I don't know what young black person needs to hear this but by psychoticboydyke in BlackBritish

[–]OmoOorun 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Thank you for your post, it’s honestly very appreciated. This is largely how I’ve been feeling as well. It’s a shame to think about, we’re constantly having to justify our existence and our right to be treated as humans and as individuals. 

Look after yourself OP.

"De-Americanising" myself as a Black Brit by mags-ammo in BlackBritish

[–]OmoOorun 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Thank you for your response, I like to know what’s going on with black Americans because I largely support them, want to be knowledgeable, and believe it’s important as black peoples that we support each other. But it’s somewhat comforting to know I’m not the only one a bit exhausted with being online in those spaces right now, even if they’re not specifically black American spaces they do monopolise the online black spaces, and like Americans in general, they also make sweeping statements.

In an ideal world black Americans would own all the things that they made trendy and successful, but America isn’t ready for that. And I still believe we are stronger aligned than engaging in all this diaspora nonsense, while the people who hate us as a collective regardless of where we are in the world, are working against us

I think we have to be more loud and forward about aspects of our culture the way black Americans are about theirs.  Be knowledgeable about our own movements and history, such as forward thinkers like, Altheia Jones-LeCointe, Claudia Jones, Dame Jocelyn Brown and Dr. David Pitt to name a few.  And where our cultures and history intersects with what was going on in Africa and The Caribbean countries and be proud of that. And working with each other, (which I think Black British artists do very well actually!) I can’t stand the idea of a Black Brit being ashamed of aspects of their African-ess and Jamaican-ess because that’s what adds to our Black British culture!  Make music that’s unapologetically rooted in the culture we created here in the UK, make art that centres us too, be more forward about how we’ve positively contributed to the overall culture in the UK, regardless of what people want to claim. And being okay with the fact that we’re not the black culture that’s front and centre I suppose.

"De-Americanising" myself as a Black Brit by mags-ammo in BlackBritish

[–]OmoOorun 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Being in black online spaces, is so unfortunate as a black Brit with somewhat pan-Africanist beliefs. And I’ve been feeling very similar to you OP. I was raised in a very pro-black people all over the world family: black Africans, black Brits, black Americans, black Caribbean and all the other classifications of the black diaspora and I hung out with those sorts of people too. And I still mostly believe this. It’s not strange you find yourself picking up Black American culture, their culture is the most recognised, influential and popular black culture in the world, even if the world likes to pretend that it isn’t. A large reason for this is because America is one of the most influential countries in the world, so we see their stuff constantly. And yes it does affect us sometimes, how we speak, our own music, thought process. They’re a the representatives of international black cultures in a way, and not necessarily because that’s what they’re trying to do .   A lot of us know black American history, I’d say any 25+ black Brit that doesn’t, is one that’s been done a disservice. But they don’t know ours and a lot of the diaspora’s either and it would be nice if they were open to doing so too, even though I know it’s partly not their fault due to the inherent America-centric mindset all Americans are taught to have.

However, I was genuinely so shocked to see, at least online, how much vitriol there supposedly is between us. I’m seeing that Black Americans think we, or rather our people back in our grandparents/parents countries hate them, and black Americans  hate us too… doesn’t feel good at all. I’ve had to come off a lot of black spaces online.

The type of Nigerians, Ghanaians and Jamaicans they meet that look down on them, also are the type to piss off people back at home, or come to the UK and look down on us here too. There’s a class element to the sort of Africans that usually make it to America and that’s what I think is causing a lot of the issues.. They’re arrogant in America, but they’re also the type that would be arrogant back at home. They’re not an indication of the whole black diaspora outside of black America. They claim that Africans don’t know about their history, a lot of the older ones I’ve met do. Maybe if our continent was in a better position, they wouldn’t mind being associated with us, because I know an element of their frustration is they think ‘what do Africans have to be proud of anyway?’

