifteen, and he has ruled gracefully and powerfully ever since.

-He is, by far, the most influential ruler among the seven separate kingdoms.

-He is the main reason that the unification front has lasted so long and The Valley of Thorns joined later after.

-He singlehandedly led the kingdom into economic prosperity, and remains the reason as to its huge success.

-He banned the average man from hunting, instead requiring a hunting license so that they could limit the loss of human life in the forest.

-He, himself, finds hunting boorish and dangerous, which was his main reason for banning you from doing so.

-He adores you with his whole heart and soul, and every single thing he does is for the betterment of the kingdom and the safety of you.

-He’s got thousands of responsibilities which has limited the time he’s able to spend with you, but he does try to make time at least once a week to sit with you.

-He is one of the only people who knows exactly what happened to his parents, and he also requires a license to study and practice magic in the Shaftlands.

-He studies magic, specifically potion magic, but only so he can better understand the benefits and dangers of it. 

-He does not permit you to study magic, because he is afraid something could happen to you much like it did to your parents.

-He seemingly works very closely with Idia Shroud and his family, but no one knows why — especially since Idia and Vil don’t get along well publicly.

-In fact, Vil does not get along well with most of the soon-to-be rulers of the neighboring kingdoms.

Epel

-Epel and his family was plucked off the streets by Vil himself when both you and Epel were very young.

-His family was given a position as the castle’s own farmers, his grandmother being the head of production.

-Epel, however, was assigned as your personal playmate and eventually a member of the lower court.

-He is your best friend and in turn you are his.

-Both of you hate the castle lifestyle, and run around causing chaos and having fun with one another.

-Frequently, you both find yourself in trouble, but you are able to dismiss Epel’s punishment by taking full blame and arguing for his forgiveness.

-Epel is quiet and soft-spoken around Vil, but when the two of you are alone he is outspoken and loud.

-He drops his fake fancy accent and talks in his regular southern drawl which you adore so much.

-He isn’t too important to the story overall, but he is your rock to lean back on when things get rough.

-He knows you better than your own brother knows you, and for that you think he is like family.

-His main responsibility is to look pretty and mingle, just like you.

-He is also, technically, your first guard in case anything goes wrong.

-He is, magically, incredibly talented with a gift that is unmatched by most in his court.

-Vil sponsors his lessons and study, but his is not permitted to use magic outside of his lessons.

-Epel believes that Vil has a bigger plan with his magical experiments, but he’s not sure what.

-It is also worth note that he is not supposed to mention his magical lessons to you either.

Rook

-Rook is a mysterious man. He is not one of the many citizens of the Shaftlands that you know and love dearly, nor is he an elite from another kingdom.

-You know virtually nothing about this man, therefore you are drawn to him in a way that you’d never felt before.

-He shows up suddenly at your birthday party, uninvited and unknown, and disappears as quickly as he came.

-What you don’t know is that he is - in fact - a very important figure among the only kingdom not within your unified front.

-Now, I don’t want to spoil anything for the story, but the two of you end up tangled in a sort of cat and mouse game that only one of you is aware that its happening.

-Now, general head cannons on him.

-Rook is a very well read, well spoken, well educated young man. 

-He is not from the Shaftlands, but he knows the ins and outs of every single system both inside and outside of the castle.

-To be truthful, he is aware of the inner workings of every single kingdom in the unified front. 

-He is also magically talented, and his favorite form to use would be his enchanted bow which he can use to apply any spell to his arrows as he draws them.

-Unlike you, who is extremely sheltered from the world, he knows perhaps TOO much.

-He is equally as captivated by you as you are with him, which leads him to make a… very interesting decision.

-He is, technically, a guard for hire. A very good one, at that. None of his clients have ever faced any harm with him around.

-Vil, being protective as he is, hires Rook to be your guard after a set of circumstances happen, and suddenly this mysterious man who you thought you’d never see again is a part of your everyday life.

[pettytiredandjewish]

Are you pro-Israel or pro-Palestine?

I honestly don’t think it’s any of your concern but if you really want to know my “stance”, I’ll tell you. You may or may not like my answer but I’m at the point where I really don’t give a flying F. So here we go-

A little background about me-I’m not Israeli, I’m from the states but my great-grandparents on my mom side left Germany sometime a little before WW1 due to antisemitism (they were Ashkenazi Jews.) Not everyone left and the ones who did stay ended up in the concentration camps/ghettos during WW2. Honestly if my great grandparents didn’t leave Germany- well there is a high chance that I wouldn’t be here and that this family tree branch would be non existent.

I’m gonna be honest I’m a “zionost”. There is no safe place for Jews. A lot of countries made it known for many years and they are still making it known to this day. Not only is the land of Israel is considered holy (I’m not super religious but I do recognize and respect that it’s a sacred and holy site) but it is also considered a safe place for many Jews who had to leave their own homes due to all the antisemitism/hate/etc. I’m not an “anti-Zionist”. Did you know that one of Russian’s leaders during- I believe the Soviet Union created that term as a way to help destroy Jewish culture during that era? That term just rubs me the wrong way.

I constantly worry about my friends and family. I worry about mine and their safety. I have to keep looking over my shoulder when I leave the house or when I go to the store, it to work… I know my parents worry too and I know my mom is secretly happy that I attended Shabbat services via online. I don’t want to think about what would happen if something happened to me or to my family/friends. But I don’t hide my “Jewishness”. I love being Jewish- I’m not ashamed of it. It’s a beautiful culture but it also is sad too. The history is not all butterfly’s and rainbows. We (Jews) have suffered for generations but we also overcome everything that people throws at us. Are we traumatized? Probably yes, but we don’t give up. We work hard to keep our culture alive so that we can keep passing it down.

The situation in Israel and Palestine is/has always been messy. It’s like a pressure pot- every little issue and conflict has been cooking up for some time. And every once in a while someone will let some steam out- to help let out some pressure but if you keep it covered and not let out the pressure, well it’s all going to build up and explode. And il that’s what’s happening here. That’s what we’re seeing now. This is the aftermath.

