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ask-serendipity-sky · 9 months

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https://www.tumblr.com/serendipitous-sky/725316700426420224/no-i-mean-generally-even-if-they-are-no?source=share

RE-EDITED VERSION 😅

people really don't guess/think JK is gay

most QUEER armys/fans think he's at least bi, if not gay lol

hasn't shown any over interest in men except PJM tbh

so nj being his "boy crush", staring at and idolizing g dragon, iron man being his celeb crush, choosing the male lead form the k-drama 2521 when asked to choose between the two female leads, baby gay jk hopping around all giggly bc vhope (th + jh) were kissing, being nervous and giggly about meeting the skr men's football team during the world cup (when he performed 'dreamers' in qatar), flashing his abs at fanboys at ptd, saying yes to fanboys asking him out at a fansign event, getting happy when male fans call him handsome, and liking to be called hyung more than oppa mean nothing??

also even if it was just jm, demisexual is a thing anon 💀

had a gf before

that he didn't talk to for a couple hundred days lol

also when asked "if you see a really pretty girl after going to school, what will you do?" jk said "just pass her by"

or when asked "you’re asked out by a girl who you don’t like. what would you tell her without hurting her feelings?”, jk said "can i be honest? i don’t feel anything when i see you.”

also from MY OWN PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, i'm a lesbian but in elementary school (age 5 - 11) i had a "boyfriend" that i then proceeded to completely forget about/did not talk to for i don't even know how long, and he had even switched schools without me knowing/caring lol...

loves IU

jk has been asked about his "ideal type" MANY times, and it has kept changing, at some point he even seemed to be describing jm...

imo jk sees iu as his idol, like how western queers/gays are with lady gaga/britney/ariana grande (jk admires her too btw 😭)

doesn't 'look or sound' gay

this is very homophobic and weird to say anon...

"doesn't look/act/sound gay" is exactly why we have so many people not willing to except th and jk, bc they're basing if someone is "gay enough" on stereotypes of queer/gay people

also this fandom has a hard time even saying jm, someone who "fits" those stereotypes, is bisexual/queer when the man has been screaming it since forever, but especially recently during face

seems you don't pay enough attention to jk and/or queer people

Edit to add:

Good morning anon,

People who don't know want to know these things about Jk or who refuse these things by making excuses are people who are threatened by the real him.

Perhaps they are homophobic or dislike the idea of jikook happening or think Jk will someday be into them.

Just let him be.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

#skyasks #jungkook

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sizzlingpatrolfox · 5 months

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https://x.com/itboyisrn/status/1733425851151073762?s=46

That must be a joke, lol. But it isn’t.

Sorry to say it there but I’m one of those pjms who don’t think that Jimin is gay. I just think that he is elegant and cuddly and that’s it. But I know a lot of people do believe in it. Or perceive him this way. And it’s not serious for me just different opinions. Time will come for us to know. His sexuality doesn’t matter more than his music or artistry. And I love pjms for that.

But

BUT! Is Taehyung ok? What’s his problem? His words sound like some homophobic shit! This is the very first reason I don’t believe in tkk: how this couple can be possible with one of them being at the top of homophobia supporters?!

Maybe he had smth else in mind but I don’t think so. His words are definitely aimed at the fact that Jimin is fragile and he “should show fans his strong masculine side”. Even Nj tried to tone it down, comon!

Now remember Suga’s words about his body “not good enough”…

And my friends keep asking me why I started hating on some members.

It sounds even more like a joke coming from Taehyung who has looked the same since 2013. What does he mean, he was waiting to enlist to lift some weights? I really couldn't believe the nerve when I saw this translation, it's so insane that Taehyung of all people thinks he should show different bodies to the fans NSLDKRKEKEND then why didn't he do it all these years? I didn't see him losing and putting on weight to show different sides. There's literally a full equipped gym at hybe, and everyone's seen he has one at home too.

He's such a clown, and I mean that in the meanest possible way. He's so dumb.

I don't think there's anything homophobic in what he said, tho. It's just ridiculous that he's talking about it like they're going there to prepare for the next comeback's concept or something. Talking about "you have to show different sides" as if they'll be going into the stylist's room. It's unbelievable.

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arocrows42 · 20 days

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Ok so bobs burgers did it right

Cartoons. Sitcoms. Whatever you think I'm referring to, they did it right. (See read more for rant) (also I'm never gonna shut up so it's really long and I'm gonna add to it)

Bob's Burgers is an adult swim cartoon sitcom about a family in NJ who owns a burger restaurant. And that's it. That is the whole show. Regardless of what episode you're on, those are constants.

But of adult animation, Bob's Burgers stands out. Unlike most other shows of the genre, Bob's Burgers is about family and compassion. Every single other show in this genre achieves its comedic effect through cruel words or teasing actions. This, when used right, can be okay or even funny. However, the Simpsons, in its popularity, led this to be the industry standard. With the morals at the forefront of the theme, Bob's Burgers is doing something adult animation hasn't done in a long while.

In addition to this, the way Bob's handles topics like queerness, the class system/being poor in the modern era, divorce, sex, or family structures is honestly really interesting.

A family of 5 renting space for their burger place and house wouldn't have a ton of money, especially in today's world. The Belchers are poor, but the writers don't shy away from it. They show this struggle multiple times when Bob or Linda get second jobs (this happens in a couple episodes) to pay for something not typically included in monthly expenses, especially at Christmas.

As for queerness, Bob's Burgers takes a different approach than most. There are uniquely queer characters who are funny, but unlike some other shows, they haven't been the butt of the joke except for once in the first season(kinda). This instance used outdated language (transvestite) because it was 2011 and the writers didn't know any better. Despite that weird interaction, the rest of the episode is really good too and tbh it's one of my faves.

