No Jenn until Toni is unbanned

[Jenn]

I've already told a couple members of staff about this and officially put my character/me on hiatus.

I've had several people come ask me what's up, that they've heard some things... and what they've heard has been all over the map.

So, this is what's happened from my perspective. This is why I won't be at game for a while and why I'm standing with Toni. This is my point of view and why the whole thing happened in the first place.

gaaneden.livejournal.com/1054390.html

Note: This blog post is my point of view and people who are feeling overly sensitive about the whole situation probably shouldn't read. This is my polite warning. Thank you.

[Bubba Kush]

Thank you for writing this.

Staff: Please take this to heart. Being an ST isn't just about book keeping and creativity, but leadership. ECC needs your leadership now.

Players: Don't engage in the socially predatory behavior Jenn describes. I'm sick of my gender making pathetic attempts to boost their masculinity through rape jokes. If I see it, I'll say something and loudly.

[Anonymous]

I have been wanting desperately to come back to ECC. I long to see people I had made good friendships with, role play for a few hours, and generally socialize with others each week.

But as a male victim of childhood sexual abuse, sexual assault, and rape from only a few months ago, it is clear that this is a society dead set on celebrating the worst of humanity without regard for the sensibilities of those surrounding them.

It's not about telling stories of personal horror of an adult nature, it's about making a comedy of the disgusting acts a number of us have actually suffered. At times, I've even seen, or been the victim of, bullying of a sort, talking of how one would rape me or making light of child abuse concerning me. It is disgusting, and despite whether or not you enjoy it as a form of humor, it does not belong in a place of safety, and it most certainly does not belong in a Boys and Girl's Club or school campus, both places where this game takes place.

[Mike Lohmann]

See you all in six weeks. Sorry to see you go.

[BLewis]

Jan 28, 2014 10:47:35 GMT -8 Anonymous said:

But as a male victim of childhood sexual abuse, sexual assault, and rape from only a few months ago, it is clear that this is a society dead set on celebrating the worst of humanity without regard for the sensibilities of those surrounding them.

Regardless of who you are, there's plenty of people here who have no clue what is being said or where it's coming from. Read: the "huge source" is a small number of people. Small number. Small.

And this sort of inflammatory post is really unnecessary. "I'm not coming back for a while" is cool. "Hey, I'm not coming back until staff decides to go back on this thing because of social pressure from a select group of people that are mad so that we can show that undermining staff authority is acceptable by just being publicly mad" isn't.

[Valerie]

Just because it's authority doesn't make it right. It's the right of an individual to protest publicly as much as it is the right of an individual to say "This regime made a call, and I trust the regime, so I will support the call." In my experience, when social norms are evolving or the potential for injustice is being examined, change is not made by sitting down and nodding because the people in power are ostensibly making the right decision.

I, too, will see you all later.

[Webmonkey]

Staff needs to show genuine leadership here and explain the situation from their perspective - the person who approached the PA's has stepped out of 'privacy mode' so all bets are off. Transparency is required at this stage, because this had become a one-sided story, and that's not acceptable.

[Webmonkey]

I caution those of you making decisions prior to hearing both sides of the argument - that's short sighted.

Patience.

[Anonymous]

Jan 28, 2014 11:32:13 GMT -8 Webmonkey said:

I caution those of you making decisions prior to hearing both sides of the argument - that's short sighted.

Patience.

It's been two weeks since Toni's ban.  You've already shut down one thread questioning the ban, though admittedly that thread was a lot more fiery in it's language.  I think patience has been demonstrated admirably, and people want to know why someone speaking out against pro-rape culture has been banned.

[Bertie]

Writing a big post in response, its going to take a few minutes.

[Bubba Kush]

Look, I really do appreciate where Brad and Chris are coming from. If Toni was abusive toward staff then she should receive the charter punishment. She's a grown woman and can accept the just punishment.

But I've never heard either of you comment on the intimidating culture at game, especially towards women. What I'm seeing is your zeal toward making sure Toni gets her just desserts and completely dismissing the rest of the scenario. This is something that needs to be addressed and it won't go away by being ignored.

Furthermore, as far as I'm aware neither of you two are directly involved yet you tell us we done know the whole story. We're ALL working on secondary sources here, so it's a bit aggressive of you to insist your second-hand knowledge is better than anyone else's.