So to answer your question- I’m “pro Israel”: I think that Israelites have the right to live there. It’s their home. They did not colonize it. It is also not an apartheid state. Really people- please read a dictionary to understand these terms that you keep throwing out. Gaza’s government has been unstable for some time and it did eventually fell to hamas control sometime earlier 2000’s(?) for those who don’t know and or still in denial about what they really are- hamas is a terrorist organization. They’re not a resistance group of freedom fighters “fighting to save their people” cuz they don’t give a damn about their own people. They a literally using their own civilians as human shields. They’re stealing resources that’s mental for the civilians and using it themselves.

Also quick question(s) but why is Israel getting blasted for defending themselves after Oct 7? Is anyone gonna call out the other neighboring countries for how they are handling the situation- why aren’t they opening up their borders for refugees? Also why are most of y’all blaming Israel citizens and well- Jewish people in general- i mean I know the answer to this (*cough* most of y’all hate Jews and are using this as a reason to unmask yourselves).

I honestly could keep going- I’ve mostly kept this to myself, so it’s building up, but to be “nice” I’m gonna stop there for now. I don’t know what your “stance” is and I really don’t care per se- the whole situation has been stressing me out like crazy. If you don’t like my answer to bad so sad- I’m no one’s “good Jew”. If you or anyone have any questions you can ask but if you say some antisemitic crap I will block you and depending on my mood- call you out on it too. Have a happy holiday.

Am Yisrael Chai

[hobiebrownismygod]

So on one of my recent posts about Hobie, I got this comment from @unnecessary-account and I thought it was really interesting.

Miles has a connection with the Prowler

That's already been established (Prowler Miles)

We know that Uncle Aaron was the Prowler and he was a 'bad guy' and all that. We know that the Prowler in ITSV was supposed to be a bad guy, with his scary theme, the fact that he worked for Kingpin, and the fact that he was trying to kill Miles until he found out who was under the mask.

But the Hobie Brown Prowler is different.

Hobie Brown was a really smart kid who grew up in a really crappy family. His father left when he was a baby and his mom was an alcoholic. He had 9 siblings and all of them were basically forced to raise themselves.

In order to support himself, he became a window-cleaner who used his intellect to build gadgets to make his job easier. When he was eventually fired, he turned to a life of crime, where he would steal money from the Daily Bugle.

But after a confrontation with Spider-man, he realizes this life of crime sucks and he actually becomes an anti-hero. Spider-man even comes to him for help every once in a while and Hobie joins the Silver Sable group, a group of anti-hero mercenaries that includes Sandman.

"The Prowler gives me control over my own life-- and power. Power I can use to protect the helpless."

The Prowler Issue #1

The Prowler gives Hobie power over himself and his identity

It gives him control over his own life and his own future

Now lets connect this to Spiderman Hobie

Hobie advocates for freedom and free speech. He would want people to have control over themselves and their future. He actively fights against a fascist dictatorship in order to provide human rights for all the citizens of London

Being Spider-man means having the freedom to do these things

Having that mask on means being the voice of the people

That's what being Spider-man is to Spiderman Hobie

Now lets connect this to Miles

The first thought Miles has when he sees Hobie is "Damn. He's way cooler than me."

He's jealous of Hobie, not just cuz he's close with Gwen, but because he's an older boy who knows what he wants, does what he wants, and doesn't have to worry about other people's perceptions of him.

He's the definition of cool

Miles in the meanwhile is struggling to balance his classes, struggling to keep his identity a secret and feeling completely alone in his world

He's struggling with anxiety, panic attacks, maybe even a little bit of depression from what we saw in The Spider Within

He's struggling with the meaning of Spider-man

He's working so hard to protect his city, help the helpless, to fill those shoes that the original Peter Parker left behind. Hobie Brown's Prowler does the same thing, where he takes inspiration from Spider-man to fuel himself and his goals

Miles doesn't have control over his own life. At the end of ATSV, he doesn't even have control over his own future or his own fate.

Hobie Brown wanted control and power. Hobie Brown became the Prowler to have control and power.

Miles Morales wants control and power. Miles is fighting against his canon event because he needs that control over his future and he needs that power in his life.

Because both Spider-man and the Prowler are good people that have been put in tough situations.

And both of them want control over their own lives

Miles and the Hobie Brown Prowler share that connection. Spider-man in general shares that connection with the Prowler. I think that's pretty cool.

This analysis was kinda all over the place, mb 😭

if something doesn't make sense I'm happy to explain it though

Sources under the cut:

[animekpopsimp]

A Fatal Decision (Kaeya and Diluc x sister reader part 4)

He's Kanreya's last hope, at least, that's what Kaeya's father told him before abandoning him in Mondstat. Those words kept haunting him every day of his life, they made him feel like he didn't belong. On one hand, the nation where he was born was seemingly counting on him, on the other hand, he had come to consider the city of freedom his home. Especially now since both he and Diluc have begun repairing their once damaged brotherly relationship. Kaeya felt relieved that he was finally able to explain to Diluc, it had been so many years of him trying, yet getting pushed away. It broke his heart, and if it weren't for you, then he would still be in that same position.

But deep down, Kaeya knew that he would choose Mondstat. After all, Kanreya had already been destroyed. He didn't see the need to remain loyal to a place that had been gone for 500 years. He had found a family right where he was, and he didn't want to lose that, ever. Which is why he was worried, he was aware that the abyss, or what was left of Kanreya would eventually attack the city, and he was determined to stop it.

"Kaeya?" The blue-haired male was suddenly snapped from his thoughts by your voice. He had agreed to train you, with some hesitation from Diluc. However, he was having trouble focusing today, something you noticed right away.

"Are you ok? You seem worried about something" you asked, gathering his thoughts, Kaeya plastered a smile on his face as he looked over at you.

