In regards to the recent "Down With Molestia" movement
Yo, guys, I think we all ought to calm down.
In all honesty, I think there are people on both sides overreaching, overreacting, and in general, not being cool about the whole thing. From what I understand, there are people trying to speak out for rape and sexual abuse victims, and some of them want the Molestia blog taken down in fear that it belittles those victims. There are also people coming to the defense of the blog, some because they feel that taking down the blog when it hasn’t committed any technical violations encroaches on the artist’s freedom of expression, others because they enjoy the blog, and some because of both reasons.
I think both sides have valid reasons for wanting the things they want, but just want to say this is not the way to do it. We do not harass each other, we do not spread personal information, we do not passive-aggressively pass hurtful notes across blogs, and we certainly do not break our friendships over it. First and foremost, the drama going on now isn’t worth breaking those ties, or if it is, then either those ties weren’t very strong to begin with, or you’re just a petty person. If this is how it’s going to be, then, it doesn’t matter which side is right because we’re all just being stupid.
If I could just put my own personal input, I think that of course, rape culture is a terrible thing and the victims deserve to be treated with respect, but I thought we’d all be mature enough to realize the differences between reality and fiction. What a silly, harmless blog does on the internet has no bearing on your life unless you take the time and effort to read it. Just like when we pick up a book or game, we know that what’s going on in there has no impact on the world at large.
And I know the biggest concerns are that Molestia empowers rape culture and silences the victims, and other things to that effect, but if that’s the case, then taking down the blog still isn’t the way to remedy that. Ignorance untouched is still ignorance. I know for a fact that there are people our there who legitimately think that rape isn’t a big deal, but taking down the Molestia askblog isn’t going to remedy that. All it’ll do is eliminate one way to while away the afternoon, but they’ll ultimately walk away with their opinions unchanged. They need to be informed. I like to think I’m a decent human being, and reading the blog hasn’t changed that. I still know that rape is a pretty big fucking deal.
In regards to the freedom of expression aspect of the debate, I also have to agree with them. To want something taken down because of the fact that you don’t agree with it is understandable, but in this case, acting on that feeling is inappropriate. Just like you and I and most everyone else on the internet has the right to express ourselves, we also have the right to ignore others’ selves and their expressions. In all seriousness, if you’d never read Molestia, were never considering, and were never planning on it, then how would having it taken down affect anyone but the ones who do take stock in it?
Seriously, both sides are approaching this issue the wrong way, and I know it’s not everyone, but it’s obviously doing nothing but causing unneeded hostility and anger and I don’t like it. JJ, the artist for the blog, is a cool guy and he’s just now getting insulted and berated over this blog which has existed since the fandom started.
Normally, I like to keep things bright and positive, but no, this time, both sides are wrong in their own way. And I’d be just as disappointed if the blog gets taken down as I am now with all the misguided, petty indignation.