#for the record i hate how his blatant abuse of the sisters was just overlooked

[veveisveryuncool]

old man hyness doodles from discord

[spoopercorp]

In my opinion, the majority of the Supergirl cast at SDCC was being more ignorant and insensitive rather than homophobic.

You have to be open to the possibility that maybe you’re misconstruing the situation, that what you see from the other side may not be an accurate representation of what actually happened, but yes, there is always the possibility that you are right.

Jeremy Jordan released two public apologies via Instagram that received backlash.

The first:

This one, I believe, received the most backlash for a formatting that is closer to that of a non-apology, of which I can see to an extent. It may be messy and imperfect, but he is human and can only learn from his mistakes. Many people did not like the fact that he said, “My track record for years has proven my love and utter devotion to the LGBTQ community.” because some people believe it is the equivalent of, “I have gay family/friends, I can’t be homophobic.”

But he is, I think, absolutely genuine with his intention in the apology, and the second part is more sincere, if you will.

He admitted his mistake, promised he would be better, and I personally have no doubt that he will try to do so in the future.

I said before that when you are attacked or criticized or hated, you are more likely to defend yourself. That is how humans work. If someone you knew was generally a kind and sweet person, but made a huge mistake, you are more likely to blame it on the person’s character. If it was the other way around and you made the mistake, you are more likely to blame it on external circumstances.

Mehcad Brooks’ apology is similar.

Yes, he made a comment similar to Jeremy Jordan’s “my track record” comment, and said something equivalent to “I cannot be homophobic, I am black”. And maybe he did not mean it to come out that way.

That is also another thing to address, because people who are gay can be racist/sexist and people who are black can be homophobic/sexist and people who are feminists can be homophobic/sexist. Most people know that being oppressed does not mean you cannot be the oppressor.

This is not trying to excuse what they did, but acknowledge that there are absolutely many variables within the situation at hand.

In the musical recap, they were having fun.

Okay, not a great reason, but everyone knows that when you are having fun, in the spur of each moment, you will not know if you are spouting anything out that is rude and offensive. They were not targeting the LGBT+ community, but maybe the actions they partook in are considered homophobic, but they are likely not themselves. They were being silly, having fun with each other, and laughing is scientifically proven to be contagious - it is a social thing whether or not you enjoy it, because most humans thrive off of it, and therefore, desire to be accepted. But, again, I know it does not excuse what they did.

Their intent was not to invalidate the LGBT+ community, but it did regardless, and you have every right to be upset. But think, just for a few seconds, to consider all sides. If you create something as an artist that you are so proud of and put so much time in and it is overlooked towards something you unintentionally created, you will likely feel upset. That one thing that you did not mean to do and put as much work in is being praised rather than the actual thing you are so proud of and want compliments for. Imagine that it is what the majority only talk about, it can get annoying.

Then there was the unnecessary interjection Chris Wood made about sexuality only being about perception of others. Again, ignorant and insensitive, but to his defense, he did say he was being sarcastic right after. I personally believe that was a homophobic comment. It is unfortunate for him that he is receiving a ton of hate attacking his personal life (because his character, Mon-El, is nothing like the comic counterpart and portrays someone who seems abusive), and when you shout at someone, you are likely to be shouted back at with the same force. Again, not excusing him, but more trying to develop an understanding of all sides.

To reiterate, I create art, whether it is in written or visual form, and I will likely be proud of my feat. There will be blatant haters, but when a fan articulately and professionally comments on how my work is portraying something unhealthy, it is a red flag. It is my job to at least take a second for myself to contemplate their words and the possibility without bias and acknowledge that though I did not intend to make it that way, it still had that affect.

They were also tired.

Okay, perhaps also not the greatest excuse for most.

SDCC panels are stressful for everyone, and I also believe it is very much so for celebrities attending. David Harewood makes a point that people may be “unfair” and “over the top” and blasting the situation out of proportion. My only qualm with his tweet is that he refers this outburst only originating from shippers when it is the entire LGBT+ community that has been affected. They might not be homophobic, but their actions could be read that way and will be used in the future to hurt the LGBT+ community and they are responsible for that.

