#yes this is about a specific woman and her bland ass husband

[andallthatmishigas]

I sometimes just get so upset when beautiful incredible women have like the most boring bland husband ever. Like pls trade up. This man does not deserve you.

#yes this is about a specific woman and her bland ass husband #no I will not get over it

[master-sass-blast]

Gifted.

*tosses escapism fic into the void* yeet.

Summary: You and Piotr go Christmas shopping and enjoy the holiday season. 

That's it. That's all that's happening. You're welcome.

Pairing(s): Piotr Rasputin x Reader and mentioned Illyana Rasputin x Kitty Pryde.

Rating: G.

Word Count: 2k precisely.

Set after “It’s Truly Magical.”

A/N: On the off-chance someone asks or is worried, yes, there are no mentions of masks or social distancing in this fic. That's because, in this fic, there is no COVID (ergo, no need for masks and such). I'm just not dealing with it in my fanfic as well. I won't. You can't make me.

Wear your fucking masks irl pls and thank u.

Taglist:  @marvel-is-perfection, @chromecutie, @girl-obsessed-with-things, @super-darkcloudstudent, @dandyqueen, @leo-writer

“What a bright time, it's the right time/ To rock the night away/ Jingle bell time is a swell time/ To go glidin' in a one-horse sleigh…”

You inhale deeply, then smile. The smells of fresh pretzels and pine –the latter is likely a fake scent that the stores use, but it’s still good—tantalize your nose. You tuck your hat and gloves in your purse, then look over at your husband. “Where all are we going?”

“Ah…” Piotr scans his list –which has notes on which stores to check and what order the stores are laid out in the mall, so as to streamline things. “Kitty said she did not want gifts because she does not celebrate Christmas, so we are just shopping for… my family and Russell. You said you already bought gifts for your dad and Wade?”

“Yup,” you say with a grin. Nate’s easy to shop for –ammo, clothes, and the odd book or two are usually all he want—and for Wade you just find the weirdest stuff listed on Amazon. “And I already sent my uncle a gift from us, so we don’t have to worry about him.”

Piotr nods, ‘hmm-ing’ as he makes a note on his list. “Okay.” He mumbles in Russian under his breath, then says, “Mama had no list this year; I think we start with her first since figuring out gift will take longer.”

“That’s fine. Where should we start?”

“I think bookstore is best bet. From there, we can stop by Hot Topic and candle shop for snezhinka, then Game Stop for Mikhail.”

“Sounds good.” You link your arm through his and smile up at him. “Lead the way, babe.”

 ***

 You glance between the piles of books on the table, then at your husband, who looks like he’s about to pull his hair out. “Do you think that, just maybe, you’re overthinking this? Just a little?”

“This is important,” Piotr insists as he skims through books from various areas of Barnes and Noble –cooking, history, fiction; he’d grabbed at least one book from nearly every section. “She has specific tastes. Cannot be just any old book.”

You purse your lips together. You don’t doubt that Alexandra has particular tastes in reading material –as a woman from her walk in life is bound to have—but you’re also certain that she wouldn’t want her son driving himself insane just to pick a present for her. You sit down next to Piotr and gently put your hand on his arm. “Sweetheart. She’s going to like whatever you get her.”

“Not necessarily. I have seen her toss many books aside with scoff and never pick them up again.”

“Okay, why?”

He shrugs. “Realism. She thinks some authors are ‘too indulgent’ or ‘too unrealistic.’”

“Alright, so maybe we leave out the crime and romance stuff,” you suggest, setting the few books he’d grabbed from those areas aside. “What does she like to do?”

Piotr goes quiet. His expression grows ashen as he contemplates the question. “I… don’t know.”

“Does she like to cook? Or draw? Or watch certain types of shows or movies?”

“I don’t know,” he repeats, more insistent. “She…” He sighs. “She never sits still. I don’t think any shows or movies interest her. When I was child, she always worked. On farm, taking care of animals, helping workers, making food, balancing accounts, translating letters and schoolwork… I never saw her rest. Do something for herself.”

You let out a soft snort. “Maybe a book on meditation.”

Piotr rolls his eyes, grinning. “Perhaps not.”

“Who does she like to be around, then?”

“Otets.” Piotr smiles when the answer comes easily. “She and my father” –he holds up two crossed fingers—“are like this. Aside from siblings and me, I think he is only person she is really close to.”

“Alright, maybe a cookbook, then. That’d give them something to do together.”

Piotr nods, then starts looking through the cookbooks he’d picked. “Question is, which one?”

“Well, we know she likes to stay busy and keep moving. Maybe something that’d challenge their skills? Something they haven’t tried?” You hold up a book boasting ‘rich and authentic Middle Eastern recipes.’ “This could be good. I think they’d have access to most of the ingredients, here in New York.”

He nods again, then sets the aforementioned book aside before checking over the other ones. “I think…” He lifts a hardcover thriller novel off the table. “She likes mysteries. This one has good reviews… maybe…”

You gently take the book from his hands and set it atop the Middle Eastern cookbook. “I think it’s a great choice.”

He smiles, then kisses your cheek. “Spasibo, myshka.”

