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@ Nazi furs, bigots, etc, pt 2
8 years ago
The following is an opinion.
Bigots, nazis, etc, that are sincerely trying to put those things behind them and improve themselves and their mindset should not be forever shunned by the community. They should be helped. Changing is not an easy thing to do. They will be reforming their entire identity while simultaneously abandoning what is likely their only support group. Everyone needs support. Especially in a time of change and reflection. And continuing to flaunt receipts and reject ppl that are sincerely trying to change will do nothing but push those ppl right back into those groups that they feel supported them.
Of course that's easy to say. Actually doing it will be more challenging, but not anything humans haven't been built to do. We are social creatures that thrive under peace and supportive communities.
It will be difficult at times to tell if a person is truly changing or is just full of shit. As always it will be up to the mature and decent ppl of the fandom to risk offering time and friendship to a potential bigot or liar. If you're wondering exactly who will do this... We all will. Or, I believe, that we all should, at the very least, try*. I'm not talking on a mass level. No one's going to send out a newsletter to every fuckin furry for a vote on who's verboten or some shit. It's way smaller than that. It's the hobby circles. The local groups. Discord and Telegram groups. Furmeets. Stuff like that. You look after your own, curate your groups, and try to keep each other on a good and positive path. When a known former bigot that seems to be trying to reform asks to join your group, think about giving them a chance. No one is obligated too, but it's worth considering. Discuss it with your group. And if you do take that chance, warn them that people are cautious, and that they'll be monitored. Not to jump on them for tiny mistakes, but to protect the group and to ensure they are sincere in their change. And hey, if it turns out they're liars, or still assholes, then, yeah, kick their fuckin asses out of your groups. And warn all your other circles about that person as well.
And that's just plain Community building, yall! It all starts small and emanates outward. We look after those in our circles. And those circles extend outward and into other circles, other groups. The good or the bad of those circles extend with them and influence one another. And former bigots and nazis must feel like they will be allowed into more supportive and positive circles if they change. Not as best pals or anything even close to that. But they need to know that their former mistakes won't be unduly held against them and that they'll be given a chance. Otherwise, they have hardly any incentive to even consider self examination or change.
*Of course individuals that have been directly effected or harmed by these toxic groups or individuals have absolutely no responsibility to engage with these people. Victims should not be expected to. But the general community should not make an effort to smear them based on their past actions if they are sincerely making an attempt to change and learn. To do so is virtue signaling of the pettiest order and does nothing but prove what alt furs so often say about others.
That's all. Unrepentant nazis and bigots can fuck right off. Get the fuck outta here. But also know a lot of us will still be here when you're ready to change and learn and be a better person. It's hard as hell but I promise it's better. It's rewarding. When you're ready to join a group of ppl that reject hate speech, bigotry, and harmful ideology, we're here. That's what "Change your hearts or die" means. It's not a threat, it's an offer.
https://www.lifeafterhate.org/
Bigots, nazis, etc, that are sincerely trying to put those things behind them and improve themselves and their mindset should not be forever shunned by the community. They should be helped. Changing is not an easy thing to do. They will be reforming their entire identity while simultaneously abandoning what is likely their only support group. Everyone needs support. Especially in a time of change and reflection. And continuing to flaunt receipts and reject ppl that are sincerely trying to change will do nothing but push those ppl right back into those groups that they feel supported them.
Of course that's easy to say. Actually doing it will be more challenging, but not anything humans haven't been built to do. We are social creatures that thrive under peace and supportive communities.
It will be difficult at times to tell if a person is truly changing or is just full of shit. As always it will be up to the mature and decent ppl of the fandom to risk offering time and friendship to a potential bigot or liar. If you're wondering exactly who will do this... We all will. Or, I believe, that we all should, at the very least, try*. I'm not talking on a mass level. No one's going to send out a newsletter to every fuckin furry for a vote on who's verboten or some shit. It's way smaller than that. It's the hobby circles. The local groups. Discord and Telegram groups. Furmeets. Stuff like that. You look after your own, curate your groups, and try to keep each other on a good and positive path. When a known former bigot that seems to be trying to reform asks to join your group, think about giving them a chance. No one is obligated too, but it's worth considering. Discuss it with your group. And if you do take that chance, warn them that people are cautious, and that they'll be monitored. Not to jump on them for tiny mistakes, but to protect the group and to ensure they are sincere in their change. And hey, if it turns out they're liars, or still assholes, then, yeah, kick their fuckin asses out of your groups. And warn all your other circles about that person as well.
And that's just plain Community building, yall! It all starts small and emanates outward. We look after those in our circles. And those circles extend outward and into other circles, other groups. The good or the bad of those circles extend with them and influence one another. And former bigots and nazis must feel like they will be allowed into more supportive and positive circles if they change. Not as best pals or anything even close to that. But they need to know that their former mistakes won't be unduly held against them and that they'll be given a chance. Otherwise, they have hardly any incentive to even consider self examination or change.
*Of course individuals that have been directly effected or harmed by these toxic groups or individuals have absolutely no responsibility to engage with these people. Victims should not be expected to. But the general community should not make an effort to smear them based on their past actions if they are sincerely making an attempt to change and learn. To do so is virtue signaling of the pettiest order and does nothing but prove what alt furs so often say about others.
That's all. Unrepentant nazis and bigots can fuck right off. Get the fuck outta here. But also know a lot of us will still be here when you're ready to change and learn and be a better person. It's hard as hell but I promise it's better. It's rewarding. When you're ready to join a group of ppl that reject hate speech, bigotry, and harmful ideology, we're here. That's what "Change your hearts or die" means. It's not a threat, it's an offer.
https://www.lifeafterhate.org/
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