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Lopoddity β€” Progress and Pushback

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Published: 2019-07-21 17:51:48 +0000 UTC; Views: 155399; Favourites: 4065; Downloads: 0
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these were originally gonna be part of a larger doodle dump on Vogue but i figure it's better as it's own post



1.) Meet Raduga. She's a griffon from mountain country (which I imagine is some birdy wordplay on "Russia"....Clutchia? Moscaw?) Pls don't be dissuaded by her habit of swallowing dead rodents and eating bones, equines have such delicate sensibilities, goodness. Is only natural, darlings!


Equestria has been undergoing a massive culture shift in recent decades. After the establishment of Twilight's University of Friendship, the kingdom has begun mingling with other nations, resulting in ponies traveling and settling down in faraway lands, and other creatures immigrating to Equestria, causing unprecedented growth in previously minority populations. In academic circles like Twilight's, there's even been a push for more inclusive language, ie: "everycreature" in lieu of "everypony". The reigning princesses are very proud of the growing success of their diversity initiative.

Of course, these changes haven't been met with universal acclaim. The show has given us many examples of pony xenophobia. Some ponies fear the population growth of griffons, hippogriffs, changelings, yaks, dragons, etc. Their cultures are foreign and different, and many ponies shrink away from that difference. These new citizens of Equestria are sometimes pushed into isolated little pockets, out of pony schools, away from pony jobs, and especially away from pony wealth.

Canterlot is the capital of Equestria, simultaneously the richest and most conservative city. Some of the rich elite obtained their wealth through innovation and noble intentions, but the truth is that trillions of golden bits were plundered from the exploited working class. Rather than part with a single coin, the Canterlot uppercrust have turned to political fear-mongering, encouraging xenophobic attitudes toward other species. Griffins are often stereotyped as cruel, disloyal, violent, and moneygrubbing- which is a very helpful idea to push when you'd rather not let griffons build businesses that could threaten your own.

Raduga seeks to challenge these attitudes and demand an end to non-pony discrimination.




2.) Vogue and Raduga, serving a night in jail for leading a peaceful protest.

Raduga is a good friend of Vogue. She'd grown up eagerly collecting pony fashion magazines and devouring book after book on fashion design. She finally managed to save up enough bits to move to Canterlot bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, dead-set on becoming one of the next top minds in fashion, a model. But every modelling agency she applied to always went cold after the first interview. Was it her broken Equuish? Raduga studied to improve it. It certainly couldn't have been her sleek, mud-dyed plumage- why, it was the envy of every griff back home!Β 

It isn't until she overhears a photographer whispering to an agent- "ugly overgrown vulture"- that she begins to understand. There are no griffon beauty models in Equestria.

Raduga refuses to give up, eventually ending up at a modelling agency owned by one Lady Vogue. As expected, a few minutes into the interview, Vogue politely tries to explain that Raduga just isn't what the agency is looking for at this time. Frustrated, Raduga simply asks if it's because she's a griffon. Vogue tries to deflect, but Raduga presses the issue. Is it because she is not baby-faced little horsey? Because she have teeth, talon, beak? She is beautiful in her home country! As beautiful as any creature! And if she can appreciate beauty and art and talent of tiny horses, then why not can tiny horses appreciate Raduga?

Vogue gets defensive, a shouting match occurs, and she has the griffon escorted from the building. The nerve of that....that vulture! To suggest that Vogue couldn't look past someone's species? There's nothing discriminatory about it- ugly is ugly!

Vogue is so red-faced and angry she has to excuse herself from work for the rest of the day. The griffons words keep popping back into her mind, at unexpected moments. She brings it up to her best friend Zee, seeking comfort, but Zee points out "Actually, I always thought it was kinda funny......your agency doesn't have a single mule model." And slowly......Vogue realizes her agency doesn't have any griffon models. Or mules, or hippogriffs, or changelings, or dragons, or any creature. Just ponies......just thin, pretty, identical unicorns.

......Maybe something does need to change.

It takes time, but Raduga and Vogue end up forming a powerful, life-long friendship. Vogue and Raduga (and Zee) become prominent voices in Canterlot pushing for inclusion for all species. Though their efforts are mocked at at first, and their protests snuffed out, the aristocrats stop finding things so funny when Fancy Pants (and his spending power) is drawn into the girls' cause, as well as international supermodel Fleur de Lis, and popular musicians Sapphire Shores and Coloratura. Even Duke Blueblood seems supportive.....


