#donnarae

donnarae || dark star

Raven: Hey.

Damian: Hello, my love. What can I do for you?

Raven: This was in the mail for you. *hands over a box*

Damian: Oh, *takes box* I think they're the cufflinks I asked from Father. *carefully opens* I had them brought here

Raven: Ooh. Can I see? *stands beside him*

Damian: *opens box*

Raven: Oh wow. Those are beautiful.

Damian: ...they're silver.

Raven: *groans* Ugh, Dames, not this again.

Damian: *closes the box and hands them over* Give them to Troy, maybe she can use them for something.

Raven: Damian-

Damian: What? You keep saying to be nicer to her. This is what I do.

Raven: Giving her things made of silver does not count.

Damian: Why?! She can do whatever she wants with them. She can use them, re-purpose them, sell them for money for the dates she takes you on instead of using my money. Or maybe she can melt them all into a ring for you so you two could finally get married.

Raven: ...Okay, first of all, we're 16, we're not allowed to get married yet.

Damian: Not in this state.

Raven: Secondly, you cannot keep rejecting things just because they're silver. Especially when they're gifts.

Damian: I can, I do, I just did.

Raven: Dami, how much were these cufflinks? Three grand? Five?

Damian: Seven.

Raven: *nearly chokes* Exactly my point.

Damian: My darling, I see where your coming from, but I really insist you give them to Donna instead.

Raven: *gives up* Fine. But she's running out of space in her drawer.

Damian: I'll buy her a new one.

Raven: What is your problem with silver? Are you a werewolf?

When I saw Jackbat was losing to Donnarae, I really wasn't that upset. Obviously I want Jackbat to win because they're my #1 ship and I love them, but I thought "if we have to lose to anyone, I'm glad it's them."

But then I opened up the notes on the poll and saw that every single post made in support of donnarae was about voting for them because they are women. Some directs quotes include "I will always vote for women," "always choose yuri," "don't let men win. ever." "donnarae for yuri," and one singular reblog that wasn't about their gender, saying "Donnarae can't lose now."

I 100% understand the appeal of wanting to center women in a space that is so male centric, and that goes DOUBLE for wlw!!! I myself identify as a queer woman, so I get it. Honestly I've done this before, I truly truly understand it. But I really really hate the way they're being talked about.

Even if you are using it to be uplifting, reducing a female character to her gender is minimizing. period. I adore Raven and I really enjoy Donna in what I've read of her. I think they could be really amazing as a ship with their long history of caring for and about each other and I have absolutely no problem with them winning. The problem I have is that none of that is being mentioned. People are treating them like they only deserve to win because they're up against a m/m ship.

Even though this is trying to be feminist by trying to center female stories and relationships, you are still centering men. People are explicitly saying that the reason you should vote for Donnarae is BECAUSE they are up against men and I just really hate that. Personally I want people to vote for Jackbat, but that's not going to stop me from saying this:

Donna and Raven deserve votes. They do. But not because you will "always choose women" but because they AS PEOPLE deserve to have their story appreciated.

Their shared story of being raised away from what people consider the "normal" world and then being separated from that world in some way. The juxtaposition of how Donna thrives in that world but Raven struggles to adapt. How Donna doesn't know where she really comes from and all she wants is to know her past, and how Raven is forever shackled by where she comes from and can never forget her past.

Donnarae deserves votes, but not like this.