 ***

 “Bozhe moi.”

You giggle as the two of you step over the threshold of the Yankee Candle store, only for Piotr to recoil and take a step back. “You good there, baby?”

He presses his fingers against the sides of his nose. “Is like… assault of smells.”

“I know.” You inhale deeply, them flash him an impish smile. “Isn’t it great?” 

Piotr groans, still rubbing his sinuses. “Do you mind—”

“I’ll find a candle for Illyana. Wanna meet up in Gamestop?”

“Spasibo, dorogoy.”

You blow him a kiss, then head into the candle store. You take a couple minutes to peruse the holiday display at the front of the store –and grab a couple votives for you and Piotr to enjoy—before heading towards the back of the store, where all the shelves of their regular candles are. You pause to smell your favorites –seriously, the McIntosh apple one never fails to make your mouth water—before taking a step back to survey your options. Alright, what to get for a mildly angsty, queer Russian goth?

It’s not as straightforward as it sounds (har har). Illyana’s an enigma, much like her mother. She’s quiet, keeps to herself, and doesn’t usually bother with convention.

Do I go for aesthetic? You pick up a pitch black candle labeled “Midnight Forest” and give it a cursory sniff. Ugh, smells like ass. No, thank you.

You also have to consider that whatever you get is likely going to be smelled by Kitty, too. As much as Illyana marches to the beat of her own drum, she’s surprisingly conscientious of her bubbly, energetic girlfriend.

Maybe something natural? Like the farm? You try a few options, wrinkling your nose after each sniff. God, what is it with the fresh scents and smelling heinous? You debate texting Piotr and dragging him back in here, if only so you’re certain you’ll get something Illyana would like—

And then it hits you over the head like a brick.

She’s gonna use these for meditation. You head down the rows of shelves, grab a jar labeled “Vanilla,” and give it a smell. Perfect. Not too strong, not too bland. You grab a lavender scented tumbler (for relaxation), then snag a pink one that smells like the perfume Kitty favors on a hunch it’ll be a hit.

By the time you pay for yours and Illyana’s candles, Piotr’s already waiting outside the Gamestop for you, bag in hand.

He eyes your bulging bags, eyebrow raising in trepidation. “Why…”

“Look, it’s your fault for abandoning me,” you say before he can point out your lack of self-control. “You know I’m weak for candles.”

Piotr snorts, then sighs. “Fair enough.” He nods and makes approving noises when you show him the picks you made for Illyana, then shows you what he grabbed for Mikhail.

“‘Mister Mosquito?’” You nearly double over laughing. “What even is this?”

“He wanted ‘weird video game,’” Piotr says, shrugging one shoulder. “I figure this should do.”

“He’s gonna love it,” you reassure your husband. “That’s weird as shit.” You start strolling along the main hall of the mall –and then your stomach rumbles. “Can we get pretzels?”

“Da, myshka,” Piotr chuckles, “we can get pretzels.”

 ***

 “There'll be parties for hosting/ marshmallows for toasting/ and caroling out in the snow/ there'll be scary ghost stories/ and tales of the glories of/ Christmases long, long ago…”

“It’s the most! Wonderful time! Of the year!” you sing along as you rip another chunk off your pretzel. You smile to yourself as you admire the glittering, twinkling decorations decking the food court. “How’s your pretzel?”

“Very tasty.” Piotr dips a bite of his pretzel in some mustard, pops it in his mouth, then swallows before wiping his fingers on a napkin. “I think we only have handful of stops left.”

“Couple of sweaters for your dad… weird socks and-or scarves for Mikhail…” You lean over, reading off the list in his hand (which is written in a mixture of Russian and English). You take another bite of pretzel, then tap on a portion of blended “Russi-nglish” that you can’t decipher. “What’s that?” you ask once your mouth is clear.

“Random gift options,” he translates. “For filling out presents, stockings, that sort of thing.” He touches the tip of his index finger to the page, moving down the list in order. “Chocolate, books, gift cards. Guaranteed hits, essentially.”

“Ooh, I could go for some chocolate.”

Piotr snorts. “You just had pretzel. And this is for others, myshka.”

“If it’s in the car with me, I make no promises.”

He laughs, then makes an extra note on his list. “Safety chocolate… for myshka. Got it.”

 ***

 “Here, dorogoy.”

“Oh, thank you!” You smile as Piotr takes some of the excess bags from your hands, shifting them so he can carry them (which, with his strength and the size of his hands, is no problem at all). You amble along next to him, admiring the various pop-up stands boasting games, calendars, and Christmas-themed treats. “Is there anywhere else we need to stop?”

“I believe we have everything.”

“And I’m guessing we need to head home so we can make dinner?”

“That would be best, da.” Piotr looks down at you, expression curious. “Why? There is somewhere you wish to stop?”

“Eh, not really,” you say with a shrug. “I just like coming to the mall during this time of year. The decorations, the music, the extra stands and seasonal gifts… It just makes me happy.”

“Aah, khorosho. I understand. We can come back later for date, if you like. Take time to walk around and admire stores.”

You grin up at him. “I’d like that.”

