back when midnight sun was officially announced, i wrote a post talking about my experience as a white fan of the series, back when i was younger and as i’ve grown and educated myself and interacted with the fandom more and more. now that tumblr lets you pin a post, i wanted to make a new post for resources, because the original post is a lot to scroll through and i wanted the links to be more accessible + easier to find.
under the cut is links to learn about racism (both in general and specifically anti- indigenous, as that is the largest issue present in the twilight books), ways to help, and links to check out various indigenous creators that deserve your support. always open to suggestions of links to add, in any of the categories. if i have linked your post/blog/website/etc. and you do not want it linked, please let me know and i will remove it asap. updated often.
most important: the quileute tribe is currently working on their move to higher ground project. many of their lands are currently in flooding danger zones, and this project is (as the name suggests) working to move to safer areas so they can continue to thrive. if you are able, please consider donating to that project here.
great news! the quileute tribe has begun construction on the new school.(x) there are still many phases to this project however, so please continue donating to them if you are able!
please let me know if a link is incorrect, if i made any type of error, or if there is a way this can be easier to navigate!
as of november 22nd, 2020, most links have been moved to a carrd! please go there for many, many resources that aren’t below.
twilight-specific education links:
the quileute tribe’s website: (x)
the truth vs. twilight, from the burke museum: (x) (x) (x) (x) (x) (x)
for more on fandom racism, check out fandomshatepeopleofcolor on tumblr. they have a tag for twilight which is a great resource to learn more details about the racism in twilight. this post is also quite helpful.
this post from kissingcullens which lists more resources and ways to help.
further information on anti- indigenous racism in media on doesthendnlive, again on tumblr. they have a tag on twilight, and specific posts on jacob, emily, and leah.
here’s an article on anti- indigenous racism and misogyny in twilight. (this website as a whole features a lot of articles on racism in media, i believe with a focus on anti-black media.)
the “twilight” renaissance, racism, and white feminism - a video essay on the racism in twilight and its fanbase. trigger warnings included at the beginning of the video. it is captioned, if needed.
RACE THROUGH BELLA’S EYES: CONTENDING RACIAL DEPICTIONS IN NEW MOON AND ECLIPSE
an article from the nyt on the affects the series has on the tribe
post by carlislesscarf about everything that’s wrong with the books
more organizations* to donate to:
australian indigenous education foundation
black rainbow
bridging the gap
california indian legal services
changetherecord
covid19 relief fund for navajo and hopi vamilies
first nations development institute
friends of pine ridge reservation
heyday berkely roundhouse
lakota people’s law project (thanks to @leahclearwaterdefensesquad for providing this link!)
meskwaki food sovereignty initiative
national indian child welfare association
the national indigenous women’s resource center
native american food sovereignty alliance
native americans in philanthropy
native american rights fund
navajo water project
news from native california magazine
soveriegn bodies institute
wôpanâak language reclamation project
big google doc of places
*these organizations are either directed to all indigenous people in a variety of ways, or for a different specific tribe. links to help the quileute are above the cut, with the higher ground project. if you know of more, PLEASE let me know!
I don't know who my intended audience is here, so whoever needs to hear this, I am begging you to learn to participate in conversations that are about things you aren't interested in.
Part of socializing and having friends is being a good listener even when you don't actually give a shit about the subject.
Your are hurting other people's feelings when you bluntly respond with "Anyway..." and then change the topic.
It can not always be about your preferred topic.
You are being rude. Yes, even if you are neurodivergent. You can be both autistic and rude.
big fan of when characters don’t really believe in an afterlife (or seem like the type not to) while also having an unshakable certainty that they specifically are going to hell
“Leah and Sam quickly scattered, dodging the shots as they took cover behind the large tree in the yard. They chucked a couple snowballs towards the boys, but the hits couldn’t make an impact with their distance. / Tingly, breathless, and with every nerve in her body set alight (though she didn’t attribute it to the snowball attack), Leah fell back against the trunk.”
Leah/Sam in Nycotophobia by @teamjacobthot moodboard requested by anonymous
for Angela/Jessica, from “things you said” prompts
After first meeting in pre-K, Jessica and Angela were best friends, completely inseparable. Jess had her own chair at the Weber dinner table; Angela knew Jessica’s life story better than her own. They always ended up in the same class, participated in the same clubs, and played the same sports. It felt like nothing and no one could ever come between them.
Until junior year, when Bella Swan came along. Somehow, she immediately inserted herself into their friend group. Well, it wasn’t that surprising. Jess, ever the social butterfly, had invited her in. Angela wasn’t typically the jealous type, but she couldn’t help it now. Jessica now seemed closer to Bella than Lauren or any other girl they had befriended, and Angela didn’t like that feeling. Of course, there was nothing she could do about it. Jessica was her friend, and she was allowed to have other friends. So why was Angela so upset when Bella was around?
“Ang? Is everything okay? You seem upset,” Jessica asked. They were in Angela’s room, looking through her jewelry to find something to match the dress she had bought.
“I’m fine,” Angela said automatically, comparing two pairs of earrings to the dress. She tossed them aside and grabbed a few more pairs.
“Are you sure? You’ve been quiet all evening.” Jessica reached for a pair and showed it to Angela, holding it against the dress. “The shape matches the neckline, and the color will bring out your eyes.”
