I was reading a tumblr article (mistake number one) about a show I watch (mistake number two) and the first paragraph started with "I love this show, I own all of the seasons on DVD, I never miss an episode, and I could quote the entire series to you."
Starts off nice, right? But then she goes on (and i wish she wouldn't have) to totally and completely bash and criticize the show, the actors, the writers, the producers, and the network. No one was safe.
It was a little like watching a train wreck. I was getting more and more annoyed with this girl the more I read, but I couldn't stop myself from reading on (mistake number three).
She took a very feministic view (which is totally fine) in her article, bashing the show for being too masculine and throwing fighting words around like "homophobic", "misogynistic", "transphobic", and "sexist". Which are some pretty big accusations and not words I would ever consider throwing around willy nilly. Those words mean something to people and they lose their power and validity the more we toss them around without anything to back them up.
So as I was reading I was getting myself worked up and incredibly annoyed, but as I got towards the end of the article I realized that no, I didn't agree with her, but she's entitled to her opinion, so I need to chill the F out. I took a calming breath or two and decided to finish her article with an open mind (mistake number four).
She went on to say more things I didn't agree with, but I stayed calm. Opinions are opinions and she's entitled to her own. OH BUT THEN she placed the cherry on top of her large, hot fudge hate sundae (with extra nuts, obviously) and ended her rant with "I don't actually believe these things, but I know most of the fandom does, so I just wanted to get it out in the open so it can be discussed and possibly addressed in the next season. Love the show! Can't wait for October!"
I think that's about the time my blood boiled over.
I'm not even going to discuss her opinions on the show or even mention the show, because that's irrelevant. I'm angry because she wrote this opinion piece on a opinion that she flat out says wasn't her own.
Listen, words mean something. It's the reason I put extra effort into not using the word "retarded" and the reason I flat out don't say "faggot". Those words mean something to people and while your intent might not be to verbally abuse someone with those words, sometimes your intent doesn't matter. Words can be hurtful and they can and do hold a lot of power.
Words like Feminist and Homophobic and Racist MEAN SOMETHING. And if you are going to use them, you better darn well be able to back them up.
Drops mic.
Kay, out.
Couldn't agree with you more. I'm very careful with what I say and how I word things..in real life and blogging.
ReplyDeleteI actually got in an argument with a blogger over the weekend because they only ever comment and are ugly and rude and I had had enough. There is enough negativity in the world without people activly going out and projecting it...
Well said. If only everyone felt the same way. It is truly amazing the things people think it is ok to say on the internet. They sit and hide behind their screens and type away not caring who they hurt in the process. It disgusts me. I totally agree that everyone is entitled to their own opinion too. I also believe they are entitled to choose what they want to watch, listen and read etc. If you don't like something don't follow along, turn the channel or whatever it takes. I always feel for so sad for all these people that work so hard doing what they do only to have haters try to knock them down. It is one thing to have a differing opinion but people should have a heart and some common decency when voicing it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you 100%. People should be very careful with what they say and what words they use. Sometimes certain words can come off as extremely offensive so if it is going to be used, a person should be prepared to back it up. In most cases it seems people are not ready to back up the offensive words they use.
ReplyDeleteWell said, girl! Everyone has their own opinions & while I may not agree with it, I'm not going to bash them for their opinions. Everyone is different, everyone comes from different backgrounds & everyone thinks different thoughts. But to write what you put out there as an opinion piece & then to be like "oh no, that's not what I really think" is complete crap. Hmmm.
ReplyDeleteAs for the words, those are words that I don't like/use. They are hurtful to someone & they should not be just flung around all willy-nilly. Not right.
Mandie ~ http://badbrewpack.blogspot.com/
I am the same way. I will read things that I know are going to make me mad and then vent about it and get really mad when I tell my husband all about it later. He normally just agrees with me and then teases me saying he doesn't understand why I read those types of things if I know they are going to make me mad. LOL
ReplyDeleteIt's one thing to write an opinion post of your OWN opinion. But to write an opinion post that is NOT your opinion is wrong. Like, wtf?