In addition to this(yes, there's more queerness), a lot of people (as far as I can tell and including me) operate under the assumption that bob himself is bisexual. A number of interactions hint at this trait, and while some of the more minute ones could be brushed off as silly goofum puns, the main two are, in my eyes and the eyes of many others, too big to brush off as puns. One such interaction (not in order bc I forgor) is at one Thanksgiving, when bob keeps waking up to a turkey in the toilet and keeps having to buy new ones. At the meat counter, there's a guy there who, at the 3rd (?) visit, says he thinks bob is flirting with him. Bob denies, because he is legitimately just losing turkeys, but the guy still writes his friends number on the receipt bc he "is into sloppy bears" such as bob. At the 4th visit, the guy behind the counter is fully convinced that bob likes him and is pretending to be bad at cooking, and offers to take his break right then and there to have sex with bob. Bob purchases his turkeys, seemingly considering the offer, if he were not married, but eventually shouting "you're out of my league anyway" as he left. The other episode most people use as evidence for Bob's bisexuality is about the time bob and his family get tricked into staying on a cruise boat, with bob being assigned as private chef for the captain who (spoiler alert) is kidnapping crew members. The other chef on the boat has been there forever and has sacrificed quality for speed and quantity. At some point, he locks bob in a freezer (I forgot why tbh) and offers bob freedom if he kisses him. Bob, as before, denies, but, after the chef starts to walk away and leave him in the freezer, he screams, "I'll kiss you!" in an act of desperation, and moments later, "we can do more than kiss!"

OK yeah, this all probably sounds dumb right now but i came here for a hot take not a good or well formed take. The creators/writers of bobs burgers did not shy away from the gay, making headcanons like trans/queer gene look really quite realistic for the future. As a show that has kid characters and mainly caters to middle aged audiences, it kinda is a necessary visibility ao that these middle aged people can take example from this well formed family and expose their kids to the world similarly. At Tina's 13th birthday party, half the guests were sex workers (not made clear in the show, but these perople were either trans or crossdressers or both).

I think, based on experience, that something like this could be a good introduction for these audiences or for them to bring to their own kids. Generally, people of that generation were brought up by more closed minded/less accepting (generally) parents, so visible and plainclothes representation can inform a lot for them. As a queer youth who watches Bob with my dad, I would say that it strikes a good balance for peak enjoyability for all audiences, regardless of age.

Ok so switching gears! The concert of family in animated shows is distorted (as mentioned earlier). However, Bob's Burgers did it right. That's like, the point of this post. Linda and Bob are a middle aged couple who have been married for a couple a decades, probably. However, love is not lost between the two! They're still two passionate, loving, and sexually active spouses! Very often, the belcher adults go out on date nights or spend time with each other at home while the kids are out. They care about each other and enjoy each other's company! This is in stark contrast to other relationships in TV today, as the belcher couple offers a hope for marriage and represents it as an interesting path in life rather than a necessity and burden!

As for the kids, the belchers are realistic yet again! Tina is a 13 year old girl who acts like it! She likes to look at teen boy's butts and she love horses and writing "erotic friend fiction" (short stories of her friends and her where she makes out with her crush)(usually with zombies, too). Tina is a young teen who, though not physically or academically talented, enjoys life through her writing and imagination! She can be jealous of her friends or siblings sometimes, but that's how you are when you're 13! She takes the appropriate older sister role and doesn't really act or look or understand any older than she actually is! Gene is an 11 year old who loves music and his Casio keyboard! He adores his mother and getting into hijinks with his younger sis or friends! While not a big fan of school or physical activity, Gene tries to make every boring task or activity fun and interesting! Gene is enthusiastic and supportive of his family, but develops a sense of responsibility and morality as he starts to mature into tweenhood and tell right from wrong. Lousie is a 9 year old girl, most characterized by her pink bunny ears and killer personality! She's a bit more aged than some of her 9 year old peers, but mainly as a reflexive way to fit in with her siblings'older friends(I assume), and at her core, Louise still has the soul of a child. She's curious and adventurous and wants to take on more responsibility like her siblings, though she tries to hide it. Louise's main conflicts are with the school guidance counselor, Mr frond, but mainly for her victimless pranks and unwillingness to participate in the school system that bores her. In the belcher kids, I look back and see myself as a kid! I was unathletic and bored and musically interested! I liked to write and be responsible like my older sister and make life more interesting! The Belcher family's interactions within their family, to friends, to extended family, and to strangers are reminiscent of real families and real people their age!

I'm gonna keep updating this like, a lot

#my posst #long post #bob's burgers #im also ignoring the fact that i only listen to the bob burger soundtrack ond only watch stuff related to it #im not obsessed i swear

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teenelite690 · 2 years

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trekwiz · 2 years

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Happy Pride, handsome!!

🏳️‍🌈 12, 31 and 52? 🏳️‍🌈

🥰🥰🥰

12. what is something you want right now?

So many ways to interpret that, so I'll give 3 answers:

Large scale: complete removal of racists and homophobes from our society, by any means.

Medium scale: I'd like to make about twice as much money per year as I do. I make a decent amount but the cost of living in NJ is very high. Largely I'd like it so I could commission more gay media, more frequently. But also, I'd like to have a home that's actually big enough for us. And a pool. And just. The ability to maybe take a vacation sometime?

Small scale: some kind of fancy, decadent dessert. We have a couple restaurants nearby that do something approximating those. But none with those absolutely ridiculous Instagram desserts that could feed dozens. I've wondered if they're as enjoyable as they look.

31. 3 random facts

I went to summer camp with Lady Gaga

I'm a huge fan of dumplings

I'm a very good writer, but I can never find motivation to do it anymore

52. something i’m talented at

I hate to be that guy, but I'm talented at a lot of things, so it's hard to pick one. I'm very much a generalist.

But I'm going to have to go with: being able to convey complex ideas at exactly the right level of complexity for whoever I'm speaking with/writing to. Not even just technical stuff. I can usually pull apart a miscommunication and pinpoint exactly where it happened.

Thank you for asking!

