Basic Respect of Other People’s Beliefs/Identities on This Forum

[0019293893]

Hello,

I’d like to address some of the behavior I’ve seen over time regarding to people’s disrespect against others on this forum. I will be talking on two points: the homophobic/transphobic stances I saw and the intolerance of others religious beliefs.

Let me address the first point. A while back (I cannot pull up whatever thread it is) I saw some pretty disgusting stances. People were getting very angry when people were having putting smug characters in dresses, saying it was - I can’t believe I’m actually saying this
- “sexualizing the characters”. This is pretty awful. It shows that you honestly believe that - in a cute kids game where you want to dress up your neighbors for fun - it’s somehow being sexualized. This is pretty blatantly homo/transphobic for believing that wearing clothing that doesn’t traditionally conform is inherently sexual?

Second point. In another thread I was just in, a user stated that they were upset that tarot/astrological items were in the game because it offended their beliefs and they were trying their best to avoid it. I’m sure there are people who believe in tarot cards and astrology on this forum - that you find *their* beliefs offensive and you are quite intolerant of them. If you want to describe how you are offended by what other people truly and deeply belief in - to the point where you have to describe how much you’re avoiding them - perhaps, just maybe you should keep that one in the drafts.

I don’t think I’m an unreasonable person. I hardly think I’m one of those people who will scream at people if they aren’t “woke enough”. But, *please*, guys. Can you think for a second “on this inclusive forum, are my words legitimately offensive to the personal identities and religions of others”. I hardly think it is difficult for others to treat people from other walks of life with basic respect. C’mon guys, it’s really not that hard.

 

[Chris]

Hi @Locokoko182,

Section 1.1. Respecting Others of our Rules and Guidelines outlines how we expect users to treat one another on The Bell Tree, with further information regarding discrimination clarified in Section 1.4. Prohibited Content. If you encounter content that is in violation of these rules then please use the Report button (located in the bottom-left of every post) to bring it to our attention. This way we can remove the post and warn the user responsible.

 

[tajikey]

I agree wholeheartedly with what you're saying. All I would ask is that the community as a whole recognize and accept that discrimination against any race, gender, sexual orientation, religious belief, etc. is unacceptable. No one has permission to direct hateful/hurtful words toward ANY population of people, regardless of how they perceive their world around them.

 

[Foreverfox]

Can I just add a different note to this? I've seen alot of people gripe about various things about events over the past few events we've had, whether it's waiting for currency, collectible distribution or selection, etc., and I think people forget that it takes TIME to plan these events - time that staff and mods don't HAVE to take to do these for us. I know most people are really appreciative, but it only takes one person to sour stuff. All I'm saying is, try to come from a place of gratitude. It's got to feel pretty bad to think that someone is constantly not thankful for all the hard work. Just food for thought.

 

[xSuperMario64x]

ik it makes me upset when people get all fussy with people in the LGBT+ community expressing their creativity and freedom. I have identified very closely with the community ever since I found out I was ace/apothi and I can't stress enough how much I love all LGBT+ people. which is why I hate when people try to put down or shame others simply for being who they are. when people make asinine remarks like that it feels like a personal attack, even though they're not directing it at me.

I can't believe that a lack of decency (if you have nothing good/nice to say, don't say anything) is still an issue here.

 

[Mikaiah]

On the flip side (not advocating for hate or anything here, just a preface), sometimes people don't know when what they're saying may be ignorant or offensive. In that case, it's responsible imho to respectfully let them know instead of shaming them or putting anyone down.

If you don't want to confront them personally, that's what reporting to the mods is for, though!

 

[due]

I totally agree! Especially as a homosexual genderqueer user on this forum, I’ve noticed quite a few people who will make disrespectful comments based on their ‘standards’ on how ‘people should be’ It angers me so much!

 

[Chris]

Hi all. Please do not use this thread to specifically call out users. Describing examples of situations you have encountered is okay, but we do not want to see users called out. I've removed the posts calling out a specific user and their response to this. If this happens again we will start giving out formal warnings.

As I posted previously, please report offensive content you come across. If there is an offensive post visible in a thread and we haven't posted in the thread to address it then chances are we simply haven't seen it. We rely on your help in order to find and remove problematic posts.

 

[princess.looking.for.frog]

No one should discriminate anyone in any way! If you dont believe in astrology/tarot cards you dont have to go around saying its offensive. Just avoid it in game and you would be just fine. Personally, I dont believe in astrology, but I dont say anyone that believes it is in the wrong. They believe what they want to believe! And they can dress their villagers the way they want too, it is their game after all!

 

[0019293893]

On the flip side (not advocating for hate or anything here, just a preface), sometimes people don't know when what they're saying may be ignorant or offensive. In that case, it's responsible imho to respectfully let them know instead of shaming them or putting anyone down.

If you don't want to confront them personally, that's what reporting to the mods is for, though!

I get this to an extant, but it is not our responsibility to educate people on why they are being horribly offensive. People should be responsible to educate themselves on other people, instead of flat out accusing others of sexualizing characters for putting them in dresses. Simply put, if you’re going to be an accuser in an absolutely disgusting fashion, then I don’t see why “shaming them” is seen as absolutely horrible. This radiates the energy of someone hitting you, but then when you get angry they say “why are you so mean to me it’s rude to raise your voice.”