ReplyDeletesometimes people are the worst, i don't think people have the right to say things if they aren't their own opinion and even half the time they do actually have an opinion it could probably just be left unsaid and we'd all be better for it
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree with you more. Infact, I was having this EXACT discussion at work today. I work for a playscheme which looks after disabled children and was talking to a fellow staff member about the word 'retard' (I couldn't even say it, I had to mouth it) and how the overuse of this word has led us to having to mouth it. It's a medical term, but now I feel ashamed saying it. Such a shame that people don't use language properly, you never realise the effects it can lead to x
ReplyDeleteAgreed, it really pisses me off when people say whatever they feel like to fall in with the majority or to r and take a stand. The thing I have learnt in my 20s is that there is always a diplomatic way to say something and if you don't have anything nice to day, don't say it. Some people want to share an opinion even if they don't necessarily have one. SMH
ReplyDeleteThere was one time, I blogged about how I couldn't stand Grey's Anatomy anymore and I listed the reasons why---mostly I hated the new residents like Lexie and DENNY SHOULD BE ALIVE. But when I realized Grey's was never going to be what I wanted, I stopped watching. So I guess if she thinks this show is so awful (which she must even if she says she doesn't really think those things) why does she keep watching?
ReplyDeleteAMEN. Those words definitely mean something. They have power. We should be careful when we use them.
ReplyDelete*slow clap* HO-LEE-SHIZ. Kay I can't even tell you how in awe I am over this post. Like I knew you were a good writer, but this... OMG this is probably the best thing I have EVER, EVER, EVER read. EVER. And next time someone wants to get a little too sassy with me, I'm kindly going to point them in your direction. So well put. Home girl wouldn't know what hit her!!
ReplyDeleteI have a love hate relationship with the internet. I feel like while it's a great way to communicate and connect us with people we wouldn't otherwise know, I also feel like it's too convenient a platform for everyone and anyone to just get on and spew crap. Opinions are opinions, but for that girl to go on and on about something that wasn't even her own opinion is just ridiculous. I...I don't understand people.
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I agree so much, as a feminist and as a person who respects the power and importance of words. Words have weight. "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me"? NO way. Words can be EXTREMELY hurtfully, especially when thrown around my someone careless. Tumblr is really the worst for this — everything is a problem, everything is something -phobic, and everything is a trigger. It's so destructive and detracts from the work being done by people working to fight ACTUAL injustice, ACTUAL homophobia, transphobia, racism, sexism, harassment, etc. You can't call something a "trigger" just because it bothers you or because it reminds you of something. Ugh, sorry. Just read something similar to this on reddit so my haunches are already up about it. Either way, great post!
ReplyDeleteWhyyyy would someone put that much time and energy writing a post that doesn't nothing but expound on opinions she doesn't share?!?! Seems completely ridiculous.
ReplyDeletexox
giedre
I can't imagine ever deciding to write an entire article about something I didn't believe with the exception of maybe satire (if I could pull it off) because at least there is a purpose there. This sounds like the author just thought they could get views if they were controversial and that they would get views and likes from the people who did feel this way, that's just annoying.
ReplyDeleteSo, you don't know me, but I think you may just be my long lost twin. I read your blog frequently over the past few months and even have your blog in my favorites tab although I don't comment very much because I'm a lurking, horrible blogger clearly :\ But this post, this post was so much of what I feel as I'm reading so many articles online that I have to.
ReplyDeleteFirst off, people are sooo quick to tear down the creative process. I say "tear down" because there comes a point where it's no longer criticism and something far, far more vicious. This is how I felt when I read reviews of the Dexter finale. I wanted to defend the creators so badly because it was clear that non-creative types were just bashing them for their creative choices, choices that the basher just couldn't commiserate with because of their lack of creativity. I too read things I know I shouldn't even attempt to read because it's only gonna make me pissed at some person I don't even know for expressing their idiotic opinion which of course they're allowed to have, but it's like people say things without thinking of the effect their words have at all. There's a quote from the book Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare that is perfect for this: "...for words have the power to change us."
So, I totally thought I had left a comment when I read this the first time, but obviously I didn't. Anyway, this is pretty much why I deleted my Tumblr. I was just SO SICK of all the drama (a lot of the time intentionally started) about Supernatural. I just want to (attempt) to enjoy the show, not deal with that junk.
ReplyDeleteThat would have made my blood boil as well. I always try to take the stance of if you don't have anything nice to say then don't say anything at all. Growing up I was bullied and words can haunt a person for a very long time even after they are out of that situation.
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