#lela i hope i wont need the playlist

[anarmorofwords]

The last anon said "he is in a bad place right now and I can't love the person he is right now" people don't see how "takes" like this can harm others who struggles with addiction and depression (because the CLS Matthew already had signs of mental ilness)? This is horrible because it can be basically translate to

"people with mental ilness and addiction are unloveble" And there are others who always dismiss feelings that Matthew showed and was vocal about like his feelings for Cordelia because people "in a bad state" can't love either. And they do this because of a shop that isn't even remottelly in danger. I hate Cassandra for being irresponsable and do a poor job writing this important issues and I hate this fandom that doesn't give a shit for people with a mental ilness and addiction.

I totally understand criticazing Matthew for his actions but say that you don't like him Because he's a drunk and depressed is so terrible...

Oh absolutely!!!

Thank you for bringing this up! I hope I'll be able to properly address everything here, because this is something that bothers me so much, but I forgot to include that. I put it under the cut bc long

It doesn't apply to all of them, but many antis/people who hate Math really push this narrative that mentally ill people are ultimately unhealthy and toxic and should have no friends or other relationships, and that's just... Not true and terribly hurtful, not just to a character, but because of the implications it gives to real people seeing such takes.

I absolutely hate when people suggest Matthew will only be loveable - to his friends, a potential love interest, or even readers - once he heals. I hate this so so much. Yes, I think romantic relationship shouldn't be a priority for him atm, but it doesn't mean he shouldn't be allowed to fall in love (especially when, other than his treatment of Alastair, which is kind of a seperate issue, and more complex, he's been nothing but respectful towards Cordelia). Not to mention other kinds of love from other people in his life - you stay with people you love through thick and thin, not ditch them the moment it's not fun anymore.

And don't get me wrong, I'm not saying his loved ones can't have boundaries or all of his behaviour should be excused because of his mental state, but people don't even take it into consideration when analysing his actions. Like, it doesn't obviously apply to all of his behaviour, but very often what he does is indeed illogical or insensitive etc., but he's in a terribly bad place, which I think should be considered, especially when we're talking about his treatment of Alastair.

Then again, when people pin all of the issues between TMT on him?! Sure, we won't blame any of them for not noticing/helping with Matthew's addiction (I'm not saying they should have been responsible for that, just pointing out that people don't expect them to and don't drag them for that), but a mentally ill teen who's drunk most of the time is a monster for neglecting his friends?

Matthew gets hate for not noticing Thomas's feelings and his interest in Alastair, but it's okay Thomas (and the others) didn't notice his depression and addiction?! Matthew gets hate for not seeing past the "kind" facade Thomas purposefully creates, but Thomas doesn't for not seeing past Matthew's "charm"? Make it make sense. This isn't to hate on Thomas, or any other Merry Thief, is just to point out how people's argumentation is very... selective

People always go on about Math's "supportive and loving environment", but what has his environment done for him? How was it supportive? Neither this family nor friends noticed his problems, not to mention did something to help with them. I think it's mostly CC's fault, again - a convenient reason to add more drama - but it doesn't change the fact that it's shitty.

One more thing that bothers me in regards to the Academy - while I don't think Matthew's behaviour was ok either - is how people brush off what he suffered because "he had friends"? Or is rich? Like babe, i thought we established that long ago: Mental illness doesn't choose people based on their circumstances, and you can't forbid people from reacting in a certain way - to bullying, to trauma etc. So saying Matthew didn't have the right to be hurt, or he "overreacted" or anything along those lines is like saying people are only allowed to suffer from mental illness on certain conditions and for certain "reasons", and that's bullshit.

I love that Alastair was able to move on and is such a compassionate and amazing person despite what he's been through, but comparing them is pointless, when they're clearly at different "stages", so to say. As I pointed out lately, Alastair's always known what he was doing wasn't alright, while Matthew, for the most part, doesn't realize. Matthew still has time to change and make up for his mistakes, but some people act as if, if Alastair's already done that, it's too late for Matthew to do that. Which is just a little bizzare to me.

Just like you said, I don't mind people critizing him, or even being antis, if that's what they wish to spend their time on, but not for being mentally ill, or "a drunk". Please.

I hope I'm making some sense here, please feel free to add more or point out if I wrote something nonsensical, thank you again for bringing this up <3