"I'm fine" he tried to reassure you, but you weren't buying it.

"No, you're not. If you need to take a break, I don't mind." You said, Kaeya sighed, you had always been observant.

"I think you need to take a day off" you told him, arms crossed over your chest as you huffed.

"I promised I would help you learn how to fight" he argued, not wanting to let you down. You smiled, wrapping your arms around him in a hug.

"What matters more is you, why don't we go get some food. Maybe we could get Diluc to come with us" you laughed. Kaeya did as well as he let you pull him toward the city. He finally felt at home.

----------------------------------------------------------

Kaeya was startled awake by the sound of scream, jumping out of bed he ran over to the window, throwing it open. With wide eyes, he scanned the city, his heart starting to race. Mondstat was in chaos, people were running and monsters were attacking whoever was in sight. Kaeya wished what he was seeing was a nightmare, but he knew all too well that it wasn't. Without another thought, he grabbed his sword and ran outside, heart racing. It felt as if it was going to beat out of his chest. The smell of smoke filled his nose as he made his way outside. The Knights of Favonious were fighting off the creatures as best they could while getting the citizens to safety, luckily, as far as Kaeya could tell, no one was dead.

"Kaeya!" Jean called out, looking toward the woman, the male tried to calm himself down.

"We'll handle things here, get Diluc" Kaeya didn't waste any time as he turned and made his way toward the winery. He trusted that the others would keep Mondstat safe. He wasn't sure how long it took, but soon, Kaeya had arrived to his destination. That's when he spotted something horrific in the distance. You were surrounded by Hilichurls and an abys mage. The sight made Kaeya want to vomit. You held a weapon in one hand, but he could tell you were injured.

"(Y/N)!!" He called out, Kaeya ran toward you, praying he would reach you in time. The abyss mage raised its staff to attack you. Adrenaline coursing through him, Kaeya pushed himself forward as fast as his legs would go. He was so close, but not close enough. Kaeya was forced to watch as you did your best to block the attack, but your effort wasn't enough. The attack hit its target, knocking you to the ground. Finally reaching the group of monsters, Kaeya swung his sword, knocking them all to the ground at once.

Rage filled his body as Kaeya quickly dispatched the monsters before turning his attention to you. At the same time, Diluc arrived, breathing heavily. Both brothers stared down at you, blood pouring from a large wound. Kaeya fell to his knees, not minding the blood that began soaking into his clothes. Tears began to well up in his eyes as he pulled you into his arms. Your eyes were half closed, and you were having a hard time breathing.

"I'm sorry" he spoke, trying to put pressure on the wound. You winced as Diluc stared down, tears streaming down his face. You tried to speak, but you didn't have the strength. Kaeya pulled you closer, he closed his eyes, beginning to sob as your breathing became slow. Eventually, you went limp. Kaeya froze when he realized this, more tears sliding down his face. Diluc and Kaeya both lost someone important that day. Even if the city was saved, Kaeya still felt as if he should have done more.

[hoshibatake]

FREEDOM – Virtuality and Ideals/Chapter 5

Previous chapter

<An evening one week later. In the real world, Trickstudio>

Subaru: Oh. Anzu’s here! Otsukaresama¹～

Subaru: Come over here. Come laze around with us☆

Subaru: ...Huh? Work first, fun later? Oh, right. We were supposed to have a review meeting about FREEDOM.

Hokuto: Don’t tell me that you forgot.

Subaru: I remembered, but when I saw Anzu, I got so happy it slipped my mind♪

Mao: I’m glad to see her too, but isn’t that getting a bit too excited?

Mao: We’ve been seeing quite a lot of her since we started hanging out in Trickstudio regularly, don’t you think?

Subaru: You just don’t get it, Sari～. Any time you see someone you love a who~le lot is a time to be happy.

Subaru: Anzu, what’s up? ...Oh, you wanna hear about FREEDOM’s current status while we wait for Ukki～?

Hokuto: We can tell you that, but you have administrator privileges, so can’t you just check the data directly?

Hokuto: ...Fumu. You want us to be able to build freely without any worries, so you only log in when there’s an error?

Subaru: You don’t need to hold yourself back, though. You’re welcome at any time☆

Subaru: But thanks for being considerate, anyway. The current status, huh…?

Subaru: Oh, right. Our four avatars finally formed a unit～♪

Subaru: Out of their own initiative, of course. We’re Trickstar, after all☆

Hokuto: Yes. Putting the surrounding circumstances aside for a moment, I can’t help but be impressed at the realism.

Mao: Yeah, and their actions since they formed a unit have been reminiscent of ours as well. Subaru and Hokuto’s avatars have been jumping the gun, holding live performances in all sorts of places…

Mao: ...but my and Makoto’s avatars have been putting effort into city building and helping out citizens, instead of focusing purely on idol activities.

Mao: It kinda reminds me of the time when we just formed Trickstar♪

<Flashback. Five days earlier, in the information room>

Makoto: (FREEDOM is our first job of the fiscal year, so the agency must have high expectations too.)

Makoto: (In order to get good results, we first need to focus on building the city. This is my strong suit, so I’ve gotta give it my all!)

Makoto: (I’m following the plan I drafted using my experience with previous simulation games I’ve played…)

Makoto: (...but it’s pretty hard to balance it with those idol activities. A lot of things don’t turn out like I want them to.)

Makoto: (The fact that it’s not just about city building is what makes this game so interesting, but it also complicates things, so I’m having a hard time.)

Makoto: (I feel like I’m doing exactly what I should be doing, but the results don’t reflect that. Hrm…)

Makoto: (An online strategy guide would… not exist yet. Of course it wouldn’t. The game isn’t out yet, after all.)

Makoto: (I could still give looking it up on our internal network a shot. Although I really doubt I’ll find anything♪)

Makoto: (...Huh? I got a hit.)

