Newsboy selling the Chicago Defender, a leading Negro newspaper
Jack Delano - 1942
The Defender did not use the words "Negro" or "black" in its pages. Instead, African Americans were referred to as "the Race" and black men and women as "Race men and Race women." The Chicago Defender's local circulation soon surpassed that of the three rival papers that existed in the Chicago area at that time
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Unexpected Rescue
You were teaching Ileist a card game you knew before the scientists dragged you off to who knows where for the night. Your ears perked up at the sound of sirens suddenly going off. You and Ileist shared a glance before the young teal moved closer to you, the game forgotten. A monotone robotic voice soon crackled out of the speakers that were strewn throughout the facility.
“[REDACTED] security lockdown protocols initiated. Personnel are to return experiments to their cells and make their way to designated safety zones IMMEDIATELY.”
Ileist tugged at your sleeve and whimpered at the noise.
“Q-Quizel, what’s going on?”
“I dunno…Stick close to me, though.”
“Okay…”
Minutes passed before the door to your cell was opened. You could hear absolute chaos outside. Someone unknown stepped into the room, glancing around before their eyes landed on you and Ileist. You growled, pulling the teal close as the stranger put their hands up defensively and backed up.
“Hey now. The name’s Bishop. I’m not here to hurt anyone. I’m just here to rescue a friend.”
“And I’m a beast’s lusus. What kind of bullshit are you trying to pull here?”
“I’m serious, miss. I’m looking for someone we call Rook. Do you know them? They’re an indigo about 6 feet tall? Scar on their forehead?”
You paused to consider your options before taking a deep breath. You had nothing left to lose by helping this guy out.
“…I saw someone like that. Cellblock B I think? It was the other night so I can’t be sure the kid is even still there.”
“We’ll check it out. Thank you, miss.”
Bishop pulled something out of their pocket, probably a communicator of some sort. They spoke into it, informing their comrades to check Cellblock B for their missing friend and to free others as they go. They turned back to face you and Ileist.
“Thank you again. Now please, both of you follow me. I can get you guys outta here.”
You and Ileist shared a look. What if this was all some kind of sick joke by the bored scientists here? Bishop seemed to sense your hesitation and gave you a sympathetic look.
“I can’t begin to understand what you guys have been through…I’ll leave the cell open. If you guys decide to leave, I’ll be waiting for you outside. It’s up to you.”
And with that, Bishop left the room. You sit in silence for a few moments before speaking again.
“Kid. It’s up to you. Do we go with Bishop or stay here?”
“U-Um…Let’s leave with Mister Bishop.”
You sighed before getting up off the bed, Ileist clinging to you like a baby panda. You make your way across the room and take a few unsure steps out the door. True to his word, Bishop was waiting for you amidst the chaos.
“Hey! I’ll lead you to extraction and join my team to search for Rook, okay?”
You nod and follow Bishop as he leads the way to what you hope is freedom.
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look at me. listen to me. bigots and queerphobes don’t know the distinction between a trans person, a gnc cis gay person, and a cisgender heterosexual crossdresser. all of these people are just queer degenerates to them. that is why their anti-drag bills are written so vaguely as to encompass any possible mundane gender nonconformity - so they can target as many of us as possible in one ruling. and that’s why you need to stop trying to put lines between these groups in regards to ‘who’s more oppressed’ and ‘who has the right to talk about gender’ - gender nonconformity and transgenderism are punished in exactly the same way. cut one of us and the other bleeds. our fight is the same.
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