#ranting on here a tad seemed stupid and kind of dumb but now I am actually having fun yayy

[tammyhybrid21]

Hybrid Screaming about Rats for an HOUR

(Ft. Bonus dog symbolism as well)

I mean, this is going to be about Mummy and Tad(and Jeff). Buuut I am honestly taking it as an excuse to scream about rats. And their symbolism.

I'll also probably have an aside about Jeff as well, but honestly... Since @shields-and-depthgauges-oh-my​ done her wonderful art-- And I am not over how happy Mummy is to see rats, among other little details. Let's get to analysing!

Sooooo--

First off, I'm going to talk about rats. Because here's the thing. I have fancies. And this is my TOPIC to scream about. No but seriously, back when I was writing WHMS/Winds Howl, Mountains Stand, I gathered an honestly ridiculous amount of symbolism and research for ratties. Which has ultimately kind of being left to the wayside, aside a small mention/use for my old Danny Phantom OC's revival.

Which yeah...

We're not here to talk about Snitch though. As much as I do want to talk about them, the only thing they're relevant for right now is "why rats?" Which-- is only turgently connected to this. Because let me talk about the symbolism and how that impacts how I feel about rats, along with why I think that they're telling in terms of how each character reacted to them when first seeing them in the movie. Beyond the obvious of that one comic's view on things-- how you treat the lowest but--

Which, I actually have some things to say about how Tad's less grossed out than one might think and his reaction is more to Tiffany's... but now is NOT the place.

Meanwhile Mummy's reaction-- yeah. "What's wrong with them anyway?". This is something that maybe would be better expanded on later, but-- that's the common associations at play. I'm sure if I just put down the word-- Rat a million negative things would race through your head.

Dirty, diseased, traitor, thief, liar, coward, spineless, bringer of death, disarray, destructive, vermin, pest, opportunistic-- etc.

BUT

Again, I own fancies. And I'm not alone in owning fancy rats. And if there is one truth I know that's probably universal. A rat's home is only as dirty as you let it be. And for a few of those prior descriptors-- they actually couldn't be further from the truth. Sure some are still certainly true-- but those are also not their problem as much as it's the issue of the world around and what it's given.

Rats are--

Some of the greatest little pets I've owned.

They are loving, curious, inquisitive, creative, almost too creative when you're trying to keep them out of something and they keep getting around your obstacles. Loyal-- rats do not abandon those who're family. They come back--

Rats are fertile, and considering their hoarding behaviour-- well, they stock up, they prepare, they can be symbols of wealth, ambition, expansion, intelligence and resourcefulness. The underground world(which how relevant is that one to Mummy)  And yeah-- but then they have some-- rather surprising symbolism that I just... wish I could find the old sites I got this all from. But most of them seem to have vanished into the nether...

But you know one of the big ones I have on my list that I just-- wish I could source back.

Divine Retribution

Which, probably has something to do with the Black Death/Plague-- but I don't know really. Still!

Rats-- NOW--

How does this all relate to Mummy and why did I want to mention that reaction? Circling back a little bit late but-- Misunderstandings.

And how that relates a bit to Autism, being on the spectrum, what we are-- how Mummy presents himself verses what his truth really is... Weeeell-- Rats actually have a lot of symbolism that I personally think is telling when we match Mummy up with them. Like-- he shows a lot of the same things that rats are associated with in terms of creativity, intelligence(although not in the same way that most people recognize, but the dead tongues, languages) And just generally-- there's a lot.

Like, I would also again, like to think about the loyalty Mummy shows and how he is. And there's something in the Sacrifice scene I'd love to grumble about here regarding that, and ever Tiffany there-- with how it looks like they've come closer in the interim-- not just Tad staying and I just--

But that's neither here nor there, because there's another main thing.

Secrets, Underground World, Stealth

Mummy. Also something about hiding in plain sight. I mean-- how often do you even get a glimpse-- of rats even when you know they're there. Or have an idea of it.

I mean, barring a few places... which as an aside, I want to talk back again to another rat role and place that I think we here in the West-English Countries don't appreciate or understand the MAGIC of quite enough-- India's Karni Mata Rat Temple.

Rats are reincarnations. They're part of that, life, death, rebirth. Rats have their own sacredness. And considering in movie 2 we see them as I guess-- guardians in a way of a temple-- well yeah. But all of this stuff is more of an aside really to the main point and reason I am just-- delighted that rats are Mummy's implied favourites. Because yeah-- they're very misunderstood creatures that live such a short time BUT--

Yeah-- impact and there is a lot of symbolism he shares with them when you bother to look at ALL of it and not just full stop at the dirty side of things. Rats are secret keepers and just-- good beans. Also survival.

NOW--

Let's talk another side of things. In terms of all the animal companions for a moment, but more specifically I want to talk a little bit about how Tad and Mummy look to relate to animals verses humans.

Which-- I know personally-- with my Autism-- yeah, animals are much, much easier to deal with than humans in MANY ways. You don't have to try and work out what someone means when they say something, or any of the other puzzles. It's all really straight forwards. And no need to mask yourself at all. Something I'm sure both Tad and Mummy can appreciate--

Even if it does appear that Mummy is an extrovert, I mean, look how eager he is to get out, interact with people. Which that verses masking-- wouldn't blame him for befriending rats in that case since they always come in a group. Large clans/families-- which yeah-- Ratatouille got that RIGHT.

Meanwhile we have... Tad who's... rather more complicated, but at the same time not and really gets me screaming at him-- because he needs to TRAIN THAT DOG!

LIKE HOW EXPENSIVE?!

I have-- a whole other rant on Jeff's poor to none training level. But-- it can actually be summed up in how Tad is with him in general. Which is... in terms of the psychology in his relationship with Jeff. Because listen here. I had dogs. I've had dogs, chickens, my rats. Befriended cats but never gotten the full honor of owning one.

But--

I actually have some things to say about this-- and it's almost a guilty admission really but... When it comes to dogs and training, I can almost kind of get it. Jeff's lack of training is probably twofold.

1) It's damn hard to train dogs when you can barely train yourself. And 2) it's got to do with how Tad seems to be with Jeff, seeing him as part of the family and as someone who gets him. Which as an oxymoron is a bit about respect--

Although, that's... well, also something to do with Autism and projecting and I should probably make a whole proper rant about that in its own time, along with the FULL "Train yer dog" rant. Which yeah... Sooo instead I'll tie this off with our favourite doggy symbolism and talk about that-- re Tadeo himself.

Let's be obvious here-- Dogs are-- very often associated with dumb loyalty. Loyal but stupid. I mean, at least in American media-- which... not entirely wrong sometimes. Dogs are incredibly loyal. But stupid-- NAH--

Dogs are not as stupid as people see to like to portray them as. It's usually the people around them who're stupid and not paying attention or really working with the dog. Which-- I want to talk a little about Tad in regards to that, but it's kind of hard, since I am... not quite as enthused about it as with the rat rant and Mummy.

BUT--

Protection is the key theme here. His promise-- which leads to his assistance, loyalty resourcefulness... but for all the traits that Tad does have-- I feel like arguably his dog relations are in those lessons he has yet to learn from our favourite "man's best friend"

Communication, obedience, community. Stuff that Tad could arguably improve in. Also I do feel like, there's also some of his big heartedness and the empathy that could be improved, but that's less a lack of as much as he's kind of pushing that down-- and well-- a whole other issue.

Which--

Almost circles back to the mess of Jeff's lack of training.

Which-- dogs are boundless and seek things to keep them occupied. And they also seek leadership, which-- interestingly there's how I watch and view Tad-- and his relationships and he's very much a lost puppy when you look at how he follows around Sara-- which I have deeper analysis on that but--

Tad's... not really a leader as much as he tries to fashion himself as one and play the Hero.

