John Aberdeen

The article talks about myths about Jewish people in China.  Although I do not have any experience in China, I do have experience in Central and East Africa and I can say that this ‘mysticism’ about us Jewish people is very common there as well.  It’s what I like to call ‘friendly antisemitism’ because, firstly, it is generally done out of ignorance (how likely are you to meet a Jewish person in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania?) and, secondly, because its meant as an admiration of us Jewish people.  

However, this very easily leads to a fetishization of us which, while meant as a positive, can easily turn into a negative when paired with the right ideology.  For example, you can believe that Jewish people are great in business and, thus, control a significant portion of the world’s wealth (which is false, I know, but bear with me).  However, if you are opposed to business or opposed to globalization, suddenly Jewish people are using all this power (which they don’t really have) for nefarious ends.  There are reasons why Jewish people have been as successful as we have.  For one, education is very important in our community.  For two, historically we have used our existence as a diasporic people to our advantage by focusing on trade and craftsmenship. What did NOT make us so successful was any inherent gene that made us good with negotiations or made us able to handle money.  

“…Engines on the Other Railway aren’t safe now. Their controllers are cruel. They don’t like engines any more. They put them on cold damp sidings, and then,” Percy nearly sobbed, “they…they c-c-cut them up.” -”The Bluebells of England.”  Stepney the Bluebell Engine.  Rev. Awdry, Wilbert.  London: Egmont Publishing, 1963.

“Smudger,” said Duke. “Was a show-off. He rode roughly and often came off the rails. I warned him to be careful, but he took no notice.” “Listen, Dukie” he snared. “Who worries about a few spills?” “We do here! I said, but Smudger just laughed.” “Hahaha!” “Until one day, Manager said he was going to make him useful at last. Smudger stopped laughing then!” “W-w-why? What did he do?!” “He turned him into a generator. He’s still there behind our shed. He’ll never move again.”

Okay, so we see Railway Management doing all this shit, right, but supposedly it’s so much worse in the Other Railways? I mean, sure, you might get turned into a generator or bricked into a tunnel for not doing as you’re told, but at least you’re not cut up and sold for parts, right? It’s not so bad on the island of Sodor, right?

Or maybe that’s just what Railway Management wants the engines to think.

Maybe the island of Sodor is the real totalitarian regime, and the engine citizens (slaves) are fed propaganda, illustrated in hellish grays and sulfuric yellows, about how bad it is everywhere else, at all the Other Railways.

You are lucky to be an engine of Sodor.

Railway Management cares about you.

Trust Railway Management.

Stay on Your Track.

Tagged by: @spacesnek​

Name: Rowan

Nickname: Uhhh… I don’t have one now that I think about it…

Star Sign: Libra

Gender: Agender

Height: 5′3″

Favorite Color: Red

What Color are my Eyes?: Looks like someone took tiny paint grenades of green, grey, brown, and electric blue to my irises.

Average Hours of Sleep: 4-6

Lucky Number: 7

Do you have any Tattoos: I wish.

Do you have any Pets: One “mini” dachshund, a ball python, and some fish.

Left Handed or Right?: Right

Last thing I googled?: “White lipped pythons”

Number of Blankets?: Two right now. 

Favorite Food?: Redvines

Make/Model of your Phone?: Hah, what phone?

Favorite Holiday?: Yule

Favorite book?: Dragonoak: The Complete History of Kastelir

Favorite Band?: D.R.U.G.S. (It’s an acronym don’t judge me just yet.)

When did you create your blog?: Very recently actually… not sure exactly when right off.

Follower Count?: 30

What do you post?: Reptiles

Do you have any other blogs?: Yep.

When did your blog reach it’s “peak”?: Not even close to it…hopefully.

Who is your most active follower?: @mylittlelevi64

What made you decide to get a Tumblr?: About a year ago, I kept seeing random little things that came off the sight and decided to get one.

Why did you choose your url?: Oh my gods @thatcertainshadeofpurple has corrupted my mind with puns. I have a character who is a necromancer so it was a 2Am thought on snakes and necromancy. 

Or that time the Oregon Miltiamen rebel group culturally appropriated Judaism for NO DESCRIBABLE REASON.

The National LGBTQ Task Force canceled an event from its “Creating Change” conference, apparently due to the host groups’ ties to Israel. The event, which would have been on Friday, featured A Wider Bridge, a  group that seeks to present the stories of queer Israelis to the North American American LGBTQ community, and Jerusalem Open House, a prominent Israeli LGBT advocacy and activist organization. While initial reports cited “safety” concerns as the rationale, there were no reports of any incipient violence. A statement from National LGBTQ Task Force Executive Director Rea Carey confirmed that the cancellation was instead due to the “divisive” nature of hearing Jews and Israelis speak about their experiences:

“Last week, we decided to cancel a Friday night reception at the Creating Change Conference entitled ‘Beyond the Bridge.’ We cancelled the reception when it became clear to us it would be intensely divisive rather than the community-building, social atmosphere which is the norm for Friday night at the conference. While we welcome robust discourse and political action, given the complexity and deep passions on all sides, we concluded the event wouldn’t be productive or meet the stated goals of its organizers. We also have the overarching responsibility to ensure that Creating Change is a safe space for attendees. Since the cancellation, we have been accused of being many things including being anti-Jewish, or anti-Semitic — which are wrong and deeply painful to those of us in the National LGBTQ Task Force family. We believe in the self-determination of all people, no matter where they call home, the right of LGBTQ people to live in peace and safety, and in constructive dialogue that moves the work for social justice forward. We are an organization dedicated to LGBTQ freedom, justice and equality for all.”