| |
|
I have a question.
Now, before I ask it, I'm going to give some background information on myself, okay?
I've been on this board for about a year, maybe more (I can't remember, and I can't remember if I can figure it out). I usually keep to the pop-culture stuff (like comics, books, movies, television) because I'm frightened of posting on something heavy.
I'm somewhat intelligent. I'm somewhat learned. I'm somewhat well-read. I've been in university for four years and I've learned so much, so many new skills, and so many random facts.
And now the relevant background information. In my posting on Barb for over a year, I've found myself and many others being somewhat insulted by a good number of the old posters, whether it be in the passive aggressive sense, or overtly. I understand very explicitly that the older posters have an unsaid right to based on tenure, but... sometimes their postings leave one with a bruise on their psyche.
My question is thus: if Barbelith has no explicit core values (other than anti-racism, anti-sexism, and anti-misogyny) and if Barbelith is really for the open discussion of ideas (other than the aforementioned obvious) why do a lot of the posters tell people to find a more suitable messageboard?
I followed the hiccups and Kaizer controversies somewhat belatedly, and I found them to be somewhat... well... mean. Please bear in mind, I am making no statement on their opinions. I do not defend nor attack them in any way.
My problem with Barbelith seems to require an analogy here. This place sometimes feels like a bunch of liberals preaching open discussion, but then asking conservatives to leave the room.
If you don't want open discussion (on areas other than the big issues we all mostly agree on, like homophobia and anti-semitism), then why ask for it?
I am not saying in any shape or form that we should accept everybody's opinions because everybody is entitled to them. I'm saying we should still question everybody's opinions and values because that is the one of the only ways a human being can grow.
What I am saying is that Barbelith should explicitly state their core values. This way when a Kaizer or hiccups debacle occurs, mods can point to the values and say, "maybe this isn't the best place for you, hiccups."
What I am saying is that, unless Barbelith states its values, posters should not point and accuse misunderstood newbies of being intolerable, and then ask them to find a new place to post. Let them see the error of their ways, but don't be such fucking assholes about it! (unless they really deserve it, but who's the judge on that? haha.)
This isn't a call for world peace, here. I'm just asking for a little bit more tolerance on the part of the older posters. Okay? I'm simply asking for the older posters to set an example; be kind, be mature.
Teach us gently the error of the newbie's ways.
(Also, in a lighthearted aside, Petey Shaftoe, can you be proved wrong? You are the ultimate ivory tower of perfected arguments. Jeez.) |
|
|