AS A QUICK ASIDE--

While I'm on dogs, I just want to quickly give a shout out to Freddy for making me think he really hits their high points in the small meaningful moments and hints to more beyond just "comic relief" ALSO, Shout out in general to these movies for allowing the "comic" to have their moments where you can glimpse more beyond just that.

Loyalty, protection, communication, sensory perception, assistance, resourcefulness--

In any case yeah!

BACK TO MY POINT--

...Animals are... much easier to relate to a lot of times in comparison to people... and we've repeatedly seen that Tadeo has issues with people. Which feels weird really when he's the protagonist. And while Mummy definitely speaks as an Extrovert.

Like-- He's so eager to get out and be himself--

Tad is... a lot more complicated. Like, I am really, really this close to going back into my usual MBTI analysis rant for him, but-- Tad very much doesn't seem to actively ever really go out and talk to people outside their circle unless necessary. Which heeeey--

Again... Dogs are there to help you with communication, talking to people. Which makes me wonder about the pets and movie 3--

Which-- aside possibly nods to some of the deeper lore with Anubis. Which, let's not forget that he(they?!), also tended to the scales where Ammut is but--

DOGS are all about communication. Which is Tad's BIG issue. And it's not just in regards to how I point out the potential of him just taking the promise seriously and not communicating that. But-- Tad's... not good at communicating clearly with anyone. And we're not just talking in terms of people communication, bad listening and not trusting what people say--

And let's be real, still has a bit of lying issues-- but well... who in the modern world doesn't--

BUT

More, I want to return to Jeff and think about how generally one of the rules in Dogs, canine behaviour issues is... Dogs naturally want to have a pecking order/leadership to follow. And if there isn't a clear one they dictate that they are thus the leader.

Which indicates that Tadeo-- isn't really communicating clearly with Jeff and proving himself a leader... Which heeeey-- kind of hope this becomes more of an issue in movie 3, I really, really want something that forces him to come to terms with at least some of his issues.

COMMUNICATE DAMNIT, TRUST YOUR COMPANIONS.

Mummy, Sara, reign in Jeff and see that he needs you to be steady just as much as you seem to need him. And Tad does need Jeff.

FUNNILY ENOUGH

There are three characters who've proven they can gain some of Jeff's "oh leader" vibes.

Belzoni-- who seems to be able to rally, or at least lead him around a bit, and is looked to by Jeff here-- like Jeff sticks by them...

WHERE JEFF IS ON THE TRAIN FEELS TELLING AS WELL.

Like really?! Why is he not by Tad? But instead, he's following Freddy around on the train. And, minutely following scenes, still following and looking to him a bit. Which interesting.

And most interestingly, from the Facebook shorts, teasers... I'd say for this, it's a walk that's starting "strong". Which indicates that Mummy is also slowly gaining ground with Jeff and communicating in terms of leadership(and no wonder, with his experience).

NOT THAT IT SURVIVED THE WHOLE WALK BUT--

Yeah.

Please let movie 3 have Tad coming to confront this. Please. USE THE SYMBOLS YOU HAVE!

#THybrid Jones #Tadeo Jones #Animals #Mummy(Tadeo Jones) #Tad(The Protagonist) #Animal Symbolism #Freddy Marquez #Rats #Dogs #Honestly feels like a long rant of just screaming #That might go in circles-- but eyy #ALSO DON'T WORRY #Sara will get her own symbols rant eventually #Communication #Autism #Speculation

[bitofthisandthat]

// To Mun: Did you see the Let's Get Dangerous promo? What did you think of it? Are you looking forward to the episode or no? I know there's a fair share of fans of older Disney Duck media, like yourself, that are disappointed with decisions made in the reboot, and I think it's important for older fans to be allowed to share their opinions without being harassed. Critical thinking is important, and it's important to be able to share opinions, good and bad, especially if you're a long-time fan!