I am not saying do not help educate others or push for level-headed conversation, but the “hey guys, let’s all be very nice” - looking down at those who “supposedly shame” for literally just .... explaining flat out what they are doing is horribly disgusting - is an interesting take to say the least.

 

[John Wick]

People shouldn't attack people for making truly innocent comments.

The AC community can be very hurtful and toxic.

It's a game, and we each should remember that we are all fans of this series.
That is why we're here.

We will have differing opinions, no doubt. But we should be respectful of those opinions and not attack one another for not sharing the same opinion.

Merry Christmas, TBT, to you and your families! ^_^

 

[Stella-Io]

I have seen both examples of people hating on LGBTQ+ and the tarot/astrology thing. I think some of the comments come from A SELECT FEW USERS who are quite young and just aren't educated. However there are other users who are blantly rude and phobic.

I get this to an extant, but it is not our responsibility to educate people on why they are being horribly offensive. People should be responsible to educate themselves on other people, instead of flat out accusing others of sexualizing characters for putting them in dresses. Simply put, if you’re going to be an accuser in an absolutely disgusting fashion, then I don’t see why “shaming them” is seen as absolutely horrible. This radiates the energy of someone hitting you, but then when you get angry they say “why are you so mean to me it’s rude to raise your voice.”

I am not saying do not help educate others or push for level-headed conversation, but the “hey guys, let’s all be very nice” - looking down at those who “supposedly shame” for literally just .... explaining flat out what they are doing is horribly disgusting - is an interesting take to say the least.

I think those who are doing it in a disgusting fashion are phobic and know it. They have had people in the past call them out on their behaviour but they continue to act like that cause they have so much hate. I tend to see the younger uneducated people just not understand it and haven't been educated, or their biased upbringing has taught them wrong. The younger uneduacted ones typically aren't so rude and distasteful with what/how they say/it. And this is only my experience, I'm not saying this is 100% accurate all the time, young uneduacted people can be just as nasty as the knowingly phobic ones.

TL;DR those who are being outrageously rude and hateful fully well know what they are doing. There is no educating them, it would be like talking to a brick wall. It's the uneducated ones who simply do not understand/grasp/have no knowledge of the concept that we need to educate (in a professional and nice manner).

 

[0019293893]

People shouldn't attack people for making truly innocent comments.

The AC community can be very hurtful and toxic.

It's a game, and we each should remember that we are all fans of this series.
That is why we're here.

We will have differing opinions, no doubt. But we should be respectful of those opinions and not attack one another for not sharing the same opinion.

Merry Christmas, TBT, to you and your families! ^_^

Truly innocent comments, yes, but those are fairly rare when it comes to toxic attacks.
If someone sharing their opinion is a blatant attack on someone else’s identity/beliefs, it is not respectful. If you are “tolerant” of *everyone* - which includes those being toxic - you can’t actually be truly tolerant.

 

[Chris]

I think some of the comments come from A SELECT FEW USERS who are quite young and just aren't educated.

I would like to call attention to this specific point.

We have had a large influx of young users this year with the launch of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, lowering the average age of the community, and it is important to remember that many teenagers simply do not have the same life experience as adults. Certain discussions will be a first for them. Speaking to them kindly and encouraging them to open their minds is a much better approach than accusing them of being close-minded.

 

[John Wick]

Truly innocent comments, yes, but those are fairly rare when it comes to toxic attacks.
If someone sharing their opinion is a blatant attack on someone else, it is not respectful. If you are “tolerant” of *everyone* - which includes those being toxic - you can’t actually be truly tolerant.

Yes. Truly innocents comments, like my post above.

I didn't mention tolerance of toxic posts at all.
That's what the ignore button is for.

No agenda.
Just an innocent comment that doesn't need dissecting.

 

[0019293893]

Yes. Truly innocents comments, like my post above.

No agenda.
Just an innocent comment that doesn't need dissecting.

Agreed. I was not saying you were wrong, I was just saying that it is rare but I agree with you in that instance. I wish a Merry Christmas to you too.

Post automatically merged: Dec 24, 2020

I would like to call attention to this specific point.

We have had a large influx of young users this year with the launch of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, lowering the average age of the community, and it is important to remember that many teenagers simply do not have the same life experience as adults. Certain discussions will be a first for them. Speaking to them kindly and encouraging them to open their minds is a much better approach than accusing them of being close-minded.

You can usually tell when people are innocently insensitive and have an agenda against something. I do agree that to progress things better, some people should do that - but I honestly do think there is some room for saying “hey, this isn’t okay”, and there can even be people saying both at the same time. But that’s a lot of nuance, and base to base: I understand not everyone understands things clearly until they have it explained to them.

that’s why I wanted to make this thread in the first place to explain to people in the first place why such things can be offensive. If we place it out there to see beforehand, a lot can be learned.

Post automatically merged: Dec 24, 2020

Hi all. Please do not use this thread to specifically call out users. Describing examples of situations you have encountered is okay, but we do not want to see users called out. I've removed the posts calling out a specific user and their response to this. If this happens again we will start giving out formal warnings.

As I posted previously, please report offensive content you come across. If there is an offensive post visible in a thread and we haven't posted in the thread to address it then chances are we simply haven't seen it. We rely on your help in order to find and remove problematic posts.

Yes, I second the not calling out specific users here. Taking instances of being hurt and then going to make another big thread making drama against one person is, to say the least, unproductive and just breeds a more toxic environment.