The Bullied Have Proven to Be Bullies, Too

Image from The Karate Kid (1984), owned by Columbia Pictures

bully: (verb) to act the bully toward; intimidate; domineer. -(dictionary.com)

The idea of bullying is being denounced by the majority of all American groups these days. Calls to end bullying and to teach the hows and whys of not bullying can be found anywhere, within any group, all across these beautiful American states.

So why are some people in these same groups using bullying as a process for getting their point across?

·       Feminists (oral/ print): Feminists have, over the course of time, changed the language in America to make it less oppressive to the female gender. Which is fine, great in fact, until you realize that some feminists use language to hold men in a word-prison. A man who disagrees on any point with a feminist can expect to reprimanded, if not outright attacked, in a flurry of insults and, if we’re honest, brutal disrespect.

·       African-Americans (oral/ print, violence): Some have been making videos calling for the stalking, hunting, and/ or murder of white people and police officers.

·       White People (any): White people still have to own up to having too many racists, misogynists, and republican extremists in their midst. –disclaimer: I’m white

·       LGBTQ (oral/ print, violence): Hell could not be more scary than saying something (many times accidentally) offensive to the transgender community. What is the typical reaction? Immediate berating, insults, and demands from the offended person’s community. Many times, the gay and lesbian communities react the same way.

·       The Seculars (oral/ print): The secular communities in America don’t tend to get physical, but the hell if they’ll let you forget what an ignorant ass you are if you believe in the “invisible man in the sky.” If you don’t adhere to strict, hard science, you’re going to hear/ read their feelings about you…over and over and over and over and over and over…

Now, keep in mind we’re talking about the bullies in these groups. Not one single group listed holds a 100% bully membership. However, 100% of the bullies in each group are more than willing to force you to hear them, adhere to their rules, and intimidate you into silence if you disagree with their views.

Why is everybody calling for an end to bullying, yet using bully tactics when faced with something they disagree with? Do you remember when you were being bullied? How did you feel?

Why do you expect the person you’ve started bullying to react any differently than you?

According to the litany of literature I’ve read (online) about bullying, you’re being a bully anytime you make fun of somebody else’s beliefs, grief them for their ideals, or intimidate those of a different discourse than your own.

Image from The Simpsons, owned by Fox Broadcasting

Every time you insult somebody, you’re a bully. Each blanket statement about a particular group is not only bullying, but also wrong. When you post something on social media about another groups failings, you’re not helping, you’re being a bully.

Even as you wail about how the bullies should leave you alone.

Think about that.

Every coin has two sides, but the bullying coin has no winners, regardless of whether heads or tails lands face up.

Thanks for reading, and take care of each other.

James Neal writes fantasy, both novel-length (Of Blood and Blade) and shorter stories (Paints the Invisible Eye).

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The 8 Necessary Character Roles in Fiction

You have the onerous task of creating a world, filling it with believable characters, and telling a damn good story. Hey, nobody said writing a story was easy.

I’ve written about Worldbuilding before, in 3 parts here, here, and here. Today, I want to introduce you to 8 necessary roles needed to flesh out your characters.

The 8 Necessary Character Roles:

Protagonist: Usually the main character. This is the character with a problem that

must be solved, but to do so must get past or through a series of obstacles.

Antagonist: This is the character working directly against your protagonist. Many times, the antagonist is just as able as your main character, and many times his or her exact opposite. For the antagonist to remain compelling, he or she must have as much care taken in creating a backstory, reasoning, and desires as the protagonist.

Mentor: Plays the “outside conscience” of your protagonist. His or her voice encapsulates the lesson of the story as well as the theme. While it may be tempting to make the mentor perfect, there is great drama available when the teacher/ moral compass is also flawed.

Tempter: This is the antagonist’s right hand. The tempter spends his or her time manipulating your protagonist away from the story goal or to go against the theme you’re presenting in the story. While this sounds like the job of the antagonist (and very well can be*), having another character who is part of your protagonist’s close group can prove just as exciting, and again, there is drama to be found here.

Sidekick: Throughout the course of your story, your protagonist should come against incredible odds. The sidekick can have several jobs. The main one is being an unwavering ally to your protagonist, through thick and thin. While the sidekick can (and should) become frustrated with your main character’s decisions at some point, he or she will never leave your protagonist’s side. Another job is to be the comedic relief. If your story is super serious, the sidekick can provide an injection of laughter, or give a ray of hope in bleak times. Yet another job the sidekick can provide is giving your protagonist access to a secondary set of skills. For example, your main character is a master thief? Maybe his or her sidekick has an in to high society, where your master thief can thrive.