The two of you make to head out of the mall, back to the parking lot—

And then Piotr veers towards the right.

“Where are we going?” you ask, giggling as he leads you towards the bookstore. “I thought we already got everything we needed from here?”

He winks at you. “Trip is not complete yet. Not with hot chocolate, anyway.”

You grin and let him guide you over to the café in the bookstore.

Piotr gets you situated at a table near the expanse of windows at the front of the shop. He leaves your bags with you, then leads up at the counter to order your drinks.

You smile, lovestruck as you gaze over at him. How did I get so lucky? You lean back in your seat, taking a moment to admire the snow falling outside before checking out the decorations throughout the store…

Which is when you realize that there’s mistletoe hanging over your table.

You chuckle to yourself. Perfect.

“You are in good mood,” Piotr comments as he returns with two cups of hot chocolate.

“Of course, I am,” you admit with a broad grin. “I’ve got you. And tradition’s on our side.”

Piotr’s smile turns quizzical. He cocks his head to the side, staring at you for a moment, then looks up when you point towards the ceiling. “Ah,” he chuckles, “yes. That is good reason to be happy.”

“I couldn’t agree more.” You hook your finger under the collar of his shirt and gently tug him towards you. “Come here, handsome.”

He lets out a soft, happy giggle and bends down to kiss you.

#sass writes #piotr rasputin x reader #colossus x reader #holiday fluff #i miss going outside #which never happens so like #fml #don't mind the sounds of despair coming from my general direction #just use the fluff to drown it out #just like how i am #also kitty is jewish and thus doesn't observe christmas #i will die on this fucking hill :) #x men fanfiction #deadpool fanfiction

[serenagaywaterford]

It’s fucking crazy how in a show meant to wake the general populace up, people really do seem to hate majority of the female characters. Note it’s only the complex ones, because god forbid Margret Atwood wrote them as shades of grey and not as definitively “evil” or “good”.

I’ve been in quite a few shitty fandoms in my day but I’m not certain I’ve been in one quite as overwhelmingly tone deaf as The Handmaid’s Tale fandom. I have never seen so much hypocrisy and virtue signalling and fake wokeness in a singular fandom with source material (in terms of the original novel and S1/2 at least) that directly opposes those things. Like I was in GoT fandom for a while and holy shit the misogyny there. So, I know what it looks like. But the thing about that hellplace was that there was still a fairly recognisable and approachable faction that loudly and actively spoke out about the sheer number of issues with GoT (racism, misogyny, etc.) I feel like those people gave up on the show about mid-run, and GoT was left with a bunch of idiots and “libfems” by the end.

The thing about THT is that it appears to be 95% idiots and fake-woke “feminists” I put it in quotes cos they are NOT feminists. They just like to identify as that cos it’s trendy. They have no idea what feminism is if they centre Nick in the THT narrative, or refuse to engage with any female character other than June or Emily in any rational way and instead wish rape, violence, torture, death, and/or intense suffering on any female character (or apparently actor who plays said character!) they personally dislike because they don’t have the braincells to understand what Atwood specifically was trying to do.)

When THT becomes all about a MALE and his precious fweelings, and his uwu luv stowwy wiv Jwune and all they focus on is how “cool” June is for bullying other Handmaids into suicide, and how “awesome” she is for being 1000% selfish and self-absorbed and not caring at all about all the other women (esp. poor women of colour) she tramples on to get what she wants, that is NOT GOOD. This is a character who purposely and actively manipulated a domestic abuse victim to go back to her abusive, violent, cheater, rapist husband for June’s own ends. (And surprise, surprise that blew up in her face and people really take June’s side 100% on that cos “Serena deserves Fred” aka “Serena deserves to be beaten, raped, and abused by her husband because she’s a bad woman who has done bad things herself”. When you are saying a woman, no matter who they are, deserves to be beaten and raped and imprisoned in that situation, you are not a feminist because that isn’t justice for Serena’s crimes. That is torture.) Nothing June did in S3 was heroic. She is almost no better than the woman she hates at this point. I see very little difference between June and Serena anymore, and yet… YET fans think the sun shines out of June’s ass and Serena should be raped to death (aka “Wouldn’t it be soooo cool if Serena became a Handmaid?! Omg so cool! She deserves it! Hurr durr I am FEMINIST!!!!”).

O.o

There is zero nuance in THT fandom. It’s fine to dislike female characters. It’s fine to be critical of them. It’s fine to like male characters (I guess…). But centring men in a woman’s story and then parroting Gilead’s ideals unironically while calling yourself woke? It’s terrifying. 

June is so gross in S3, and when she isn’t being awful, she’s written as some child-crazed, hysterical woman. The writers’ full sexism and internalized (or externalized lol) misogyny on clear display. And the fans just LAP IT UP with no critical thought. No complaint. Like, “Yes, this is what a woman should be!” nevermind the entire purpose of the commentary in the novel (and S1) was that women are MORE than just hysterical, overly emotional baby-machines or housekeepers. Women are not mere resources to be harvested like cattle. Women have more personality than just “ME WANT BABBY!!!” Women are resourceful and complex and not all good, not all bad. Women are conflicted and conflicting. Meanwhile, now the show presents women almost identically to how Serena Joy wrote about them, and how Gilead has identified them, and the fans are like “Yeah! This is fine! I don’t see any problems with this at all!”

And if you dare say, “Um, guys, that’s a pretty bad take. Do you understand what you’re actually saying?” you get called a “rape apologist!!! HURRRR!!!! WHAT ABUT 2x10!!!!!” And it literally doesn’t matter what you challenge these fans about, whether it’s Nick, the themes of THT, Serena, June, etc. They see you are a fan of Serena and suddenly the discourse deteriorates completely to “Nazi!!!! you’re a rapist nazi sympathizer!!!!!!!!!” 

So, there’s no point in talking to any of them. Yeah, cos I’m the one saying women I don’t like deserve to be raped and beaten until they die as slaves in an oppressive fascist regime. (That’s actually you guys, jsyk.) My favourite was being compared to an MRA. Like, do you people even read what you write? 

I’m not the one talking non-stop about how great Mr. Soggy Pancake Man is and how we must protect this precious bean in a story about massive female oppression uwu. “BUT WHAT ABOUT NICK?!?! MOST IMPORTANT CHARACTER!!!” I hate men, lol. I can’t count the number of times I’ve literally said, “I don’t give a shit about ANY of the men in THT. I only care about women and you people are misogynistic pigs for the way you talk about women.” yet I’m a Men’s Rights Activist?

What I hear when I go into the tags: 

“All women are awful harpies and stupid or boring except this specific one cos we want her to bone the Cute Boy we’re obsessed with and she’s just basically a self-insert for our own lonely fantasies and we need to only hear about the Cute Boy, not these annoying women. If a woman character interferes or challenges my heterosexual fantasy OTP in any way, that woman must suffer and die, and I’ll laugh and cheer as that happens, especially if she’s beaten by her husband or loses her mind/commits suicide! They deserve it! Also, who really cares about all those other women’s stories elsewhere in the world. BORING! My white saviour self-insert main female character can do no wrong because I am perfect! I’ll even go out of my way and actively search out people who aren’t doing anything to me, aren’t talking to me at all and just keeping to themselves, and send online threats, hate, and insults to anybody who doesn’t agree with me about how great Mr. Stale Bread is and they’re Nazis for not agreeing with me.” 

And I’M the MRA? I’m the crazy one?

No self-awareness at all. No nuance. No critical thinking skills. And a HELL of a lot of projection that they don’t even seem to know they’re making. There are grown ass women (like 40 YEAR OLDS!) who worship Nick Bland’s ugly dick, online bullying literal minors who don’t subscribe to the Serena-Hate groupthink. It’s a cesspool. THT fandom fucking SUCKS. I’m gonna guess it’s these same morons who wished that Yvonne would lose her baby cos you hate SERENA. Like, if you don’t think this is disgusting, I don’t know how else to get it through to you that something is VERY WRONG with the vast majority of online THT fandom.

99% of this fandom doesn’t seem to give a fuck what Atwood was trying to say in her novel, or what the show intentionally set out to do challenge and prove. Anyway, anon. I feel ya. I hate this fandom which is why I never check the tags anymore, never go on Twitter, unfollowed the Insta, don’t go on FB, and stick with my very wonderful small group of non-crazies who also appreciate the complex, difficult character of Serena here – and block everyone else I can because I just don’t have time for that kind of constant drama and aggravation from ignorant people.

Wow. Okay. Sorry. Rant over.

#the handmaid's tale #tunglr dot hell #Anonymous

[staliasjeronica]

Riverdale 3.07 Thoughts *Spoilers*

- Who the fuck would think that Archie and Jughead were brothers? Lmao sweetie no... (side note my niece thinks that Sweet Pea and Jughead look alike and she constantly gets them mixed up and it’s annoying because they’re so different and my baby Sweet Pea could never)

- Saw the voicemail yesterday and sit still bland as fuck. Like, Riverdale still hasn’t convinced me that Jughead and Betty TRULY love each other and then you have a boyfriend calling his girlfriend (who somehow doesn’t realize that his cling ass, co-dependent ass girlfriend isn’t answering his calls, which he knows she would never do to him, and that she’s in trouble. But whatever I’m just glad they’re not currently together because that means this episode has a CHANCE to be good... even though my faves aren’t in it) JUGHEAD WHERE’S THE LOVE AND THE FEELINGS AND THE EMOTION IN YOUR VOICE? LIKE, IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU’RE DOING THIS OUT OF OBLIGATION.

- Archie wanting to send Jughead back just so Betty actually has someone on her side. We love Betty’s future husband and best friend, who cares about her so fucking much!

- “Betty took down a serial killer”? Last I remember she was helping her father clean up his mess but alright. Sure, they got him arrested but that was mostly because he threatened her and Alice (still not entirely sure why though)

- “You can’t go five minutes without getting the crap kicked out of you,” uh yeah the same can go for you, too, Jughead. Penny literally almost killed you. Honestly, I kind of wish they went through with it because I would love to see how different things would be. They could have made the next episode like a dream to Archie or Betty (preferably Archie) not only to trick us fans into thinking it’s real, that he’s really dead, but also it would be interesting to see what would happen.