Makoto: (“City Building Plans ‘FREEDOM’. Documentation for internal use.” ...Some of this information wasn’t in the documents we were given.)

Makoto: (Actually, it seems like I’ve stumbled upon some pretty significant information?)

Makoto: (…)

Makoto: (“Choosing idols and having them freely construct a city, using the software we developed in cooperation with this game company.”)

Makoto: (“If they are successful, that virtual city will then be built in reality”...)

Makoto: I already thought that it was strange that this job only consisted of playing a game. So that’s the plan.

Makoto: The reason why they’re letting us build this city however we want is still a mystery to me, but I never thought our city would become real…

Makoto: Actually, that’s a huge issue!

Makoto: The four of us have just been building our own versions of an ideal city, but it would by no means be an ideal city in reality!

Makoto: It’s overrun by dinosaurs and full of factories, with the occasional zombie outbreak and a theme park that’s without power most of the time. We can’t let them build that in real life!

Makoto: There’s a high chance that they would just cancel the whole thing, but I don’t want to let our first job of the year end in failure either.

Makoto: I’ll just have to correct our course, and turn it into a city we can be proud of…!

<Several days later. The dormitory, Makoto’s room>

Makoto: (…)

Makoto: (...Oof. How many all-nighters have I pulled now? I’ve lost count.)

Makoto: (By overhauling the factory area, I’ve increased the factories’ energy consumption, but now they’re less destructive to the environment.)

Makoto: (And I tore down all of the city in order to fix the infrastructure. I’ve widened the roads and improved traffic flow…)

Makoto: (I’ve built more parks, improving the citizens’ living conditions. The ambiance in the city should be much better now, but…)

Makoto: (It’s nowhere near ideal. There’s just not enough time.)

Makoto: (I feel like the career system... or rather, the idol activities that are being organized because of it are getting in the way of the development of the city.)

Makoto: (When they’re called upon, the avatars automatically start prioritizing idol activities.)

Makoto: (Their training takes up a lot of time, and when people gather for concerts, they end up leaving a big mess in the city...)

Makoto: …

Makoto: Maybe I should make the avatar ‘me’ leave Trickstar.

Makoto: I feel like their idol activities wouldn’t really change, even if ‘I’ wasn’t there. I’m sure ‘I’ would have more to contribute in terms of city building.

Makoto: The others might be a little disappointed, but I feel like this is the better option…

Makoto: But my eyelids feel so heavy… I can’t……

TL notes:

This is a standard expression used when greeting someone who has been working.

Translated by me, proofread by Altea (@icaruswasthesun on Twitter)

Next chapter

[shephar]

Saw a Genshin x Persona 5 post and thought of what Joe Ker would be like as a Genshin character.

Can be read as related to my Yusuke post or standalone, or even related to my Cyno post :3

Under the cut, as usual, duh.

About: Introduction.

"Oh! They call me Joker, sometimes, but my friends call me Akira, and I think we'll be great friends."

He's an Anemo character, surprising or unsurprisingly. I chose this because of how the Anemo Traveler and other Anemo characters can use the swirl mechanic to semi-manipulate other elements.

About: Vision.

"Mondstat's the city of Freedom, under the Anemo Archon of Freedom... Hmm. I suppose it's not too surprising I got an Anemo vision, then..."

For a weapon he uses a catalyst, due to his affinity for magic, which is abnormally high for a regular citizen of Teyvat, at least to those not from Khaenri'ah. He is from Khaenri'ah, of course, because he's just That Guy.

Aside from that, his skill has a chance to add an element to his attacks, which most people assume comes from his magic affinity, when in reality he just uses matches, ice-cubes, bottled water, dirt, or leaves. It's unknown how he does Electro-swirl...

These can be seen if you pay attention to his skill activations, but not for the Electro.

About: Swirl.

"You wanna know how I add elements to my attacks? Don't you know, a magician never reveals his secrets. Maybe I'll tell you later?"

His burst is an AoE targeting skill, which works by having each subsequent attack from any party member (even co-op) gaining 30% of their damage per hit.

If he's on a solo-run, however, his skill changes to a Hermanubis/Persona-like phantasm attacking enemies while Joker does as well. This is because, unlike Yusuke, where it's up to choice if he's from the Persona-verse, Joker definitely is.

About: Family/Home.

"My family? Hmm, well, it's just me and my sister, really, but it's been a while since I've been back to Fontaine. I wonder how she is, being called Father must be strange, huh..."

Akira is, much like Arlecchino, from Khaenri'ah and then lived in the House of the Hearth as a child. Their childhoods are this similar because they are twins. However, Akira chose to explore Teyvat after the Mother was defeated, wanting to see what the world has to offer.

He earned his Vision in an unknown way, when asking, Arlecchino only has this to say:

"My brother's Vision? Hmm, I suppose he's always had it, even when we were younger."

About: Archons.

"They're just... Regular people, or people adjacent. I don't really care all that much about them. I feel bad, really."

He's a five star character, of course, but his splash art is unnaturally bland for a five star, instead seeming more like a four star.

Of course, this is because of his affinity for not trying to stand out in Persona 5, which carried over to Genshin Impact.

About: Furina.

"I know people are readily accepting Neuvilette to be our new Archon, he's the hydro sovereign. But, I don't know, I think Furina, or Foccalors, was more... Relatable, I suppose is the term."

As with most other five stars, he also has a Character Story. It's the shortest one, really, should barely even count as a Story, it's a simple conversation with the Traveler. It changes based on friendship rankings.

After the Hangout, he just gives the Traveler a gun. A fake one, albeit a lot more advanced and realistic.

About: Stars (Unlocks at friendship rank 8)

"These stars... Oh, didn't see you there. What was I saying? Oh, it's just... These stars don't seem quite right, as if a painting. They reminded me of a friend, don't worry."

Akira's friendship rankings actually affect his combat potential. At Friendship 8, he has a chance to restore an ally's HP when lower than 10% when he's switched with them.