Skeptic: This is the lone objector to the protagonist’s method(s). He or she does not believe in the theme of your story, nor the importance of your protagonist. In fact, unless there are previous or built-up loyalties to the protagonist, the skeptic may well go his or her own way. It’s even possible the skeptic wants your main character to succeed, but not at the cost of their own goal(s).

The Emotional: This is the character that reacts with his or her gut. This means being reactive and impulsive, sometimes succeeding in ways that a thinking character would never try. This also means they can find trouble by not thinking ahead.

The Logic: This character is a rational thinker who prefers to plan things out ahead of time. Answers with a matter-of-fact attitude, and usually knows more than he or she lets on. Has trouble considering things from an emotional angle.

A Little Extra That Helps Me:

Now you know the 8 main roles used in fiction. Keep in mind, there does not have to be a separate character for each role, but all 8 roles must be embodied somewhere. As for character creation itself, here is the template I use when beginning a new story:

Have fun, too!

Character Name:

Age:

Archetype: (please see the 12 Jungian archetypes, very helpful in determining goals) soulcraft.com

Quirks: I use three

Flaws: Three again

Skills: Make sure these help the character in the story

Thanks for reading, and much luck in your adventures!

James Neal writes fantasy, both novel-length (Of Blood and Blade) and shorter stories (Paints the Invisible Eye).

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5 Lines of TV: Arrow S4E1

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The original post incorrectly stated the last speaker as Damian Dark, edited to reflect the correct spelling: Damian Darhk.

5 Lines of TV: Arrow S4E1

Image property of CW Network

Taking popular shows and giving you five lines of dialogue. Quick and easy to digest. Like the idea? Comment! Have a favorite show? Let me know!

“We’re really going to have to work on your definition of cool.” Black Canary

“I thought that tasted funny.” District Attorney Kate Spencer

“The Arrow’s dead.” “We’re hoping that’s not the case.” Oliver Queen/ Laurel Lance

“The monster you were inspired new monsters.” Captain Quentin Lance

“You can’t be the arrow, he died. So who are you?” Damian Darhk

What are your favorite lines from the last episode? Fave of all time?

James Neal writes fantasy, both novel-length (Of Blood and Blade) and shorter stories (Paints the Invisible Eye).

He’s also on social media, so are energy drinks, but we digress. Click to join us on:

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5 Lines of TV: The Flash S2E1

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5 Lines of TV: The Flash S2E1

Image owned by CW Network

A new division of American Dirt, 5 Lines of TV takes popular shows and gives you five lines of dialogue in an attempt to describe the essence of the show. Like the idea? Comment! Have a favorite show? Let me know!

“I think I’m going to call it “The Boot.” Cisco Ramon

“In this city I expect flying, evil monsters.” Detective Joe West

“Dr. Stein, you are a genius.” “I think that’s already been well established.” Cisco Ramon/ Dr. Martin Stein

“So stop with all this hogging of the blame.” Detective Joe West

Image owned by CW Network

“You of all people know I wasn’t the hero that day. Ronnie saved my life.” Barry Allen

Bonus Line:

“Run Barry, run.” Detective Joe West

James Neal writes fantasy, both novel-length (Of Blood and Blade) and shorter stories (Paints the Invisible Eye).

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5 Lines of TV: Gotham S2E3

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5 Lines of TV- Gotham S2E3

A new division of American Dirt, 5 Lines of TV takes popular shows and gives you five lines of dialogue in an attempt to describe the essence of the show. Like the idea? Comment! Have a favorite show? Let me know!

“Ha. Ha. Ha.” Jerome Valeska

Image Property of Fox Television

“C’mon Master Bruce, time to leave.” Alfred Pennyworth

“I will not let him hurt Alfred.” Bruce Wayne

“Am I a hero?” Theo Galavan

“Your legacy will be death…and madness…” Paul Cicero

Image Property of Fox Television

Guns in America: An Opinion Piece Meant to Discuss, Not Cuss

Image found at: https://www.deepdotweb.com/tag/guns/

This is an opinion piece, meaning I’m making claims based on MY personal experience more than through the use of data. In fact, the only outside source I’m using today is list25’s Countries With the Highest Murder Rates in the World. The top 25 most murderous countries, and the U.S. isn’t on there. This data is from January of 2015.