#ask trekwiz #ask #asks

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billhader-fromtulsa · 3 years

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Happy Pride month to those who identify as part of the community. I am so proud of you whether you’re out/questioning/or haven’t come out yet, know you are valid in all steps of the process. You deserve all the love in the world and I wish I could give it to you. In the meantime here’s a video of Bill being... well kinda squiggly

#pride month #pride #bill hader #barry hbo #barry berkman #barry block #snl #documentary now #the skeleton twins #saturday night live #milo dean #vinny vedecci #herb welch #gay couple from nj #kissing family #dwayne vogelcheck

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spicy0pumpkin · 3 years

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I know this is a Fall,cozy, Halloween blog but this guy here ME is disabled applying for SSI this would be LIFE changing and it would mean the world and sooo much more to reblog, share start a convo and get people to start talking. Once people start talking it’s when things start to change for the better. During pride month people screamed wooo we all can get married now and I cried, broke down as a gay disabled man I couldn’t or I would loose my benefits. (Court date for SSI which most likely win) These benefits are life or death for me. To love or to die. I want to be able to marry , I dream for marriage equality and much updated benefits to live life with peace.

The SSI Restoration Act would:

Raise SSI's sub-poverty-level monthly benefits, currently $794 per month, to 100% of the federal poverty level--a 31% increase--and index them to inflation;

Update and index the assets individuals or couples may have up to $10,000 and $20,000, respectively. The current limit of $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple has not been updated since 1989;

Update and index SSI's income rules -- which have never been updated since the program was signed into law in 1972. These reforms will allow individuals to earn up to $399 a month from working, and up to $123 a month in assistance from other sources: including Social Security, veterans’ benefits, and pension payments without being subject to a benefit reduction.

These reforms will reward, not penalize, SSI recipients who want to earn additional income to provide for themselves and their families;

Eliminate the marriage penalty and increase the benefit for married couples to double the individual rate, to put marriage equality within reach for SSI beneficiaries; and

Eliminate benefit reductions that penalize beneficiaries who receive in-kind help from friends or family, such as groceries or a place to stay.

In April, Brown, along with Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), led colleagues in calling for the Biden administration to make historic and much-needed expansions and improvements to the SSI program as part of “building back better.” Several key elements of the SSI Restoration Act were endorsed by President Biden during the campaign.

Right now, eligible individuals may receive a maximum benefit of $794 ($1,157 for couples) per month. The average current monthly benefit is $585 for individuals. For approximately 60% of recipients, SSI is their only source of income.

Brown’s bill is cosponsored by Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Bernie Sanders (I-VT) Robert Casey (D-PA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Ed Markey (D-MA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Patty Murray (D-WA), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Tina Smith (D-MN).

The bill has been endorsed by: Justice in Aging, AARP, AFL-CIO, AFSCME Retirees, Easter Seals, United Auto Workers (UAW), Leading Age, Homeless Action Center, Medicare Rights Center, National Alliance to End Homelessness, National Center for Law & Economic Justice, National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare (NCPSSM), National Council on Aging, National Low Income Housing Coalition, National Women’s Law Center, New York Legal Assistance Group, Social Security Works, Services & Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Elders (SAGE), Strengthen Social Security Coalition, the Women’s Institute for a Secure Retirement, and over 87 national organizations.

Last month, Members of Congress, advocates, and supporters of SSI benefits gathered in a virtual event making the case for strengthened SSI benefits to be part of the next recovery package. Click here to watch a recording of the event.

The link to where I got the info from

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sizzlingpatrolfox · 5 months

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after the first military announcement for maknae line + nj, i started distancing myself from jm and began to get into another group i used to stan (bc i am weak willed lmao i just always need something to obsess over but admittedly this has helped with softening the blow of jimin leaving, i feel like if he was the only person i stanned rn it would have hurt a lot more) but now i just feel so exhausted bc im noticing some of the same problems within this other fandom that also exist with armys, and ofc that's something to do with shippers lol.

there's this member who i bias in this bg who gets basically almost the same exact treatment as jimin gets from taekookers all because he supposedly threatens the status of the group's most popular ship; he gets accused of being an attention seeker, a bed hopper, of trying to insert himself into the ship, he gets slutshamed and treated like the other woman etc.

ofc this all isn't as big of a thing as it is with jm + taekook simply bc bts' fandom is so so much bigger and bc for the other boygroup, those comments are harder to see if you only speak english (their western fanbase isn't as big as their asian one). despite that, it's just sad to see. i didn't realise how much all the hate towards jimin affected me until i returned to stanning this other group and seeing that same kind of hate being thrown against another person that i love. idrk what the point of this ask is tbh sorry im just tired 😭 stanning these kpop boys shouldn't be this hard lmao

Yeah, but it's true... everyone's the same in all fandoms. There is a certain behavioral pattern in people who are part of fandoms, I mean the ones that are really really involved; and even more so with shippers.

The only other group that I ever liked was one direction, and though my time as a fan was short (like two years), all those things happened as well with larry and their girlfriends. The hate, the conspiracy theories, the "they're sending signals". It was all there.

The difference tho, was that everybody liked larry. It wasn't like the fandom itself hated one of them. It's ironic that BTS are closer friends all with each other than 1Dever was, yet in the 1D fandom there weren't people who hated another member. And the few that existed, they kept quiet mostly, it wasn't a huge thing and they didn't run hate/defamation campaigns against the member they didn't like.

The stans of different members only started fighting each other once they went solo.

Then, last year during November 2022 - January 2023 I watched Big Brother (Argentina) for the first time in my life, and there were a few ships (both straight and gay) that the public liked. The guys from the gay ship both had girlfriends inside the house, like they had sex with them and everything. And I kept seeing the same discourses I see in the fandom lmao. It really was a surreal experience to see people saying the same things the say about celebrities ships, but about real people this time.

I mean, people (shippers) getting angry at their girlfriends, and some even turned to "solo stans" (not with those words) because they thought A was hurting B, so they stopped supporting B. I'm not kidding.

It was even more surreal that the same thing was happening in Big Brother Italy, literally at the same time. They also had two male friends who like, flirted with each other and had a strong friendship and they even kissed too. Though in Italy one of them was actually a gay man out of the closet, and the other had a girlfriend.

It also kind of desensitized me a lot to jikook or BTS ships in general and the skinship. And it also made me realize that there's only so far "cultural lenses" go.. because millions of people were watching the same show everyday, but it was only a few thousands who were like "these two guys are totally gay and in love with each other".