At Friendship 10, there's a chance he has to revive a downed ally, but this can only happen once per battle and it has only a small chance.

About: Origin (Friendship 10)

"Hmm, my origins? I guess you've ascertained that I'm not from Teyvat... Truth be told, I died. Then, I came back. It wasn't back to where I was from, sadly, but. What can you do? I've made the most of my life here. I do miss my friends, though."

And extras that may or may not be part of this AU, depending on your thoughts. Both unlock after Friendship 10.

About: Yusuke.

"I don't know how he got to Teyvat, but it's nice to know it's not just me in this world, I don't know if he has Gorokichi, but I can still hear my Personal. I hope he wasn't alone until we met again."

About: The General Mahamatra.

"He's a lot more... Intense than from when we were teammates, but it seems he remembers me, at least. He's still got Hermanubis with him. He's even the General Mahamatra."

About: You.

"Why do you want to hear my opinion? You're... you, it doesn't matter what I think, or that's how it should be. You help people, despite them leading to dead ends about your sibling, and that's a lot more selfless than I could act."

About: Relationships.

"I could never bring myself to date back in my world, and it would feel weird now. Arlecchino and I's bloodline is going to end with us, it seems, unless she finds someone. Unlikely, though."

About: Furina.

"She's cool, I can relate to pretending to be someone else to please others. *Uncomfortable laugh*. Except she was faking God, I was faking being a good friend."

That's it. Thanks for reading this garbage.

[mariacallous]

Jewish parents in Maryland’s Montgomery County have no clue how their school district’s antisemitism investigation is proceeding. 

It’s been more than nine months since the U.S. Department of Education opened its Title VI civil rights probe into reports of antisemitic bullying, including at pro-Palestinian student protests, at the suburban Maryland district. The case was one of more than 100 investigations the department’s Office of Civil Rights has opened at colleges and K-12 districts since the Gaza war began, part of the Biden administration’s highly publicized efforts to combat rising campus antisemitism and Islamophobia.

Yet today, according to department records, the vast majority of those cases have yet to be resolved — including Montgomery County Public Schools’. And the parent activists who initially sounded the alarm on the district say they haven’t heard anything.

“If there is an investigation, it certainly doesn’t seem to be causing much concern,” Margery Smelkinson, one of the Jewish parents, told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency last week. “The process is completely opaque, and it’s hard not to conclude that nothing is actually being done.”

Smelkinson’s group, the Maryland Jewish Alliance, tried submitting their own Title VI complaint, in partnership with the right-wing Zionist Organization of America. The initial complaint was filed by a conservative activist with no connection to the district and without the group’s knowledge, based on an op-ed Smelkinson and another parent had written. By contrast, the complaint from the parents who actually lived there, she felt, was “far more detailed.”

Yet the office wouldn’t open theirs, because the less detailed one had beaten them to the punch — a sign, she believes, that the department is only doing “the bare minimum.”

Critics of the OCR’s handling of antisemitism complaints are hoping that will change during a second term for Donald Trump, who has proposed a radical overhaul of United States education policy, including shuttering the DOE altogether. He also wants to use the long arm of the law on pro-Palestinian, non-citizen campus protesters, having threatened to deport them.

If Trump were to follow through on closing the Department of Education, the Department of Justice would be a likely new home for campus civil rights issues including Title VI. Trump’s nominee for attorney general, Pam Bondi, has taken a hard-line approach against campus pro-Palestinian protesters. 

Other campaign promises, including threats to hold university endowments and accreditations hostage unless they curb what Trump calls “Marxist maniacs and lunatics,” have set off alarm bells among many education insiders and proponents of academic freedom. They worry about his nominee for education secretary, Linda McMahon, who has very little education experience, and note that Trump-friendly states like Texas and Oklahoma are more openly embracing a push to get Bible-tinged curriculum into public schools.

But some Jewish parents, if they’re not exactly welcoming all of these changes, see an opportunity in Trump’s education agenda. It was under his first administration, they point out, that the department expanded some Title VI protections for Jews, as outlined in a 2019 executive order on antisemitism.

“One can only assume this issue will be taken more seriously under his administration,” Smelkinson said.

Through a spokesperson, the Department of Education declined to comment for this story. But its top officials, including current Education Secretary Miguel Cardona and Catherine Lhamon, who oversees the Office of Civil Rights, have in the past year told JTA they place a high priority on fighting campus antisemitism in their department through Title VI. 

Major Jewish groups have taken this cue and seized on the statute. The American Jewish Committee has hosted webinars with Lhamon, and the Anti-Defamation League and others signed on to some civil rights complaints. Even more politically conservative Jews and Jewish groups, including ZOA, former Trump administration officials and Orthodox student-focused organizations, put stock in Biden’s intent to fight campus antisemitism and encouraged their networks to flood the department with Title VI complaints.

By some metrics, things are already better for Jews on campus. A new study from Harvard University found that the number of pro-Palestinian campus protests so far this semester — a common breeding ground for accusations of antisemitism — has plummeted to less than one-third of last semester. In part that is due to stricter enforcement of protests by schools that now must weigh the possibility of a federal investigation or a lawsuit much more heavily than they were in the immediate months after Oct. 7. 

But when it comes to Title VI, despite a flurry of opened investigations at major educational institutions, few of the cases opened during Biden’s term have been completed. 

A small number of Israel-related investigations opened since Oct. 7 have concluded with formal resolution agreements, or pledges from the schools to take specific steps to better address antisemitism. Those include the University of Michigan and the City University of New York, which both agreed to improve their antisemitism training; Brown University, which said it will rethink how it handles campus protests; and Muhlenberg College, which promised to take action against a tenured Jewish anti-Zionist professor who had been accused of harassing Jewish and pro-Israel students. (Muhlenberg’s agreement was reached days after the professor in question announced she had been fired over her advocacy.)

