Absolute Rant on Stolen Content, Cultural Appropriation, Speaking Over Native Voices - Lora O'Brien

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[@Ogham]

You would recognise my content straight away 🤷‍♀️ I'm not interested in naming names unless I see this person push back or double down. It's bigger than one person though.

[@BeccaChamp]

I am so sorry to hear this has happened, even more so that it hasn't been called out. As a Tuath, support for native voices should be part of our ethics and part of active practice. I have so much respect for your work and your voice and your vision. You are not alone, and I will support yours and other native voices wherever I can.

[@elviraj1971]

These people know better, they just don't give a shit! 😡

[@JamieHumeCreative]

I'm a strong believer in giving credit where credit is due. I'm an artist. People thieve things quite often and it needs to stop. For some reason, they think it's their right to do so. It;s not easy to speak out on this. I know, as I've done it and you take hits for it. I'm upset people don;t have more respect overall and support you in everything you've said here. I always look at the bibliography in books and I think being forthright and honest is important.

[@jerrywilliams198]

As many pointed out I would like to know as well who it is or they are as I watch a lot of TikTok. But after watching your content for 2 years I’ve learned a lot and it has helped me find a place of faith. So I have great respect for you and I will not willingly support anyone who does this to you or anyone else. I also respect it if you choose to keep it to yourself. Hope you can have a better day.

[@jamesgarside2001]

I'm sorry Lora that this happened. I don't have an internet presence outside of Facebook and I haven't been logging in much. I DO "share" some of your KZbin posts, directly from KZbin because I'd like to raise awareness about the living tradition of Irish Paganism and would rather let you speak for yourself through a shared Facebook post. I'm not sure what Facebook group this happened through, but I haven't been in the Cave and rarely go to the IPS group (I mostly take your classes at the Irish Pagan School itself.) You present good academically sound work, with proper citations. I really don't want to sound like an academic snob, but I normally wouldn't pay for online classes on Paganism, because they're normally run by kooks. Well I pray that the Morrigan passes judgment on this individual who stole from you. I wish you could post a link to the plagerist so we could see the foul act and comment upon it in solidarity with you.

[@sixeses]

You're brilliant !

[@tyson7687]

I'm sorry this happened, really I am. I know that as someone who does Tik Tok videos, I want to try and give my original sources where I can. I actually am doing a series on ogham and I want to share a link to the Irish Pagan School because your content helped build upon the foundations of ogham, for me. While not my only source, the IPS has been a consistent 'home' for me. I'm not a native to Ireland but I am culturally tied due to family and church (none of that 23&me style tied but actual foundations). I find that my place in America makes me feel like I'm not enough of an American to most here and I'm certainly not enough to be Irish. It's a limbo place that feels lonely as hell. I think many American-Pagans feel this way. While that is not an excuse, it might be where some appropriative actions stem from. It isn't usually ego (or at least I hope not). I think we really are shunned by two worlds and nothing seems quite good enough. That might be me speaking through my lens and I have to digress. In the end, I want to repeat my sympathy for having your intellectual content stolen. I truly am sorry.

[@thejesseract]

Oof you said it. We have to collect our people!

[@folksongsandmagic]

Do you have proofs of the post and the plagiarism? Cause I believe that this could be consider a cybercrime according to copyright law, especially if using a content that can be traced at your blog with dates, since every access to content and personal research are usually marked by every access and resources. If it is about plagiarism and it is upon the incorrect use of your content maybe, you can notify the platform or open a process.

[@Redwood_Rambler]

I love Quark behind you!

[@gandalfthegrey]

I'm not surprised this happened on TikTok... And I'm sorry that this has happened to you.

[@careykoenig5285]

I always look elsewhere and Heself directs me back to you. I admire and respect your heritage and knowledge and education.

[@paintedowl356]

I love all that you share and feel fortunate that I have found you. When other people use what you give and don't respect you by referencing your work it is really shameful on them and says a lot about who they are. Just wanted you to know that I really value your contribution!!!

[@grimsbeast]

Definitely hear you Lora and I fully understand it. I have run into more and more ignorance about this kind of stuff especially here in the US where people think being Irish can be summed up with all the Irish American stereotypes at a Celtic festival. The thing that shocks me the most is that many don’t even realize the subjugation that Ireland went through all the way through to the 1990s and even then, there is shit that lingers. I hear your call to action and will do my best to help promote native voices with the proper context.