Mind you, they even kissed each other on the mouth and yet nobody (except the shippers) were calling them a couple or saying that it was serious. More than anything because they both already had girlfriends inside of the house.

Well, and this year's season just started this week and I've watched a couple of hours but I'm still not hooked. I'll probably keep watching though because it was really distracting last year, so that'll be my drug of choice lol. There really isn't any other group I like, so I'll settle for watching movies and tv shows and maybe reading.

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annetteblog · 3 years

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Intro & My take on KM

Hi!

I’m new around here so it’s supposed to be (not so short) introduction, since I don’t know how to start a blog heh. I hope to sprinkle my 0.5 cents into the KM conversation and maybe to bring a new perspective from someone, who is not a part of the typical English-speaking West.

Who /the hell/ Am I?

(please, consider it to be said with NJ’s voice from Intro: Persona :D)

I was born in Siberia (it’s in the Asian part of Russia), currently live in the European part of the country while studying at a Uni (European in terms of geography, not in terms of everything else i’m definitely not shading rn lolllll). English is not my first language, I’ve just kind of learnt it to some extent. Due to this it takes me more time to write a post; and I may (and will) make some grammatical & other mistakes. Plus I’m lazy AND busy with Uni, so I won’t even promise to be consistent in posting smth lol. But I thought I need more practice in terms of writing in English, so here I am, actually scribbling something. This feels weird, because I’ve been around stan Tumblr since 2015, but never ever interacted, just read.

How I ended up around Jikook/Kookmin (and BTS) & My (long&messy) take on this matter

Although I had heard of BTS before, I became an Army only in October 2018. I had kinda avoided them, because you know... boybands.... sing songs about romantic love and how they love girls.......... (+I had been around Twitter when 1D been at their peak and I remember a quite toxic community of fans, whom always had scared me). Shortly, hello stereotypes. Obviously, after I got engaged I felt terribly sorry that I had been sleeping on them, but what is done cannot be undone.

Someone I knew back then reposted one of their MVs and I, during my sad hours of procrastination, decided to watch it. Then I saw their live performance with the same song. And I thought “wow these guys can sing and dance and the music is kinda cool, i need to check this out maybe??”

Then a funny thing happened. One of the next videos I watched (the same person had it added to their page) was a 2016 BangtanBomb where JM and JK practiced their Coming of Age dance.

Do you know this moment with Gina from the 1st episode of Brooklyn 9-9:

Well, that was precisely me after I watched it. I don’t even know how to explain this, it was kind of a gut feeling? Whatever you call it, I started to get suspicious and couldn’t even explain to myself why. /actually now a do have questions to this vid and the main one - why does everyone cringe that much? if it’s a girly choreo than they had done some “girly” moves before. why is there such strong reaction??/

I started to get deeper and went to some ru-shipper communities. Shipping culture among Russian speaking fans is... well, weird to some extent, but I maybe address this topic some time later. You need to consider that (as far as you probably know) Russia is quite homophonic country and sadly is not the greatest place for LGBTQ+ community at the moment. The non-frienly influential attitudes hanging in the society + the general shippers’ weirdness = the result is not that nice honestly.

I struggled for some time in order to find more mature people (not just in terms of age but in general sanity), failed, ended up with some EXTREMELY toxic ru-fans of TK, which was/is the most popular pairing here, spent among them like 15 minutes and ran away horrified. After that I didn’t even try to engage with shippers or believers or whatever of any pair and just decided to enjoy the music and the content (which is a great idea, highly recommend!)

After a couple of days I discovered that JK makes videos. I love video, films and visual art so I immediately found them on YT, saw the titles with names of different cities from all over the world and was like “Oh that must be so cool, he’s visited so many outstanding places I’ve never been to, so I really need to watch it! I shall enjoy some beautyyy”. Then I clicked on GCFt.

Well, what can I say. I did enjoy some beauty, but not the type I had initially anticipated. The biggest clickbait in my entire life. JK should be proud of himself.

/as I said - the beauty/

I had already known Troy back then and I known the song’s lyrics so it would not be an underestimation to say - the video just blew my mind. I was like - hold on is this real? seriously?? no really really????? he manage to get away with something THAT obvious?????? dude how

As a person who edited videos AND is not a native English speaker, I don’t buy the explanation “oh he mustve didnt get the lyrics lmao”. You just don’t do that. You don’t. DON’T. You google and translate every shit you don’t understand, every word and idiom you’ve never encountered, because otherwise the possibility of an epic failure is very likely. You wouldn’t want to give your mum a video as a birthday present and then discover that you used a song with WAP-ish lyrics, right? (well maybe that would be okay in your family, I don’t judge, but that’s not the case for people I know). So don’t you dare to degrade JK’s intellectual capacities; such assumption is really offensive. He is a smart boii, he knows exactly what he’s doing in terms of his art.

So I was shocked, but decided to look for the context - maybe I missed some previous events regarding this Tokyo thing (another great idea - always check the context). Well, apparently I didn’t, because the whole narrative with the trip for two, lovely selfies etc. made my poor brain lowkey explode. (I still don’t buy the rings theory thing though)

But I didn’t give up lol! I’m a bit stubborn and it’s very hard to convince me in anything, so I decided to search for more context, more of their interactions, moreeee. Remember, the late October 2018, there were no swan lakes, RB, and even MMA18 hadn’t happened yet.

This time I ended up watching content in more or less consistent way, and when I saw all of these scenes with affectionate JM and a cool badass i-don’t-care-about-anyone-i’m-a-manly-man-with-no-feelings-whatsoever JK, I just hysterically laughed.

