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I'm sick of this "foxes are food" bullshit
14 years ago
I'm sure most of you know the stereotype amongst foxes in the fandom. According to it, we're all gay, submissive, prey, and sluts. As with all stereotypes, there are a bunch of foxes who seem to enjoy being as vocal as possible about living up to every aspect of it. That's not me, though. In my mind there is no question of chicken or egg. First the stereotype was made, then a whole bunch of foxes decided to make it their personae, and then the stereotype got out of hand.
I get it, people think they're so clever for noticing a pattern amongst the majority of foxes. Believe it or not, though, I've actually heard that one before. In fact I've been hearing it every day for the past 10 years. No one instance is offense-worthy, but after all this time I just can't take it anymore. And don't tell me I'm just being overly sensitive or that this is just in my imagination. Let me give you some examples of things that have actually happened fairly recently:
Someone in the chatroom (livestream I think) is looking for a predator. I raise my hand and they respond "I mean any REAL predators"
on IRC, a wolf is saying how all foxes are sub/gay/prey. I tell them that I'm dom, pred, and not gay and he just says "well you're not a fox then."
In yumchat, a dragon asks me what I am. I told them I'm a macro fox and he says "**Licks lips** I love the taste of macro foxes." I told him I'm not prey. The next thing I know I'm being told I should leave.
So yeah, the stereotype is a real thing and people who think they're clever like perpetuating it. It's actually intolerable. I'm one of those people who feel really close to my animal. I'm not exactly an otherkin (though I have no problem with them) but I would not be happy being any other animal. I am aware that there are a lot of other foxes in the fandom, this does not make me any less original. What, do you think just because you decided to play as an anteater or a tapir you deserve a metal? I think it's more impressive to be an individual WITHOUT having to be some kind of rare species.
What really bothers me is that I feel like, since day one, I've been trying to prove that despite being a fox, I do not fit the fox stereotype. Since day one I've been trying to tell people that I'm a predator, that I'm not gay, and that I'm not a sub. The problem with that is I think everyone is a switch sometimes. Believe it or not, I do dabble in being prey, being on the bottom, and online bisexuality. The thing is I feel like I'm not allowed to admit it because it would UNDO everything. Everyone would come down on me, mockingly, so they can show how all foxes are the same and use me as an example.
Finally, I'd like to point out that foxes are actually very rarely prey. It's true that wolves, tigers, hyenas, lynxes, cougars, jaguars, and pretty much every other animal that furries give a fuck about will eat foxes. They will, but they very rarely do. There's only one mammal in the world (as far as I can tell) that actually favors red foxes as prey, and that is the Eurasian Lynx. The reason is that foxes are not prey animals, they're predators. Usually when something eats a fox it's intraguild predation.
I get it, people think they're so clever for noticing a pattern amongst the majority of foxes. Believe it or not, though, I've actually heard that one before. In fact I've been hearing it every day for the past 10 years. No one instance is offense-worthy, but after all this time I just can't take it anymore. And don't tell me I'm just being overly sensitive or that this is just in my imagination. Let me give you some examples of things that have actually happened fairly recently:
Someone in the chatroom (livestream I think) is looking for a predator. I raise my hand and they respond "I mean any REAL predators"
on IRC, a wolf is saying how all foxes are sub/gay/prey. I tell them that I'm dom, pred, and not gay and he just says "well you're not a fox then."
In yumchat, a dragon asks me what I am. I told them I'm a macro fox and he says "**Licks lips** I love the taste of macro foxes." I told him I'm not prey. The next thing I know I'm being told I should leave.
So yeah, the stereotype is a real thing and people who think they're clever like perpetuating it. It's actually intolerable. I'm one of those people who feel really close to my animal. I'm not exactly an otherkin (though I have no problem with them) but I would not be happy being any other animal. I am aware that there are a lot of other foxes in the fandom, this does not make me any less original. What, do you think just because you decided to play as an anteater or a tapir you deserve a metal? I think it's more impressive to be an individual WITHOUT having to be some kind of rare species.
What really bothers me is that I feel like, since day one, I've been trying to prove that despite being a fox, I do not fit the fox stereotype. Since day one I've been trying to tell people that I'm a predator, that I'm not gay, and that I'm not a sub. The problem with that is I think everyone is a switch sometimes. Believe it or not, I do dabble in being prey, being on the bottom, and online bisexuality. The thing is I feel like I'm not allowed to admit it because it would UNDO everything. Everyone would come down on me, mockingly, so they can show how all foxes are the same and use me as an example.
Finally, I'd like to point out that foxes are actually very rarely prey. It's true that wolves, tigers, hyenas, lynxes, cougars, jaguars, and pretty much every other animal that furries give a fuck about will eat foxes. They will, but they very rarely do. There's only one mammal in the world (as far as I can tell) that actually favors red foxes as prey, and that is the Eurasian Lynx. The reason is that foxes are not prey animals, they're predators. Usually when something eats a fox it's intraguild predation.
Those assholes can go die.
GO FOXES!!!
But still, it's awesome that you're disproving the stereotype. Hurray for fox preds!
That said, on Ekas for the last couple of weeks since Scree's started being a bunny on occasion (thanks to an encounter with, you guessed it, a predatory rabbit), I tend to wind up inside a vixen within moments of logging in...