[@mcmc368]

I agree that too many people that claim Irish ancestry here in the states are ignorant of the actual history of Ireland and have no idea as to why the majority of them even ended up being born in America- and yes, "Celtic festivals" can be cringe at times, but like...colonization designs it that way? The cartooning of Irish culture, amongst many other cultures, is absolutely on purpose. America was and is colonized by many of the same types of people that colonized Ireland, after all. And while this isn't meant in any way to defend the plagiarism that Lora is speaking of here, I do think it could be helpful, just in general, to be slightly less disdainful of people who are just trying to learn something about anything by going to an Irish-American festival. When you don't know where to start, and feel overwhelmed, sometimes a festival is legit your only option. I just see this response so often when discussions like this pop up and it just makes some of us just feel dumb as shit for even trying to learn anything. Again, not talking about stealing content for TikTok hits and shit. Just the overall sentiment of "lol look at that stupid asshole thinking a festival answers anything about our culture" seems extra harsh at times. Now, if you go to these festivals and eventually have access to learning more about Irish culture from native sources, yet still choose to adhere to the Cartoon Culture, that's a fail. But some people (especially younger folks) honestly do not know where to start and festivals can be entry points in many ways.

[@grimsbeast]

@@mcmc368 You are right and after all, I will fully admit that's where I got my start to get deeper into Irish culture and history, at these same festivals. We are all beginners at some point and we don't want to gatekeep this information, merely give proper credit and context for it all. And as you point out, the portrayal of Irish culture at Celtic festivals is the product of the long history of propaganda with the agenda of covering all this ugly truth up and that is the true source of my frustration, the institutions and companies that continue to perpetuate this propaganda which is where I should direct my ire. We should be fighting the powers that made it this way, not the people they tricked. I am sorry for not giving this proper context in my response and I will definitely try to do better. I wish to celebrate Irish culture with more people, not alienate anyone.

[@mcmc368]

@@grimsbeast 100% agree. Appreciate the kind and understanding response. I definitely get frustrated with so much of how Irish culture and ancestry is portrayed, especially in the US. And of course, once you know better, do better. 💜

[@supercomicgirl6425]

I just shake my head.

[@UnteneableDodo]

DM me the creator, and I'll submit a community guidelines violation. Wait, can we DM on KZbin?

[@geraldinemoorkensbyrne452]

Actually raging for you. The effort and talent you put into your content and offer FOR FREE to people - to have it ripped off...sickening. i hope the offenders are watching this video. Shame on them.

[@invadertifxiii]

Which group

[@aubriemeyer3823]

Entitlement is everywhere. I follow you and a literal handful of others simply for the fact that there are very few people who consciously give their time and talent to creating genuine and authentic content - much if which is done for free and so that in my opinion makes it hurt even more. I have huge respect for all you do to preserve a way of life that could go extinct if it becomes watered down with BS, just as so much of my native culture and language already has. Therefore I feel terribly protective of those who are fighting to preserve and set straight the records on native culture ( in Ireland and elsewhere). I have your book, The Fairy Faith in Ireland and love it. 💚 How someone could literally just lift your life long work like it’s nothing speaks to their narcissistic traits, and whoever may have knowledge that they stole content and said nothing is likely a coward and/or equally narcissistic themselves. They are simply seeking to prop up their own worth by cultural appropriation. I can tell you this much, I swear an oath to you that if I ever hear of someone lifting your work or read some lifted content (I believe it would recognize it immediately as you have a very distinct style) then I will call them out ruthlessly as well as forward their information to you, post hast. Lastly, yes I agree with Kelly that cultural appropriation is not limited to any group. Many Americans do not understand they are multicultural themselves and for many the sacredness of that is something they struggle to grasp. Honestly, I’d say most struggle very deeply with identity. Not an excuse, something I pity because I have lived it. However, what I have seen is that the phony can only go so far and lots of people are looking with depth and intent to find who and what they are -authentically, and they have absolutely no clue unless someone calls them out when they step out of line. Really it’s the mindset of perpetual tourism, relentless consumerism- that rifts me the most. Acting like they are just here to skim the cream off the top without putting down roots, without investing, without any work at all, just take-take-take. It’s prevalent and it’s sickening. It happens here when folks from the city come to visit the country just because it’s the thing to do, then but up farmlands and turn them into shitehole cities. No one farms the land, sweats or bleeds for it... the mindset is awful. So I’ll apologize for them because it’s beyond embarrassing. I’m sorry Lora - from a genuine heart. My apologies for their behavior.