Homophobic Russia, remember? I recognized this. Growing up here being LGBT myself, taught me the same type behaviour during my high school days. When a girl I kinda liked but didn’t what to admit it to myself was nice to me or (oh god) flirted with me, I did something similar. It’s like a huge panic mode. Being an introvert doesn’t help either. The funniest thing is that you may not entirely realise what exactly is going on in terms of your own feelings, especially at that age (16-18ish). In my personal case, I thought I liked her but as a friend, only later to realise that well not as a friend oops :DDD The second thing (already not so funny) is that you actually consciously or unconsciously try to avoid the subject as much as possible, as long as possible and pretend that nothing is going on. We’re just bros. Stop doing this stupid gayish thing and don’t look at me like that, you’re annoying. If you ever do this again I (gently) kick you. I’m straighter than a straight line in my math textbook. IDK, but probably that’s your brain is somehow trying to protect you. Again, in my case&position I knew that the consequences for any non-straight person being outed would be bad (TW not to the point of being killed bad, but to the point of being excluded from a big part of society). So for me it was a mixture of the internalized homophobia + lack of self reflection + just being a bit emotionally slow + very! straight community around. Shit happens, I was a teenager and made my share of mistakes, but that experience helps me to recognize the same pattern of behaviour up to this day.

So coming back to KM, because the post is already waaay too long and I just ramble. It’s been 2+ years for me being a part of this fandom, and what can I say... Things become more intense and eventful with every year passing by ;) Funny how I felt that vibe from the 2016 dance practice video. Seeing the Black Swan performance a week ago almost had me choked, no joking. They are amazing.

Pure Art

However, and I would like to emphasize that, I do not incline that KM are 100% romantically involved and/or gay or whatever. I tend to treat people with respect and not to make too much assumptions about their private life. That’s not my business. However, I’m also not a fan of heteronormativity, so I’m just sitting here and observe everything that’s going on putting some distance and not forgetting being generally polite and critical thinking. But if they are just straightest besties please give them an Oscar before Grammy

Anyways, I hope this blog won’t kick the bucket from the very start and I will post something every now and then. You can always ask me questions about some BTS/Jikook related stuff or something about Russia and a Russian view on mass culture topics, since I’m pretty sure some of you have very stereotypical view of what is going on here :) However, do note that I’ve never been to America or Europe, therefore I may not be aware of something verrrry obvious to you or just have a completely different experience.

P.S. And yeah, I’m used to say Jikook, since it’s the name which is used much more frequently in Russian. i like it better and what will u do haha

#jikook #kookmin #what am i even doing here #i'm gonna regret this #long post

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dearevanhansenofficial · 3 years

Video

“YOU WILL BE FOUND” NATIONAL COLLEGE ESSAY WRITING CHALLENGE 2021 | DEAR EVAN HANSEN

DEAR EVAN HANSEN “You Will Be Found” National College Essay Writing Challenge 2021

In partnership with Gotham Writers Workshop and the Broadway Education Alliance, DEAR EVAN HANSEN invited 11th-grade and 12th-grade students across the country to write a college-application style essay that describes how they channeled “You Will Be Found” to ensure those around them were a little less alone over the last year, or, alternatively, a moment where they found comfort in connection.

WINNER: Nearly 4,000 high school students across America wrote about impactful ways they stayed connected with others over the last year and we're delighted to announce Maxwell Silverman of Chicago, IL as the winner of the 2021 "You Will Be Found" National College Essay Writing Challenge and the $10,000 scholarship.

In June 2021, Maxwell graduated from Lane Tech High School in Chicago with plans to attend Boston Conservatory at Berklee, focusing on a degree in Musical Theatre.

FINALISTS: Seth Gorelik, Bellmore, NY Mira Kwon, Los Angeles, CA Anna Cappella, Pittsburgh, PA Semira Abdus-Salam, Rosedale, NY Filgey Borgard, Brooklyn, NY Lauren Escarcha, Orlando, FL Kacey Feth, Union, MO Paige Foltz, Stephens City, VA Sarah George, Chesterfield, MO Vincent Gerardi, Hauppauge, NY Ariane Lee, Syosset, NY Allison Lierz, Omaha, NE Megan Luong, New York, NY Kimberly Manyanga, Billerica, MA Orla Grace McCoy, Raleigh, NC Lucy Meola, New York, NY Sunaya DasGupta Mueller, Palisades, NY Liv Ollestad, Issaquah, WA Liana O'Rourke, Downers Grove, IL Isaiah Register, New York, NY Sydney Schneider, Los Angeles CA Ysanne Sterling, Centreville, VA Madeline Wiest, Peoria, AZ Samantha Williams, Providence, RI Laura Yee, New York, NY

FINAL ROUND JUDGES: Kelly Caldwell, Dean of Faculty, Gotham Writers' Workshop Logan Culwell-Block, Director of PLAYBILLder Operations and Community Engagement, Playbill Will Roland, Actor, Dear Evan Hansen Original Broadway Cast Member Crystal Su, Program Manager, The Jed Foundation Ekele Ukegbu, 2019 Jimmy Award Winner

READ MAXWELL’S FULL ESSAY:

Gram·pun·cle [geram-puhn-cuul] n. A gay man who formerly dated your grandmother only to later come to terms with his sexuality but still stay in the family to take care of your mother and aunt growing up.

Alan Palmer was my Grampuncle. When my cousins and I were younger, we couldn’t figure out what to call him. He was our grandpa in terms of age and raising our mothers, but he functioned more as the classic “fun gay uncle”, so we settled on a combination, Grampuncle. While we all had amazing relationships with Alan, mine was special. I have known Alan and his husband, Bill, since birth (making them the first ever gay couple I knew in my life).

Growing up and struggling with my sexuality, I was always able to look up to them to show me that true love really does have no boundaries. I will never forget, in 2015, standing inside the Michigan courthouse beside Alan as he and Bill exchanged vows and got married. They showed me, a young, insecure gay boy, that there was a place for me in the world and that I had a future to look forward to filled with love and joy.

Along with that joy, there eventually came some pain. Alan was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in the early spring of 2020. A week or so after the diagnosis, the world fell into a global pandemic. Those first few months were intense. I heard the horror stories from Alan of how scary it was going into the hospital for rounds of chemotherapy with people who had the Coronavirus sitting in the next wing over. Being constantly in and out of the hospital he was a risk to others, and the lung cancer made almost everyone else a risk to him. With the exception of his husband, he was fully alone.