“Thanks.” Angela took the earrings and started comparing them with her necklaces. “And yeah. I’m just, uh, worried about that math test tomorrow.”
“Ugh. don’t remind me! Varner’s gonna kill me with that shit.”
“Jess!” Angela admonished.
“Sorry. Stuff. Aren’t your brothers asleep by now?”
Angela cracked a smile. “Okay, fair. Force of habit.”
Jessica nudged her shoulder. “Are you sure it’s just the test? It seems… bigger.”
Angela didn’t respond, busying herself with her necklaces. She eventually gave up, and studied her bracelets. A necklace wouldn’t work with the design of the dress, anyway.
“How many times do I have to say you can tell me anything?” Jessica reminded her.
“I thought it would be just you and me tonight,” Angela finally said. “But you just had to invite Isabella.”
“You know she prefers Bella. I’m sorry, I didn’t realize this was important to you. I just wanted to include her more; she’s really cool.”
“Yeah, you’ve made that clear.”
“Angela…”
“If you want to replace me with the shiny new toy, be my guest,” Angela continued as if Jessica hadn’t spoken.
“Angela! That’s not fair. First of all, I could never replace you.”
Angela set her jewelry down and went to sit on her bed. She stared at the floor, fidgeting with her fingers. Jessica watched her for a moment.
“Ang, love, come on. You only do that when you’re nervous,” Jessica said, taking Angela’s hands in hers. “This isn’t about a test. Tell me what’s going on.” Jessica looked at Angela, and Angela looked up at her. She looked into her eyes, and then down at her lips. Before she could stop herself, Angela leaned in to kiss her best friend.
And she was the first to pull away. “I’m so sorry, Jess,” she said as she leapt off the bed and began pacing around her room. Jessica’s hand flew to her mouth.
“Why did you do that?” she asked.
“I don’t know I’m sorry I just got caught up in the moment and I…”
“Quit with the bullshit. Why?” Jessica asked as she stood.
Angela stopped pacing and turned to face her. “Because I’ve loved you since pre-K,” she said.
Jessica closed the distance between them, and kissed Angela again and again. “I love you too,” she said between kisses.
Leah could see the glow of the fire from here, the plume of smoke rising in the sun’s fading rays. It was loud, like all their bonfires were. Another loud peel of laughter caused her to roll her eyes, and she turned her back to the group. She tried to get lost in the sounds of the waves as they hit the rocky beach. Someone kicked a rock near her, causing her to jump.
“Sorry, Lee. I was trying to be careful,” Sam said, trying to correct his footing on the uneven ground.
“Go away,” Leah said, refusing to look at him.
“Leah, please. You shouldn’t be alone out here.”
“Oh, please. I learned to walk on this beach. There’s not a part I don’t know. I’m fine.” She crossed her arms and took a few steps away from him, increasing the distance between them.
Sam smiled. “Fair point. But you love bonfires. Come join us?”
Leah turned to glare at him. “I’m only here because mom wouldn’t let Seth come alone, and I already owe the kid.”
He sighed. “Leah, I’m sorry.” He took a few steps toward her, carefully stepping around the rocks.
“That’s not what I want to hear.” He was grateful that she at least didn’t move further away.
“Then what do you want?”
“I want to hear it back!” Leah threw her hands up in exasperation. “Or at least an explanation. I mean, I’ve given so much to you! Is it too much to ask to hear ‘I love you’ back?”
Sam stared at the ground, unable to meet her eyes. “You are special to me.”
Leah crossed her arms again. “That’s not the same thing, and you know it.”
Sam didn’t say anything back. He studied the rocks at his feet, looking for the answers that weren’t there. Leah turned to stare at the waves again.
“You grew up with family dinners,” Sam finally said, so quietly Leah could barely hear him.
“What?” Leah asked.
“You grew up with family dinners,” Sam repeated, his voice growing stronger. “And game nights, and parents who danced around the kitchen late at night instead of cleaning.”
“What does that have to do with anything?” Leah said through gritted teeth.
“You asked for an explanation. I’m trying here,” Sam said. Leah sighed, but motioned for him to go on. “I grew up with a dad who said ‘I love you’ all the time, until the day my mom woke up to his car gone and a note that said he couldn’t put up with this shit anymore.”
“Sam, I…” Leah started, stepping towards him.
“I know. It doesn’t come up. You can imagine I don’t like talking about it,” he said with a small chuckle. “I… I do feel that way about you. I promise. I just… it’s just, saying it isn’t so easy for me. I promise you I’m trying, and I’ll get there. I just think I need more time.”
Leah softened, and reached for Sam’s hand. “I’m sorry; I should be more patient with you. I don’t really know what I’m doing here, either,” she said, with a small smile.
“I think you’re going pretty great.” He closed the distance between them, leaning down to kiss her.
“Want to head back to the party?” Leah asked after pulling away.
“I think I’m okay right here with you,” he said, kissing her again.
“She looked at me with concern, but not the offensive, maybe-she’s-lost-it kind. ‘Are you okay?’ / ‘Not completely,’ I admitted. ‘But I’m a little better.’ / ‘I’m glad,’ she said. ‘I’ve missed you.’”