I think you both are great guys but I don't think policing others' posts is improving anything. You both expressed a desire for stamping out the flames in this scenario, so I hope you take what I say in good faith.

[Katie Hester]

Jeremiah, vilifying Brad and Chris won't help the situation. I don't think that either's post even imply that they think Toni is getting her just dessert. Further, I see nothing wrong with Chris suggesting that people don't make a hasty decision before hearing both sides of the argument. Some people have heard from both sides, some may not have.

It think it's important to recognize that there are people on both sides that are hurting right now. I think it's important to recognize that what some may call a poor decision made in light of this hurt does not mean that the people who made the decision are bad people.

And I really hope that the people in the middle of this whole conflict don't end up losing friends over it because that would the worst.

[Webmonkey]

Jan 28, 2014 12:06:46 GMT -8 Anonymous said:

Jan 28, 2014 11:32:13 GMT -8 Webmonkey said:

I caution those of you making decisions prior to hearing both sides of the argument - that's short sighted.

Patience.

It's been two weeks since Toni's ban.  You've already shut down one thread questioning the ban, though admittedly that thread was a lot more fiery in it's language.  I think patience has been demonstrated admirably, and people want to know why someone speaking out against pro-rape culture has been banned.

Do not post inflammatory posts on this or any other EC message board again. Anonymity on the Internet is an illusion that you should not fall prey to.

This is your first warning.

If you do so again I will take actions based on the proboards terms of service and the forum rules I have set. You may read those rules in the Webmonkey's Corner board. They are transparent and there for all to see. You are safe to discuss what you would like in our boards as a member of them. You are not safe to take pot shots or start arguments just to fan flames.

I did not ban or lock any thread about rape culture. That is factually incorrect. I do not support that culture, or censorship in general. In specific I was supporting Toni's privacy and without knowing it, Jenn's privacy as well.

There are multiple issues in play here:

1. The way a player has treated staff and PA's and the Charter violations associated with that.

2. Personal feelings about a global issue (rape culture) that effects all of us and has need of a public outlet for discussion - which I *completely support*. The issue was not brought publicly in this instance as you have read and commented about on Jenn's Facebook. I respect the privacy if those who have a right to request it and they definitely did have that right, and I supported them exercising that right.

3. Personal allegiances, or "nobody picks on my little brother/sister but me. These generally don't help when an issue is complex.

4. Leadership choices, good, bad, ugly and otherwise. People generally try to do the best they can with the information they have. People do their best to separate one issue from another.

Jenn, the initial person who voiced her topical concern to the staff and PA's has chosen to break her silence on the issue. Doing so indicates that privacy is less important than a public discussion and these issues will now be discussed respectfully and publicly. If you can't discuss them respectfully I will remove you from the discussion per the charter and a message board rules. Please make yourself aware of those.

[Valerie]

Whoa Chris, didn't take the Anon post saying " I think patience has been demonstrated admirably, and people want to know why someone speaking out against pro-rape culture has been banned." as meaning anything to do with your actions locking the other post. I read it as the poster wanting to know why someone who spoke out against rape culture was banned from game... not the boards...

[Valerie]

I too am seriously unsettled by the fact that, assuming all of the Anonymous posts on this thread are for the same person, that the person who the community trusts with this board would find it suitable to out (mistaken identity or no) a rape victim.

[Dimitri Vasilescu]

I'm terribly uncomfortable with anon posts being allowed as it prevents charter enforcement. No one should be able to skirt the charter.

[BLewis]

Especially with this sort of largely inflammatory content being issued. Being able to claim anything at all does no conversation or discussion any good.

[Victor Vaughn]

This thread has been locked, any identifying information not submitted by the person in question has been removed.

Staff will be issuing a official response to this situation.

[Webmonkey]

At staff request anonymous posting has been removed from this forum.

Additionally - Public apology. Another former member of this LARP had used Canth's network to make anonymous, inflammatory posts while staying there temporarily. I've spoken to her, apologized in private, and am now apologizing in public for that misinterpretation. The actual poster has been identified and actions will be taken by staff as required by charter.

Please don't 'come at' Canth about that issue.