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luigis-mogai-mansion · 3 years

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How to make 2s/two spirit flags when you arent 2s/native american/native Canadian/white

By:@luigis-mogai-mansion ( a 2s person)

So! You got a request in your inbox from a 2s person concerning 2s related content and your concerned you may accidentally come off as racist, choose offensive colors/names or make a mistake? Heres a guide from a 2s person on how to go about the request!

Dos and donts with the flag/name/colors/etc!

Do!:

Be respectful! Ask questions if your worried something might be offensive.

Take inspiration from the native wheel if your stuck. It contains the colors black, red, yellow and white.

(If coining something by a 2s person for other 2s) write their definition word for word. Its ok to fix grammer but do not alter the definition. Especially if your intention is to make it more inclusive. The entire reason two spirit being an identity exclusive to native american and native canadian people is said so much is because white people like to appropriate our terms.

(If its towards a specific tribe and not pan-indian in nature)Make sure to include colors associated with the specific tribe and not just " general colors".

Work natural colors into it. Muted greens, blues, reds, yellows and browns are wonderful choices.

Only make combos, coinings, flags, etc. If requested by a native person, not of your own valition. Basically dont go off and make them without being asked cause your combo could turn out to be offensive.

Be aware that we are not a hive mind and what some 2s people find totally normal and acceptable, others find revolting. Make your own deductions based on research.

Take anon 2s requests. We dont need to prove ourselves to you and 9 times out of 10, the only people requesting 2s things are 2s themselves.

Ask for input by 2s creators! Sometimes we dont have the answer on if something is offensive or not but most of us are happy to step in and help if your stuck on naming something or colors.

Dont!;

Make the color scheme mostly if not entirely red or represent the possibley needed poc stripes at the top in red tones. Associating red with native peoples skin is the same as associating yellow with asian peoples skin. Its offensive and often untrue.

Work the words eskimo, squaw, buck or any other slurs into the title. If you arnt sure its a slur or not, do some research and it'll hopefully clear anything up!

Add the words chief, tipi, dreamcatcher, pow wow, longhouse, totem pole, parka, etc. Into the name unless asked. Just because it is apart of native culture dosent make it less sterotypical.

Remove the religious aspects of this gender. Its name and premise is related to common native belief of having a male and female spirit aka 2 spirit.

Make 2s loveing 2s or 2s42s flags if you are not 2s. Culturally, a 2s person being with another 2s person was considered incestous for some tribes so be careful.

Make combos with agender/gendervoid. Culturally, having no gender/spirit was either veiwed as impossible or that you were something monsterous/evil. You can make them and agender/gendervoid 2s people exist but culturally, its not considered a good thing. Third genders are fine.

Insert your own opinions on the label. Most of us would not come to a white person for flags or coinings unless we particularly like you or have no ability to do it ourselves. Also we dont care what you think and you will most likely be labled a racist.

Assume all 2s people are bigender/male and female. Its a wide definition and covers mulitple forms of gender.

Imply or attempt to force 2s people into or out of the label lgbt/q*eer(censored for ops triggers)/mogai or its communities. Its a very personal stance. However, most 2s people do not consider being 2s to put them into the lgbt community due to it being considered, in general, a colonist/white/non-native concept.

Take offense when we call you a colonist. Its not a slur or some shit! However, be aware its pretty split on usage. 50% use it as just a term for non-native people that has no negative intention( similar to hawaiians and the term haole or jewish people and the term goy) but theres also 50% who use it as an insult or to call out privilage. In the end, its context.

Try to be the white savior. There are misninformed 2s people obvs but remember that even if a term from a 2s may seem offensive( excluding those trying to justify stuff like pedophilia, incest, etc. By saying " its 2s" when its not). Remember, we are trying to navigate oftenly white labels that barely make sense to us culturally so dont freak out when we identify as part man while also being a lesbian. Its a cultural difference and no, we arent " forceing men into lesbian spaces".

Take 2s requests from non-native people. Just dont. Idc if they said its for a friend or anything like that, most of the time they are lieing. They probably think 2s is open for everyone when it very much so is not and they want to hide the fact they are culturally appropriating.

Outright deny our requests because your scared of being racist or overstepping boundaries! We requested it from you in the first place so not only do we give you permission but we also trust you with it. Its fine to ask questions and we will help you so please dont be afraid of us and our flag.

Think your expert on 2s because you made a combo that they liked or identities based on 2s. Yes, it starts you on the path of being a wonderful ally but please remember you are an ally, not one of us.

Now for some common questions and answers!

Is it ok for me to make combos/terms/etc about 2s when its requested by a 2s person?

Yes! Theres nothing wrong with it. Just dont do it without being asked because it could end up being racist.

Can i redesign the 2s flag even if im not 2s/native?

Nope! But a conditional nope. Only of your being guided by a 2s person. Otherwise please dont touch it. You can make pastel/touch ups/equalize the stripes but dont alter the colors.

What 2s flag should i use?

Personally, ive seen most of us perfer this flag!

Its also encouraged that you dont use the flag that is just rainbow/trans/nb with the feathers on top! It was not made by a 2s person and, as stated before, we arent inherently lgbt.

What combos should i avoid?

As stated above, gendervoid/agender or any genders that suggest you never have a gender may not be taken lightly by some members but you can still do them. Also probably avoid anything related to alcoholism, drug use, savagery and animal imagery. Also avoid combining us with flags/terms by tgce, veganism, christian or atheist terms. Tgce is racist towards native americans, veganism is often very very anti-native, we were tortured at large by chrisitians and religion is a key part to being 2s so total atheism cant really co-exist with it.

What do i do if i accidentally made something racist?

Uhm... Delete it, Apologize, dont deny it happened/downplay what you did/defend yourself and move on to show you know you did something wrong and want to improve upon it.

Who should i go to about questions?

Most 2s users are open to dms and conversation. Includeing myself.

If your a creator within the mogai/lgbt community that isnt 2s/native, please reblog this so others can know how to help our community within yours and to spread awareness of this identity in a safe and correct way.

#clover speaks #mogai community #mogai friendly #pro mogai #mogaireal #mogai term #mogai gender #toko speaks #2s #two spirit post #two spirit #2s community #two spirit guide #yes this is because of the craziness earilier #also i get rly sad when white creators wont take 2s requests #not only dose it feel exclusionary but shows you dont really wanna learn how to not be racist towards #we arent out to get you or hurt you or put you in an uncomfortable position but theres no content of us #it comes across as your more scared of accidentally being racist towards 2s and learning about us as a result #your more scared of that than you are happy to support our community in a hands on way

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