{{ Before I rant, I JUST HOPE I’M WRONG ABOUT THE UPCOMING EP. And if I am, I’ll admit it.

I have a lot to say, so for sanity’s sake a chunk is under the cut, and long story short folks? I am nervous af about the DWD episode. I think it looks pretty. That’s it. I am not looking forward to being upset by all the fanboy changes Frank will have undoubtedly made. He’s made it clear every day behind the scenes that he doesn’t give a fuck about what the seasoned team or original creators want, and he’s well known in the field to disrespect “his elders” as well as his new team naysayers, treating them like shits, and he rules with an iron fist. So I am excited to see the ART, but not the way it’s written.

The art is nice for what it is, not going to deny that I like how DT17 looks. ( I also love the original style too, because cell-art is superior to me ) I guess I differ from fellow “old school fans” in that I DO like how the show looks. 🤷‍♀️ It has polished animation that is much different from the inconsistent styles from 4 different studios hand painting the cells. ( Although I appreciate hand painted-cells!!! It’s fun to see diff styles too!! ) For the most part, the characters and backgrounds in DT17 are consistently styled, and there is a feel of modern western comic mixed with manga art brought to life.  Which is ironic, because the WRITING is  inconsistent, brick-a-bracked, disconnected, and has a multitude of continuity issues in lieu of whatever joke of the day fits the featured character. But, that’s what you get when each 24 minute episode is written by 6-12 people. And, there can be no consistency among those 5-12 writers/scripts between production gaps. One writer may do 1 episode one season, while only contribute a scant amount to 4 eps on another season, and then never write again until the finale, and only contribute ONE scene. Of course, many ideas have been thrown out that promote continuity and loyalty to story arcs and characters by, you guessed it, Frank. The best TV, animated or live, has 2-3 writers per episode at most, and a story editor that actually cares about consistency and the show as a whole. Not several vignettes that don’t connect and appear to look like a meta-gaming wet dream and bad fix-ups. It’s highly sophomoric.

There is obviously a clash of egos going on behind the scenes, and too many cooks ruin the soup.

BTW; I thank you for asking me, but to be perfectly honest, I am well aware of how the tumblr “DT17 only” fans think of us old-schoolers. They are not kind to us, and most of them think we’re overreacting, “problematic,” mean, and should “Just STFU and let them have the show” to themselves.  We never said you can’t enjoy the reboot for what it is, an AU. But we’re the ones told consistently that if we don’t bow down and accept the reboot as BIBLE truth, we’re to be ousted. I KNOW, I play 2 DT17 muses here, but I can bridge the differences just fine. But the flaws are so big for me, I have to cherry pick “DT17 canon” and ignore much of fandom to enjoy it.

What Frank & company are doing is disrespectful. Not just to the majority of Duck fans, but to the original creators, actors, and artists that worked so hard for 30-90 years to make these characters come to be. I know I won’t convince any of the new fans, so I’m going to be brutal. They are only on board with what Frank is doing because he loves to bait the young fandom into disagreements if it means their crack!ships are validated for 1 episode with forced subtext or vague tumblr/twAtter posts. If they actually saw the original content as a whole, they’d be pissed too. 

To those of us that actually grew up with both Ducktales and Darkwing Duck, owned Disney Adventures mags, Don Rosa comics, and respect Tad Stones for not only birthing DWD, but GARGOYLES, our stomachs drop before most episodes begin. We’re preparing ourselves to see a blasphemous take on characters and storylines that DO NOT NEED UPDATING. “Woke is the autotune of art and tv,” folks. It doesn’t make it better, it’s like putting a cup of salt on an already seasoned dish.

SO. Ehhhhhhhhhh I am more cautious than usual about the 1 hour DWD special. I am EXTREMELY nervous about Gosalyn.

She’s aged up “to a sassy teen” like Lena for some stupid reason, when she’s always been 9-10. There’s other issues facing Gos I am not comfortable talking about openly, but basically, I don’t like what Frank’s been doing to old characters to make them more woke and modern, there was NOTHING wrong with these characters. 