They are also celebrities, they are constrained and choked in a suffocating environment that many fans burden their shoulders with.

Expectations. Ideals. Presumptions. Many unrealistic.

They are stuck within a tiny box of those specifications and the moment they resist or reach past it in any way, they receive hate. They are people, and like many other people, they may be agreeable on some matters and disagreeable on others; they have their own views. Those perfect ideas of humans people have, not just idols nor icons, are bad and unfair for both sides.

There are so many things that infuriated people at Supergirl’s SDCC.

From the announcement of The Ray and how it made Jewish coded characters like Supergirl and the Flash actual Nazis.

Which I personally loathe, so I cannot be as impartial on that matter.

To Melissa Benoist’s statements that Kara Danvers “lost her first ever boyfriend” as well as comparing it to her “losing her entire world”. She completely omitted a great black man in the first season that the latter was so head over heels with and seems to have compared a loss of a boyfriend to her losing her entire world - by extension forgetting that Kara Danvers still has Eliza, Lena, James, J’onn, Winn, and her sister Alex (I believe the Danvers sisters’ relationship is the most powerful in the show).

To the questions and panels circling around Mon-El constantly with barely any input on the Danvers sisters and the involvements of other important lead characters.

To the lack of addressing the problem with Mon-El’s character, which has been a huge controversy in numerous articles as well as plot holes with the rushed and messier writing.

To the theorizing and speculation people are making by watching videos, like the musical recap.

They are videos, you cannot really determine emotion nor intent and all they will ever be is speculation, because people are sharing statements that there is now cast drama (which I hope not) due to this incident. Katie McGrath and Odette Annable are receiving the least hate out of everyone (I am referring to cast members who were present, so I am leaving Chyler Leigh and Floriana Lima out) because (and some of these are fan speculations and may or may not be ridiculous to you)...

- Katie McGrath repeated that fans could take anything they wanted from the show and apparently Mehcad Brooks told her to “shut up” in Italian (zitta).

Honestly, the audio is not great and neither are human ears and it is just speculation. I do not know.

- Katie McGrath “dragged” the rest of the cast members by stating, “I brought it back to reality, you wanna go back to singing again?” as in referring to the musical recap in the video as well as leaning away and apparently tackling Chris Wood’s comment earlier about sexuality only being about perception and Odette Annable showing her support.

Again, speculation as I analyze with a neutral lens. Katie McGrath could be comfortable in that position. Or maybe she was actually uncomfortable with the situation. And the cast was singing shortly beforehand, it was probably not meant as shade. I do not know.

- Odette Annable did not laugh at the musical recap nor when the cast sang again about Daxam I think.

Maybe she does not find singing to be amusing? Or maybe she really thought the cast members were being rude about the musical recap. I do not know.

- There is a photo of Katie McGrath and it looks as if there are tears and people speculate it was due to her statement during the musical recap that allegedly went ignored by other cast members or something and now she is being ostracized.

More speculation, maybe she was so happy with fans she teared up, maybe the lights were too bright and her eyes were too dry. I do not know.

I do not know. No one knows for sure what is going on and hopefully everyone’s speculations above are wrong because the idea of supposed discourse and schisms within a cast of grown adults is honestly sad (someone said that cast members for a show were arguing before an interview, I do not know how reliable that information is).

If you have a problem with what happened, give your statements.

Don’t attack the actors’ and/or writers’ personal lives.

Most people will not pay attention to something that sounds aggressive or hateful. Educate them on the consequences of their actions in a professional manner, and if they shoot back with something immature or block you, then you are wasting your time and theirs. You are the consumer, you can move on and invest your emotions, money, and time on something that you consider is more worth your while.

[dncrnthedark]

This Woman’s Rebuke

I’ve seen this post floating about and I can’t ignore it any longer. I’m Sending my response to this post out to the world in hopes it is understood. Thank you. 