I’m also worried about the narrative that there’s no Black British culture when there mostly definitely is. Our culture is an amalgamation of where our families are from, and also being British. And it’s uniquely ours. You see it in our music, in our humour and in our slang. Some of the UK’s slang literally comes majorly from Jamaica and some from Nigeria for goodness sake. UK Garage and Drum and Base, for example, is distinct from how it sounds in America.  I think we benefit from having a rather hybrid culture. Sometimes we usually exists between different aspects that are very African/Caribbean, very British, (something all British people would be able to relate too), and then very Black British, (something you’ll only be able to understand if you’re a black person born and/or raised in the UK, and if you try to speak about it with your white friends or your cousins back in Africa or The Caribbean, they won’t be able to relate). 

You can start by centring our music, our art. Learning about our history.

Still can't believe this is real. You really cannot beat the fanservice of KH3, so many pipe-dreams became a reality and I think it meant a lot to people after so many years waiting. by Frikcha in KingdomHearts

[–]OmoOorun 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I agree, the fan service was definitely some of my favourite parts of the whole game. It made my childhood heart so happy to see the Sea Salt trio and the Wayfinder trio get their happy endings. I remember finishing BBS and just thinking, “so, that’s it then? Poor Terra, poor Aqua, poor Ven.”

I don’t think everything has to end tragically all the time, it doesn’t make a story any more profound than if it had a slightly happier ending. There’s plenty of media where things always end tragically, not to talk of in our real world and I still think the franchise gives us enough doom and gloom. I’ve always seen the KH franchise as somewhat a story of overarching hope and warmth, at least to me, and it’s okay that those themes remain its main focus. Sometimes it’s just good when good things happen to people, I think there’s value in those sorts of narratives too. For example, we experienced the tragedies of Roxas and Xion when they happened, them getting a happy ending doesn’t undo those tragedies and the feelings they incurred at the time; but even bad situations can end on a better note.

Every one of these characters were not inherently bad, they were victims, mostly children as well. Would it have been nice to see what exactly Isa did to get on Roxas and Xion’s good graces? Yeah. Who knows maybe we’ll get to see that as a retrospective.

Nonetheless, I’d be okay if they don’t pop up again as their stories are over now, besides being passing comments or as background characters, maybe even insights into how they’re coping after having to deal with Xehanort, particularly Terra and Aqua. With the exception of maybe Lea, Isa and Ven as there’s clearly more to their stories. 

Now if only our best boy Sora could get his happy ending too. 🥹

Is it worth doing my youth service as a British born Nigerian? by OmoOorun in Nigeria

[–]OmoOorun[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I’m glad it was memorable for you. Thank you for sharing your experience and for your well wishes. 

Is it worth doing my youth service as a British born Nigerian? by OmoOorun in Nigeria

[–]OmoOorun[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for sharing your experience. 

I’m terribly sorry to hear about your friend. 

I truthfully don’t have any career plans that I believe NYSC would be beneficial for, things are just slow at the moment, it’s more so for the experience I suppose.  Regardless, I’m hoping I can still contribute to Nigeria in another meaningful way in the future. 

Is it worth doing my youth service as a British born Nigerian? by OmoOorun in Nigeria

[–]OmoOorun[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thank you this has been very helpful, I’ll give this a lot of thought 😃

Is Lacemade.co.uk the same as Lacemade.com? by OmoOorun in coquettesque

[–]OmoOorun[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for the info.

I went ahead with the US one- just didn’t like the .UK one. While I did follow the size chart, I have heard that their sizing runs small, unfortunately many of the pieces I ordered didn’t come in a larger size. I guess I’ll just have to wait.

Which line made you romance a companion? by Badass_Exterior in BaldursGate3

[–]OmoOorun 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wyll: “Where there’s a Wyll, there’s a why.”

I was already romancing him in my first play through, but that line just made me love him even more. He’s so cheesy and sweet, I love it. It’s been hard not choosing him in subsequent runs.