Some of his voice actor choices by the way? Not a good match. Don’t get me started on Jason taking over for Steelbeak. Stephanie B is funny/sexy irl, she’s made a career out of the edgelord-deadpan-roughneck routine, but she’s not a voice actress. Christine Cavanagh ( RIP ) had a youthful, spunky, cuteness that Stephanie lacks. So instead of finding an actress that has true Gos “flair” he picks someone that’s deep-voiced and cold, instead of cute and spunky. Frank seems hellbent on making every female dry, rude little edge-lords and it’s PLAYED OUT. I’m finding it very hard to like former female characters I adored growing up because almost all the women & girls in DT17 are bitchy she-beasts, and the men are either bumbling idiots or weak boys that need the women/girls to wipe their tushies for them after potty. It’s so demeaning to these characters. As a grown woman, I am not threatened by men, so I don’t need them to be dumbed down to make me feel big. I just KNOW Gosalyn, a now “Sassy Teen” is going to be a disrespectful ASSHOLE to Drake. Old school Gosalyn was TOUGH and a huge handful, but there was still an endearing charm and sweetness to her that made you forgive all her bullshit, and when she rebelled it was because she wanted to be with her dad, not “put him in his place” she has canonly stated in the 90′s DWD and comics over and over, that DWD and Drake = her hero.  }}

#hey nony nonny #asks #ooc #DO NOT REBLOG !!!!!!! #MUN OPINION #MUN RANT #{ Not so much a rant as my opening statement to the COURT. }

[swimmmusic]