Some schools, as part of their resolution agreements, have hired Title VI coordinators to more effectively respond to future complaints. Such positions could soon become required by law, as in Maryland, where a legislator last week introduced a bill to require all colleges in the state to have such a staff role. 

One of those schools to voluntarily create such a role, New York University, also instituted a bold change to its harassment policy by declaring that targeting “Zionists” could violate it. Such changes have drawn criticism from progressives, who argue that Title VI has prompted a chilling effect on pro-Palestinian campus speech and courses.

Some Title VI cases that predated Oct. 7 by years, including one at the University of Illinois, have also formally concluded in the months since renewed attention was placed on the department.

On Tuesday, the ADL and the Jewish legal group Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law announced another resolution, this one involving Occidental College in Los Angeles — where, the April complaint alleged, Jewish and Israeli students were accosted by protesters on campus who sometimes uttered antisemitic slurs. The complaint also accused the college of not protecting Jewish students by agreeing to some demands of pro-Palestinian protesters who, shortly after Oct. 7, had occupied a building on campus. 

In response the school agreed to “consider” the International Holocaust Remembrance Association’s controversial definition of antisemitism, which progressive critics say chills legitimate criticism of Israel. (The resolution agreement includes a caveat that IHRA will be utilized “only where useful as ‘evidence of discriminatory intent.’”) The college also said it would incorporate some attacks on Zionists (including “applying a ‘no Zionist’ litmus test for participation in any Occidental activity”) into its bias and harassment training.

Other agreements include appointing a director of Jewish student life (and one for Muslim student life), and agreeing to host lectures and workshops about “the connections between Jewish identity, Israel and Zionism.”

Agreements like the one reached at Occidental could be seen as a win for many pro-Israel Jewish groups who have been pushing the IHRA definition for years (it was included in Trump’s 2019 executive order), as well as a sign of how Title VI enforcement appears to be aligning more and more closely with their longstanding goals for policing discussions of Israel on campuses.

But for every resolution, there are many more in the department’s backlog. Many Title VI cases at high-profile schools remain active, including three at Columbia University; one at Harvard; two at Cornell; and others at major public school districts in New York, San Francisco, Chicago and Oakland. The department has also continued to open new cases on a weekly basis, though at a slower clip than its height this past winter.

(The civil rights office does not disclose details about its ongoing investigations, including whether a case involves allegations of antisemitism or other civil rights violations, but JTA has independently verified that many if not all of those listed above involve Israel-related matters.)

For Kenneth Marcus, the founder of the Brandeis Center and a former Trump official, the president-elect’s plans for education — even his hopes of dismantling the department — should be welcomed by Jews.

“It’s not entirely clear that creating the Department of Education was so good for education, and so it’s not any more clear that closing it would be bad,” Marcus, who headed the department’s civil rights office in Trump’s first term, told JTA. He added that Trump has demonstrated a particular interest in campus antisemitism, including by vowing to deport pro-Palestinian campus protesters, and that his first administration’s track record should comfort Jews: “No president during our lifetimes has done more to address campus antisemitism from a policy perspective than President Trump did.”

Other major Jewish players in the TItle VI space said they still believed in the law’s effectiveness in addressing campus antisemitism.

“Title VI has been, and continues to be, a vital and effective tool for fighting antisemitism and protecting Jewish students from hostile environments and/or pervasive harassment,” Laura Shaw Frank, director of AJC’s Center for Education Advocacy, told JTA in a statement. “We are confident that investigations will continue under the incoming Trump administration and urge reporting of any and all incidents of antisemitism.” 

“Regardless of the future of the DOE there will still remain the need for Title VI enforcement,” Rabbi David Markowitz, executive vice president at the Orthodox campus outreach group Olami, told JTA in a statement. “Another agency will need to pick up the responsibility or they will need to work with states to fight antisemitism on campus.”

Since Oct. 7, Olami has taken an active role in advocating for stricter federal enforcement of Title VI. This spring the group held a press conference on Capitol Hill urging changes to its reporting system. At the conference, one of Olami’s biggest advocates in Congress was Republican Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina, who last week introduced legislation intended to keep a newly elected transgender representative from using women’s restrooms on Capitol Hill.

Not all conservative campus antisemitism activists are upset with the Biden administration’s handling of the issue. 

“I have nothing but respect for the Office for Civil Rights’ handling of my Title VI complaints,” said Zachary Marschall, the editor of the conservative college-focused site Campus Reform and a frequent filer of Title VI antisemitism complaints. “The staff remain communicative and committed to doing their jobs.”

Marschall has filed dozens of complaints at campuses across the country, sometimes based on social media reports; Jews and officials at several of these campuses have criticized his approach as meddling. But, he said, federal investigators have taken them seriously. Brown’s resolution stemmed from his own complaint, and another one of his, at Temple University, is also negotiating a resolution, he said.

Without commenting on what Trump could do to the campus antisemitism fight, Marschall said the problem “is now a bottom-up process that primarily involves college administrators, law enforcement, and prosecutors,” rather than the federal government.

To Marcus, the possibility that Title VI enforcement could move to the Justice Department is a positive development: A Justice mandate to fight campus antisemitism, he says, would likely bring more federal lawsuits against schools. Since he left the Trump administration, the Brandeis Center has filed both lawsuits and Title VI complaints against schools for alleged antisemitism, in some cases partnering with the ADL.

(Lawsuits, if they progress to a trial or a settlement, can be more powerful tools for holding institutions accountable than agreements reached by the Department of Education, which can only dangle federal funding as leverage. But lawsuits are also more expensive and time-consuming than filing a Title VI complaint, making them less realistic for individuals unconnected to groups like the Brandeis Center.)

While other Jews have been frustrated by Title VI, in Marcus’s view, they should keep filing complaints.

“This would be the worst time to stop filing OCR complaints,” he said. “We certainly won’t stop filing OCR complaints anytime soon. After all, there’s a new administration coming into power.”