Vogue uses her position to give the griffon a social leg up, and Raduga goes on to become the first griffon model in Canterlot, and the very first griffon fashion designer. Vogue's modelling agency is the first to open its doors to all creatures, and now boasts a colorful and gorgeous array of talented ladies from all around the world.


3.) Vogue's special talent is fashion photography (she apprenticed under Photo Finish), but she likes to dip a hoof into photojournalism on occasion. She can be a little shy about her passions, fortunately Raduga is the best burdy friend a pony could ask for.



~~~~~~~~~~



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Comments: 313

Pone-Dancer In reply to ??? [2019-07-22 01:30:52 +0000 UTC]

What a queen! I hope she succeeds in everything she attempts

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Vortex-Twins In reply to ??? [2019-07-22 01:13:12 +0000 UTC]

...I think I have a new favorite character.

~Briar

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0ArmoredSoul0 In reply to ??? [2019-07-22 01:05:37 +0000 UTC]

LAMMERGIER LAMMERGIER LAMMERGIER YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!

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TopHat-Dragon In reply to ??? [2019-07-22 00:33:56 +0000 UTC]

Raduga’s design is so pretty! I love seeing more art of bearded vaulters pop up, they are such an amazing bird!

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DragonTurtle2 In reply to ??? [2019-07-22 00:32:48 +0000 UTC]

Mos-CAW,Β Mos-CAAAHWW,Β throw your glasses at the wall!

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TrainerblueTube In reply to ??? [2019-07-22 00:21:34 +0000 UTC]

"Ha cha I have made a joke!"

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Sikudhanii In reply to ??? [2019-07-22 00:18:58 +0000 UTC]

Oh my goodness it’s a Bearded Vulture Griffin! Their feathers are such a beautiful shade. I love seeing diverse Griffins and I’d love to see other types of birds. Like the long necked bird species, theΒ Great Blue Heron and Grey Crowned Crane come to mind. I adore the Blue Herons fluffy chest feathers and the cheeks of the Crowned Crane.Β 

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DragonTurtle2 In reply to Sikudhanii [2019-07-22 00:28:57 +0000 UTC]

Vultures have just the coolest looking skulls.Β  Such colors as well!

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Lemonaru [2019-07-22 00:17:44 +0000 UTC]

i love so much how you explain your drawing so well it makes it so much easier to appreciate the art fully

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Heldoryn [2019-07-22 00:09:32 +0000 UTC]

God I ADORE her

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CharmingClocks [2019-07-21 23:44:05 +0000 UTC]

ooh Raduga's design is absolutely gorgeous. I've always loved bearded vultures, and you captured them beautifully in her. And the black leopard is a perfect compliment! I wonder what she thinks of Phoenix, and her rocky relationship with Vogue?

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agayroboticgiraffe In reply to CharmingClocks [2019-07-21 23:53:48 +0000 UTC]

Honestly same those birds are badass

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Storied In reply to ??? [2019-07-21 23:37:48 +0000 UTC]

Very nice! ;w; Personally I would love to see some more art with Vogue and Raduga! Especially the moment they start to become friends. I love the idea of conflict ending up as camaraderie.


friendship is magic yeyyyyyy

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Jaxo0 [2019-07-21 23:36:54 +0000 UTC]

That adorable accent..Β  Β 

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TheSeerLlama [2019-07-21 23:32:00 +0000 UTC]

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Dracophile [2019-07-21 23:21:11 +0000 UTC]

I really love this! Seeing more variety with Griffons is something I always love. I don't know if you have a voice in mind, but for a Russian accent I kind of picture a raspy but still bombastic tone like Magica De Spell from the older Ducktales seriesΒ  www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOQccr… voice by June Foray who also did Natasha from Rocky and bowinkle.

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MadnessOfTheMind [2019-07-21 23:20:49 +0000 UTC]

Ohhhhhhhhh is Raduga inspired by that one giant mountain bird species? The one that eats literally bone shards and nothing else and has stomach acid so powerful it just fckin disolves it?? Cus if so I LIVE those guys, heyull yis.

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SilverLiqueur In reply to ??? [2019-07-21 23:18:13 +0000 UTC]

Flawless, topical nature of this aside, I absolutely adore vultures and they get an absolutely terrible rap even in ostensibly educational media today (looking at you, Lion Guard) and oh my lord, yes, new favorite character right there. Right there where the beautiful vulture-panther is standing.Β 

(Their relationship seems lovely no matter what form it takes on but I'd be lying if I said I didn't ship it very, very hard.)