'My Sis Can Make Things Awkward, for That She is My Hero' In ‘Pulp’, Bukowski’s last book, the soggy protagonist Nick Belane laments that people are just getting dumber. That he can’t even find the will to acknowledge them anymore. This precedes him knocking one of these dumb people out and then discarding said dumb person’s wallet into a drainage ditch. I had a similar encounter the other night. Minus the make-believe ending where violence serves justice with extra olives. I usually avoid public speaking, blogging or ranting of any kind when it comes from anger. ‘Cause really who needs to perpetuate more of that shit? But now I feel angry and also compelled. I know it must be fiercely intimidating to imagine me pissed off but one night in my hometown this week left me feeling eager for violence. We all have those movies in our mind. It is when we are going to bed and when we are in the shower that we win every hypothetical argument and kick every hypothetical ass that needs kicking. In real life it went down more like this: ~~~~~ “Like, I’ll take a blonde or a brunette. I mean, if you had them right in front of me … and both were super hot, I would take the brunette. But if the brunette was super hot and the blonde was like super, super hot … then I would take the blonde.” My sister Lizzie and I were enjoying a pleasant dinner together on the outside deck of Goombay’s. I was saying something when the philosophical musings above caught our attention from the table behind Lizzie. I stopped mid-sentence to listen. After such careful comparisons with such delicate tact, I completely lost track of what I was saying. Lizzie and I both laughed to each other. A couple of minutes later the Tweedle-Dee ’s harped their intellectual pipes some more … “I’ve had like 6 Land Sharks bro” “No way, you’ve had at least 7!” “How do we tell with these pitchers?” “Whoa… I don’t bro. It’s like impossible to know. Haha” More time went on. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, my sister turned around to the table and asked them to watch what they were saying. After being called out by my sister, he just sat dazed for a moment and then slobbered, “What? We’re all white here!” “Actually, that doesn’t matter. What the Fuck?!” replied Lizzie. I asked my sister what he’d said and she told me. Apparently one of them said something about black people in downtown Melbourne and ended it with the N word. Then he went on about how “you couldn’t walk downtown without them looking at his girlfriend’s WHITE ASS.” He shouted the ‘White Ass’ part. I’m guessing she’s a brunette. I couldn’t tell you because she wasn’t at the table with them pounding Land Sharks. Perhaps her ‘white ass’ was taking an off night from Romeo. Perhaps her ‘white ass’ was treating itself to something a tad bit more formidable than the Land Shark Gobbler’s cute little baby dick. Now you may be thinking, “Why are you making assumptions about his dick? What does his dick have to do with any of this?” To that I answer this. It is possible his dick has nothing to do with this. It is also possible that he isn’t drinking so many Land Sharks to forget about his depressed, little, baby dick. It is also possible that the giant pick-up truck he peeled out of the parking lot with wasn’t purchased to compensate for his angry, little, itty bitty, cheesy, baby dick. And it MAY EVEN BE POSSIBLE that the reason another man, especially a black man, looking at his girlfriend’s ass drives him mad enough to use a word soaked in centuries worth of hate has nothing to do with his chickpea, pinky, baby carrot, lottery pencil, angry, little, itty bitty, cheesy, baby dick. And no offense to those with baby dicks that overcome such adversity without turning to disgusting levels of self pity and ignorance. Kudos to those who have become a master of fellatio or give bomb-ass back-rubs. After all everyone has something they hate about themselves. For me? Well, I would tell you but then that is all you would see when you looked at me! And then I’d have to kill you. Which in turn would make me a hypocrite for acting out in anger to my insecurities! One giant OM for enlightenment! One thing we can agree on is it is the manner in which one faces adversity that matters right? I have proof to back my claim here and you will see that this isn’t wholly a ‘baby-dick apologist’ paragraph. It also serves as quite the ‘baby-dick segue’ paragraph. We have made some amazing friends since living in LA. Of these friends, two of my favorite humans are black, gay men. I am unaware if either are Jewish but if so, that would be like the trifecta of adversity! Still, I could never come close to how it must feel to be a black, gay man. (I mean yes, I do love wearing dresses on occasion and I can pop and lock better than most girls in rap videos. Nevertheless, I am far from understanding the struggle.) Both of these friends are doing amazing things. Both are an inspiration to me. To be honest, I don’t usually even see them as gay, black men doing well. I just see them as guys I know doing rad shit. Moments like these remind me to step back and appreciate how much they’ve had to overcome to be where they are. I’m in awe. I’m also in awe of my sister. Without hesitation, she spoke up. Even they became more heated in their ignorance, I have to think that she at least planted a seed of doubt in their minds. Maybe he will think twice before saying such a word in public again? Maybe not? Maybe it just pissed him off more. It wasn’t a good sign that the words “You’re a BITCH!” was yelled at Lizzie as they drove away. As much as I was proud of my sister for saying something I was also ashamed at myself for not speaking up myself. I have to admit, in that moment I felt like Bukowski’s ‘Nick Belane’. All I could do was roll my eyes and not give them any more of my attention. I just kept thinking, “I’m just so tired of stupid, fucking