#more kindness

[brightlotusmoon]

🎶 Welcome To The Labyrinth, In The CIA Basement 🎶 : r/americandad

[brightlotusmoon]

Fyi— there is a crazy Leo fan (or possibly a group of Leo fans) going around leaving unhinged comments “defending” Raph and wishing harm on people. Their intent is to make Raph enjoyers look bad. They admitted to it on Discord. If they write again, ignore it (but do spread the word so folks know not to engage)

Got it.

These kids sound very lonely and depressed and floundering. Their favorite mutant turtle isn't going to show up in their room if they clap real hard and wish harm on other mutant turtle fans. That's the polite way of saying "the Ninja Turtles are not going to fuck you, especially not with that attitude. They might fuck you up, though, if that's more your thing, I won't judge, they have muscles like steel."

...where was I? Oh, yes. What a wonderful, fantastic fandom loving world we live in. When I was young, talking about fanfiction got you laughed at, harassed, and worse. And now it's so normal kids are harassing each other within it.

Don't bully each other over fictional characters, kids. What's the point? All edge, no point. Do better.

[brightlotusmoon]

I look at some drama out there, like bullying each other over things like gender presentation, preferred character in a fandom, favorite version of a franchise, clothing style, fan art, makeup tutorials, yada yada yada, and all I can think is what my parents taught me long long ago:

"If it makes you happy, if it helps you sleep, go for it, I support you." Or "I'm not sure if that's a great idea, but sure, okay, let's see what happens." Or "Huh, a human sized mutant turtle just saved me from a mugging, that was real nice of him, I ain't gonna question it." But mostly the first one.

[brightlotusmoon]

American Dad - Oh, my God! You're me!

"But I don't know what's out there."

"It's just the world. And you deserve to be part of it."

[brightlotusmoon]

American Dad's Most TRAGIC Character - YouTube

[brightlotusmoon]

What lesson have you taken way from American Dad? : r/americandad

"If we can't fully forgive, and we can't fully forget, then all we can do is offer each other more kindness. We have to offer each other the best."

[brightlotusmoon]

A story from my friend B with two kids under 10:

"S came home yesterday and told me he was now friends with Z, a kid in his class. Now I know Z and adore him. But he can be a handful, and for whatever reason he is not well liked by his classmates. I hate the idea of a kid feeling alone, so I told S that I am glad and kept it moving.

This morning S told me that he decided to be friends with Z because some other kid was making fun of Z and he was crying, so S went over and talked to him and was kind to him and helped.

All I have ever wanted was for my kids to be kind. The world is so hard, all sharp edges and gravel in wounds. We need kindness.

I’ve never been more proud 🖤💗"

-

Her story immediately made me think of a story my father told me of being a little kid in 1940s NYC, approaching shy scared classmates and gently talking, helping them feel comfortable. People are people everywhere.

(it's funny because when I was a shy scared kid being approached and spoken to, I came out of my shell quickly.)