#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

[fullfriendnerdclutch]

The 2 men were falsely accused and already spent several years behind bars. But it wasn't until the 2 senior partner of the 2 biggest firm in the city stepped in to took the case pro-bono to correct the mistake and set them free that they have a real shot for freedom.

After the case faded away from the public attention with their acquittal several months later, they're invited to the summer home of one of the partner in Florida. The partners then revealed that their representation came with....an interest. Right at that moment, the 2 acquitted felon started to drowse off from the spiked drink. Both partner just smirked triumphantly as they started to get naked which also became the two acquitted men's last vision before everything turned dark

"You look so fuckin' hot, Chen" said Nathaniel Miller from Miller, Guelph & Rosey currently donning the weathered and taut skin of DeMarcus Johnson as he sauntered his "partner in crime" for a long, loving kiss

Julius Chen, from the law firm Avery, Chen & Pederssen reciprocated the kiss as he expertly uses his now much-bigger tongue to dominate the exchanges. Andre Stevens Chen's much bigger body and cock quickly asserted that he's the dominant one in this instance, and both of them happily embraced their respective role

"Bro, bet that lips must've tasted some dick before, you ain't fooling anyone,"

"Took some of them willingly and ate some pigs too to gain infos and shit, but I still loved yours the most, bro," DeMarcus said, slightly unconvincingly but it still did the damage as Andre's massive 8.5 incher slowly yet surely lengthened to its mind-boggling 10.5 inches full-potential, probably turned on with the roleplay and fake backstory that DeMarcus just dropped along their kisses.

As Andre then pierced through DeMarcus sloppy hole with the help of the water, he yelped in absolute delight while Chief Police Officer Matthew Hornet jacked his own assistant's dick off furiously while peeking through one of the window as his mind wandered on how that tall, Chinese-American senior partner really embodied Andre and gave him that exact same sensation just hour before this.

Yes he should've been more worried about his department's public approval but well, people will eventually move on to other new cases or things so nothing to really worry about to continue working in cahoot with these two scumbags and other partners with the same kink in the search of the next hot bodies to target for some made-up charges or false imprisonment. As long as it means that they can toy around with those defendant bodies in the end, this is an acceptable risk to endure. After all, no matter how innocent these dudes are, they looked like they at least did some petty crimes or something, just like what he submitted as the next target. These two tattooed brother looking hella intimidating, they must be up for some crimes and cannot be all straight A citizen, especially the one with face tats lol, just need to mess around with the jury a bit and everyone will see him as if he's some kind of monster. Fuck, imagine getting railed by them......

[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/

[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 because your free-will goes from 8 to 90 in two months and freedom is intoxicating. Making up for lost chances can lead to bad choices (spending, dating, partying).

If your family failed to parent you, it is now your job. Autonomy is essential. Learn to cook, budget, clean, be clean, save, be a good citizen, make scary phone calls, keep yourself safe, prioritise.

No one will force you to get up and study, or hire you at 21 when competing with a bright 18 year old. Effort will not betray you (being a grown lazy gifted child will).

Have shared hobbies, from movie Sundays with a girlfriend 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 or say anything your landlord wouldn't like (I fully recommend having roommates once for exposure therapy).

If you have a neighbour your age, introduce yourself. Having that phone number will one day mean not having to sleep outside or getting a package stolen. Thank them with food.

Start documenting 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, vermine and leaks are enemies. Act yesterday.

Avoid big purchases. You don't know what the future (location, size, taste) looks like. Go secondhand, neutral, practical.

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

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

The shopping:

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

Must-haves: cleaning (see #1 + cloths, soda, lemons, white vinegar, 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: anything trendy, 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, a few types of frozen vegetables, of cans of legumes, of fresh, canned and frozen protein, a treat, something fun once in a while to experiment + a (bi-)monthly 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. Never slouchy or skin tight, plain.

Craigslist, Facebook marketplace, thrift stores. Spend a few hours making a perfect home board on Pinterest instead of listening to TikTok and taking what Ikea gives you.

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 be/do things alone. You shouldn't fear what your head says when it's not distracted.

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 people 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 lacks confidence as they will make you pay for their jealousy, nor someone who wants a free therapist. Those relationships will be one-sided.

Befriend a couple of older girls. They will see through the lies of the people (men, classmates, employers) trying to fool you.

