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QuestionCan Somebody Explain Two-Spirit?
Recently I was told I'm racist and white trash and a colonizer and all of the usual terms for expressing my desire to see enforcement of gender roles eradicated. I was given the argument that in other cultures there are third genders and such. Two-spirit being a main point. To be honest, I like learning new things. There was a time when I liked learning about "queer" stuff until my learning proved to me that it's a harmful ideology. I genuinely just want to hear all sides (in a civil manner where nobody is attacked), and it's become very difficult to do that now due to radicalization of everything.
I've heard this term and knew about it somewhat, however I never really did a deep dive. I've encountered all sorts of viewpoints and information. From what it seems, it's an umbrella term for a way of life in certain tribes in which an individual, male or female, performs tasks which are typical of the opposite sex. From theindigenousfoundation.org:
"Although the concept of Two-Spirit individuals has been around for a long time, the term was proposed only in 1990. During the Third Annual Intertribal Native American, First Nations, Gay and Lesbian American Conference which was held in Winnipeg, Elder Myra Laramee put forth the term. The term Two-Spirit is a translation of the Anishnaabemowin term, niizh manidoowag, which actually translates to “two spirits”. "
Some seem to think that it's part of the LGBT. Some people say that it's Not. Some people say that it can be and can't be at the same time? Some say that it's a recent invention used to fuel the cause of the queer community.
I'm asking this because I genuinely don't know what to think, and want to hear what everyone here knows. It's a difficult topic to research because of the sheer number of first nation tribes all being unique and the fact that radical movements tend to be dishonest and twist things to suit their own agenda.
Me post lockdown. I've part forgotten how to dress myself and part stopped giving the last bit of a shit about what people think are well matched outfits.
I’m just glad to be back where there’s actual changes of season so I’m not stuck in dreary tee shirts all the time, and where there are places to go (okay mostly hospital appointments so far, but still) so it’s worth putting on something nice!
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Yes! More due to climate and there being anywhere to go for me (the town I lived near before was tiny, now I’m in a regional city) than lockdown. Restrictions here have been lifted, masks are only for hospitals and public transport now. I can’t imagine what it was like during the worst of it, or for people in much harder-hit countries. I know the second lockdown in Melbourne was hard on my friends there.
My favorite small detail about the Labyrinth is how clouds of glitter sometimes announce Jareth's arrival XD
Mine is all the real chickens, they really were the stars.
Did you ever watch Return to Oz?
I have not! Is there a good chicken presence?
In that film (and the book it's based on of course), instead of Toto, Dorothy has a chicken companion named Billina. Billina is from Dorothy's farm and gains the power of speech in Oz, and is played using a very realistic puppet... and a live chicken, depending on the shot. The film is kind of dark and twisted, in that '80s way that was popular at the time, but it's so worth it just for Billina alone. She carries the film. She gets a happy ending, too, opting to stay in Oz rather than "go back to that dust bowl".
It sounds amazing! I will totally be watching this and join the Billina fan club.