Alan did not admit to his loneliness and pain. He did not want to feel like a burden, but after talking with Bill and hearing how Alan was truly feeling, my family began to make the hour and a half drive from Chicago to Michigan almost every other week to visit. We brought Alan a pop-up gazebo and some fancy sun hats to protect him (with the radiation he could not be in the sun for more than a few minutes at a time), and we would sit in the backyard just talking and laughing for hours until Alan’s body would give in to the exhaustion and he had to go inside.

As his birthday approached, I racked my brain thinking of something special to do for him. I thought back to a video I saw online toward the beginning of the pandemic and decided to make a “hug shield”. What better gift to give than a loved one’s embrace during the pandemic? Using a clear painter’s tarp, I cut arm holes and taped together closed arm sleeves. It took a good few hours, but I finally figured out a design that allowed for full protection on either side of the hug. On the day of his birthday, we packed up the car and headed to Michigan.

After talking and eating cake, it was time for the surprise. As we pulled the shield out and hung it from the gazebo, Alan did something I had only seen at the courthouse; he cried. I had the honor of the first hug, and as I slipped my arms into the sleeves Alan and I held each other and cried together. He pressed his forehead against mine through the plastic and in between sobs he said to me, “I am so proud of you.” I knew this was our final goodbye. When Alan died the next week, I knew he went in peace. He had felt my embrace through the shield of love.

SEMI-FINALISTS: Bailey Andera, Thousand Oaks, CA Arianna Arroyo, Brooklyn, NY Alexis (Lexi) Berganio, Honolulu, HI Avery Bielski, Los Angeles, CA Henry Boemer, Villa Rica, GA Isabelle Bulmahn, Imperial, MO Jane Butera, Phoenixville, PA Mia Cashin, Norwell, MA Sean Choo, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA Zuri Clarno, Columbus, OH Lydia Corcoran, Apalachin, NY Cody Coyle, Winter Park, FL Anna Dai-Liu, San Diego, CA Alexander Guerrero Diaz, Richmond, VA Isabella Dufault, Irvine, CA Edwin Ellis, Atlanta, GA Laurel Emanuel, Raleigh, NC Aubrey Fisher, Cobden, IL Sunny Fong, Brooklyn, NY Sarah Galatoire, Houston, TX Zhao Gu Gammage, Wyncote, PA Sarah Gomez, Anaheim, CA Rachel Gray, Cleveland, OH Jameson Huge, Chicago, IL Sarah Grace Hutchinson, Alpharetta, GA Catheryn Ibegbu, Dearborn, MI Nicole Jo, Andover, MA Kelsey Johnston, Prince George, VA Gabrielle Kashorek, Avon, NY Samantha Kern, Akron, NY Nicole Kowalewski, Sykesville, MD Anne Lee, Edison, NJ Amelia Lin, Mukilteo, WA Judianne Meredith, River Vale, NJ Rabi Michael-Crushshon, Minneapolis, MN Geneva Millikan, Maumelle, AR Samantha Moy, Long Island, NY Shaakirah Nazim-Harris, Amityville, NY Eleanor Neal, Springfield, VA Sofia Ochoa, Camarillo, CA Basilia Oferbia, Brooklyn, NY Annika Olson, Rathdrum, ID Kaden Polt, Osmond, NE Shreeyamsa Poudel, Federal Way, WA Noah Robie, South Berwick, ME Zainely A. Sandoval Martinez, Dorado, PR Devyn Schoen, Eldred, PA Yusra Shaikh, Edison, NJ Gabrielle Shockley, Egg Harbor Township, NJ Ava Sklar, Brooklyn, NY Mia Sunday, Sammamish, WA Christina Unkenholz, Smithtown, NY Emilia Valencia, Portland, OR Brianna Wallace, Fredericksburg, VA Charles Wang, West Hartford, CT Daniel Joseph Weispfenning, Ridgewood, NJ Jennifer Wheeler, Reading, MA Virginia Zanella, Collierville, TN Alessandra Zepeda Ortiz, Los Angeles, CA Anna Zhang, New York, NY Daniel Zhang, Cortland, NY

#dearevanhansen #milestonemoments #youwillbefoundessaycontest2021

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supremepupperoni · 3 years

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I forgot to post this a couple of days ago but I'm going to post this now.

2 days ago it was Marsha P. Johnson's birthday and I would love to celebrate that.

Marsha P. Johnson was born August 24 of 1945 in Elizabeth, NJ. She died on July 6, 1992 in New York City, NY. Her birth name was Malcolm Michaels Jr. before changing it. She identified as a drag queen and was a civil rights and gay liberation activist. She was one of the most prominent figures in the Stonewall Uprising of 1969. Her and her close friend Slyvia Rivera were the cofounders of Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (S.T.A.R). Marsha was also a founding member of the Gay Liberation Front. In 1987-1992, she along with ACT UP, was an AIDS activist and she had AIDS herself.

Not only was she a major figure in the LGBTQ+ rights movement, she was also a huge figure in New York's gay scene and art scene. She was a performer in the drag group the Hot Peaches who she toured with. She was also a model for artist Andy Warhol. Andy also painted a few paintings of Marsha.

No one knows how she died. Her body was found in the Hudson River. At first her death was said to be a suicide by police but in 2012 they reopened her case. Since she was most likely murdered. Police are investigating to figure out who murdered her. She definitely did not commit suicide. Her close friends and relatives believe she was murdered. There is proof. First of all she had no signs of suicidal and self-harming thoughts and depression, and she did not write a suicide note. If that's not enough proof because you can still commit suicide without writing a suicide note, she was drowned and she was beat in the back of her head by a big rock. From the wound, it shows she did not do it and someone actually murdered her.

