#I know I've missed quite a heaping helping of drama between those years and now but

[saltpepperbeard]

An Open Fandom Discussion

Hello hello! Goodness, I haven’t made one of these posts in 84 years. Even though I have not been around as long as some others, I consider myself to be quite the Fandom Veteran. I’ve been here since 2013, and with that, I have seen all walks of unrest/drama over the years. Shipping wars, character debates, story policing, you name it. Some have been lighthearted (coughs at aPPLESAUCE 2K14), and others have lead to individuals actually leaving the fandom.

And of course the year of Satan 2020 would have drama starting up ‘round these parts once more. But I’m here to say that it doesn’t have to be that way at all. It SHOULDN’T have to be that way.

I know I speak for nearly everyone when I say we’re simply here to enjoy a franchise we love. We’re here for the friendly discussions, the artwork, the gifsets, the manipulations, the meta, the fandom-wide events, and the fanfiction. We’re here to share joy and merriment and solidarity over something we can all relate to. Many of us come here to escape, to relax and enjoy all the content this fandom has to offer.

That’s not to say there may be some differing opinions. Some people may be more into the debate side, and that’s totally fine! If you’re all for calling out inconsistencies within the series, or pointing out the nuances in a character, then go for it!

But I absolutely draw the line when those opinions start shifting towards singling out others. When people begin to feel alienated, or people begin to feel ashamed for what they enjoy, that’s when it starts to get unacceptable.

Now, don’t get me wrong. People are allowed to enjoy what they enjoy, and dislike what they dislike. They are allowed to post opinions on their own blog if they so please, or rant to others privately if they find certain topics bothersome. But the reason behind my post today, is that a blog has been created that falls within some sort of grey area, and has definitely lead to unrest/hurt feelings/damage over the past few days:

@hungergamestea.

Yup, I will directly call it out. Because in talking about it passive aggressively/indirectly, it furthers the problem this very blog is presenting.

In case you’re unaware, this blog runs entirely on anonymous submissions, with people posting their opinions about a range of topics. That’s all fine and dandy, and I actually followed the blog initially, thinking it was sort of like the tea sessions I have on my own blog. Ie, talking about characters, headcanons, what people like/dislike about aspects of the movie and books, etc! But I was instead stunned to see that it was a platform for people to anonymously point fingers at individuals in this fandom, and utterly crap on certain fanfiction genres/topics.

“But Jodi! You said people are allowed to say whatever they want on their own blog!” I did. But that’s why I believe this blog falls into a dangerous grey area. Yes, people are entitled to rant. Yes, people are allowed to dislike certain subject areas. But to post about them anonymously? To callout individuals directly in their asks? To shame people for liking something they read/write? What’s the point of that? How is giving a platform for anonymous hate okay?

“Jodi, people are allowed to hate things lmao.” True, but then...isn’t it way easier for those people to...avoid what they dislike, then? Or rant about it in their own, private spaces? What good does it do to anonymously rant about it on a blog allowing such? It does nothing but hurt the others who enjoy it. If people were off anon saying those things, it could perhaps allow for discussion/debate. But the anonymous wall detracts from any sort of discussion, and simply makes it a more hateful platform. It also gives people the more cowardly route of avoiding a blog/individual in question, and posting their contempt in an even more passive aggressive way.

It’s done nothing but upset people. It’s hurt people/made them feel ashamed for what they enjoy, and it’s lead to fiery fights between individuals. Many of my friends are hurting because of this, hence me feeling inspired enough to bring forth an ESSAY TM. I cannot stand for it when I see people I care about hurting/uncomfortable.

So then. I propose that, instead of reblogging or replying to the anonymous asks being presented there, we all just carry on with what we enjoy. We all just stick to our more positive things, and continue supporting one each other instead of dragging each other down. I know, it might be slightly hypocritical of me to give this blog attention when I’m calling for inattention, but I felt it was necessary to make people aware.

I’m also not 100% sure of the intent of this blog. I’ve been told some reasons, and if it was indeed created with the intent to stir up drama/harm others, then that really saddens me. If not however, and it was indeed created as nothing more than an “everything platform,” then I believe a bit of “screening” is called for. 

To the creators of hungergamestea, I implore you to turn the blog into a place of more friendly discussion. I feel as though individuals should be allowed to discuss things they don’t like, but in a more passive, eloquent manner. And also, NOT anything that harms another. Something like, “I personally feel like Katniss is characterized this way, even though it’s a bit of an unpopular opinion,” as opposed to “LMAO SOME PEOPLE ARE SO EGOTISTICAL” kind of thing. So yes, continue to take anonymous discussions by all means, but please filter out the ones that are intended to be callouts/attacks.

I know it could be viewed as “silencing” opinions/voices. But goodness, whatever happened to the mantra, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say it at all?” What good does empty negativity do?

If individuals are so upset by something, they should take it up with the creator in private, or start a public discussion. Not post anonymous generalizations/assumptions on a blog, which more often than not prove to be FALSE anyway. Again, the anonymous wall proves to be nothing but hateful and damaging.

And, seeing as I titled this as an open discussion, I would like to hear other thoughts! And would also like to extend my support and care to everyone here. I’m not writing this to further any fighting. Rather, the opposite. I hate to see people upset here. I hate to see people fighting with each other. This is supposed to be a happy space, and a space of artful escape. Not a space where we tear each other down.

thank you for coming to my ted talk