- So you just come across this convenient random ass farm... and you decide to stay there? I find that so weird but alright Archie you do you

- LAURIE LAKE IS SO FUCKING ATTRACTIVE. FUCK.

- Wow a time where I actually agree with Jughead? WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO ME RAS STOP

- Jughead’s concerned for Archie... but leaves anyways for... pictures? Nvm Jughead’s still a crackhead lmao Like obvious he finds the symbols but STILL. YOU LEFT YOUR SUSCEPTIBLE BEST FRIEND WITH THOSE ODD WOMEN

- Honestly, farm life would really fit Archie but THIS KISS AIN’T IT BITCH. For a second I thought they were going to have her try and pull another Joaquin. OH GOOD HE MENTIONS VERONICA. But you’re not supposed to tell her your shit, Arch... ARCHIE YOU’RE TALKING TO HER LIKE SHE’S AN OLD FRIEND AND YOU’RE CATCHING UP. STOP.

- Now that I think about it thought, Jughead being off on his own like he used to and is supposed to, it’s really fucking great. I also miss photographer!Jughead (and Toni but she’s lost all personality since getting with Cheryl and i’m PISSED about that)

- Poor Archie, he can’t catch a break, can he? Thanks for bashing him on the side of the head, crackhead

- ARCHIE NO YOU RAN AWAY FROM RIVERDALE FROM HIM SPECIFICALLY. THIS IS NOT A GOOD IDEA. Although, it’s surprising that Jughead suddenly has good ideas because when it comes to the Serpents he would just rather possibly get someone killed/or do something so horrendously stupid that if he died he would definitely deserve it (skinning Penny’s tattoo off)

- So all of a sudden you realize that you can’t hide from Hiram? Really bitch?

- JUGHEAD MENTIONING VERONICA MY JERONICA HEART BITCH

- Oh is Veronica FINALLY leaving like she has in literally all of my stories? I would have figured she would have left right after Archie was placed in jail and went to live with Fred (or took refuge in Pop’s) to keep him company and also give her a place to stay because we all know he would. But i’ll take this, too. Fucking finally

- How can you not like Veronica Lodge, the queen of being the most caring (other than Archie) and supportive woman in Riverdale?

- BITCH MY FANFIC IS COMING TO LIFE. Although I would have thought she’d sleep in her office because I figured she’d get one but this still works!!! Now Jughead just has to come in and find her, then take her in. Obviously that won’t happen but it does in my stories so whatever

- WE LOVE A DEDICATED WOMAN.

- REGGIE!! I love how he’s being her shoulder to lean on I am HERE for Veggie! And it’s cool and all that a Bulldog and Serpent are playing G&G together (even though they’re playing G&G) but who the fuck is this Serpent? I wanna know!!! I love me some Serpents. I still want to know who was in the background in the scene when Jughead and the Serpents go to rescue Betty from Chic’s criminal people who wanted money. But I know we’ll never get that luxury (or even a name drop) despite the Serpents being the best thing on this show besides Choni and Swangs

- So... it’s Reggie who suggests going a bit criminal? At least it wasn’t Veronica because she turned down the casino offer but since it’s Reggie it at least makes sense for him to do so. BUT ALSO VEGGIE YES BITCH WE’RE HERE FOR IT. Oh thank god it’s only for a night...

- If anything happens to Pop’s imma fight. Also how convenient that after Veronica and Elio talk about their illegal activities in front of the portrait she has of herself thanks to Hiram, he shows up. I’m sure it’s about Hermione being worried for her but still.. s u s p i c i o u s.

- Hiram does have a point about her always talking about wanting a legitimate business but now doing the gambling thing, but when people are desperate, they do desperate things so she’s let off of the hook (also because this storyline is a million times more interesting than anything involving Betty or Bughead)

- HA. HIRAM BEING AN ALLY. That’s funny. That’s like Betty being a good person and a good detective it’s not gonna happen

- But you’re telling me that NO ONE else could show up? Not Kevin, Sweet Pea, Fangs, Cheryl, Toni... not even in Veronica’s? I mean, not even shown fucking around with cards in the background? Or maybe Sweet Pea and Fangs standing guard? Honestly fuck you Roberto, the only reason this storyline is good is because it has Veronica and Reggie, and doesn’t involve Betty or Bughead in ANY way. That guy who gave Veronica her favorite drink? THAT COULD HAVE BEEN TONI. IT COULD HAVE BEEN A FUN MOMENT BUT YOU TOOK THAT AWAY FROM US. It’s like RAS knows what would actually be good for us and the show... and then just completely ignores it, then wonders why we’re all annoyed and angry with him.

- REGGIE “Want me to rough him up? Throw him out” I’D LOVE THAT SWEETIE BUT ALSO HE’S THE ONE WHO MADE ALL OF THIS HAPPEN (with V of course) YOU CAN’T KICK HIM OUT OR THERE’LL BE EXTREME CONSEQUENCES

- WE LOVE THE TRUE QUEEN OF RIVERDALE

- I’m still angry that no one else is in this. Like... seriously. I’m very pissed about it and you can tell because i’m bringing it up AGAIN. So much lost potential.