#birthday #marsha p johnson #lgbtq rights #lgbt pride

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jiminieloved · 4 years

Note

The anon from the Beyonce comparison ask said a lot of what I've been thinking too, TBH. Most of the current discussion and speculation from both KM supporters and antis alike is revolving around the assumption that if KM are indeed a couple, BH would desperately try to hide it and view them as their company's dirty little secret, and I just don't agree, and think people are failing to consider the very realistic possibility that Bang, and BH as a whole under his influence, are genuinely (1)

being supportive of KM. Bang is at the very least a great LGBT ally- he was the one who told Jo Kwon that he had to live and express himself in whatever way made HIM happy, regardless of what the public wants, and when Jo Kwon told him that he wanted to wear heels, Bang not only told him he'd look nice in heels, but he went out and personally bought him his first pair. He's the one who introduced NJ and JK to Troye Sivan, and even recommended the Fools music video to them- (2) - a MV revolving around a gay love story, with multiple kiss scenes, and the couple fighting against the homophobia surrounding them. All of that's pretty huge- nothing about that level of support is conventional for or remotely expected of a Korean man, especially one a couple generations older than the boys, so I don't think there's any arguing that his support isn't very real and very significant. He also seemed very sincere to me when he spoke about wanting people to help make a world (3)where Idols can also live normal lives like regular human beings, and he's spoken about how BH develops their trainees more slowly than most companies largely because they're also trying to provide them proper socialization, and mental health care as needed, and basically treating them as people before performers and acting accordingly.

And yes, a lot of execs talk big about truly caring for their Idols without really meaning a word of it, but I personally think Bang walks the walk. (4)Point being, I fully believe Bang knows about and is supportive of KM, and whether or not they're wanting to come out at some point before they retire, whether or not it will be a 'realistic' possibility for them, I believe his past words and actions indicate that he would feel it should be their right to live openly and honestly about their relationship if THEY wanted to, and I thus think he has zero intentions of hiding what they are to each other. So if there IS any 'intent' behind (5)not only including the RB moment, but arguably *highlighting* it in both the DVD and photobook, that intent is not fanservice, it's Bang PD essentially being like 'Look, KM are happily in love with each other, and we may not say it out loud right now, but we're not going to hide it either, so you can either get used to seeing this and comfortable with it, or you can just leave, because like it or not, this relationship is a big part of them, and that makes it a big part of BTS.' (6, last ask)

Jeez you wrote me an essay. But I think I agree with just about everything you said! People like to generalize all Koreans as saying “they’re homophobic and gay people will never be accepted” when that has been proven to not be the case with their CEO. I agree that it seems like Bang PD is a genuinely good person with a very open mind, and I doubt he’d force idols to be different than who they are against their will: see JoKwon example.

So yes, if let’s say two members of BTS are dating, I highly doubt Bang PD would want to do anything to try to keep them apart. That being said, he isn’t the sole man behind Bighit anymore (he has a co-CEO, right?) and I have much less trust in him.

#jikook discourse #anon #ask

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askamydaily · 3 years

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This year -- put a Book on EVERY Bed

This year: put a Book on EVERY Bed

By “Ask Amy” advice columnist Amy Dickinson

10 December, 2020

Dear Readers: Every year at Christmastime, I delight in promoting a Book on Every Bed. I do so in memory of my mother, Jane, who raised her children to understand that if you have a book, you are never alone.

The idea originally came from historian David McCollough, who recounted the Christmas mornings of his youth, when the very first thing he woke up to was a wrapped book at the base of his bed, left there by Santa.

The most important part is what happens next: Family members reading together.

That’s it! That’s the whole idea!

Over the last ten years, working with my local literacy partner Children’s Reading Connection (childrensreadingconnection.org), this campaign has grown to include schools, libraries and bookstores, who have donated scores of books to families that might not have access to them. The goal – and our dream – is that families will experience the intimate and personal connection of diving into and sharing stories, the way my mother and I did throughout her life.

Over the years, important literacy advocates, such as the Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden and LeVar Burton, and bestselling children’s authors Brad Meltzer and Peter Reynolds, have endorsed and helped to spread the good word.

This year is different. So many of us are alone, hurting, and separated from family and familiar holiday routines.

All of us – not just children – need a good book on our beds.

I have broadened the scope to include specific recommendations for books spanning all ages. I’ve reached out to some of my favorite writers, literacy advocates, and independent booksellers across the country for their special picks.

Whether you purchase a book or share an old favorite, I hope you will be inspired to put A Book on Every Bed this year. It is not necessary to make a Christmas deadline – this idea is one to sustain people throughout what might shape up to be a very long winter.

Following are recommendations for all age groups.

Baby and Toddlers: From Brigid Hubberman, Children’s Reading Connection, Ithaca, NY (childrensreadingconnection.org):

“Words are the language of love for babies. The best books for infants should be about the world they know. Parents should choose books to surround babies with an abundance of loving and delightful words.”

Baby Cakes, by Karma Wilson and Sam Williams

Haiku Baby, by Betsy E. Snyder

Shine Baby Shine, by Leslie Staub and Lori Nichols

Ages 3-5: From Lisa Swaze, Buffalo Street Books, Ithaca, NY (Buffalostreetbooks.com)

“If You Come to Earth,” by Sophie Blackall is one of my favorite picture books of 2020. This book is beautiful both visually and lyrically, and it will feel like a warm hug to any child or family who receives it.

“You Matter,” by Christian Robinson is a bright and elegant book that takes children on a journey around the world to make it clear that everyone matters, and perhaps more importantly, reassure them that they matter, no matter what they look like or where they are from.

Early Readers: From Sandra Dear, owner of The Little Boho Bookshop, in Bayonne, NJ (thelittlebohobookshop.com)

“The Suitcase,” by Chris Naylor-Ballesteros: This beautiful story about immigration, is full of heart and humanity as it teaches our littlest ones about hope, tolerance and kindness.

“Home in the Woods,” by Eliza Wheeler: This stunningly beautiful picture book has fast become a customer favorite. A story about starting over, of overcoming! A story of family, love and joy of being and growing together.

