#cross reference

I was suddenly thinking about this last night. The songs “This Wish (Reprise)” from Wish and “What It Sounds Like” from K-POP Demon Hunters seem to have similar vibes.

They are both started by the main protagonist (with a purple motif and, at least as far as I know, She/Her pronouns) during the film’s darkest hour…

Asha: I look out at the stars just like me,

And I’m begging you to see this as a sign…

Rumi: Nothing but the truth now.

Nothing but the proof of what I am…

Before they are joined by the protagonist’s closest friends…

The 6/7 Teens (or just Dahlia, at first):

We’ll be greater than all of his magic combined.

So, I make this wish!

Zoey & Mira:

Why did I cover up the colors stuck inside my head?

I should have let the jagged edges meet the light instead.

And then finally, the entire community joins in, which ignites the light within everyone’s hearts that saves the day!

This last thing, specifically, was what made me think about the comparison that this post is all about. I’m kind of having trouble putting it into words, but it’s something like:

Exhibits A

Everyone in the Kingdom of Rosas having a spark inside them that manifests as a wishing star!

Huntr/x fans manifesting and maintaining the Honmoon through their love for the pop stars that use the Honmoon to protect the world from demons!

Exhibits B

Said kingdom’s king collects the wishes of his people to “keep them safe” (which consequently strips people of their memories, ambition, conviction, and determination) until he thinks that certain wishes are ready to be granted, but later starts hoarding and crushing them (which consequently weakens the people who are already missing their wishes, both physically and emotionally) to absorb their power after being corrupted by a forbidden spellbook.

Said demons steal human souls to both devour for themselves and to channel power to Demon King Gwi Ma.

I guess, in conclusion, what I am trying to convey is:

Both movies involve this spark that we all have, which is often sought out by forces who want to consume and/or destroy it, but can create something beautiful and healing when combined with the sparks of likeminded people!

CHECK SOURCES. CROSS REFERENCE.

As stated in the title, I am a white person. Because of that, I try to be very cautious of my craft and practice, as to not encouch on others cultures. Now, how do I know what’s okay to do and what is not okay to do? What if one person says something and another person says the opposite. Here are a few tips and tricks I use to make sure I’m staying in my lane and being respectful.

For each scenario, I am just adding random names. This isn’t a call out post and I am sorry if I said your name. 

Scenario One: Learn what each person’s culture is. 

Let’s say that recently you saw a video on that famous clock app about aligning your chakras. The original poster, let’s call him Thomas, says he has no connection with Hinduism or Buddhism in a livestream, he just likes learning about chakras because he heard from someone that they are allowed to be used by everyone. He doesn’t name who told him that or give you anymore information before moving on. Later that same day, Alice says that chakras are a closed practice, and even though everyone has them, only people practicing Hinduism or Buddhism can manipulate them. Alice goes on to tell you how her grandmother, a lady from India that practices Hinduism, would help people’s Chakras back home. Who do you believe? 

Well, as stated, Thomas isn’t a Hindu or Buddhist. He has no connection to the religions minus knowing about Chakras. However, Alice is directly connected to the religion and goes on to explain how she is connected to it. In this situation, someone from that culture directly is telling you that it is closed, so you would listen to her. 

Scenario Two: Same culture, different Ideas

What if two people from the same culture have differing standpoints? Well, then you just leave it alone! Don’t practice it until an obvious side is shown through the majority of the people that practice that culture. A quick rule of thumb: if it is associated with a group of people that have been oppressed by white colonizers or it is directly stated that it is a heritage thing and only family and blood can practice it, its probably closed!

So, say that Eren is part of the Ojibwe tribe. They are continuously stating that dreamcatches are closed and were only adapted by whites for aesthetic purposes. On the other hand, Aja is also apart of that tribe and is happily telling everyone that Eren is just trying to gatekeep something that is beautiful. What do you do then? 

Well, just assume its closed until multiple people from that tribe are telling you it’s okay to use it! Until then, keep your hands off of it! 

Now, what if you’re not white, but you want to practice a culture you don’t belong to? Its still closed! Native cultures are only open to other natives, even some tribes don’t share with other tribes as things can be extrememly sacred. This goes for Native Americans and Native African Tribes! Just because you aren’t white, that doesn’t mean you don’t have to listen to when others are telling you that their culture is closed and sacred to them. Just please be considerate about everyone’s cultures, read up on them, learn if they are closed or open and to what extent. Do not cherry pick the good and forget the bad. 

I hope I got everything right, and if I messed something up please correct me. At this point in time, I will only be accepting critizism from bipoc only, as this is an issue that deals with them. I would like them to educate me, not butthurt white people that are mad that they can’t keep colonizing cultures. 

I know Turian shell is supposed to be metal, but for me it always looked like bone, so I went with it. Kinda looks like a barbarian...

I know for a fact a few different games have been referenced throughout the series in Pokémon, there was the reference to the Japan only game Mario and Wario in Pokémon Red/Blue/Yellow and Fire Red/LeafGreen. There was the one NPC in X and Y at a Pokémon Center in Lumiose City who referenced a spinoff project that had released around the same time as X and Y, Harmoknight. And lastly there was the funny little scene of Master Mustard playing Pokémon Quest with a half eaten box of donuts at his coffee table.

Also kinda makes me wonder, how cool would it be if you could adorn your Trainer with clothes and your Pokémon with accessories that cross referenced your favorite games?

Like, I'm a fan of Final Fantasy, so imagine how cool it would be to dress up Umbreon as a Black Mage. Or a Noibat as a Moogle?