[fairlybeloved]

@makoblue

"You're welcome, Mrs Hopkins, don't worry about it. Don't have much planned today." In one arm, Zack carried what appeared to be a pile of groceries, while the other supported a decrepit old woman, back locked in a perpetual bend forward.

"Now THAT I doubt. You must be struggling with a LINE of lady callers, eh? You're such a good boy."

Zack smiled, their pacing painfully slow, but he didn't mind it. Mrs Hopkins was near completely blind. Probably a good thing she didn't know the one consistently helping her out was viewed as anything BUT the good citizen she thought of him. Rather, a menace to their fair city - and hunted, at that.

ShinRa was chomping at the bit to finally get a hold of him. If they did, Zack had no small amount of ideas of what they would do to him. He wasn't willing to give them the pleasure. He'd escaped under impossible circumstances and yet, freedom was hardly how it felt.

Zack's world had always been topsy turvy, extending far beyond what he could recall. The memories of the past decade, or longer, overtook all the ideas of before when things were simpler [those days that he sorely took for granted, and painfully yearned for now]. The ground had yet to resettle into any sense of normalcy since he'd gained his 'freedom,' as loose a concept as it was for the hunted. How did one go from stagnation to color and sound all at once? It felt very much like his mind and body were caught in two different places. He was living a splintered reality.

"All right, Mrs Hopkins, we're here!"

"Very good. You can just set the groceries down the ground where you always do. Missy will be along presently."

"You got it." Zack hustled to put down the ladies goods, opening the door and rushing back to assist her the rest of the way forward.

"Thank you, young man."

He had told her his real name on one occasion, but she never seemed to recall it. Now.... well, whatever name he gave her, it was false. Best for everyone involved, though he didn't see any sense of danger in that circumstance.

"I'll see you around, Mrs Hopkins!"

It was a painful experience, those brief moments of pure bliss, where the world seemed finally righted. It was just...

So NORMAL. So innocent and carefree, like everything might be okay.

Zack sighed, tilting his head back.

There was a niggling sensation in the back of his head, he could feel the tiny hairs on his neck stand bolt upright. He'd long learned to follow his instincts. How else would he have survived so long? Eyes popped open, body tensed, and his gaze pierced through the layers of the world that existed in front of him to find what had alarmed him unconsciously.

He stared. 

It was rude to stare and yet, there was no internal voice that demanded he look away. Gone was the fresh-faced dreamer. There was more than simply the physical scars that marred him. 

Cloud?

He stared, because there was often things around him that reminded him of his old friend [they'd been through quite a lot together, though he doubted Cloud would remember any of it].

Damn if the man ahead didn't look like Cloud. 

There was nearly a momentary retraction back to the past, where Zack would screech and jump like some rabid spider monkey to latch onto his back and demand he join him for a drink or an adventure through the countrysides they connected over!

He huffed out a breath, the burning in his chest reminding him of the need for oxygen, a discomfort that brought him slamming back into the moment. 

[tyote]

since politics has been on my (and probably everyone's) brain a lot lately i took a shit-ton of political compass tests and averaged them all together, then fed them to a LLM (running locally) to specifically create a profile of people i probably wouldn't get along with politically, lmao.

and wouldn't ya know, me being true neutral once again means many people (at least on the internet) would probably not like me too much, ha

full report of my nemeses under the cut, 'cause it's thorough

"Tyler, with his unique blend of political philosophies, would likely find himself at odds with individuals who hold extreme or uncompromising views. Here's how he might view these perspectives:

Far-Left Extremists: Tyler respects the desire for equality and fairness that drives many on the far left. However, he believes that radical socialism or communism often overlooks the importance of personal property and small businesses, which he sees as vital for a healthy economy. In Tyler's view, these extreme ideologies can lead to the concentration of power in the hands of the state, stifling individual initiative and innovation. He worries that such systems can result in economic inefficiency, a lack of personal freedom, and even oppression, ultimately harming the very people they aim to help. Tyler sees these systems as potentially leading to authoritarianism under the guise of equality.

Far-Right Extremists: While Tyler understands the importance of national identity and community values, he strongly opposes the exclusionary and xenophobic policies promoted by far-right nationalists or supremacists. Despite his nativist tendencies, Tyler believes that a thriving society benefits from a variety of backgrounds and viewpoints. He sees extreme nationalism as a dangerous ideology that fosters division, hatred, and violence. Tyler's brand of nativism is about valuing community heritage and ensuring that immigration policies are compassionate, economically viable, and practical, balancing the nation's capacity to accept immigrants with the need for a straightforward, fair, and legal process.

Authoritarians: Tyler appreciates the need for strong leadership, but he firmly believes that power should be distributed and checked to prevent abuse. He opposes authoritarian figures like Joseph Stalin or Pol Pot because they centralize power and suppress individual freedoms, which contradicts his commitment to representative democracy and the rule of law. Tyler believes that a healthy democracy requires transparency, accountability, and the active participation of its citizens to prevent the rise of tyranny. He sees checks and balances as essential to safeguarding freedom and justice. Authoritarian regimes, in his view, are oppressive and detrimental to human rights.

Libertarian Extremists: Tyler recognizes the appeal of minimal government intervention and personal freedom championed by extreme libertarians. However, he believes that a completely laissez-faire approach can lead to economic inequality and social disparity. Tyler supports a balanced economic system that combines individual freedom with ethical principles and community responsibility. He thinks that some level of regulation is necessary to protect the vulnerable and ensure that everyone has a fair chance to succeed. In his view, a mix of personal liberty and social welfare creates a more equitable and just society.