- WE LOVE A GAMBLING QUEEN, VERONICA LODGE, AND HER PROTECTIVE BOYFRIEND/BODYGUARD/BARTENDER REGGIE MANTLE. HE FUCKING CALLED HER V OH MY GOD I’M- THE WAY HE LOOKS AT HER. STOP. THEY’RE SO IN LOVE and it helps because they’re dating in real life. DON’T COME AT ME FOR NOT THINKING THE SAME WITH THE OTHER COUPLE WHO I’M NOT NAMING LMAO

- LOOK AT REGGIE SO FUCKING ENAMORED WITH HER. UGH FUCK ME UP. BOTH VEGGIE AND CHARMILA

- Pop! :((( He’s so pure and innocent. I’m surprised RAS hasn’t tried to fuck that up, honestly. But he does have a point, Veronica should and CAN NOT veer towards the criminal direction of her father or else all of her character development will go down the drain for nothing. And I don’t want that because she’s one of the greatest characters on this show!

- VERONICA DID YOU REALLY JUST SAY YOUR FATHER WASN’T ALL THAT BAD? He gave you inside intel about Elio and suddenly him destroying Archie’s, and your life, just... goes away? He literally is ruining Riverdale. THIS IS SO OUT OF CHARACTER STOP IT RAS QUEEN RONNIE WOULD NEVER. Season one V, maybe, but not season 3. Definitely NOT season 3 Veronica

- Oh Goody... now onto Betty. This should be boring and full of shit

- Elementary? IT’S SO WEIRD HEARING THAT BECAUSE I SAY IT LIKE ELEMENTRY but also this voiceover stuff is funny I gotta admit. But this is how Betty normally acts... except she says her stupid shit to people’s faces instead. She acts all fake and nice and sweet but we know she’s anything but. Thanks for highlighting that in this, RAS.

- LMAO BETTY SAYING “THANK YOU SO MUCH” WAS SO WEIRD BECAUSE THAT’S SO NOT BETTY.

- ETHEL WE BEEN KNEW JUGHEAD ISN’T INTO BETTY. “THIS PSYCHO BITCH” is basically Lili when someone points out that Bughead is toxic

- JUGHEAD ACTUALLY TOLD BETTY? It’s so weird... like I know it’s always Betty who lies and shit but imagine that conversation “hey betty ethel and I kissed for the game and it actually wasn’t that bad...”

- Ethel, Betty acts like she’s better than everyone because she knows shes’ not.

- For an investigator, Betty.. you’re really slow. Also “bite me” is ALICE’S THING NOT YOURS SO STOP YOU’RE NOT EVER GOING TO BE HER.

- For Betty i’m surprised she didn’t go into the room after the girl screamed because Betty, like Jughead, is stupidly impulsive.

- “Real friends don’t kiss each other’s boyfriends” she really calling herself out isn’t she. BETTY... THAT’S EXACTLY WHAT YOU DID. TO VERONICA. But I mean you guys shouldn’t be friends in the first place, you don’t deserve Veronica. She never should have gone ooc and apologized to you for NOTHING

- WOW THE WRITERS ARE LITERALLY FUCKING SHADING US WITH ETHELHEAD. I mean obviously it was a joke in the first place but hey at least we get to see Betty’s real bitch side. You know, the normal, annoying ass Betty that somehow everyone seems to think is so cool and feminist when she’s the opposite of that?

- SO RAS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY FOR ETHEL TO FUCKING PUNCH BETTY AND HE DIDN’T TAKE IT? I WOULD HAVE LOVED TO SEE BETTY ACTUALLY FACE CONSEQUENCES. Besides we know that Ethel is compulsive and stupid as well (milkshake for Veronica)

- So... you’re not going to check the rest of your file just in case? And does she really think they wouldn’t have checked the place after Cheryl escaped? Betty’s fucked. RAS would never let an opportunity to make Betty miserable so she can be rescued go.

- “I was lost again.” Betty... this is why you’re not the Serpent queen. THEY’RE NOT GOING TO FALL FOR THAT SHIT AGAIN BETTY JESUS FUCKING CHRIST

- I know I should feel bad for Betty... but honestly... I kinda don’t. I mean, I know she needed proof but why didn’t she get herself in trouble to see the GK? Now we’re going to be forced to watch more Bettydale and I don’t care for it! Give me the Serpent, Veronica, Archie... something that actually is more interesting. No one likes Betty constantly having to be saved because she COULD save herself but she makes stupid ass decisions.

- Also I’m so mad about the mistreatment of Ethel. Like, she was innocent and kinda nice I guess in season 1 and now she’s this fucking apprentice to the GK

- Ugh watch the GK somehow be Hal so that this has even MORE to do with Betty. Now she’s gonna be saved and then have an even larger ego and god complex and i’m just not fucking here for it.