[@aubriemeyer3823]

I have no idea how those middle lines got there - I’m tech illiterate sometimes.😩 my meaning is without lines. Thanks for understanding.

[@Puffindillo]

Fuck's sake. How anyone can claim to follow The Mórrígan and do something like this is as baffling as it is infuriating. Grrrrrrrrrrrrr. Just - grrrrrrr. I would shake my fist impotently in the air (because I don't really TikTok so I have no idea where this happened which means I can't go on a rampage, dammit) but that's not helpful either. DO BETTER, PEOPLE.

[@davidgamble6225]

I'm sorry this happened to you. It's frustrating and harmful to experience that. It was really hard for me the first few times too. Just some things to mull over: This happens to absolutely anyone who does real work on the internet. That's part of the risk of publishing and using the internet. You absolutely have a right to defend yourself and do something about it, but the point is this isn't a unique experience at all. You're not the only one. It's part of the risk of using these platforms. Also, when a person is in a position of authority they get more responsibilities. If you have the education and position to call something out or point something out, that becomes your responsibility. You can't expect your audience to do it because they're consumers, not authority. They don't owe you anything, including support. I know that's straight up painful to realize if you're community minded like you and I are, but it's the truth. Also, you don't owe anyone anything unless you have an agreement with them. Someone buys a book, you owe them a book. Someone signs up for your course and has questions or needs help, that might be your responsibility. I think people in positions like you and I are in can get weighed down and burned out thinking we're responsible for everything. We're not. We're responsible to the people we have a relationship with. We do not owe the general public anything. It is not always your job to call out because you don't owe people constant safety on the internet. It's your job to tend your people. To train them, educate them, etc, and to defend yourself. But they didn't sign up to defend you. That's not their role and it's not the power dynamic of global consumerism or practitioner-client/student relationship. Anyway, those are things I wished I figured out sooner so I could move to not being made physically sick from the stress of things. It's not worth your health. It will actually kill you to be stressed about it every time. I hope you're feeling better and things are straightened out soon.

[@Ogham]

With all due respect, David, if you're not a native person who repeatedly has your voice erased and badly taped over, you and I are not alike. You gave a very personalised read on what I'm saying here 🤣 we are not in the same position rn.

[@Ogham]

And I mean, maybe you are a native who gets their voice erased on the regular. Wtf do I know. Your comment contains some good points, and I'll think on them tomorrow with a clearer head 🙄

[@davidgamble6225]

@@Ogham I am a member of an ethnic group who deals with constant appropriation and systemic erasure. I've also been in community leadership similar to your work since 1995. I'm offering those points completely with the intention of support and lots of love- I don't know if that comes through in text only. It's things I wished I figured out earlier. What has worked for me has been allowing people to self-select and learning to let people go when they don't choose the best out there. There are people who will draw close and we can offer the benefits of more traditional eldership where we give a lot more. I see you often operate from that thinking and though it's admirable, we simply don't live in that world anymore. We live in a world where people want to throw money, take what they think they're owed, and walk away. We can't invest in people like we were raised to think to. It would kill us. Anyway, I really hope you find good balance with this for you. It's not worth killing yourself over. Let the jerks be jerks and focus on the good, so you can be here doing good work for a lot longer!

[@bewitchedadventures4977]

-_- I am sorry that this happened to you and keeps happening to you. I'm not sure if it will stop but I can promise to try and be part of the solution.

[@tabithahunter5197]

Does tiktok do anything about plagiarism? Do you have a tiktok?

[@IrishPaganSchool]

We do not

[@whisperianx5913]

The last of respect and sense is infuriating... hopefully it'll be handled one way or another in the near future.

[@jessgeoghegan]

Absolutely fucking unbelievable what people do. I'm so sorry, this is a reminder to everyone that if you don't say something or speak up these things will never stop.

[@jeanamichelle8802]

I'm so sorry this happening to you! I agree with you!

[@jessicashackle595]

I hear you. And I feel your frustrations. I'm so sorry this has happened, and I don't know where people get the audacity to do this. May karma bite them in the ass and justice be served.

[@alanafitzgerald2597]

Grr

[@chillpill1503]

Such a shame people are just so shameful nowadays something has changed in the world and quite honestly common sense isn't so common anymore So sorry to hear this I love your work

[@alyssamiller8290]

Have you reached out to the person who did this?

