#descendantofwaterdeathandfire

[undercovermcdfan]

re: this wack ass argument

Hello @brighter-than-a-wildfire , 

I’d like to formally begin where the hell are you stepping off of. I try to go about this without bringing my own biases and experience related to issue at hand– which is, to anybody reading, Garroth’s status of a xenophobe in person presents to me: My assertion that Garroth being showing xenophobic behaviors– which is intended by the writers to be interpreted as so– is a form of me performing victim blaming towards Garroth. You can read the argument untouched and in the way this person sent it here: link 

this is gonna be a wild ride, so buckle up folks, I’m breaking down this example of an apologist and trying to downplay my points with their attempts of “explaining” a phobia I’m very familiar with. 

So you give an apology in the first message, which I’d like to address: 

I’m going to start with an admission and an apology, Garroth actually does fit the xenophobe profile but definitely not for the reasons you probably think. [..] I also apologize for my poor wording, I was angry and did not get my point across clearly for any misunderstandings.

Which normally, I’d appreciate this if it didn’t sound so back-handed. Essentially, wrong foot– just because you say an apology but give zero sentiment in learning or really caring for what you’re apologizing for, this really leaves me in a case of holding my hands out like “uh… what the fuck dude.”

Apologizing for poor wording yet going back and doubling down on what you said– man, if you called that angry writing, this wasn’t a step above? In fact, the rambles you put in that 8 reply piece you spammed me with highlighted yourself in a much more sinister way than you might’ve liked my dude. I originally regarded you a hopped up fan defending Garroth. Congrats, you leveled into something way more disliked by me. 

What kills me about this, is your goddamn arrogance. Example, here’s some of your phrasing towards me: 

but definitely not for the reasons you probably think.

Before I properly get into this, let’s do an examination of phobias. Now, most phobias come from some sort of traumatic experience or a belief, i.e.

I just really have a problem when it seems like people are demonizing trauma victims.

I’m not new to this. Trying to explain a topic I shown to understand completely well, but to fill up the space and fluff up your argument, you still go in and try to explain what you think phobias are and what you think Garroth’s actual ‘phobia’ is. Making it sound so medical, with such a disconnect, honestly was I surprised when you admitted this perfect little gem?

[…] but I also understand Garroths point of view, because to be honest, I’ve been in a similar situation. 

Was this a case of bad wording? Or as the weirdly… specific example you given sheds light of your own beliefs: 

i.e. You may be afraid of spiders because one Sunday at a potluck you found a spider on your leg and it bit you, or you might be afraid of people from Mexico because your dad told you that they’re bad people who drink white peoples blood or some shit. 

Should I comment how you compared a rather normal and human fear of a spider to hey let me say I’m afraid of an entire group of people because they’re from X place, despite the fact this belief is irrational and wildly disheartening to even think somebody might say. 

It’s… way to specific. Like I’m not the only one, right? 

I feel like there’s some shit you personally gotta unpack instead of info dumping on me. 

Also the irrellevant and irrational argument to gander some weak ass sympathy for mister whitey tighty Garroth. I enjoy his character, he’s dynamic and I’m fucking thrilled Jess took the gamble, doubling down on Garroth’s unpleasantness! Because, newflash, it’s not a new thing– he treated a good number of character poorly and if you been a little more clever, you could’ve went the angle of “Garroth was just fishing for a reason to hate Liochant, just like how he fished when Laurance or Dante were introduced.”

But no. 

You went extremely tone-deaf and a very very… weak defense, I feel, partially to save face maybe? Embarrassed, possibly. You did admit you acted in anger the first time and don’t think I haven’t noticed you changed your URL– probably for a completely different reason. Maybe you might change it again. 

Let’s break this next part down– picking apart your biases as well, I think it’s time to bring out my own since I’m trying to snuff out this wacky fire you’re starting.

His home was taken over by Tu’la, his parents were captured and scheduled to be executed, and his father wasn’t recovered which caused his little brother who he had already lost to go looking for their father, and Garroths hasn’t heard from Vylad since so it’s entirely possible to Garroth that he’s dead. Now, here comes a refugee from Tu’la, the very place that did all those things, who says that he wants to be a guard.

That bolded part– I’m not sure where? You got that from? Whether this could chalk up to Garroth’s shittiness for not thinking that deeply for the youngest Ro’meave or– which is more likely– he knows and has a way to communicate with Vylad, Vylad is just mf chilling in Tu’la with this half ass attempt to find the Shit Lord named Garte. 

But the gall, the goddamn gall of you to twist this fact around and use it as “Well now look at Lio oooh he has to be suspicious.”

MY DUDE. 

First episode, Liochant is introduced as a character who been around for a while– he isn’t fresh faced. He’s part of Katelyn’s version of Jury of 9, he went through he guard academy and if not that, Katelyn vouched for Liochant multiple of times. 

Technically, Liochant outranks Garroth when it comes the job as a guard because the Dragonward is seen the best of the best. And let me tell you something about Wonderbread over here– remember the conversation Garroth tried with Katelyn, asking her if Liochant being part of it was a good idea. 

Deadass. Garroth a goddamn snake. We are given, quite blatantly, Garroth’s reason of Lio’s suspicion. Wasn’t his character, Lio never gave Garroth to doubt him but Garroth knowing he’s from Tu’la?

“He must be one bad hombre.” 

 ALSO HEY. MY DUDE. SEPARATE RACIAL BIAS AND XENOPHOBIC BIAS. Because I never said Garroth dislike other races. Tu’la is shown to have multiple races residing in it– Garroth dislike people from Tu’la. He never really shown screen time with KC, so honestly IDK on that dynamic. But I do have something I agree with you: 

[…]think that Garroth did try to disguise his hostility at first, but we all know how good Garroth is at subtly.

But you take it “aw shucks he’s not that bad.” I take it as same old shit. Let me spell something out for you that I mentioned before– this shit, this xenophobia? This is part of my life as an American citizen who’s parents are immigrants. People who can act somewhat polite but their actions convey they still fucking hate you. Why? It’s not for who you are, but where you from and their own ignorance, they fear you. 

Garroth is mad ignorant. 

Only when he’s forced to get to know Liochant, he starts acting like he isn’t bad but if given the opportunity? Man, we’d probably see this shit until Liochant snaps (which leads into a can of worms of oh no Garroth’s fears are realized). 

Garroth’s ass is so ignorant, Liochant makes a meal and he straight up disrespects him. 

Anyways, I’m getting tired at reveling in your own ignorance. But hey, one thing quick: 

He’s a human that makes mistakes, and I don’t think those mistakes should condemn him forever. I just really have a problem when it seems like people are demonizing trauma victims.

Garroth ain’t no trauma victim but let’s say, he is. Deadass, get off of tumblr because people are still responsible what they fucking say or do to others. And take that damn lesson to heart, because I see how you’re projecting your own thoughts on to Garroth and trying to make yourself feel better. 

You can understand the how but the how doesn’t justified the results.

And you wanna know the results?

Garroth is an xenophobic prick.