Guns in America is one of the top divisive topics on American minds right now, especially since yet another shooting just happened at Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Oregon.

I am a gun owner. I was raised in a family that owned guns. I was taught the power of guns in a ridiculous, overemphasized manner- my father shot a bird at close range and told me to note the damage a bullet had done to its body. He then told me a bullet will do the same to me, or somebody else. You know what, I decided I didn’t want to shoot anybody. I also decided I didn’t want to hunt unless it proved necessary.

My children know I own a gun. They have held it without bullets in the magazine, and with. They have watched me shoot my Taurus .45 at targets (not live birds). They know what a bullet will do if it hits them, or somebody else. My children know not to touch my gun without my express permission, and know they must ask each time.

I know not everybody gets raised that way. I’m aware there are sick people who want ten minutes to three weeks of fame. I know some people really do just want to watch the world burn. Those are the scary people, and yes, they’re getting ahold of guns.

These are the type of people who, once they do something wrong, must be put down. Like a dog who bit a child, it’s too late to save them after the fact. Those who haven’t done terrible things yet, I think, are being misled by media into thinking they will mean something if they just do something horrible. I think most of these people have a mental illness that wasn’t diagnosed because America is so terribly afraid mental illness.

I think guns are a tool, in and of themselves not responsible for heinous acts and atrocities. There is an underlying cause, a basic un-appreciation for human life in general that’s infected America. Taking away guns will not cure this ill. It might slow down one or two of the crazies wanting a showdown, but it won’t suddenly stop. If need be, these types of people will pick up a kitchen knife and start slitting throats. They will use a lead pipe to bash in heads. Whatever it takes to make the news. Whatever it takes to be remembered.

At the same time, I can only fit 10 rounds into my .45. Maybe hunters and gun enthusiast could afford fewer rounds per magazine. Maybe, if these were more limited, the animals would have to take a break to put in a new magazine and be taken out earlier. For me, in my own house, if I miss an intruder 10 times, I am going to die anyway.

Some people want to remind us that the 2^nd Amendment guarantees the right to bear arms even against a tyrannical government. While true, it also states that this is as part of a well disciplined and efficient militia. So, perhaps we’ll have to leave the current and future militias alone, but the rest of us, we don’t have the manpower, discipline, training, or guns to take down the government should it become tyrannical, at least not the general citizen. We’ve been allowed to bear arms anyway. It’s time, finally, to admit we need to do so responsibly. I don’t know what all that should entail, but we’re not cowboys anymore. Thanks for reading, and please, stay safe out there.

James Neal writes fantasy, both novel-length (Of Blood and Blade) and shorter stories (Paints the Invisible Eye).

He’s also on social media, so are fire ants, but we digress. Click to join him on:

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5 Lines of TV: Gotham S2E2

5 Lines of TV: Gotham S2E2

All images owned by Fox TV network

A new division of American Dirt, 5 Lines of TV takes popular shows and gives you five lines of dialogue in an attempt to describe the essence of the show. Like the idea? Comment! Have a favorite show? Let me know!

“The monsters are coming” Theo Galavan

“You’re fired.” “As you wish, Master Bruce.” Bruce Wayne/ Alfred Pennyworth

“I’m the boss.” Jerome Valeska, after pulling the trigger three times in a game of Russian Roulette.

“I have nothing but the best of intentions for Bruce Wayne.” Lucious Fox

“My line! There’s nothing more contagious than laughter.” Jerome Valeska

All images owned by Fox TV network

I made the mistake of posting these pictures saying they belonged to the CW TV network. I was wrong, and have since corrected the captions to reflect Fox Network's ownership. My apologies for the mix-up.

James Neal writes fantasy, both novel-length (Of Blood and Blade) and shorter stories (Paints the Invisible Eye).

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How Much Should Writers Reveal About Themselves Online?

A fellow writer and blogger, Avery K. Tingle, once asked the question: “How much do you reveal about yourself online?” It was an entire blog post, and I’m not positive I’m quoting him verbatim, but that is the general idea about which he was wondering. He had just convinced me to try blogging, and in my beginner’s spirit I answered, via blog post, that as writers we must be willing to write about anything. The trick, I said, is to ensure you’re comfortable with any consequences that may come from writing about that “anything.”