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DarkWritingsInc [2019-07-21 23:01:34 +0000 UTC]

I love how Raduga helps Vogue undergo some major character growth, and that this friendship opens up a whole new world of opportunity for different species to feel beautiful right alongside ponies. I'd love to see some pages from one of vogues magazines featuring beautiful photos of all the different creatures she takes on after this!Β 

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Sparrow9612 In reply to ??? [2019-07-21 23:00:50 +0000 UTC]

I like Moscaw for the name of the catbirb mountain motherland. 'Glory to Moscaw! Cause no trouble. Troublemakers vill be eaten on sight.'

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SanctuaryoftheMind In reply to Sparrow9612 [2019-07-21 23:22:19 +0000 UTC]

Well put, Comrade.Β 

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JFkeinK In reply to ??? [2019-07-21 22:53:15 +0000 UTC]

Love her design (Red-headed Vulture/Black Panther, right?)

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Scyllarus In reply to ??? [2019-07-21 22:51:31 +0000 UTC]

Oh no, I love her. I especially love that she's a mix of two big, powerful, "evil" or "sinister" animals - a vulture and black panther - and I imagine that she'd be a big stronk (gorgeous) lady as a human. I...also kind of enjoy the mental image of her being of mixed Tibetan or Siberian blood, which is fairly different from the usual idea of tall, white, and blond (mostly since it would kind of ruin the whole idea of Raduga having issues entering the fashion industry).

I also really love the idea of her specializing in fashion for unusual body types. Are you covered in spiny chitin that rips every chiffon dress you try on? Raduga's got you. Five times the size of a regular pony? She's there. A mishmash of different creature parts? Not to worry, she can set you up - in pink, too.Β 
(Will admit that I'm inspired by theveryworstthing's Cashmere:Β  theveryworstthing.tumblr.com/t… WARNING, THERE IS NSFW ON THE BLOG)

I know a lot of people are shipping Vogue and Raduga, but I kind of feel like it's more...Mom friend than romantic possibility, myself. I kinda feel like...Maybe someone big and stronk as well, someone who gleefully challenges her to silly (but sometimes meaningful) competitions, and someone who positively revels in her uniqueness (I like that you're often realistic about 'monsters' in the pony world - even Jam was briefly freaked out by Arty's big smile - but come on. We have people who are salivating over the fish dude in Shape of Water. There have to be ponies who get excited over this, too).

...Hm. Okay, bear with me:Β 
Phoenix: I actually don't see this going off too well, but imagine Raduga seeing Nix and getting hit with the feelings. She asks Vogue about her, Vogue hotly denies having any feelings for that...that...that meat-headed idiot, and gives Raduga the go-ahead. Phoenix is...overwhelmed, in short. She's used to being the dominant one, but in this case she's finding herself struggling between reasserting herself and letting big birb take the lead. Slowly, and not without an occasional fight, Nix learns that it's okay to let go a little and let someone else have a say in the relationship.

Cloudburst: IDK man, I just wanna see Cloudy happy. In this case I actually think she and Raduga would make an artistic dream team. They celebrate each other's uniqueness, critique each other's work, and tbh I love the idea that Raduga curls up around her during one of her sad periods and talks about how she should not be ashamed of her dull colors - they offer her a clean and beautiful canvas to paint on. In fact, that's what allows Raduga herself to achieve such stunning reds in her feathers!Β 

Featherweight: He's so sweet and enthusiastic and thoughtful, Raduga could just eat him up (is joke!) I imagine he would've been...well, surprisingly unbothered by the griffon when he's a photographer at one of her photoshoots (the son of Flutters and Bulk has probably seen more 'monsters' than the average pony, after all) and that would've sparked some curiosity. How is this scrawny little pegasus so comfortable around big birb? And they get to talking...

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fancylionfarts [2019-07-21 22:51:29 +0000 UTC]

Has me thinking of the penguin singing instructor from the firstΒ  happy feet for her voiceΒ 

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RadioactivePotato123 In reply to ??? [2019-07-21 22:43:52 +0000 UTC]

This is brilliant I love Raduga so much ...Β 

just one qustion: why does her name start with an R and not a G like other griffins?? (I’m not suggesting you change it, I’m just curious)

P.s is that a snow leopard tail with melanism I spy??

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Tinusio [2019-07-21 22:41:01 +0000 UTC]

Bearded vultures are my favorite! I'm so excited to see a design from you with one omg!

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minneal [2019-07-21 22:35:06 +0000 UTC]

Oh I love it!

