GawdImFoxy
Smash Journeyman
I'm of the opinion that MIOM is the bane of the REAL smash community. They're such powerful advocates of political correctness that I think they've let it blind them. Now before you go popping off about how this is stupid or whatever, let me just say that you should take a few minutes to read the entirety of my post before replying.
A few minutes ago, I made a rather satirical post in the MIOM facebook page about the recent issues with bigotry, offensive terminology, and other such problems that are currently plaguing our community. The post was something along the lines of "How long until I can't say I 'beat so and so' because someone was beaten as a child and it offends them." I went on to state something to the effect of "How long until I can't say 'round' because someone was overweight in middle school and got picked on?"
Now hear me out. I thought it was pretty clear that I was bringing up a serious topic for discussion. Apparently Tafo disagreed and promptly deleted the thread. This, at its core, was a serious thread. I even made it a point to comment immediately saying "^Serious question." Now for the part that all you MIOM fanboys will dislike. The part where I defend the use of such gestures. Let me preface this by saying that I'm, by no means, advocating offending someone. I just think political correctness has taken a bit of a proverbial front seat to actual gameplay. We're more like a soap opera cast than Melee players.
First of all, I didn't think this needed to be pointed out but apparently it wasn't evident enough at this point. When I "****" someone in a game of Melee, I didn't ACTUALLY forcefully have sex with them. I thought everyone learned the concept of homonyms in grade school but apparently there weren't many of us that actually did. When I say I "*****" them, I mean I actually decisively won my match against them. Again, in most cases, no sex actually took place. At this point, it goes without saying that "gay" somewhat follows suit.
Second, if you have an issue with something someone said, instead of pointing it out to a TO or admin or something, what's wrong with handling it on an individual basis? I know that's not always a comfortable thing to do but we all have the same goals in mind. We're MOSTLY adults, too. If you can't approach someone individually to say, "Hey man/woman, it kinda hurt my feelings that you said this or that. Can you please refrain from saying that around me?" Bam problem solved. I don't have to look at pointless threads about people getting offended anymore, you fixed the issue without it becoming a major problem, and all the online forums can go back to actually being about the game again. Everyone's happy. Let me just say that if you can't approach someone on a face-to-face basis about this, then you probably should never have a job. Especially in retail.
Another thing is that girls that play Smash, I think, are playing for the wrong reason. As an individual, not even as a man or woman, I play the game because I enjoy it. I don't play it because I aim to fit in with the entire community. I have my clique and they understand me. I'm sorry that saying "You're pretty decent for a girl" has become a sexist remark when 4 years ago it was a compliment. We're turning a blind eye to the fact of the matter which is that girls have a bad reputation for joining the community for the wrong reason. If they joined to enjoy the game, then this wouldn't be an issue at all. If they joined because of the community, then they should leave for the same reason. I have NO qualms with skilled or unskilled players. We're all individuals and I agree that we should be treated as such. But seriously.. why would that remark offend you? (I took this remark from a recent remark from the MIOM facebook page that was a genuine concern.)
But seriously though, how far will this go? MIOM has become sort of the mom of the community with their influence over a majority of the player demographic. I SERIOUSLY want to know when I won't be able to say I "beat" someone. Realistically this WILL come up in the future at this rate.
I guess I just miss when the community was about the game and not about the drama.
Again, I'm not advocating offending someone. If someone approaches me and tells me something offends them, then I take it to heart and cease the use of the word or idea around them. Not just in Melee but in life. Perfect example was when a good smasher friend of mine asked the entirety of facebook to cease the use of "****" around him. I have ceased it because he asked me to do so. Admittedly, I still use the word in the right company though. And I don't see why that's wrong.
End rant.
A few minutes ago, I made a rather satirical post in the MIOM facebook page about the recent issues with bigotry, offensive terminology, and other such problems that are currently plaguing our community. The post was something along the lines of "How long until I can't say I 'beat so and so' because someone was beaten as a child and it offends them." I went on to state something to the effect of "How long until I can't say 'round' because someone was overweight in middle school and got picked on?"
Now hear me out. I thought it was pretty clear that I was bringing up a serious topic for discussion. Apparently Tafo disagreed and promptly deleted the thread. This, at its core, was a serious thread. I even made it a point to comment immediately saying "^Serious question." Now for the part that all you MIOM fanboys will dislike. The part where I defend the use of such gestures. Let me preface this by saying that I'm, by no means, advocating offending someone. I just think political correctness has taken a bit of a proverbial front seat to actual gameplay. We're more like a soap opera cast than Melee players.
First of all, I didn't think this needed to be pointed out but apparently it wasn't evident enough at this point. When I "****" someone in a game of Melee, I didn't ACTUALLY forcefully have sex with them. I thought everyone learned the concept of homonyms in grade school but apparently there weren't many of us that actually did. When I say I "*****" them, I mean I actually decisively won my match against them. Again, in most cases, no sex actually took place. At this point, it goes without saying that "gay" somewhat follows suit.
Second, if you have an issue with something someone said, instead of pointing it out to a TO or admin or something, what's wrong with handling it on an individual basis? I know that's not always a comfortable thing to do but we all have the same goals in mind. We're MOSTLY adults, too. If you can't approach someone individually to say, "Hey man/woman, it kinda hurt my feelings that you said this or that. Can you please refrain from saying that around me?" Bam problem solved. I don't have to look at pointless threads about people getting offended anymore, you fixed the issue without it becoming a major problem, and all the online forums can go back to actually being about the game again. Everyone's happy. Let me just say that if you can't approach someone on a face-to-face basis about this, then you probably should never have a job. Especially in retail.
Another thing is that girls that play Smash, I think, are playing for the wrong reason. As an individual, not even as a man or woman, I play the game because I enjoy it. I don't play it because I aim to fit in with the entire community. I have my clique and they understand me. I'm sorry that saying "You're pretty decent for a girl" has become a sexist remark when 4 years ago it was a compliment. We're turning a blind eye to the fact of the matter which is that girls have a bad reputation for joining the community for the wrong reason. If they joined to enjoy the game, then this wouldn't be an issue at all. If they joined because of the community, then they should leave for the same reason. I have NO qualms with skilled or unskilled players. We're all individuals and I agree that we should be treated as such. But seriously.. why would that remark offend you? (I took this remark from a recent remark from the MIOM facebook page that was a genuine concern.)
But seriously though, how far will this go? MIOM has become sort of the mom of the community with their influence over a majority of the player demographic. I SERIOUSLY want to know when I won't be able to say I "beat" someone. Realistically this WILL come up in the future at this rate.
I guess I just miss when the community was about the game and not about the drama.
Again, I'm not advocating offending someone. If someone approaches me and tells me something offends them, then I take it to heart and cease the use of the word or idea around them. Not just in Melee but in life. Perfect example was when a good smasher friend of mine asked the entirety of facebook to cease the use of "****" around him. I have ceased it because he asked me to do so. Admittedly, I still use the word in the right company though. And I don't see why that's wrong.
End rant.