Three years later and I’m beginning to understand where Avery was coming from. I’m beginning to wonder how much to put out there. I’ve had some wonderful interactions, especially when I wrote about Westboro Baptist Church invading my hometown or Leelah Alcorn’s suicide. Then, there’s post like this, where my message got buried under anger. I received the most comments on that post, but as for decent conversation, there was next to none.

That post taught me something. You can’t write anything. Well, not if you plan on being heard. There is a fine line between shock value and honesty. I’m sure every writer worth their salt has thought about putting pen to paper in an all-out rage-fest against one or more groups they find particularly irritating. However, the good writers don’t, or at least they’re more subtle than a metaphorical atomic bomb.

So what was that about ensuring you’re comfortable with any consequences that may come, James?

The words on that post will haunt me, probably for years, perhaps my entire life. I could delete it, but why? The damage to my reputation is done. I take responsibility for not ensuring, beforehand, that what I wrote said precisely what I meant in a way others would take time to understand. That is part and parcel to the work we do- accepting responsibility for all that we reveal about ourselves.

How much should you reveal about yourself online? Whatever you’re willing to take responsibility for in the future. I’ve found my limit, what’s yours?

James Neal writes fantasy, both novel-length (Of Blood and Blade) and shorter stories (Paints the Invisible Eye).

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Why the Witch Hunt in the Kim Davis Debacle?

Photo credit: Ty Wright/Getty Images

Kim Davis

Yes, I can see you’re already warming those fingertips up to backlash at me if I say something in her defense.

I’m not going to.

But a Few Hard Questions

I am going to ask a few hard questions though. I’ve read so many articles about this woman, and none of them have answered why we’re smearing a woman’s name in every little corner of the internet and newshole.

Did she do something wrong? Yes. A couple of things if we’re being honest. The first and most obvious being that Kim Davis did not step down from her position as soon as gay marriage was legalized. The second thing she did wrong, and this is where it ends folks, is she continued pulling a paycheck despite not being willing to do her job. That’s the reason the judge threw her in jail for contempt of court. That is it. The end. Game over.

Is She Really More Selfish Than Any of Us?

Her thoughts and beliefs she has displayed in public are not illegal to hold. Bigoted? Sure. Dangerous? From her, I doubt it. Yet we have turned her into a public figure while leading a veritable inquisition against her…and her “kind.” My kind. The God-fearing kind. So, hard question number one: Why are we burning a woman at the stake for being selfish? More important to myself and others like me (others who tend to be far more quiet than I), why are all God-fearing men and women being targeted along with yet another Christian who managed to hit the stupid wall?

Do You Care About Peace, Or Being “Right(eous)?

Hard question number two follows closely with number one: The LGBT community has been asking for peace and equality within the sanctity of law. Equality needed to happen, but it seems that since the LGBT won marriage equality, many of you (not all) are doing little more than inciting Christians to fight with you. I’ve warned about this type of behavior before. Inciting a fight does nothing but…well…incite a fight. What happened to the message of peace and equality, and do you still even care? Do you want Christians on your side? I’m not feeling very safe on this side of the line. How long, I wonder, before you turn the mob mentality against me?

Kim Davis VS Social Justice

So this is necessary?

Kim Davis is going to lose her battle of religion vs law. She lost the battle against social justice warriors the minute she refused to sign a marriage certificate. Please take a moment to realize what this witch hunt has been about: a piece of paper. I’m not saying it’s not important to uphold the law. I’m not saying Kim Davis was in the right. But, in the aftermath, the social justice warriors have once again proven they can be just as wrong.

The street goes both ways. You can’t bully people after telling them they can’t bully you. You can’t burn crosses in people’s backyards when you’ve told them it’s wrong. You can’t tell a group of people exactly how to think when you’ve demanded to be free to think for yourself.

Let's allow the law to handle Mrs. Davis. I promise you, they will take care of the problem one way or another.

James Neal writes fantasy, both novel-length (Of Blood and Blade) and shorter stories (Paints the Invisible Eye). He’s also on social media, so are tires, but we digress. Click to join us on:

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Lessons About Community Learned From My Local Supermarket

Building a community around your business is difficult. Regardless of your industry, to lead the pack seems like a great and horrendous challenge. While I can’t turn it into a one-two-three process, I did realize something about communities while shopping at my local supermarket, Sav-a-Lot. I don’t know a lot, but let me share this little story with you.