[@Ogham]

This is more than one person. The group have taken immediate action however, in fairness

[@alyssamiller8290]

@@Ogham great to hear it

[@kellysardella928]

I have noticed many Americans are devoid of understanding that culture appropriation applies to all cultures not just the Indigenous & BIPOC community in States .By no means is this a excuse just a observation & those who do understand have the obligation to call it out & name original creator. No longer can Americans hide behind " I didn't realize " when the world & information is literally at our fingertips . We must do better 💚

[@andrastetriformis6241]

I've seen this type of thing happen on numerous channels that are German, UK, etc., not just Americans. So no matter who is stealing other people's content, or appropriating content, it should be immediately called out and reported.

[@alyssamiller8290]

@@andrastetriformis6241 thank you! 💞 I appreciate that you brought the true lesson to light.

[@yvettetillema8773]

Big-ot. - a person who is obstinately or unreasonably attached to a belief, opinion, or faction, especially one who is prejudiced against or antagonistic toward a person or people on the basis of their membership of a particular group.

[@jfm14]

@@andrastetriformis6241 I think Kelly was just calling out Americans specifically because they're from the US. Personally, I think this bad behavior is a consequence of people not having a deep connection to any particular culture or community. That's why we more often see this behavior from folks in settler-colonial nations like the US, Canada, Australia, etc. That being said, I too have seen others engage in it as well. Everyone is capable of appropriating.

[@jfm14]

@@yvettetillema8773 ?

[@nobodythatyouknow305]

I’m so sorry wow that’s so fucking wrong I’m pissed too

[@jaderodriques8889]

I’m so sorry Lora. This is just such a frustrating occurrence. I’ve had content stolen myself. Cultural appropriation is sadly so present these days. Truly heartbreaking 💔

[@zoeflynn4698]

Hey, I’m so so sorry this happened to you. Is there any way we could find out the creator who did this? I know you probably don’t want to name names but I follow a lot of creators on tiktok and I just really hope I’m not following or supporting the creators who did this.

[@gandalfthegrey]

I would be interested in reporting them as well.

[@Bee-tu9de]

Equally I’d def want to make sure I’m not following on any platform I’d love to know. It simply not acceptable

[@spaceviolet]

Ugh. I’m sorry.

[@johnmeyer2072]

I admire your integrity and courage, among other obvious qualities, your integrity to present what's factual, no more no less, and the courage to call out those who don't. I know how this sounds, like I'm blowing smoke up your a**, but this all needs to be said. With all we know so far about the Morrigan being a goddess of protection (especially to her followers I assume), I almost pity the havoc she could and probably will reek on those who did this. Again not a smoke blowing moment, but I believe you're a treasure on so many levels, to us, to the Morrigan, and even a national one to Ireland itself. With all that out of the way now, as someone just starting out, in your KZbin playlist on the Morrigan and other places you repeatedly reference our need to make a contract with the Morrigan to be a follower of hers. I would like to see more of a deep dive as a video or even a class on the details of how one goes about doing this. A formal written one (in legalese?), kept in a safe place like on our altar to her? Or burned, and the ashes kept on her altar say? A mentally held one (like I currently have)? Or what?

[@Ogham]

There are many classes available at the Irish Pagan School 👍🏻

[@kathiwright4849]

ugh. so wrong. so sorry, lora.

[@iwhbud]

Sorry to hear. That really sucks. Hopefully they take it down?

[@pinkmoonrabbit2072]

I hear your frustration. Thank you for letting us know. This is a shame, to disrespect the hard work you do and make available to all of us. im gonna guess a lot (if not all) of these people are white USians because...well we are prone to this sort of thing (not an excuse, just stating reality.) If i see something, ill say something.

[@Mayday215]

Not ok, Lora! I hope this eejit was reported for plagiarism. I detest flippin' TikTok and don't have it. And you're right, this is more than one person - it's everywhere, and it needs to stop. -JoanMaire

[@greendragonpublishing]

I feel, hear, and share a glimmer of your rage. You do so much hard work, and to have some steal it and literally talk over you... makes me want to punch something.

