Pay It Forward: Making a Big Difference in Little Ways | Friday, Period 3

[futurespacemom]

This week, your teachers were both here, in their regular shape, and looking far more relaxed than usual. A couple of days of accidental vacation on a tropical forest moon would do that, really.

"We're sticking around here today," Kanan said, giving the class a little grin. He had a cup of caf in one hand. It was entirely possible they were fresh through the portal, because yes, it was absolutely a to-go cup with Aurebesh writing on it. "Hera and I managed to procure some emergency medical supplies over the past couple of days, and there's a refugee camp back home that can put these to some good use, so we're putting together care packages today."

"When people have to flee their homes, they tend to need food and medicine, plus things like blankets and maybe small toys or notes to indicate someone cares. Hope is important," Hera said. "We've got a lot of different things to pack up today, and lists of what goes in each pack."

"We, uh, did some shopping over the past few days," Kanan said, gesturing to a small mountain of crates that had been pushed into the classroom, probably all the way from Hera's ship. "Mostly medical supplies, though there are some comfort items, a few books, non-perishable food, that sort of thing. We've written out lists of what each item is, since I don't imagine most of you can read the language," silly Earth and its lack of Aurebesh, "and it'll be up to you to sort through the supplies and make certain each care package gets a little bit of everything."

"If you have any questions, you can always ask," Hera said. "And if you want to write a note and you don't know Aurebesh, we can help with that, too." She smiled. "I know they'll appreciate whatever you can do to help."

Japanese Blades, Friday, First Period [11/2]

[battlewithstyle]

Mitsutada greeted the class with a smaller smile than usual, though he didn't seem particularly gloomy. No, he seemed to be trying to establish a more serious mood, though this seemed a little offset by the manner in which the guest was dressed. With pink hair and a flowing pink kimono with a fanciful cage-like design cape-thing. A careful observer would notice the guest's heterochromia - one eye blue, the other green.

"With missing last week, I have had to reschedule our last of the Shinsengumi guests, but instead we will talk today of something perhaps appropriate to the recent spooky season. The Demon King of the Sixth Heaven," Mitsutada started.

"...he's not just some spooky story to scare children, Shokudaikiri," the guest interjected.

"My apologies," Mitsutada said. "I should probably let you speak instead, I only passed through his possession briefly. Please, introduce yourself to the class"

"I am named Souza Samonji. After Yoshimoto Imagawa's defeat, I became part of the Demon King's spoils of war. Consequently, my blade was shortened and had a crest carved into it. Thus, this is how I appear today. After that, I changed hands between Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Hideyori, Tokugawa Ieyasu and the Tokugawa lineage, treated as the prized sword of conquerors and sovereigns," the guest introduced. His voice was almost sing-song, like that of a bird.

"But I am here today to speak of the Demon King, Nobunaga Oda," Souza continued. "One of the Three Unifiers of Japan, his rise to power was drenched in blood and lit with fire. When Nobunaga's father died, his younger brother fought for the right to be head of their family. This led to a three-year conflict where the younger brother was killed by a general of Nobunaga's."

"After unifying his family clan, Nobunaga began to conquer Japan. First was the Imagawa, who I was originally owned by. Nobunaga's men killed Yoshimoto's forces in a surprise attack in a gorge, which weakened the Imagawa to the point that Nobunaga could force them into an alliance," Souza said.

"His next big step was conquering the castle and town that he would rename Gifu, which he named after the mountain on which the Zhou dynasty of China founded their empire. He even created a new seal at that time, reading 'All the world by force of arms'. He was ambition personified."

"He would eventually conquer most of Japan, though not all. His story ends in actual fire, betrayed by his retainer Mitsuhide Akechi. Nobunaga was at the temple of Honno-ji, to host a tea ceremony. He was mostly unguarded, the majority of his forces off at a siege. Akechi attacked with a full force, leaving Nobunaga with unbeatable odds. He committed seppuku, assisted by his young page and lover Ranmaru, rather than be captured. Ranmaru, under orders, set the temple ablaze so that Nobunaga's head could not be taken by his foes."

Souza looked somber and sad and quite vulnerable. "He was a man of great and terrible power. He lived and died under his own terms."

The room was silent for a bit. "Any questions?" Mitsutada finally ventured, his voice quiet.

[ooc: OCD a-coming up! Class in session!]

Civics, 1st Period - Friday

[imafuturist]

Well, with Election Day less than a week away, the teachers ought to have been excited to encourage their students to vote. Instead there was the never-ending news cycle letting people know that everything was still terrible.

"So, today we'll be discussing citizenship and how that grants us the right to vote," Tony said, trying to keep the topic on track. It was in vain, honestly.

"Because the rights of citizens to vote has been established in the Constitution, and then updated in the 14th, 19th, and 26th Amendments, which people would know if they bothered to read. Or were capable of it," Steve muttered. "And then they'd also know who is considered a citizen instead of coming up with bigoted, racist fear-mongering in order to drive bigots and scared people to the polls like sheep. Sheep, for the record, are not allowed to vote."

Guess which son of immigrants has a few problems with the new Republican tactic?

"And yet..." Tony muttered. "Fear-mongering over immigration is not new. Any group coming to this county--which was built on immigration, by the way--was considered a threat to the status quo all through our history. Captain Rogers can tell you first hand how Irish immigrants were treated."

"Immigration and a good chunk of involuntary immigration," Steve agreed. "And the Irish were treated...not well. But neither were the Italians, or our Russian neighbors, and back then the way to come legally into the US was to show up. Congratulations, you're in. So anyone talking about how their relatives did it the right way, that's because it was easy to back in the 1800s. They didn't even check to see if you could read until 1917."

"Now they just use ID laws to disenfranchise people," Tony replied. "You need an ID, so they make it prohibitively difficult to attain one in many rural areas. Which can be the new form of a poll tax, really."

Steve nodded emphatically. "They really have gotten blatant about it, so that's why it's even more important that those who have the ability to vote do so and get rid of these--" that was a very not Cap word he'd been thinking "--fine public servants out of the jobs they have become so complacent about. They work for us, not the other way around."

"Encourage everyone you know who is capable of voting... to vote," Tony said. "That's your assignment today. Remember Plato: One of the penalties of refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors."