I’m so tired of every show that takes place in the past (wild west, medieval, pirates etc) ALWAYS having so much sexual violence towards women like writers can cry “oh it’s realism” all you want but it’s very transparent how realism only applies when you want to hurt women on screen. If we’re talking staying realistic, why doesn’t everyone have brown teeth? Or bad skin? Or dying of dysentery? Just admit y’all want an excuse to brutalize women on screen lol
This pisses me off so much. A lot of the time if you mention realism would also involve women having unshaved legs or pits, or bushy eyebrows, or syphilis, the answer is often “well that’s gross, no one wants to read about/see that” and like…. If you think that women being ugly is grotesque, but brutal depictions of rape aren’t, then I don’t really know what to say to you other than stay the fuck away from me.
Hi! I have a question about the Romani Tropes 101 post, specifically about not writing Romani characters as abusive. I am not Romani, but a close friend of mine is, and has unfortunately suffered much abuse in his childhood. His strength and ability to rebuild his life inspired me to write a fictional story drawing on his experiences, which will hopefully help other abuse survivors. I don’t want to perpetrate any negative stereotypes, but I believe the story needs to be told. Would this be okay?
“The story needs to be told” – this is not your story. Did he specifically ask you to fictionalize his very personal pain, to help him to get the story into the world? Or did you hear about it and think “wow, that would be really creatively fulfilling to write! And I bet it would help other people!” without involving his opinion at all? Because if it’s the second one, I kinda have bad news for you.
If that’s not enough by itself, let me add that if a non-marginalized person along a specific axis (in this case a non-Rromani person) writes about pain one marginalized person has caused another (in this case, his Rromani parent(s) on him) their writing is going to be subconsciously informed by their own passive prejudice even if they try to consciously fight against it. For example if I wrote a story about one trans girl being mean to another trans girl, it’s possible that my own being cis would infuse the story with transphobia in my portrayal of Trans Regina George no matter how hard I tried to not have that come across.
But yeah, this is his story and belongs to him, and whether or not it gets into the world is not up to someone else.
Instinctive or intuitive feeling as distinguished from reasoning or knowledge
–
The first time Kay hears the word emotion in his new life, it doesn’t come from Cassian. Although to be fair, he’s barely known the boy for twelve hours and at the moment, the organic is engaged in a heated argument with a man Kay understands is his superior.
Kay is standing off to the side, near a woman in white robes who arrived with Cassian’s superior. She’s the only organic in the room besides Cassian who doesn’t seem to be afraid of him– she doesn’t jump away every time he moves, remains relaxed even standing next to him.
Kay has some questions about his organic’s argument, and he decides he is 74% more likely to receive an answer from her than from anyone else. “Excuse me,” he says to begin, so she is not startled.
But she merely turns her head and regards him calmly, as if he were just another sentient. “Yes?”
“I do not understand this argument.”
“What don’t you understand about it?”
“Private Andor is being illogical.”
The woman seems amused. “Yes, it would appear so.”
“It would not appear. It is a fact. He has suffered a compound fracture in his left tibia. The chances of re-injury rise by 97% should he be allowed to leave the medbay.”
“You’re probably right.”
“Not probably. I am. Is Private Andor aware of these facts?”
“I believe so.”
Why can’t organics ever say a clear yes or no? “Then he is not behaving in a logical manner.”
“No, he is not.”
Kay waits, but the woman does not elaborate. “I do not understand.”
“He is frustrated and angry,” the woman says. “Are you familiar with those emotions?”
“I am not familiar with any emotions. I am a droid.”
“I see. Well, perhaps there’s a file you can download on organic emotions. Cassian puts up a decent front, but I’m sure it will be useful to you.” Then the argument seems to be over, and the woman leaves with Cassian’s superior.
Cassian is still on the bed, arms crossed and staring at the sheets. If the woman is to be believed, he is looking ‘angry.’ But Kay would prefer to think his organic is more logical than that. He must be an individual of higher intellect if he reprogrammed Kay the day before while they were trapped beneath a collapsed building.
He approaches Cassian’s bed. “Are you aware your tibia is broken?” Cassian doesn’t answer right away, and Kay decides to clarify. “That is the anterior bone in the lower leg.”
“I know.”
Kay does not understand Cassian’s tone, and decides the woman is right– perhaps a file on organic emotions would be useful. He makes a note to acquire one at his earliest convenience. But for now, he will simply inform Cassian of his error. “Your desire to abandon the care of medical professionals at this time is illogical.”
“I’m fine,” Cassian says, in the same tone as before.
Kay’s system momentarily stalls at the conflicting information. Perhaps Cassian is confused. “Are you aware your tibia is broken?”
Instead of answering, Cassian turns away and pulls the blanket over his head.
Rebellions are built on hope 