I hate that stereotype to. It sucks that people AUTOMATICALLY ASSUME foxes should be nommed first and always.
ass hats.
It enrages me TAT
You should godmod them. XDDDD And I dont even support godmodding.
I've encountered that a few times from people who don't realize that "flying fox" is a type of bat. Never once had it as bad as you, though.
People who try to dictate your orientation and sexuality really are the worst, in my book. It's one of the most insulting fucking things you could do.
Tell you what, though, the next time someone tries to question your identity, please send them my way.
I played the whole, "Due to magical enchants and absorbing the magics from amulets and rings, I became immune to all types of Acid" card. I received alot of hate for that.
How dare I be a undigestable character. My only response is, "not my problem, So go ahead and eat me and we'll see what happens."
Yeah it's a douche move, but sometimes you have to be one when the time calls for it.
But I can't do that. I'm not a macro, I just have to rely on my fox magic to make weapons from leaves. (I keeps lots of magic leaves on me)
And yeah, I've got it in big bold text in the profile as well as in the preference sliders thing, so - yeah. Oddly enough, in the last couple of months when people have attempted to digest me in there (usually just mucking around in the semi-ic room) other folks have called them out for being dicks if they objected to me sticking to my clearly advertised preferences.
In short, if you don't want to not digest, go eat someone else :p
Thats how it goes. I don't RP much. But the last person that RPed with me that tried to digest me, I focused on the energies that flowed through their body. then created a Kukri of the opposite energy frequency and cut my way out. They got really mad and said I was godmodding. But thats what Kitsunes do. Fox magic is tricksy.
Step two: Poop
(Make sure they don't actually like scat or anything, first)
Stereotypes exist for a reason, even though they are fairly negative. I'm gonna hazard a guess most people who roleplay or associate with foxes think of them as being submissive and prey like because well, a good number of foxes are like that probably. Lots of people in our society break stereotypes all the time, and I'm guessing you're not the typical fox so kudos to you for being a bit different.
Or, you could try this. Not worry about people who treat you like a typical fox furry. Obviously if they annoy you, blow them off and don't be friends with them nor associate with them. They're obviously not worth talking to or to roleplay with if they're going to automatically make assumptions about you before they even get a chance to talk to you. Politely or casually correct them, and move on.
But regardless, I'm sorry to hear that you're upset about it~
I think that "most people who associate with foxes" are wolves. I think that the stereotype is more projection than it is honest fact. Foxes are smaller than wolves, who are tied as the most common furry type. Foxes are smaller, and therefore should be submissive I guess.
Honestly, you think I haven't tried to ignore people like that? It bothers me that OTHER people don't have to deal with this, though. OTHER people don't feel like they have to change their species just to avoid being treated a certain way. I've abandoned everywhere that I encounter this behavior, but I'm left with no-where else to go. Glowering by myself isn't exactly fun, either.
Anyway, thanks for the sympathy.
...and I'd like to say fox predators are quite hot and awesome. I find myself bested by foxes at times~
But thanks, that's very nice of you to say.
**goes on a rampage**
There will always be people who are just jerks, it's best to Just ignore them :3 works for me!
That or devour them, THEN see how preyish they think you are xD
Nomsune~
Mah fave food is dragon personally ;3
Also, my favorite is wolves, but I kinda advertise that a lot.
That whole "Pokemon don't count, they're not a real animal" is such an imbecilic argument. Furries aren't real either. Neither are dragons, and neither are feral wolves that can talk.
I know I shouldn't be bothered by these idiots, and in general I'm not. It's just the five thousandth time I've heard "foxes belong in bellies" that it starts to wear thin. Why don't OTHER animals take the role of "always being eaten"
Anyway, I've spoken with you about this already, so I don't feel the need to add anything else to this journal. You know where I stand on the matter, but I also love the sound of my own voice, so here I am.
I haven't spoken with you for a while, though. I'm always up for chatting.
It's interesting, I think part of the problem is that foxes occupy a sort of in-between role. I also have a mouse-girl predator, and I have had a few teasing comments about how she should be prey (just playfully, nothing as rude or hostile as the ones you mention getting), but far more I get "Oh, awesome, you don't often see mice as preds!" or "Oh, I love role reversal! Does she eat many cats?" With foxes, because they're naturally relatively high up on the food chain, but at the same time not overtly massively powerful or predatory like bears or large snakes, they somehow get the worst of both worlds.
Personally I actually do love a fox stereotype, but it's one that far predates the idea of a "furry". I love sly, deceptive, cunning, manipulative foxes. Like Reynard, or the one who eats the gingerbread man, or the fox from that weird old Disney Chicken Little cartoon who I think is supposed to represent the Nazis somehow. Obviously everyone is an individual, but personally I'm happy to fight stereotypes with stereotypes! Bring back Reynard!
I also agree with you on the ORGINAL fox stereotype. It was largely what appeals to me so much about the species. Somehow that has been completely diluted by the fandom, though. I have my own theories as to why, too. I think that foxes are forcefully regulated to being super submissive and slutty because they have to be worse than wolves, tigers, and dragons, even though those 3 are just as varied as everyone else.