The original post is in black. My response is Italic. 

To the marchers......you do not represent me. Yup, actually, the Women’s march does represent several of my concerns. I am not a "disgrace to women" because I don't support the women's march. I wouldn’t tell anyone that they are a disgrace for not agreeing with something but if you feel the need to assume, go ahead.

 I do not feel I am a "second class citizen" because I am a woman. Good for you for not feeling that way. I’m glad that no one has made you feel that way in your life.

I do not feel my voice is "not heard" because I am a woman. Again, I’m glad no one in your life has made you feel like you were not heard. Many cannot say the same.

I do not feel I am not provided opportunities in this life or in America because I am a woman. What opportunities have you attempted to take advantage of? Have you progressed and been paid equally for doing the same job as the men in your field? If so, that is rare and excellent for you. Most are not so lucky. I know of brilliant, well qualified women who work doggedly in their field and still do not get the promotion, job, or pay that the men do, who are either as or less qualified as the women.

I do not feel that I "don't have control of my body or choices" because I am a woman. Good, however, that’s probably because you’ve never been in a situation where the law has forbidden you access to the proper medical care and procedures to save your life. You’ve probably never needed an abortion because you were raped or because your life was in danger if you carry a child to term. You’ve probably never lived in an area of America or any other country where you needed something against the law so were reduced to a back alley, dangerous procedure that opened you up to disease or death.

 I do not feel like I am "not respected or undermined" because I am a woman. That’s good for you. You’ve never had to deal with a male dominated corporation overlooking you because women are not as smart as men, or a man taking credit for work that you did. 

I am not a "victim" because you say I am. I’ve said no such thing. I just pray you know when you’re a victim without someone else pointing it out for you.

I AM a woman. Many of us are! I can make my own choices. Yes, but will your choices be honored and within the parameters of the law? There are countries where your choices can get you killed. I can speak and be heard. By who? Will your words be something that makes a difference? Or will your words fall flat on the floor of the House and Senate? I can VOTE. Will your vote count? And, there are countries where you cannot vote BECAUSE YOU ARE A WOMAN. What would you do if you lived in one of these countries? Oh never mind…as a woman your rights wouldn’t matter. I can work if I want. Yes, but will you be paid what you deserve for your work? Will you be given the same opportunities as other co-workers? Can you advance? Will you be judged on merit or gender? I control my body. To a point. Until the head honchos tell you that what you want or need is against the law. If men had abortions, there would be grants and clinics and coupons. Instead, women are shamed for making a very difficult and personal decision. And that’s where those decisions should live: with the person. What about accountability? Why is all of the ownership for the unwanted pregnancy placed on the mother? Why isn’t the father shamed and told to keep his sperm under control? Because that’s absurd?? Ahem… I can defend myself. As a woman, I would hope you could defend yourself. Could you defend yourself against a man twice your size? Are you prepared to sacrifice your life in defense of your life? And defend yourself how, I wonder, with words? Against your husband who feels like beating you or your children? Against the man who threatens to kill you because he has a bad temper? I can defend my family. Again, from what? Laws? Abusers? Harsh words? Are you defending what matters like food, water, shelter and access to education? Or are defending this reality show that American lives have become? Are you paying attention? There is nothing stopping me to do anything in this world but MYSELF. First, is this even a proper sentence? And if you are trying to do something that legislation has stated is not for a woman to do, then I guess something other than yourself is stopping you. I do not blame my circumstances or problems on anything other than my own choices or even that sometimes in life, we don't always get what we want. I take responsibility for myself. Please tell this to the child in the middle of sex traffic ring. I’m sure he or she would love to understand how it’s their choice to be there. Or the young woman who is beaten by her father and brothers after being raped on her way home because she brought shame to the family.

