I don’t have a preference, but the rest of my family has very strong preferences. My mom was convinced for the longest time that I was eating with the “wrong” one (I can’t remember what the “right” one is for her), so she’d always get me the “wrong” one, which is also what my sister likes. I just went along because I genuinely don’t care. Then my mom got very upset one day when I was using the “right” one, cause she was insistent that I always liked the other one. Nah, I just like cake.

So I’m not American but I do identify as Mexican-Canadian. I am an immigrant so for me that is a very important distinction.

In my perspective though, I wouldn’t ever want to make fun of someone for identifying as whatever. However, there is something about the cultural aspect of it that bothers me. If you are many generations in and have, for all intents and purposes, lost your connection with the hyphenated part of your culture, and don’t have any intent to learn with or contect with that culture other than by name, it does feel a bit preformative. If someone is actively reconnecting with their culture and trying to learn/understand more about their heritage, then it’s fine IMO, otherwise it seems disrespectful/appropriative. You can just as easily say “my ancestry is _____”, without claiming it as your culture.

Haven’t seen it, not from the US, but people should definitely be reading socialist theory and finding local socialist/leftist organizations to work and learn with.

Yep, after therapy is usually a 1-2 hr cry followed by a 2-3 hr nap. Either that or I feel fantastic and lighter and super productive. There is no inbetween.

If you’re asking if criminals can/do own cops, yes, it happens. Look at the current state of the US or certain areas in Mexico. I only mention these two countries because I don’t know enough about other countries to make direct statements, but I am certain it happens. But it’s not like at a low level cop, it’s more likely the actual captains or DAs or people in power. Those that have the power to let the criminals go.

In terms of low level cops taking bribes in general, and again I only mention Mexico from experience, but it is very common. Common enough that there’s a name for it (mordida), and that they’ll threaten regular folks who have maybe minor infractions to get some cash. (acab and all)

Kid Rock’s net worth is estimated higher than Ricky Martin’s. If he wanted surgery, botox, a fucking face roller, literally anything to make himself look a little less like garbage, he coulda gotten it.

Found out today they were born the same year! Unreal.

I love it for you

Agreed.

• sincerely, someone sitting on the toilet doing both when I only intended to pee

You clearly haven’t met me if you think you can’t be ace/aro and charismatic af. Try me.

Floppy

But I’m sooooo tiered please

If you want a very quick and extremely easy to read overview that covers the basic concepts, I highly recommend “it’s not you, it’s capitalism” by Malaika Jabali.

It discusses theory in a more modern way and is set up as beginner reading but gives a lot of jumping off points for further reading. It is very US-centric.

I know plenty of local groups that appreciate volunteer support that doesn’t require leaving your house. The hard part is finding them.

You could search on social media or community/city sites, reach out to organizations that you align with and see if they need any administrative support or anything you can do from home. A lot of people need help managing emails for their orgs for example, or proof reading documents. If you believe in any local politicians or fundraising causes, you can see if they’re doing phone banks, etc.

Once you find and start working with groups where you feel like you’re making a positive impact in the world, the optimism follows.

Tik tok makes it nearly impossible to use their website on mobile browser. When friends send me memes on there I usually have to switch to desktop mode and even then it’s really difficult to navigate. Annoying enough that half the time I don’t even bother to look if I get a tiktok link.

Organize to educate and unite people on a class front. It’s not about left or right, it’s up or down.

Mamdani won support from Trump voters by listening and running on a class campaign. People just want to eat.

(I’m not implying that mamdani or other politicians are the solution here but just making a point that you can win people over by appealing to what we all actually want)

I think a workers revolution could do the trick. Get yourselves organized down there and get some heads rolling.

You’re not wrong though. I’ve definitely had pretty left leaning (not overtly socialist) friends see the word “comrade” and immediately assume communism. I don’t like the word personally but I’m learning to get used to it as I find more socialist circles irl. It’s hard to separate it from the memes.

A lot of the time autistic people will just tell you the truth and not hide it between the dumb bullshit “niceties” or whatever. I don’t think I’m autistic but I sure AF prefer direct communication to having to read minds or have a crystal clear understanding of all the intricasies of a culture.

The streets