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ALittleTrashIsHere In reply to ??? [2019-07-21 22:33:45 +0000 UTC]

Oh my gosh this is brilliant! The way you integrate real life issues into your stories is so great and I absolutely adore Raduga's design. This is so good, I love this so much!!Β  Β 

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Nerdy-Sci-Fi-Birdy In reply to ??? [2019-07-21 22:31:55 +0000 UTC]

We stan a beautiful bird lady!
Wonderful doodle dump!

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KalahariMeerkatfan In reply to ??? [2019-07-21 22:31:48 +0000 UTC]

Coming back again...are there no Earth or pegasus models in Canterlot? Just unicorns?

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thedaringdash In reply to ??? [2019-07-21 22:07:21 +0000 UTC]

Why do I imagine Mr. Weenie's voice but as a female for her?

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Lopoddity In reply to thedaringdash [2019-07-21 22:20:15 +0000 UTC]

hmmm but german accent =\= russian accent

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thedaringdash In reply to Lopoddity [2019-07-21 23:14:10 +0000 UTC]

True, but "vill" and "zinking" sound like Mr. Weenie's accent for some reason.

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bornthiswayfox [2019-07-21 21:59:45 +0000 UTC]

Very great

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Ryua [2019-07-21 21:55:00 +0000 UTC]

Ahh, when excellent artists get political.

I love this. Everything about this. Representation and xenophobia and people learning and growing? Just all the best things.

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Lopoddity In reply to Ryua [2019-07-21 22:19:20 +0000 UTC]

Thank you very much.

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ThatWeirdGirl300 In reply to Ryua [2019-07-21 22:11:08 +0000 UTC]

Hidden by Commenter

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Tinusio In reply to ThatWeirdGirl300 [2019-07-21 22:49:40 +0000 UTC]

People with a large audience should exercise their influence by promoting the idea of good morals, compassion & empathy. Politics have a huge part in this because law, regulation and the idea of good vs bad are catered to by those with the most privilege, and more often than not these laws/regulations and social dynamics impact the lives of minorities.Β 

Being able to grow and learn is important when it comes to acknowledging that other people, like you, are being treated unfairly due to things they have no control over.. but are forced to face injustice as a direct result of that: Disability, Race, Gender, Sex, Identity..etc.

If you don't like politics that's fine but keep in mind politics affect everyone, and at some point or another in your life, it's going to affect you too.

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Lopoddity In reply to ThatWeirdGirl300 [2019-07-21 22:18:42 +0000 UTC]

I’ve always been political my dude. Existence is political. Art is political. My art has always, always been informed by my perception of the world, you cannot seperate an artist from their politics.

If you don’t like that, you can leave. Nobody’s forcing you to be here.

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ThatWeirdGirl300 In reply to Lopoddity [2019-07-22 02:48:52 +0000 UTC]

Hidden by Commenter

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Lopoddity In reply to ThatWeirdGirl300 [2019-07-22 12:29:40 +0000 UTC]

If you can afford to live your life without politics, that's an astounding privilege. It'd be lovely if that privilege was extended to others, but it often isn't. For many people, their entire existence is considered "political", for forces outside their control. Their race, their gender, their sexual orientation, their socioeconomic status at birth....many would act against us, create legislation that hurts us, see us silenced, even try to have us killed. For being different. For daring to believe we deserve to exist.

You can go be apolitical and stand for nothing somewhere else. This is my gallery, my art, and I will create and write however I want. You are not entitled to be here.

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Dadjoke-Ness In reply to ThatWeirdGirl300 [2019-07-22 04:00:36 +0000 UTC]

I mean people think my identity is "political" because I'm nonbinary. My orientation or mentioning I'm dating a girl? Political, don't bring it up at family gatherings (while male cousins talking about girlfriends isn't "political"). Bringing up disabilities is even considered political sometimes (I have mental and physical health problems, and I've found people like to call it "political" or call me a "snowflake" whenever I ask for even the smallest accommodations).Β 

Lop isn't white - people call her "political" for having representation that matches herself, her family, and her friends. Her art represents her, and if you go back, always has. People judge her as "political" for being herself all the time.