Middle Grade Readers: From Becky Anderson, co-owner of Anderson’s Bookshop, in Naperville, Illinois (andersonsbookshops.com):

“Ways to Make Sunshine,” by Renee Watson: Watson writes her own version of Ramona Quimby, one starring a Black girl and her family, in this start to a charming new middle grade series about spirit, kindness, and sunshine. Ryan, a fourth grader, finds the positive in difficult situations and when trouble strikes. She is that character to love and bring in the sunshine! Grades 3-6

Skunk and Badger by Amy Timberlake, illustrated by Jon Klassen: Winnie-the-Pooh and Frog and Toad meet in a fresh take on a classic odd-couple friendship. Klassen’s illustrations add much to a story of an unlikely friendship that proves that opposites can see the good in one another. The first in a series. Grades 3-7

“The Silver Arrow,” by Lev Grossman: Kate’s humdrum life is transformed when her eccentric Uncle Herbert brings her a colossal locomotive train, the Silver Arrow, as her eleventh birthday gift, leading her and her younger brother on a mysterious journey. The train will remind readers of the Hogwart’s Express. A story that is environmentally aware and calls readers to action. Perfect for fans of Roald Dahl and The Chronicles of Narnia. Grades 3-7

YA Readers: Danielle Kreger, Blue Bunny Books, Dedham, MA (bluebunnybooks.com): "One of Us is Lying" by Karen M McManus: An edge of your seat mystery that takes place in Bayview High school during detention. Simon, a so-called "outcast," never makes it out of detention alive. What follows is a tale of twists and turns that has the reader questioning the reliability of the characters, and the secrets they keep.

"Burn" by Patrick Ness: A fast-paced young adult fantasy that begins with fifteen-year-old Sarah, who meets Kazimir – a dragon who has been hired to help on her family's farm. Still reeling from the death of her mother, Sarah finds herself feeling an intense and unusual connection with Kazimir. As the story unfolds secrets, dangers and Kazimir's true purpose are revealed.

"The New Kid" by Jerry Craft: A spot-on graphic novel about navigating a new school, new friends and identity. Jordan Banks is in seventh grade when he is sent to a rigorous private school and grapples with staying true to himself- his love for creating cartoons, how to maintain his old friends and how he fits in in a less than diverse new school. A totally lovable and relatable character!

Adult Non-fiction: From Alex George, the author, most recently, of The Paris Hours, founder and director of the Unbound Book Festival, and the owner of Skylark Bookshop, in Columbia, MO (skylarkbookshop.com)

“Wintering,” by Katherine May: This is a deeply personal, quietly beautiful book, written with grace and immense thoughtfulness. We all go through difficult times; by mulling over her responses to her own misfortunes, the author offers insight as to how we might think differently about low points in our lives. Instructive, inspiring, and ultimately profoundly hopeful.

“The Book of Delights,” by Ross Gay: This utterly charming book of micro-essays by Ross Gay, a beloved and renowned poet, is a perfect gift for – well, just about anyone. Gay set himself the challenge of finding one thing that delighted him each day for a year, and then writing about it. The result is a quirky, brilliant book that you can dip in and out of, always finding something to make you smile, and think. A guaranteed lifter of spirits.

“Intimations: Six Essays,” by Zadie Smith: I’ve always loved Zadie Smith’s nonfiction work, and this small but powerful book shows her talents at their finest. Written during the pandemic, these six pieces are sharp, and funny, and thought-provoking. Smith’s deeply personal reflections on this strangest of years is essential reading. If ever there was a book for these strange times, it’s this one.

Adult Fiction: Mark LaFramboise, Senior Book Buyer at Politics and Prose in Washington, DC (politics-prose.com)

“The Butterfly Lampshade,” by Aimee Bender: This is a beautiful story of mental illness, the bonds of sisterhood, and the liveliness of a child's imagination. Francie is 8 years old when the book begins, the daughter of a single mom. This is the story of her odyssey after her mother is committed to a mental hospital, and she is sent to be raised by an aunt and uncle.

“Luster,” by Raven Leilani: Edie, the young protagonist in Luster, Raven Leilani's debut novel, is daring, sexy, hilarious, super smart, and drop dead beautiful. Her affair with a married man takes a turn for the strange when she meets and befriends the man's wife and daughter. Edie is whip smart because Raven Leilani is whip smart and her voice propels this beguiling novel.

“What Are You Going Through,” by Sigrid Nunez: Sigrid Nunez writes so beautifully that plot feels irrelevant. The writer's confidence and authority are apparent from the first page. Ultimately, it's the story of a woman who is asked by an old college acquaintance to be with her when she takes her life, after a cancer diagnosis. But, like her previous book The Friend (about a woman who inherits a large Great Dane), it doesn't matter what story she tells because her words bristle with life.

Elders: Gayle Shanks, Changing Hands Bookstore, in Tempe and Phoenix, AZ

(changinghands.com)

“Apeirogon,” by Colum McCann: Two fathers, one Palestinian and one Israeli have both lost their young daughters to violence but have decided that reconciliation, not revenge, is what they needed to seek. In the process, they became best friends. McCann describes the insanity and senseless violence bred in the Middle East, the Occupation under which the Palestinians are forced to live, but also the beauty of the country, the migration of birds, the many ways humans overcome adversity and find solace in the natural world and each other. In a series of 1001 fragments, McCann walks us through his imaginary polygon, the Apeirogon of the title, containing an infinite number of sides, an infinite number of gorgeous sentences, and ultimately an infinite number of ways to view the human condition.

“All the Way to the Tigers,” by Mary Morris: Travel writer Mary Morris’ book, written in small chapters, was in some ways similar to reading Colum McCann's, Aperagon, also written in small bits (in his case 1001, in Mary's -- 112 chapters). Morris travels to India in search of the elusive Bengal tiger, but in so many ways she is searching for herself and her place in the world as she recovers from a serious ankle injury that leaves her debilitated but determined.

In her short vignettes, she quotes Rilke, Wendell Berry, other writers she admires and reminds us how important it is to listen intently to others as in active listening we are rewarded with deeper understanding.

“The Chair Rocks,” by Ashton Applewhite: From childhood on, we’re barraged by messages that it’s sad to be old. That wrinkles are embarrassing, and old people useless. Author and activist Ashton Applewhite believed them too—until she realized where this prejudice comes from and the damage it does. Lively, funny, and deeply researched, This Chair Rocks traces Applewhite’s journey from apprehensive boomer to pro-aging radical, and in the process debunks myth after myth about late life. The book explains the roots of ageism—in history and in our own age denial. Whether you’re older or hoping to get there, this book will shake you by the shoulders, cheer you up, make you mad, and change the way you see the rest of your life. Age pride!

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