I am a mother, a daughter, a wife, a sister, a friend. I am not held back in life but only by the walls I choose to not go over which is a personal choice. You are a lucky person who lives a blessed life. As a blessed individual, one could only hope that you would see past your own walls and realize that we marched so that ALL women, in America, and in ALL countries could be as blessed as you. Some do not have as much to fight for as others, but together we can make a difference for ALL.

Quit blaming.  Take responsibility. I could say the same to you. I have taken responsibility, but more than that: I take action. Actions which keep the door from being slammed in my face forcing me back into the kitchen.

If you want to speak, do so. But do not expect for me, a woman, to take you seriously wearing a pink va-jay-jay hat on your head and screaming profanities and bashing men. The pink hats actually came from a woman who wanted to do more than just “show up”. She starting knitting hats because she wanted to draw attention to her statement and for the sheer purpose of staying warm. She made the beanies with little ears on them in reference to the lude remarks from the Trump video about grabbing women’s genitals. The idea took off and went global to show solidarity. Also, it was recorded around the world that it was the most peaceful protest ever held. No arrests. The core of this march was Peaceful Protest. Not sure where the whole bashing men thing came from. Making women heard and empowered neither takes away or lessens a man’s equality or power. And if your belief is that feminism is intended to take from men, you need to do some research. If you have beliefs, and speak to me in a kind matter, I will listen. But do not expect for me to change my beliefs to suit yours. Respect goes both ways. I absolutely respect that, and expect the same from you. I don’t expect you to do anything you don’t want to do, just like I don’t expect to be told to sit down and shut up because you don’t want to hear or see it. If you want to impress me, especially in regards to women, then speak on the real injustices and tragedies that affect women in foreign countries that do not that the opportunity or means to have their voices heard. We just did, I’m sorry if you didn’t get that message. Saudi Arabia, women can't drive, no rights and must always be covered. Only three small issues with what’s happening in this country. China and India, infanticide of baby girls.  Afghanistan, unequal education rights.  Democratic Republic of Congo, where rapes are brutal and women are left to die, or HIV infected and left to care for children alone.  Mali, where women cannot escape the torture of genital mutilation.  Pakistan, in tribal areas where women are gang raped to pay for men's crime.  Guatemala, the impoverished female underclass of Guatemala faces domestic violence, rape and the second-highest rate of HIV/AIDS after sub-Saharan Africa. An epidemic of gruesome unsolved murders has left hundreds of women dead, some of their bodies left with hate messages. Or the 7 year old girls being sold or married off to 60 year old men, Or the millions of women sold and bought into sex trafficking.  And that's just a few examples. ALL reasons why we march on. This was GLOBAL, not local. Women march for all women around the world.

So when women get together in AMERICA and whine they don't have equal rights and march in their clean clothes, after eating a hearty breakfast, and it's like a vacation away that they have paid for to get there... This WOMAN does not support it. This woman didn’t quite understand the message the women of America were bringing. But that’s ok, I’m not here to change her views, merely to state mine.

I also want to address something else I’ve seen. This blatant disrespect toward the celebrities that have spoken out about the election and about the March. We are founded on freedom of speech. There is also freedom of the press. Yes, celebrities have a unique position where they have the ear of more people than you or I or any of the other average Joes around town. Why, because their job is to entertain us, does that mean that they can’t speak their mind like anyone else? Many celebrities are brilliant, well-educated individuals who, like most of us, are concerned for our country and the world. I’m not a politician, does that mean I can’t speak out about politics? I’m not a doctor, does that mean I can’t speak about healthcare? If I’m a celebrity, does that cancel out my brain function to only one specialty? No. No it does not. AND even if it did, I would still have the RIGHT to speak about what I felt needed to be said. It is YOUR choice to not listen. You don’t like what I have to say, turn off the TV, turn the channel, read a book. Google “The Constitution”. What you do is your choice. What I do is my choice. What the celebrities do is their choice. And thank GOD and our soldiers for providing us an environment where we have some freedom to make those choices.

One more time for the cheap seats. We march on for those who do not have the luxury of making their own choices.