Sav-a-Lot is not a one-store mom and pop shop, not anymore at least. It’s also not Wal-Mart Corporation huge. This particular brand is successful at building a community around it. In my case, it’s the only place I can buy my energy drinks (two a day, no more, no less), so I end up going there. Every. Single. Day. That’s one part of building a community we can all agree with: have a product or service others deem important or necessary.

So, I’m already heading into this supermarket every morning. My fiancé usually has a small list of items she wants me to pick up along with my drinks. Using coupons and doing basic math, she finds deals on items she would otherwise spend more on before driving home from working at Walmart. So we could say that part of building a community is: extending value beyond your own four walls.

I pick up these items, but sometimes my favorite flavor isn’t in the fridge where it’s supposed to be. Sometimes, I simply pick a different flavor, but other times I’m feeling selfish and ask one of the workers if there are any of my flavor in the back. And here is where our community-building story takes off. See, the first time I asked this, the employee looked at me, annoyed at the interruption (really dude, there’s three other flavors, come on). But, they went in the back, grabbed my two cans of preferred flavor, and went on their way. Aside from a look, there was no blow-back for my request. I understood that look, because I’ve given it to retail customers myself. In other words, and I’m not saying you should work for free, but this employee performed an extra task with little to no retaliation.

Being that my typical load is less than five items, I get annoyed when I’m behind a customer that just bought everything in the store. However, I also know that my timing was wrong. Had I left for the store 15 minutes earlier, I could be ahead of the crowd. So I never whine about being behind. A lot of times, a non-clerk employee will pull me to an empty register and help me out. I always make sure to tell them thank you. They smile, and tell me to stay safe or some other positive message.

But just yesterday, I realized a full exchange has happened between this store and myself. I had just pulled into the tiny parking lot, and an older gentleman with a full cart was not even off the sidewalk yet, but crossing the roadway. I had time to pull through without endangering the man, or anybody else, but I stopped and let him pass. Why? Because he was old? Because I’m not as alpha as other men? Maybe, but that doesn’t explain some actions I’ve taken in Wal-Mart’s parking lots.

When my hands aren’t too full, and I see a cart out of place (in-store or in the parking lot), I get them out of the way for others, people I will never see and will never know a non-employee took care of something. Why? It’s not for ego.

I don’t spend a lot of time smiling or trying to impress people outside of my writing and artwork. But, when I’m at Sav-a-Lot, I smile a lot. I laugh too, even at the bad jokes employees and other customers say. Am I just being a different person in public, for the people of Sav-a-Lot? Well, yes…but only because the store and its employees let me feel like I belong there. And I think, as a hustling freelancer, as a busy artist, as a person who knows how hard it can be to build a community, that this last part is the most important part of doing so.

Have you had trouble, or success, building a community around your company or brand? Let me know in the comments, I’d love to hear your story!

Quick Recap

·       have a product or service others deem important or necessary

·       extend value beyond your own four walls.

·       perform an extra task with little to no retaliation, though not for free

·       never whine about being behind- everybody starts further back than someone else

·       help me out- or I won’t want to do anything for you

·       always make sure to say thank you

·       tell me to stay safe or have some other positive message

·       let me feel like I belong here

James Neal writes fantasy, both novel-length (Of Blood and Blade) and shorter stories (Paints the Invisible Eye).

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A Modern-Day, True Story Fable: The Writer and the Real World

This post has proven one of the hardest I’ve written. Since the first American Dirt post, I’ve pointed my finger at the many problems I see within American politics, culture, and pop-culture. Many fine insights and allegories exist within the words written here. This time, I’m pointing the finger back at myself. In doing so, I’m revealing my fallibility.

I’m laughing too because, on my original (now defunct) blog, RoosterWords, I had no problem pointing the finger at me. I laid out every mistake I was making, hoping somebody else would read it and not make those same mistakes. I’m afraid to do that on American Dirt. I’m afraid, now, that a person will read about me and call me a fool. I’m afraid you will point your finger…at me.

See, I wanted to introduce myself and show how poignant my points can be. How I’ve learned to set each word to impact the reader, set their mind on fire, and get them thinking about the subject I’m writing about. Instead, it seems I’m setting myself on fire in the digital street.

Five years ago, I began taking my writing seriously. My novel’s first draft was near completion, and blogging was introduced to me. Despite having no idea what blogging “is,” I discovered I had a natural knack for writing “to” people rather than “at” people. Five years ago, I felt my writing would take me everywhere.