All in all... the only interesting thing to happen, truly, was Archie and Jughead’s part. Veronica’s showed her normal, bad assery and i’m glad but it also is trying to demonize her and bring her back to “criminal daughter” who Betty will definitely act better than and show that she thinks she’s all that. I just... Betty Cooper and how she’s so high on this goddamn pedestal has ruined the show. The only reason i’m watching is for literally anybody else. Betty and Bughead need to fucking go if RAS wants people to start watching again. I get too invested into characters and I can’t leave but that’s not the case for others.

It’s like he sees everything we write, what we want, what we hate, and then he just... ignores it and figures out a way to make Betty even more insufferable. Honestly, I want to like Betty but right now I wouldn’t mind if she just fucking went crazy, got actual help, and had to stay off of the show for a season or two and force Jughead to realize how shitty they are together. I want the best for this show PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD NOBODY WANTS BUGHEAD. It’s all just to piss off other ship’s fans, to give them less shit while you focus on Bughead. PLEASE. STOP. 

#Riverdale #Riverdale 3.07 #Riverdale The Man in Black #anti betty cooper #Jughead Jones #Archie Andrews #Veronica Lodge #Reggie Mantle #anti bughead

[slingsendarrows]

I have coloreds in my family😒😒

Let me preface by saying Duncan, British Columbia is a predominantly white city. So much so when a person of color, especially a black person, moves into town the attention and active noticing is palpable. This is not necessarily an issue because headphones exist, my playlist is fire and my ignore game is always on 💯. I stare right ahead and go about my business as if my blackness does not matter (it does) and make no obeisance with regards to comforting the Whites with my presence.

My race experiences in western Canada have been more about willful ignorance than stupid hate. I’ve moved in majority white spaces most of my life and on most days, we good. I don't feel anxiety or tension with regards to the space I occupy and how I move in it. However, some experiences leave you questioning your senses and the limitations of logic and reason.

I recently took a part-time job at the local liquor store. Needless to say, I am the only black employee and in addition to the First Nations lady, the only other person of color. Today a customer dropped by to make his selection of alcoholic purchases, and as I was ringing him up, he decided to strike up a conversation. Most of these interactions involve asking, "Is that all for you? Did you find what you needed today?" Followed by bland responses such as "Yes, I did. Thank you!" and "What dreary weather we're having."

But today was different. This disheveled gentleman started off by saying, “So, how long have you been in Duncan?” Subtext: “You’re a Black I haven’t seen before. I make it a point of knowing all the Blacks because you know, I’m a White who is down with Blacks and I need all Blacks to know I am racially/culturally aware. At first my dumbass was unaware of what was happening and figured this was going to be regular cashier/customer banter, so I responded, "The first time or this time around? I just moved back to the island." Which of course he ignored, barrelling onward to his main point, "There are not a lot of colored people in town, and I usually know when there are new dark people." That's when I clued into the fact I was dealing with a particular level of white ignorance and casual racism.

"I grew up in Texas," I responded. His face changed slightly, disappointed I hadn’t provided a more exotic point of origin. A probability I instinctively gleaned from his "dark" choice of words. Normally, I am happy to share my heritage, but I was not going to give this White the satisfaction of other-ing me. Because let's face it, he does not give a shit about where I am from really. He just wants to make sure I fit in his ready-made box: black, dark, Africa, got it, I know things. This was not my first rodeo.

Like most of his kind in these situations, he would be damned if he couldn't relate and show he understood this Black. He is always, after all, for the Blacks. So he found another path to connect. "My son is married to a black woman from Texas. She's the same color, dark as you." Why does it always boil down to color? Because that is the whole-ass point of these Whites doing this shit. They want you to know, to really see, that they don't care about color by pointing out your color and assuming all it represents, meaning they care about color. Like I said, racial biases, like racism, are inherently stupid. "Which part of Texas?" he forged ahead.

"Dallas." At this point, all smiles were gone, and I just needed him to get the fuck out of my face. But it was a slow morning, and the universe often conspires to test my patience. "That's where she's from!" his face brightening up excitedly. Dammit, dammit, fuck! I should have said White Settlement. I saw his next statement coming like we all saw the Drake-secret-baby-blow-up coming. "Do you know (her name)?" he continued. "Dallas is a large city. Many people live in Dallas," I tried, offering him a logical life raft in my most Marvin voice (R.I.P. Alan Rickman). He laughed it off like it was a minor inconvenience. As if that would not impede my ability to know of this particular Black. Forget the geographical size of Dallas and the population therein. Let's consider age group, peer circles, or time period. When was she in Dallas? For how long? Common sense would not deter this White. He acted, as most Whites of his kind are prone to, as if there is a newsletter distributed to all Blacks announcing a weekly prayer circle, led by Oprah with Beyoncé directing the choir (if only). 

Luckily another customer appeared and he departed with, "You should look her up on Facebook," laughing merrily as he exited the store. And hopefully from the rest of my life. I frustratingly mused over all the petty and trolling retorts I could have used. "Do you know Mr. Rogers, he's a white man that filled up my gas this morning? He lives in Duncan. You should look him up!" NOT ALL BLACK PEOPLE KNOW EACH OTHER, WHITES!!!.