[@randomsheep1165]

This is so horrible I can't believe someome would do that to you :(

[@thebeautifulseason]

Plagiarism is certainly something that can be addressed with the “authorities” of whatever platform. Cultural appropriation is not in their wheelhouse but it is so much more insidious. I struggle with it constantly, and it’s the reason I hesitate to engage in this community. Just another American (named Erin, no less) who wants to connect to ancestral history, and I have found the reception (in other places) to be….unfriendly. (This is my tangential experience and not in an bc y way meant to explain or defend whoever stole your work obvi) ETA: A couple hours have passed and I’m reading through these comments, and I love the passion so many express. The IPS has “liked” two of these, the two that cast a little shade at Americans. Lots of Americans are stupid… so are lots of other people. I can’t help that I was born here 🤷🏻‍♀️ I may be reading the general vibe of IPS all wrong, but I don’t want to invest in the community and education if there isn’t an inclusive sense of respect. Can anyone speak to that? It’s not a big deal, no big drama, just don’t want to waste my time or that of anyone else.

[@angelynx1prime]

As for "inclusive sense of respect"...it's been my experience with the IPS thus far (and again, I am just an occasional student here and do not speak for them) that while they're fine with us "Irish-Americans" being here to respectfully study and connect, they make it clear that our foremost responsibility as students is to listen to and learn from native voices. As Skye said, we may need/want a space where we can work through our own experiences as descendants, but we mustn't expect this to be it.

[@mcmc368]

While I believe this topic isn't relevant to what Lora is discussing here, I'd like to add that there are some of us that know exactly why their families had to leave Ireland (all 8 of my great-grandparents left Ireland during the WOI/Civil War) and do everything we can to connect authentically to our Irish ancestry, culture, and heritage, yet are often made to feel like we're just cosplaying said Irish ancestry with the comments that are often (and usually correctly) made about American-born-to-Irish-descended people. Awkward way to describe what I'm trying to say but I hope the point comes across. There doesn't seem to be any comfortable way to discuss it- it can feel like I'm bragging about every one of my great-grandparents being Irish (and based off my family history and Ancestry.com tree, I literally have no other ancestry on my branches, my last name is a pretty small and Galway-centric surname, etc) or claiming something that isn't rightfully mine to claim. I try not to comment on the "stupid American" vibes that sometimes come up in these discussions across the Internet, because I do understand the frustration native Irish people can have when it comes to the Americans swooping in and doing their American things. I just figure you have to weigh that discomfort against what you're gaining by studying and learning from places like the IPS. Part of the decolonization process is understanding that you're going to be uncomfortable and embarrassed and shamed for some things, even if you don't think they necessarily apply to you, or they were circumstances out of your control.

[@mcmc368]

@@angelynx1prime agreed- I wish I had the time, energy, funding, and everything and anything else it would require to create like a diaspora offshoot community that allows Irish-Americans and other "Irish dashes" to work through, learn about, and eventually break free from what often feels like "double-decolonization"- I know that I am often so wiped out from working through and healing from the ancestral trauma of my Irish ancestors and breaking free from the American settler-colonization propaganda I've grown up with. ...while also realizing the exhaustion I feel is within a fairly abled-bodied, college-educated, middle-class cisgender, American-born white woman body and experience, of course.

[@Ogham]

The person that pissed me off so righteously happens to be a (seemingly, presenting as) white US male, but I very deliberately did not call that out in my video - though many have presumed. There are many reasons the IPS would like a particular comment, often it is as simple a reason as we recognise the persons name because they actively comment and support us regularly 🤷‍♀️ please don't presume our intent or project your own stuff onto us. If I want to go for something in particular I am very fucking direct about it.

[@mariahsheehy5917]

Lora has a couple of videos that are more in depth about appropriation- kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqCmZJeLpqqLl7s, kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5uul2yJasuVfNE From my participation in IPS & interactions w/ Lora & other teachers, I've not found that to be unfriendly or unkind to U.S./Canadian or other non-Irish folks. It's easier to understand where they are coming from if you think about interactions with other groups that have experienced oppression/colonialism (Native Americans, Black folks etc) I think Americans often just see Irish folks as white Europeans without considering their experiences (that & not all Irish people are "white"!) Hospitality depends on not just the welcoming of the host, but also the considerate behavior of the guest, if you are a cultural outsider (yes even if you have Irish heritage) you need to learn to be a good guest, and as you connect more you can be part of community, a friend rather than just a guest.

[@Bee-tu9de]

The more I watch this the more I’m furious …. I have followed you for years and have absolute respect for your work especially regarding the Morrigan. I’d be interest to know the group and plagiarist to make sure I’m not following and calling them out on this. This really is NOT ok for so many feckin reasons Sorry you’ve had to deal with this

[@Ogham]

The group moderators sorted this out immediately. Not on them

[@cammeronbentley3523]

I'm truly sorry this happened.