The love life:

The thirty-two-year-old man doesn't find you mature, he finds you inexperienced and malleable. Do not.

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

Ask yourself if you would tell your best friend, mother, Taylor Swift, that he (hers) didn't mean it like that. 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 made it clear that he is, for whatever reason, 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 sleeps with your friend or breaks your favourite necklace after an argument by accident. Also, your husband would never.

The daily life:

Have a clean e-mail address (firstname.lastname) for official biz and a casual one (f.lastna) for everything else, a solid password (Lanadelrey1984#) - change it yearly - and a list of any username and password you didn't pick.

If you don't trust your parents, block them off 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, give yourself week-long thinking periods before spending.

Get folders for your paperwork and keep them safe + take pictures for an encrypted Drive (beware of iCloud): diplomas, flat, car, big purchases, work, taxes, health, etc.

Print pics and make albums. One day, the app will die.

Mind your health. Exercise weekly (cardio/strength, ex: runs + weighted Pilates), walk, get more water, sleep, and fibre, take vitamin D, mind your eyes/ears/skin/teeth, stretch, leave.

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

Refuse conversations with people whose lives you wouldn't want, who happily overwork for a mediocre wage and don't know how old their children are. The handcuffs are homemade.

The job:

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

Understand the power of sobriety. Be known for the success of your last project, not your bright skirts or temper.

Protect future you so you get the promotion/project/raise. No friends, no enemies. Smile, have neutral answers, make them talk, 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 about the hairdresser's), weren't unemployed, your father was ill, cannot go out, you have a birthday party.

Act boring with the jealous old woman or the obnoxious man. 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 ignores the insults and turns to Mr. No nonsense, who has been there twenty years, worryingly asking if Ethel is okay, I don't know what to do (no mention of ego, you're just distraught about her).

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.

[nancyvana]

Regardless of how you voted, you should be worried. VERY worried. Worried enough to call your legislators and Representatives repeatedly.

This isn't just about the 25% tariffs that go into effect tomorrow and will cost Americans higher prices and lost jobs, this is about the literal disassembling of what was once the strongest nation in the world.

Air safety personnel have been laid off and reduced. Seventeen neutral Inspectors General have been illegally fired. A Congressionally-funded independent agency has been forcibly closed and its employees arrested. Key offices have been closed. Entire departments on which this country has relied for decades have been shut down. The FBI is being reduced and may be disabled. Private sector forces have Illegally broken in and taken over access to the social security numbers and records of every citizen of the United States. The agency USAID has been completely shut down, illegally. (It provides disaster relief and fights malnutrition. Musk called it a "criminal agency.")

As my daughter wrote, "This is not hypothetical; people are dying for this power play. ...Trump has no legal authority to eliminate a congressionally funded independent agency, but he [also] doesn't have legal authority to fire inspectors general (there's literally a law against it), freeze funds (already ruled illegal in previous attempts), hand over sensitive personal financial data on every US citizen to outside corporations, or much else of what's been happening."

A friend of mine who works in a Veteran's Hospital is at work right now as I wrote this, waiting to hear whether he will still have a job.

Call (don't write or email; phone calls have more impact) your Congressional representatives today! Their assigned purpose is to represent you. Stop this juggernaut of disaster before things get even worse.

I'm not posting this to get comments, and I don't want a string of arguments (I have FB friends from both sides) following this post. I'm merely doing what I believe is right to make people aware of just a fraction of what's been going on in the last two weeks. Don't take my word for any of this -- do your own research. Search engines are easy to use! Consult multiple sources.

While you still have the freedom to do so.

[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

[simpisari]

Goddesses; a young feminist's rancour

India, a land where women are revered as goddesses—until they step outside their homes.

India, the land of vibrant culture, rich heritage, and deeply ingrained patriarchy. A place where goddesses are worshipped in temples while their mortal counterparts are often told, "It's not safe for you to go out after dark." Irony, anyone?

Now, some people might argue, "Why do we even need feminism in India? Aren't women already empowered?"

Of course, they are! After all, we've come so far. Women can now have careers—provided they're also cooking, cleaning, raising the kids, and getting home before the streetlights come on. Who needs rest when you've got societal expectations keeping you busy 24/7?

Oh, and let's not forget the lovely experience of sexual harassment! Whether you're in a sari on a rural road or a suit in an urban office, catcalls and creepy stares are a unifying experience. It's practically a national pastime at this point! Whether it's on a bus, in an office, or at a wedding, no woman is exempt. But don't worry, we've got it covered with a foolproof system: ignore it, brush it off.

And for those who dare to speak up? We have a solution for them too! From "What was she wearing?" to "She's just seeking attention," the blame game is alive and well. Why focus on holding perpetrators accountable when victim-blaming is so much easier? And what's feminism got to do with this? Absolutely nothing.

Marriage, of course, remains the pinnacle of every woman's life. Forget dreams or ambitions—your true purpose is to find a husband, ideally before you turn 25. Bonus points if you're "fair," "slim," and "well-educated but not too career-oriented." And let's not even get started on dowry. Sure, it's illegal, but traditions are traditions, right?

And what about men? Oh, they've got it tough too! Society insists they be stoic providers, immune to emotions. Want to cry? Laugh? Pursue art instead of engineering? Sorry, that's not manly enough. Feminism, by the way, could help fix that too. But— shh, let's not tell anyone.

Meanwhile, some folks genuinely believe feminism is a conspiracy—a Western import designed to ruin "Indian values." Because nothing says cultural integrity like treating half the population as second-class citizens, am I right?

Here's the truth, and it's a bitter pill for some: feminism isn't about hating men or rejecting tradition. It's about creating a society where women don't have to choose between safety and freedom. Where men can cry without being ridiculed for acting like a sissy. Where equality isn't just a word enlisted in the constitution but a lived reality.

So yes, India absolutely needs feminism.

Because goddesses may adorn our temples, but it's time we start respecting the ones walking among us.

— Ari

[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.”

[focsle]

Hello! I don't know if this is exactly your wheelhouse, but I was reading about Fredrick Douglass and it briefly mentioned that he used a Seamans protection certificate in his escape from slavery; I was wondering if you had any thoughts/ info about these as it relates to Black seamen in the US, especially the South. If not, absolutely no worries! Love your blog.

Oh yeah, I went down a rabbit hole sometime back about seamen’s protection certificates in the context of what they meant for Black mariners and US Citizenship!

To summarize that above post, Seamen’s Protection Certificates spoke to the contradictory legal status of Black mariners in the antebellum US when naturalization was only accessible to white men. It’s a paper that says that one is a US citizen, but was not considered ‘valid’ documentation for accessing the rights of a US citizen. But for all intents and purposes, it still signaled that the man in question was indeed a citizen when abroad. This contradiction (as well as other legal contradictions) was leveraged by people fighting for access to naturalization and a full legal identity for African Americans.

But while the certificate did not truly grant citizenship to Black sailors, it still served as a form of protection both in states where slavery was law, as well as ‘free’ states, where the Fugitive Slave Act quickly destabilized any sense of security one might have there. The seamen’s protection certificates had only a brief vague description of the holder. As such, some free Black men would take the risk of loaning their papers out to those escaping enslavement who roughly matched the written description, similar to how States’ ‘free papers’ were also loaned out for the same purpose. As Douglass mentioned in his autobiography concerning his use of said papers:

“But I had one friend—a sailor—who owned a sailor’s protection, which answered somewhat the purpose of free papers—describing his person and certifying to the fact that he was a free American sailor. The instrument had at its head the American eagle, which at once gave it the appearance of an authorized document.”

Nearly 1/3rd of applications for seamen’s protection certificates were made by men of color because of the protection they afforded against being kidnapped into slavery. Even though there was a lot of backpeddling from officials saying that the protection certificates didn’t REALLY mean citizenship, it was still an official document stating someone’s freedom and thus had tremendous value in allowing a man to move freely through the world. Here’s an old but good article about seamen’s protection certificates in general that speaks a little more to that.

In the context of mariners in the South, here are some examples. This one, from the National Archives is for a man named William Wright, from Viriginia who applied for a certificate in New Orleans in 1810.

And another from the collections of Mystic Seaport of a man named Jonathan Miller, born in New York but applying for the paper in Galveston Texas. The language is a bit different from the boilerplate seamen’s protection certificates like the one above, so I think it’s slightly different as a legal document—but still, in 1856, would hold the same sort of odd wobbly status.

The museum’s interpretation of this was that it was likely applied for and used as a form of protection in moving freely through the South, rather than Mr. Miller specifically using it for a maritime purpose.

[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."