The fact that this has happened to me more times than I can count is fucking frustrating. And yet, the Whites keep doing this shit and expecting me to skip along to this false play of racial-wokeness as if I am not aware it is bullshit, disingenuous, and lazy. But I have to be polite and understanding. Take their hand and let them know, I understand they did not mean to be so racially stupid and inept, and accept this level of daftness because they mean well, or their old, and oh, did I mention this town is so white. I’m done with all that. Now I am trolling the Whites as a public service. The only way I figure they will see how ridiculous this ultimately is if I am just as ridiculous. You're welcome, Whites!

After such experiences, I often conduct a social experiment by sharing it with the black and white people in my life. The moment I start this story, black people already know where I am going and how it plays out. We empathize for the moment, chagrined by the prevalence of such idiocy, and shrug, knowing it is unlikely to change and tomorrow will be more of the same. 

White allies, however, will go out of the way to justify the behavior of their compadres. Whether it's assuming all black people know each other, touching our hair, or using, albeit poorly, the latest black vernacular.  Suddenly I need to consider the possibility of dementia, limited interactions with black people, and such an overwhelming fascination with my latest hairstyle they can't resist putting their measly hands on it. The onus is on me to give racially ignorant Whites the benefit of the doubt. Fuck my feelings. Fuck my experiences.

I understand the desire to explain away these behaviors. They don't want to believe this is indeed problematic. They don't want to consider their past actions and similar faux pas could be construed as casual racism. They are not racist. You need to believe them. And if you think this White's specific act is racist, then oh gosh, have I been racist all this time? Yes. The answer is yes.

The fact that you feel I should cater to and understand where you and/or they are coming from more than they need to respect my personal boundaries and not treat my personhood as an extension of their racial awareness/curiosity exposes the arrogance of racial power structures. And that is the problem. That will always be the problem.

I should make it easy for you. I shouldn't complain too much. It’s not a big deal. You wouldn't mind if a stranger put their hands on your hair. As if you can equate our experiences in this larger white supremacist world.

But you have to take responsibility for your part in the system. You may not wear white hoods, march in the streets, hate black people, or burn down churches, but you are perpetuating this dearth of racial understanding when you expect me to justify why strangers shouldn't feel warranted to touch my FUCKING HAIR!!! Why isn't my discomfort and annoyance enough? Why do I have to further rationalize my frustration all while comforting you and parroting back your desire not to be seen as racist? 

I honestly wish more people cared about not actually being racist than being perceived as racist. You expect me to educate you on blackness while ignoring my individuality, not to mention Google has been around for over 20 years now. Google it!

You want me to decode why Midler's racist statement was largely well-meant because females have historically struggled similarly to black people? How? Where? When? Were white women stolen, raped, separated from husbands, children, mothers, and fathers enmasse and forced to raise their oppressor's children? Were black women complicit in slavery's stronghold as they condoned the violation of their vagina sisters believing themselves the epitome of beauty and pure womanhood? Was white history erased like black history to the point where a disturbing number of people believe black history begins with slavery, as if Africa is not the birthplace of humanity and we are all descendants thereof? Was it black women’s tears that sent many black men to the lynching tree? Are OBGYNs institutionally disinclined to believe the pain for white expectant mothers as they do black mothers? (Ask Serena Williams). Is there a pernicious angry white woman trope that seeks to dismiss white women's voices? Does the failure of white communities rest solely on the shoulders of white women as does the failure of black communities on black women? Has the feminist movement historically diminished and ignored the unique experiences of white women as it has black women? My color- and vagina-based experiences are not one and the same. And no, your age does not excuse your ignorance and racism, Bette! It really doesn’t.

Stop requiring I make you feel comfortable with my existence and kindly cease and desist this need to justify the causal racism I have had to navigate all my life. Just say, I don't know what that's like (because you don't) and/or I am sorry you had to deal with that. Your desire to explain away these behaviors by fellow Whites just shows how little you actually care about my individual experiences and how much more you would like to comfort and delude yourself into believing faced with the same set of facts we are all enduring the same experiences. No, the fuck we are not!

It's okay to say you don't know or understand. Diminishing my experiences because in your heart of hearts you want to believe that this racist experience was well-intentioned adds an unnecessary burden to an already burdensome life.

White privilege isn't about freedom from hardship. We all have difficulties and challenges in our lives. But we also all share certain levels of privilege (i.e. being able to read and write, having a job, access to health care, ability to travel and explore, eating regularly, clean water, etc.). White privilege is about exemption from specific experiences by virtue of skin color. Nobody questions your nationality even if you are a first-generation whatever; nobody assumes your behaviors and attitudes the minute they see you; nobody is worried about you being a terrorist based on your religious beliefs (can we talk about The Crusades or more recently, colonial evangelism?). You are you. I just want to be me. 

Actual knowledge is achieved when we become comfortable in the disquieting discomfort of our limited understanding. I don't know everything. As such, I have learned to simply say, “I don't know enough about this to have an opinion.” And that is okay. Let’s all do the same.

#the whites #black experience #monolithtour