#Also I hate the Steve x Billy ship but thats a different story

[cosmotheangryrat]

Why I Think 'Billy Stans' Are Irrational And Blind

I am just going to say this right off the bat, I do not give a shit what you headcanon fictional characters to be like. I headcanon all the damn time and that's fine, that's the point of media in the first place.

But one thing that I've seen a bunch of is Billy Stans going around attacking people who say that Billy was a bad person in canon. And I don't think that's right.

First of all, let me state my opinion clearly so that no one is confused.

BILLY IS AND WAS AN ASSHOLE

There, I said it. Now, before you go and attack me in the comments saying that

1. He was abused by his father

2. He did the right thing in the end

and 3. He never actually did anything bad

All of these are points yes (Except the third one) but they do not excuse all the horrible shit he did.

First off let's address point number one, 'He was abused by his father'. This point, in my mind, has the most backing and if Billy didn't also abuse Max, I could see myself using this point. Being abused, especially from a young age, is a horrible situation and I by no means am saying that it had no impact on Billy's actions. What I am saying is that just because he was abused does not give him a get out of jail free card. Being abused is an explanation, not an excuse.

Now, you might say that he didn't know any better because that's what he grew up around. And people who say this forget that he had a mother. He saw how his father's actions affected her. He had a good figure in his life to compare his father too. He wasn't completely alone. Now I'm not saying that this in anyway invalidates the shit he went through, I'm just saying that Billy is not completely isolated. Billy is practically an adult at this point in the story, at some point he has to take accountability for his actions that hurt others.

As someone who is currently going to therapy for childhood trauma, I would never ever talk to my siblings the way Billy does with Max. I would never threaten to run over their friends. I wouldn't run over one of their things just because (Billy ran over Max's skateboard. I didn't catch it at first either, but you can clearly see her taping it back together after she and Billy fought) I wouldn't yell in their face to stop hanging out with a boy (which shows that Billy is also a racist, like its so obvious but I'll get into that later.). I wouldn't burst into a house that they were staying in and push their 12-13 (?) year old friend into a wall and scream in his face. None of that is okay, none of it. That is a fact, not an opinion.

But if for some reason you do think that abuse covers for all of that. Then okay, live your life. Just don't go and attack people for saying otherwise.

Now onto the second point, that he did the right thing in the end therefore all of his previous actions are excused. And to that I say, are you even listening to yourself? Also, I would just like to say that Billy did the bare fucking minimum. 'oMg BiLlY dIdNt SaCrIfIcE a LiTeRaL cHiLd HeS sO nIcE'. Like sure, it was a pretty big deal because he defied the mind flayer and all that but still, the way some people paint it is that he's some amazing person for literally not letting a demon eat a 13-year-old.

(Also, I would like to say that I don't think that Billy is totally irredeemable. Like if he survived the mind flayer I feel like he could have such a good character arc. If he was able to apologize to Max and then help everyone out in the future, I would have been down for that. But no, he got impaled faster than I could say well shucks so rip I guess)

Some people may say that while it didn't totally redeem him it did help his case. And I'm here to say that if you agree with that statement then this post is not about you. This post is for people who say that he was this poor misunderstood saint and then go on to attack other people for bringing up evidence that states otherwise. Like its all fine and dandy to have a different opinion, I don't give a shit, but don't force it down other people throats then get mad when they gag. You are not god's gift, get over yourself.

And if thinking about Billy gets you off then go for it, but don't make me listen or watch or read that shit because its fucking gross (I am also an asexual lesbian so maybe I'm not the best person to comment on sexual attraction towards men but whatever it's my blog and I feel like going off)

I feel like that's a big reason why Billy Stans exist, people think he's hot. Which sure, whatever. Personally, he looks like he would punch me while screaming the f-slur but that's just me. You can think a character is hot while not attacking people who don't (If they attack you though (without prior provocation) then get them bae, no one gets to attack your interests for no reason. Those reasons do include racism, pedophilia, and general shitty behavior like that so yeah. Don't be an asshole and if someone starts it then go off.).

And now the third point, he never actually did anything bad. This point genuinely removes about 36 of my brain cells every time I hear it so let's break down all the shit Billy actually did. Also, all of this is from memory so if I leave a few out sorry. But I really hate watching Billy scenes, he makes me uncomfy.

First of all, in pretty much all of the Max and Billy scenes you can see how upset she is. When he grabs her wrist and yells in her face you can tell she is close to tears. She is upset and scared. Hell, that scene made me upset, and I watched it through a screen. When Lucas showed up to her house and she straight up told him that he shouldn't be there. She knew that Billy was going to hurt him if he saw Lucas. Also, when Billy shows up to Will's house you can tell that she was scared. She was scared that Billy was going to hurt her and her friends. That doesn't exactly scream fond sister/brother relationship to me, hun.

Now, let's address the blatant racism Billy showcases. But, first, I would just like to state that if a person of color says that they don't think Billy was being racist, then respect that. Personally, I do think that he was. But I am just a little white girl on the internet. I am not some commentary god who is always right. But anyway, on to my point.

I swear you'd think that some people didn't hear Billy say, "There are some people you learn to stay away from, and he is one of them" (Loosely paraphrased I'm too lazy to look up the quote) in reference to Lucas. I don't know how that line could be so clear like damn, its right there. Also, when Billy shows up to Will's house, who does he attack first? Lucas.

And some people like to say that oh he was just being protective and to that I say, why wouldn't he go for Steve first? Steve being the most danger to his sister and also the oldest one there. But no, he directly goes for Lucas time and time again. When I first watched the season, I just assumed that it was a known fact, that's how goddamn obvious it is. Like my mother, who grew up conservative and is still semi-conservative, completely agrees with me on this.

Also didn't the Duffers say in an interview that Billy was racist, like they wrote him to be like that? I don't know fam seems kinda sus to me.

(But also remember I am white so take that whole point with a grain of salt. Not trying to talk over POC's and shit. Just stating my points.)

But anyway, there is more shit I could probably bring up but I'm tired. You're probably tired. We're all fucking tired of this shit.

If you made it to this point and want to comment, supporter or not, put a % in your text. I want to see how many of these fuckers read the title and decided to go off :)

Also if you would like to respectfully (Keynote: RESPECTFULLY) argue about the morality of Billy in the comments either with me or someone else you are welcome to. I'm not trying to gatekeep my posts, just don't be an asshole and we good.

Have a nice day, drink water or whatever else the body needs to like function or something. I don't know it seems kinda overrated to me but sure, live your life.