I finished that novel, Of Blood and Blade, posted on RoosterWords, and eventually started worrying about my “brand.” Y’know, that big, buzzy word that every corporation and celebrity knocks around? Yeah. So despite the fifteen people following my blog at the time, despite my words touching somebody enough to want to read more, I deleted RoosterWords. I pretended that fifteen people wanting to read my words wasn’t going to make or break me. Maybe I was right…I think now I was a horrible person, and wrong.

By this point, my “true” professional life was in the toilet. I worked for a Rent-to-Own company that I despised (and for the second time, mind you), and they treated me, and the rest of my coworkers, like rag dolls. There came a point, and this was about two years ago, where I’d had enough. The company managed to push me, a father of two, far enough to quit. That’s a story for another day. I called my fiancé, and told her I was done with this job. I told her I’d make money freelancing because goodness, I’m just so good with words.

So I stayed home, I got on the freelancing sites like Guru and Elance, wrote up offers and…and nothing happened. Literally nothing. And now, two years later, I still haven’t’ managed to hustle up some business. Well, I created two logos and a book cover that I actually got paid for, but not a dime for my freelancing. And, because of that, I can’t afford to buy the courses that could make me better. I’m not taking care of my family financially. I’m the deadbeat dad I promised I never would be.

It didn’t have to get this bad. I could have put my ego to the side, did what the experts say, and found a job to get me through “the rough patch.” A few family issues aside (my fiancé works overnights, childcare is $1600/mo, etc) I could have done better. But I thought I was a special snowflake, I thought that if I gave myself no other option, I would succeed. Maybe I special, but I certainly don’t feel it now.

So I’m getting a J-O-B. I’m going to continue blogging. I will write fiction I know is decent. But so far, I’m no freelancer. It’s time I stop acting like a freeloader, as well. Maybe, if I put my ego to the side for a bit, my writing could still take me everywhere. I've got some work ahead of me yet.

Now, you can point the finger at me, or join me in solidarity by commenting on your foibles below. Trust me, I’d love to know I’m not the only one.

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I'm Hopping Off the Caitlyn Jenner Train, and Here's Why

Image found at: http://www.charismanews.com/opinion/50572-a-warning-to-christians-who-are-celebrating-bruce-caitlyn-jenner-s-transgenderism

I'm jumping off the Caitlyn Jenner train. I know this is going to draw ire from many people…and I'm even more aware that many of those people may have stopped reading. Still here? Good, hear me out.

First, I'm not against Ms. Jenner being transgender. The likelihood of the two of us meeting are less than I'd like to admit (I’m not famous…), but if we did, I would hold zero hate that she was once a man. I consider myself an ally to the LGBTQ community.

Second, I’m not all that concerned about Jenner winning the courage award. Except, that’s not 100% true. Jenner winning an award does not bother me…the fact that she only paid lip-service to the needs of the transgender community while on the stage, her “platform” as she spoke of it many times during her ten minute speech…that is what bothers me.

Throughout that speech, little nuggets of gold were interspersed with more “me’s” than I could stick into the chapter of a novel written in first person. However, some of those nuggets are important.

Nuggets like: “They're learning that they're different, and they're trying to figure out…how to handle that. On top of every other problem that a teenager has. They're getting bullied. They're getting beaten up. They're getting murdered, and they're committing suicide.”

Or: “We've come a long way, but we have a lot of work to do.”

Image Found: http://www.tvguide.com/news/caitlyn-jenner-espys-speech-blog/

And the best part: “It is an honor to have the word “courage” associated with my life, but on this night another word comes to mind, and that is, fortunate…if someone wanted to bully me well you know what I was the MVP of the football team that just wasn't going to be a problem. And the same thing goes tonight. If you want to call me names, make jokes, doubt my intentions, go ahead. Because the reality is, I can take it. But for the thousands of kids out there coming to terms with who they are, they shouldn’t have to take it.”

I agree with your words, Caitlyn. From the very bottom of my bared soul, I agree. You absolutely are fortunate, you absolutely don't have to worry about the train of words coming at you, and at this point, you will never be attacked on any kind of regular basis like the thousands of kids to whom you delivered your beautiful lip-service.

Now, am I saying Caitlyn Jenner needs or should be attacked in order to prove, in some barbaric manner, she is really transgender? Of course not.

All I want to know, Ms. Jenner, is how you are going to transform those words into action? When will you set up a fund to help these kids reach success in transitioning themselves? When will you spend time at the safe shelters set up for those getting beat up? When, my real question is, will you stop being just a mouthpiece for the transgender community, and become an arm that holds them up?