people. I can’t even bring myself to acknowledge them.” But that is the reality. There are still so many stupid, fucking people. And as long as that is the reality I think it would be better for me to acknowledge the malignancy. I have to say it again I am really proud of Lizzie. She is ten times smarter than me, has a family and her work in the last few years has been helping people of all ages and races overcome their personal adversities. And in that moment, she spoke up. Phew. What a badass. Now I also realize that me speaking up could have led to a few things. Here is the fun part. Make-Believe Option 1: Me intellectually belittling him in front of a crowd of onlookers. In this case he would throw out senseless arguments rooted in antiquated philosophies that I would quickly dismantle all while making it very clear that he was acting out of fear and anguish over his insufficient endowments. He would realize he must join a baby dicks anonymous group and trade in his giant Pick-Up for a Prius. I would get a free slice of Key Lime Pie and my sister a gift certificate for a free dinner for her family. Order restored. OM! Make-Believe Option 2: Me recalling all the mixed martial arts I absorbed as a child watching countless JCVD and Steven Segal Movies, and fusing them into the ass-kicking of the season! First he would throw his beer my way. I would of course duck and the beer would soak his friend. Then he would come in strong with a right hook. I would of course easily avoid this. He would swing again with his left. Grabbing his wrist and re-directing it over my shoulder, I would then flip him over and his shoe would clip the giant pitcher of Land Shark, soaking his friend. Then I’d order another pitcher of Land Shark and waterboard him with that and the dirty bar towel. Okay, that is a little extreme. I wouldn’t do that. I would just half nelson him until he became faint and just whisper, “go to sleep little baby-dick, go to dreamland.” He would awake feeling gratitude that I took it so easy on him and well … join a baby-dick anonymous group and trade in his purple Polo shirt for a Black Lives Matter shirt. Order restored. Motha-fucking OM! Perhaps only realistic, slightly possible Option 3: Me unassumingly approaching baby-dick and asking him we could talk. Then I would disarm him with my humility and woo him with my sincerity. Actually neither of those are very realistic. Maybe I would just tell him, “Hey Baby-dick, the way you …” OK, FINE! I WON’T CALL HIM ANYTHING TRIGGERING! “Hey man, I have a lot of people in my life that aren’t white that mean the world to me so what you said earlier really hurts my heart.” I suppose I would just have to see where that would take things. But in all reality, it would do more good than the first two options would. Despite those two being quite fun to play out in my mind over and over again. ~~~~~ I don’t want to hate white people. I don’t want everyone else to hate white people. But man have I been feeling annoyed by ‘white people’ lately. I’ve consciously not made this a political piece. There is always an argument to be made over politics. Some angle that led a person to vote Red or Blue. But there is no argument or shining nugget of intellect that can be postured for being a bigot. The next bar we went to I found myself in a similar position where a few guys and a girl were gawking at a lesbian couple as though they were some freak show. Just two girls cuddled on a couch together enjoying each others company had these guys losing their wits. All of this has me feeling a little let down by my hometown. Though homogenous, it is just a quiet beach town with surfers and laid-back people. I never really saw examples of racism or prejudice growing up there. ‘Sheltered’ doesn’t need to be a negative thing until it spawns ignorance. And the only political thing I’ll say is that with the election of such a rude, unenlightened guy as Trump, there seems to be a re-emerging ‘right to be rude’. That is pretty scary. If AOL Instant Message was still a thing I would say let’s all get on and have a group chat about this stuff. I don’t really know how to proceed with anything. I also am not trying to incite something where everyone should take offense to everything! God, I wouldn’t be able to write anymore. I have friends that say despicable things for the sake of humor and shock value. As do I. That isn’t really what I am talking about here. When there is nothing but real hate behind a comment, no matter how small it is, that is what I am talking about. But I think a lot of this weird lackadaisical bigotry is from systematic racism. Maybe it is people’s parents? Or friend’s parents that say racist things? And we grow up and never never ask them if they really feel that strongly about that? And why? Or maybe it is because no one, including myself ever has the guts to say, “hey, that actually hurts my heart when you say that.” Because God help us, we would rather be ANYTHING than socially awkward! But shit if these nimrods have the guts to be public racists, it’s time we have the guts to be publicly awkward! And my sister sure as hell did. Love that skank! I would highly suggest reading my mom’s reason for ‘being on the bus’ to march with a million women in Washington, D.C. on January 21st. I am very blessed. I was born a white man. I realize the societal upper hand in that even if I don’t try to flaunt it. Hell even if I try to trick people into thinking I’m a hawt white chick half the time! But I was also blessed with enlightened family in my life: Three brave, independent women; a sincere, hilarious Jewish father; an extended family of patient, good people and tons and tons of friends that give me the chance to prove I’m not just another annoying white person. Here is a link to my Mom’s piece. - “Why I’m On the Bus” http://us12.campaign-archive2.com/?u=a7e7bdf578bef8c58a223b965&id=21ea709ca4 -Chris