[@cynthiasalas2429]

Terrible that happened. If they respected your work they should have provided links to it and given proper credit to you.

[@8383kathy]

Can you post an example of a correct way to post; thus, giving IPS and yourself credit. Perhaps 🤔 giving the wrong-doingers would be an option. Not that that would repair 👩‍🔧 the insult that has already occurred.

[@idontbelieveyou]

People have wicked nerve and can be total assholes. You work so hard. They clearly have no clue about right relationship. Isn't that what it's all about? Gross... I'm sorry Lora

[@-RONNIE]

I'm extremely angry that this is happening to your work. If the people are not giving you the credit that is rightfully yours or plagiarizing it as their own also receiving money from it that's even worse. You should get a lawyer & sue them & anyone else that does something similar. I cannot stand when people talk about Irish paganism & mess up the pronunciations of countless topics in the lore. Please keep us informed. You know if I ever see anything like that I will definitely call them out & let you know in future videos.

[@yvettetillema8773]

You are totally right to be incensed. So often I read other authors, other artists, counterfeit tarots have their work being stolen. Lazy, stupid and greedy people do this. Cheaters.

[@helenbrittain2054]

I only went on Tiktok recently to follow a couple of credible creators, but as other stuff pops up I have been getting increasingly concerned about the platform. It's not just the bad information, but I have even more concerns with safeguarding of young folk and so on. By the way I have various Celtic ancestors but identify as English. I don't identify as Irish. See what I did? Simple. Also whether you like it or not you get subjected to people complaining about gatekeeping in their Tiktoks.... So actually putting that whole appropriation debate to one side it sounds to me that from a (possible actionable) legal point of view this is plagiarism and just really isn't on Now my lovely, the reason I come here and occasionally watch your videos, is that I really don't like some of those big FB groups, and it just feels safer listening to you. The people in them can be quite bonkers. Unfortunately as an author and course leader they are a necessary evil I suppose.

[@paulniziol5709]

Sadly, the people who do this, don't have the integrity to consider all the valid points about this. And this happens to a lot of hard working content creators like you. Sorry to hear you had to put up with this.

[@jamesgarside2001]

Use citations Pagan and Occult writers. Please. Otherwise it's plagerism or theft. If you want to be recognized as a serious writer and make the Occulture a recognized serious social group, then cite your sources when you write a book. It's laughably annoying when I pick up a book from Weiser with no citations or works cited page. They teach us how to do this in high school. I'm mad for Lora too, but I want to point out that when knowledge is presented that exceeds what would be considered "common knowledge (=AA degree)" without citation you are implicitly claiming credit for that knowledge. This especially goes for paraphrasing. Just because you can talk about a subject in your own words doesn't mean that ideas are your's unless you add some new insight or fact that you created and discovered yourself. Even then you'd still have to cite everything that wasn't your idea. This may seem nitpicking to some not involved with academic pursuits. Those of us who are, however may want to look up the information that you've. An author who plagerizes thwarts my ability to study. Inexcusable for a Magician who claims to practice theurgy, or a Pagan that wants to write like an adult.

[@nicolasnamed]

Ironically I think the best solution is to make a tik tok with your own content. Unfortunately if you don't make a presence on popular platforms and you're a public figure and content creator of ANY kind, especially for something as popular and now staple as Tik Tok, people will rip off or steal content and the people who engage with that content for the most part will he none the wiser and not realize the extent to which those actions are harmful. I really really love IPS and the content you produce, but I notice the main hub for social interaction and community you have is Facebook. Unfortunately, most of the people who use Tik Tok never come into contact with Facebook generally, and even your style of KZbin video is much more free-form and not as concise and edited as most ~23 and under content consumers are used to. I don't think this a bad thing, I'm just trying to point out that if you're not proactive on making a presence on these platforms, people WILL capitalize on the information and niche will little to no care for Cultural Appropriation, and audiences who are none the wiser. I entirely see and understand your frustration with those who did this and said nothing, and I can also understand not naming names to start drama. But unfortunately, we don't live in an age of live and let live in terms of content creation. We must always be vigilant to protect our brands and information. In my opinion, as I said at the start, the best thing you can do is make your own tik toks so when people find then, they can further seek out the KZbin channel as well as IPS's courses. If you don't make an effort to reach out to those on popular platforms, even if you don't know or care for that platform personally, things like this are inevitable and will continue to happen. I do think IPS content would do quite well on Tik Tok though! In my experience, even though this happened there are many many people looking for credible sources on the platform for paganism, especially for Irish Paganism. Young people are hungry for spiritual guidance in our current age, and the best thing you can do to reach them is provide content on a platform they use. (I want to make clear that I also understand your emotional grievances and I am not unsympathetic to them nor am I disregarding them by saying what I have. You are right to have them and be frustrated. I just wish to illuminate that the problem will continue unless you make proactive strides against it.)