I'm glad you're speaking up for the transgender kids, Ms. Jenner. But until you move your platform beyond speeches constantly referring to how horrifying it’s been for you, I’m off the train. No more “we can all get along” talk. Of course that’s how it should be. It isn’t. You have made yourself the public face of the transgender community. Stop talking about yourself.

 When you do, and I see you getting what the transgender community needs from you- results, I'll kick my horse racing to get back on the Caitlyn Jenner train. Results like safe places, safe surgeries they cannot afford right now, and psychological counseling (like you received throughout your own transition).

I'm not saying this should all come straight out of Caitlyn Jenner’s pocket, either. However, your platform can reach pockets these thousands of kids never could, and right now, that’s what they need from their new hero. Caitlyn, the time has come to get to work.

#LoveWins and a Warning About Victory

Image found at https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/nation/2015/06/26/white-house-lit-rainbow-colors-after-gay-marriage-ruling/YoPuTWIBwv2QHMrI4yxwKK/story.html

Gay marriage is real, it’s even LEGAL! Yaaaay! *throws multi-colored confetti in the air*

There’s something I want to say, as a warning, to all those celebrating the Supreme Court’s decision…

Please, please avoid the temptation to entice fights by throwing around generalized “We WON assholes” type posts on social media. Unless you’re just looking for a fight, which goes against both #LoveWins and your constant calls for equality.

See, there’s this thing about human beings: homosexual, pansexual, straight, white, colored, or polka-dotted, where we search for retribution after the fact, meaning, even after we’ve won a competition, we want to drill the victory into our opponents head (or arms, or eyes, or hands, or or or). That’s why gaming has such a thing as teabagging, which if you don’t know, is where a player’s avatar squats up and down over a fallen enemies head. It’s gross, unnecessary, and rampant. Much like some victory posts I’m seeing about legalized marriage for all.

Now, I am NOT saying don’t celebrate. I’m not even saying don’t scream it from the rooftops. You’ve earned the right to be legally recognized and that is a big deal. But these inflammatory messages I’m seeing already on social media suggest that suddenly, many members of the LGBT don’t care about equality, they care only about themselves and their feelings.

If you feel the need to attack somebody, there are plenty of anti-LGBT bigots left in the world. I am only asking that you target the individual bigots, rather than lumping or even insinuating that an entire group deserves to be offended. And if you feel the need to rub everybody’s nose in your brand new awesome shit, maybe that message of love you were preaching about a week ago doesn’t mean near as much now that you’ve won. What does that say about the entire movement?

Victory is sweet, but it can quickly become pungent. Don’t be that person that turns something sweet into something terrible and sour. I’d like to feel that I’m still welcome as an ally. Thanks in advance.

Stop Demonizing Me for Being a White Male

Stop. No stop it. That’s not even fair just stop!

Not exactly exhilarating arguments, are they? In fact, the words above sound like my five year old arguing with his older sister. The end result will be the same: you’ll laugh at me if that’s all I bring to the table for this debate.

Image is property of Square Enix 

However, from everything I've been reading about “white privilege,” and everything I'm hearing about what, specifically white, straight, men, should say, these are the words we are left with to regurgitate without stepping on anybody’s toes.

I’m about to step on some toes.

From fem-nazi rhetoric to #BlackLivesMatter, I'm constantly barraged with how evil and patriarchal I am towards all groups outside of the Straight White Male Club. As I read article after article about all my supposed white privilege for being part of the SWMC, I discover I am part of rape-culture, though I've never touched a woman who didn’t consent, nor thought to. Me, specifically, because the author knows me in such a fucking intimate manner he knows my inner thoughts and processes (we've never met or spoken). Or this one, who apparently thinks that we are in the same boat because WHITE MAN!

I will say this: white, straight, males with money are highly privileged. Absolutely. So are black men with money. So are women with money. Mexican/Latinos, Spanish, Asians, Russians, and politicians with money have all kinds of privileges.

I'll also say that any kid who graduated from Howard University was pretty fucking privileged too. Let’s look at women’s colleges. I'm pretty sure anybody with a vagina has a better shot of getting into any of those schools than I ever did. Me, the white straight male that can do whatever the fuck he wants. Look, my point isn't that there shouldn't be black schools or women’s universities. I am saying, check your fucking privilege. I am saying that money buys a lot…color and gender have very little to do with what money can attain. And I'm also saying that you are not out in the dark, left cold to die in barren, lifeless nothingness just because you aren't the SWMC.

Stop demonizing me. I'm a fun guy to talk philosophy with. I'm easygoing and overall a passive fella. I make comic art from Minecraft skins. I wrote a fantasy novel and short story. Yeah, I have faults, and I’ve had thoughts that don't fit into the narrow, twisted corridors of words I am or am not allowed to say. I’m allowed that. I’m allowed an opinion that’s different from your opinion of what utopia could be. These are the thoughts that make life beautiful and fun and diverse…as well as dark and shitty and scary. We aren't allowed utopia. We have Earth, and it will be whatever we can manage to make it. We all make it a great place…and we're all guilty of causing somebody at least a little hell.

So stop. No, stop it. That shit’s not even fair.

Daredevil on Netflix: the Network Without Fear

Daredevil Cast

Matt Murdoch/ Daredevil: Charlie Cox

Wilson Fisk: Vincent D’Onofrio

Foggy Nelson: Elden Henson

Karen Page: Deborah Ann Woll

Claire Temple: Rosario Dawson

Ben Urich: Vondie Curtis-Hall

Vanessa (Fisk): Ayelet Zurer

It seems ridiculous now, but before Netflix debuted Marvel’s Daredevil, nobody could overlook the bad taste Ben Affleck’s turn as the crimson-colored crusader had left in our collective mouth. Many fans of the comic, myself included, wondered if Marvel had it in them to up the ante and bring the darkness of the comics to the small screen. Even when the previews started pouring in, that silly black mask wasn’t convincing that the show would overcome Marvel’s ability to create a bad TV show.

Friday, April 10^th came, and I settled into my chair to binge-watch the thirteen episode season of a show I wasn’t sold on. Ten minutes after hitting play, it became clear that Daredevil was no longer going to be a whispered joke among hardcore comic fans. From dark (read: black) fight scenes to decidedly un-angelic characters, this wasn’t a Disney princess parade. This was Hell’s Kitchen, where nobody comes out clean and life is never shining.

Let me back up just a little bit here. I read Daredevil in the 90’s (yes, that magical place that old people come from), when Joe Quesada introduced a comic that had more shadow in it than color. I wondered then exactly how much ink he used to fill those pages in each issue. On top of that, the covers were beautiful, more art than comic, and really sold the devil-vs-angel aspect of our titular character. What I wanted out of this show was what I loved in those comics: dark, gritty stories backed up by dark, gritty visuals.

Marvel gave me exactly what I was looking for. Entranced far after my fiancé had decided the screen was too dark for her to enjoy; I spent thirteen hours glued to my chair, soaking in the refreshing grittiness, watching the glass hearts of hero and villain shatter and glue back together again.

And why was it just so good? Because the show takes it’s time, running the plot threads in circles before closing up each wound. Every stitch is visible, but you have to be willing to watch the needle push through the skin and into the meat before you can breathe a sigh of relief. Despite the TV-MA rating, Daredevil doesn’t push blood and gore into every scene, which is why each time some shows up, it punches you in the gut. It matters. There is always a solid, story-driven reason they push into violent territory.

As with any good show, what ties it all together is the talent of the

cast. From Charlie Cox’s cocky, but shattering, Man-Without-Fear and Vincent D’Onofrio’s terrifying, sometimes child-like Wilson Fisk, these two opponents are definitely meant to face each other multiple times. Deborah Ann Woll surprised me as she went from being victim to determined scooper, without forgetting she was a victim. Foggy Nelson starts off outlandish and unnecessary, but ends the series as important and meaningful as Murdoch himself. And, my all-time favorite supporting character, Ben Urich, is done full justice by the amazing Vondie Curtis-Hall.

Everyone has already talked about the amazing fight scenes, and all I have to add really is that I think it’s amazing that, for the first half of the series, Matt Murdoch’s fighting style mimics boxing more than martial arts, and after a “meeting” with his mentor, Sticks, he seems to change into a more fluid fighter. That he takes bone-crunching beatings just like his dad did in the ring…well…the saying like-father-like-son has possibly never been clearer.

In short, if you're on the fence about this new version of Daredevil, swing off and join the rest of us, right here in the shadows of Hell’s Kitchen. Or at least, on Netflix.

James Neal works on his own webcomic, Mandy and Murder-Bear. Also, his fantasy novel, Of Blood and Blade is available now on Amazon.