The Snapping Turtle Club
Minorities often get left out of cryptidcore/corvidcore/witchcraft blogs/other nature-based communities. I wanted to create a term for people who are fighting back to not only be radically inclusive of their own minority, but are also willing to boost and support other minorities. Basically, being a snapping turtle is being at peace when you and other minorities are treated with respect, and "snapping" at anyone who tries to make others feel unwelcome.
Who can call themselves Snapping Turtles?
Anyone who feels underrepresented in their nature-based subculture. I personally felt that physically disabled people, especially mobility aid users, are underrepresented because our aids are seen as ugly and unaesthetic. But this can apply to disabled people, fat people, neurodivergent people, people of color, and anyone else who feels it fits them.
Can I proclaim myself a member of the Snapping Turtle Club if I post goblincore?
No, not unless you are Jewish and reclaiming goblin. The Snapping Turtle Club is about listening to all minorities and respecting them when they talk about the stereotypes they face. Jewish people have asked us to use other subcultures to take about our experiences. A snapping turtle respects that, even if they don't fully understand the history behind it.
Can I proclaim myself a member of the Snapping Turtle Club if I post about homesteading?
No, not unless you are Indigenous. I firmly believe in politically and physically returning land to indigenous people. Homesteading often places homes in otherwise untouched areas, destroying more of the wild and claiming more land for non-indigenous use. Farming, whether animals or plants, can especially damage the land and a lot of homesteaders want to plant their own stuff and raise chickens or other farm animals. Instead, I encourage people to find dilapidated houses in rural areas (there's more than you think!) and give them new life. It's a service to the community (ugly unsafe house is gone), nature (not contributing to destruction of new natural ecosystems), and the property owner (they've probably been trying to sell it for a while).
Do I have to get approval from you to call myself a snapping turtle?
Nope! Do keep in mind that the Snapping Turtle Club is for supporting all minorities, including trans/enby people, ace/aro people (who are LGBTQ+, by the way), multisexual people, all types of disabled people, and people with marginalized mental disorders (NPD, ASPD, DID/OSDD, etc). Also, snapping turtles support a free Palestine and include the return of stolen land to Palestinians in their support of land back. If I see you using this term and disrespecting people who have done nothing wrong, I will call you out.