[@mcmc368]

I don't think it should be required that every educator/scholar/indigenous voice participate in every single social media platform in order to combat the stealing and plagiarism of their work. They're already creating the work itself, which is an enormous task as is, especially when it comes to the work Lora and the IPS do. Sometimes it's actually on other people to not be assholes and give proper, clear, informed credit where credit is rightfully due.

[@Ogham]

Your solution is for me start a whole nother content stream, and burn myself out even further? 🤔

[@nicolasnamed]

@@mcmc368 I'm not saying she *should* do anything, only making my own observations based on my experiences online and the trends and patterns I've seen happen. Lora should do what she thinks is best for herself and IPS, I was simply suggesting what I thought would be the most proactive approach against the problem. Nothing *is* required, there's just always going to be inevitable problems like this whether we want to deal with them or not.

[@nicolasnamed]

@@Ogham You don't have to create entirely new content for tik tok, I've seen plenty of people simply upload clips or segments from KZbin videos just to make a presence that then directs people to places like KZbin or Facebook from tik tok. If you feel like this isn't the right approach for you or IPS, that's totally okay! I would want you to put your own well-being above everything else. I wanted to give my opinion and insight because this is a public platform and I have benefited greatly from your teachings and from IPS. If what I said is helpful I'm happy, but if not I have no attachment to you doing what I suggested and I still wish you the best on your path and that whatever the case the people ripping off or plagiarizing your content can be dealt with. It's just that, in my understanding and experiences, a lot of platforms don't care very much about plagiarism unless you have a strong and immediate monetary/legal backing behind you, and it can be even worse if you live in different countries. So my thought was how to best prevent this situation going forward and make more people aware on the platform where this is happening.

[@derek9301]

honestly calling your stuff irish witchcraft is also appropriation, being that witchcraft is a mystery religion and a fertility cult that doesn't place emphasis upon ethnicity. until recently, no one called themselves witches outside of those who were gardenerian and alexandrian. so, if you're going to do it to others you have to expect it to be done to you. until gerald gardner was on the scene, no irish folk magic practitioner would have called themselves a witch or their practices witchcraft and yet you have a whole book called irish witchcraft, which is essentially a book on folklore and magic not witchcraft. witchcraft and magic are not synonymous. so honestly, you're being very hypocritical.

[@mcmc368]

"you can't call yourself a witch unless you follow the rules of two British white men calling themselves witches" lol cool story.

[@derek9301]

@@mcmc368 well i could flip it on you and say you can't hear an irish story unless it's comes from the mouth of an irish woman??? sooooo?? yeah. that's literally my point.

[@mcmc368]

@@derek9301 You said it was appropriation to use the term witchcraft because two British white men decided to write about witchcraft- an English (read: colonizer's language) term that describes something non-British cultures have been doing for literally thousands of years, way before the Empire went a BIT out of their way to destroy said practices and beliefs. Absolutely laughable to come on this post and demand that we bend the knee to British witchcraft and cry appropriation. But so very on the nose.

[@derek9301]

@@mcmc368 Please educate yourself on the modern witchcraft revival, you are clearly intellectually-debilitated. It's known that anthropologist have been using an English word as a blanket statement to describe all forms of magic in various cultures, when during the witch trials and prior it was not removed from religious cults. The fact that you use the word witch for basic magical practices and ethnic practices at that, is the result of the appropriation of a term. Please remove yourself from the conversation if you're going to be a pseudo-intellectual with piss poor history. bye.

[@Ogham]

Oh Derek. Amadán

[@qwer8907]

JESUS CHRIST is the light of the world .

[@Ogham]

Are you lost 🤣

[@qwer8907]

@@Ogham lost and found

[@Ogham]

Nah mate, just wandering lost 🤷‍♀️