What's MORE pathetic is the fact that minorities HAVE to consider "political" in everything they do, because everything they do to represent themselves IS considered political. Minorities being themselves in public is considered "political" because they're not conforming to the standards, whether that's white, or heteronormative, or able bodied. It's "political" for me to hold a woman's hand in public. It's "political" to not be a binary gender. It's "political" to be a minority.Β 

Gain perspective, and instead of telling people in the smaller group to shut up, join us in telling the bigger groups to stop calling our very experiences political.

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Lopoddity In reply to Dadjoke-Ness [2019-07-22 12:35:18 +0000 UTC]

Exactly. I detest that it's considered "political" simply to create art that reflects yourself and your experiences. My entire life I've read and watched the stories and perspectives of straight cis White people, with little complaint. I've enjoyed a lot of it. Why is it an issue when I try to tell a story about my own experiences, though? MLP may be a cutesy children's cartoon, but it has strong messages about the importance of diversity, female representation, tolerance and harmony, etc.....are all people really taking from it is how much they wanna whack their willy to the yellow horse? urgh

I agree, this kid needs some perspective. How rude, to tell other people to shut up. (Shut up, be content with the shitty status quo, never make me think about how I'm complicit in an unfair system....)

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ThatWeirdGirl300 In reply to Dadjoke-Ness [2019-07-22 05:44:26 +0000 UTC]

Hidden by Commenter

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Dadjoke-Ness In reply to ThatWeirdGirl300 [2019-07-22 06:08:15 +0000 UTC]

Sweetie, gain some perspective and learn to be less of a bigot.

Sorry telling you about how some people can't exist without being called "political" is insufferable, and you're so caught up in hate that you think I'm one of those awful things for [checks notes] being agender and homoromantic while having my extended family hating me for being those things, while living in a conservative leaning city.Β 

Honey, I ain't any of the things you listed, but fun fact: some of the folks you listed (racists, biphobics) are the EXACT people who make my identity a matter of politics. The exact people who call Lop's art political because she draws the mane six as non-white. The same people, yourself included, who think making an ugly model character who is an advocate against the xenophobia that's present in the canon universe is "political" when it's something any MLP next gen artist is going to have to cover at some point if they want non-ponies living in their next gen.Β 

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ThatWeirdGirl300 In reply to Dadjoke-Ness [2019-07-22 06:44:56 +0000 UTC]

Ok and just like that this convo is over from when you called me 'sweetie' & 'honey' that's a huge red flag when people say that, your one of those cuntish types who think they're morally superior to everyone else applying morals to other people and not following it yourself and I bet you call yourself an lgbt+ activist but in actuality you don't do anything but sit on your ass waiting for other's to do something while complaining online and wonder why there's no change all you people are all the same

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meevins In reply to ThatWeirdGirl300 [2019-07-22 10:23:35 +0000 UTC]

Kindly shut up and go take your childish behaviour elsewhere. The only person being rude, a bigot and "ruining" things is you. You have no idea what you're talking about. Stop making a fool of yourself and leave poor Lop alone. This has nothing to do with her artwork, you're just spamming her comments with your petty useless dribble. Grow up

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Lopoddity In reply to meevins [2019-07-22 12:36:37 +0000 UTC]

'preciate it my dude

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meevins In reply to Lopoddity [2019-07-22 13:02:02 +0000 UTC]

No problem! I don't know what on earth their problem is but I bet their arms must hurt from all the reaching they're doing. It's a shame you seem to attract people like this :/

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Lopoddity In reply to meevins [2019-07-22 13:12:44 +0000 UTC]

It is. :/ Especially since this is the most watered-down, namby-pamby "racism is bad" narrative I could've told. Like, every day is filled which such anxiety, so many horror stories in the news- unarmed black citizens gunned down by cops, children starved and denied basic essentials in ICE camps, families torn apart, social programs defunded, healthcare denied as people die in mass, terrorism, murder, fascism, the planet slowly dying while the rich get richer......and I take all these terrifying issues, everything I want to scream and protest about, and soften it into the most weaksauce anti-xenophobia message I can manage.....and people still take offense. About talking animals learning racism is bad. A message that exists in the show itself.

You really can't win.

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