Populists: Tyler understands the frustration that drives populist movements and the desire for change. However, he is wary of leaders who use divisive rhetoric and offer simplistic solutions to complex problems. Figures like Bernie Sanders and Hugo Chavez, who appeal to broad, sweeping changes, might clash with Tyler's centrist and pragmatic approach. Tyler believes that effective governance requires nuanced policies and thoughtful deliberation, rather than quick fixes and polarizing tactics. He values evidence-based decision-making over populist promises. Populist leaders, in his view, often exploit people's emotions and fears for political gain, leading to instability and poor governance.

In essence, Tyler values moderation, a variety of backgrounds and viewpoints, and ethical governance. He believes that extreme, uncompromising, or authoritarian views, regardless of their position on the political spectrum, often fail to address the complexities of society in a balanced and fair manner."

[lunarsilkscreen]

Enemies both Foreign and Domestic

Who is the "Enemy Within?"

What does it mean when we say "enemies both Foreign AND Domestic?"

The former covers Non-resident immigrants, illegal immigrants, Terrorism, Cartels, Everything that wasn't born here and is not otherwise a citizen.

But who is that?

Very often it gets framed as Illegal Immigrants and Queer People... Unless provoked, you don't typically see your average Queer doing crimes--Except in the instances where you Illegalize somebody's existence.

I swore an Oath to protect the United States against enemies both Foreign and Domestic.

If the need arise; I may just become one of those "Domestic Enemies". But that's just because I'm (used to be) anti-establishment.

I'd gladly [something something something] somebody's [REDACTED] if it actually meant protecting the citizens of this country.

But aside from very... Aggressive Protestors. Because civilians on "both" sides are not typically cucks for the federal government. Who are we talking about?

Who, Born and Raised here; Would want to do *US* harm?

Some Californian Kaiju? Bigfoot? Russian Spies?

Wait. That last one is definitely still "Foreign".

We're not so far removed from the Japanese Internment camps of World War II... But here's the thing about that; and you can chose to agree or voice your dissent vocally as you see fit.

Unlike Jewish and Muslim and Queer internment camps of Germany; this was an action, which I will remind you is still not a good thing; performed in protection of America's Japanese Citizens.

During a time when Civil Unrest and "Protesting" meant violently attacking Japanese Citizens who were guilty only of fleeing a dangerous situation in their homelands.

And yeah... We all know it was framed like every single Asian Person is just a Chinese sleeper cell... That's still Foreign Enemies.

Because sleeper agents, the way we typically think of them; are typically loyal to their perceived home of origin.

I worry about a time when Native Americans may have been considered domestic terrorists.

In recent years; I've come to see *most* of America's enemies as troubled children crying out. People that don't have much else except a burning hatred in their hearts because they don't have room to heal and grow.

Hanlon's Razor; More likely to be ignorant than intentionally evil.

It's something we accuse every sitting politician of potential being. Because; some people operate in their own best interest over that of their peers and community.

I would gladly don that mantle if some Politician decided to label me as such; but that's *still* not a domestic threat.

A Domestic Enemy; The way I see it; is a person who doesn't value the U.S. Constitution and the God given Freedoms every Individual deserves.

The freedom we hold to be self-evident.

The freedom that you cannot legislate out of existence.

The freedom that says "Drug Free Zone" while you have a blunt or a flask in your right chest pocket.

The kind of freedom that says: "I'm gonna grind that campus rail into a pop-shove it or die trying."

We try to objectively label people as domestic enemies; while instead committing terrorism on our citizens.

Terrorism is defined by those who try to exert control through Fear, Domination, and subjegation.

Those who would decide that they deserve to be King or Emperor in a land where people hold no titles.

They do exist. And most of them are enemies through their own ignorance.

Like the "Protestors" responsible for attacking and destroying the livelihoods of other based on the color of their skin or the content of their Pants.

I took an Oath to Protect this Nation from enemies both Foreign and Domestic, not because I believe in Politicians, or Military Might, or any old thing...

I made it; because I believe in the Ideals upheld by the constitution.

I made it; Because I believe in the freedom that says "I don't want to go into work today because my Boss is an asshole who doesn't pay me enough and still expects me to comply with every demand I'm not being paid for nor want to do."

I made that Oath; Because I'm Free; and I believe in that freedom for all.

Anyone who doesn't believe in that Freedom, Or wishes to take it away from anyone else; citizen or not; or would put their own estate over the needs of their fellow country ppl... That's who I believe is the "Threat from Within".

[ravenkings]

Back in the 1830s, Alexis de Tocqueville, in “Democracy in America,” glimpsed the illiberal currents that already entangled the country’s politics. While he marveled at the “equality of conditions,” the fluidity of social life and the strength of republican institutions, he also worried about the “omnipotence of the majority.” “What I find most repulsive in America is not the extreme freedom reigning there,” Tocqueville wrote, “but the shortage of guarantees against tyranny.” He pointed to communities “taking justice into their own hands,” and warned that “associations of plain citizens can compose very rich, influential, and powerful bodies, in other words, aristocratic bodies.” Lamenting their intellectual conformity, Tocqueville believed that if Americans ever gave up republican government, “they will pass rapidly on to despotism,” restricting “the sphere of political rights, taking some of them away in order to entrust them to a single man.” The slide toward despotism that Tocqueville feared may be well underway, whatever the election’s outcome. Even if they try to fool themselves into thinking that Mr. Trump won’t follow through, millions of voters seem ready to entrust their rights to “a single man” who has announced his intent to use autocratic powers for retribution, repression, expulsion and misogyny. Only by recognizing what we’re up against can we mount an effective campaign to protect our democracy, leaning on the important political struggles — abolitionism, antimonopoly, social democracy, human rights, civil rights, feminism — that have challenged illiberalism in the past and offer the vision and political pathways to guide us in the future. Our biggest mistake would be to believe that we’re watching an exceptional departure in the country’s history. Because from the first, Mr. Trump has tapped into deep and ever-expanding illiberal roots. Illiberalism’s history is America’s history.

– Steven Hahn, "The Deep, Tangled Roots of American Illiberalism," The New York Times, May 4, 2024