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ATTN ALL STAR WARS PODCASTERS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS:
This message is for you. And me. It’s a lesson I’ve learned this week by listening to my teammates and by listening to my community.
This message is for you. And me. It’s a lesson I’ve learned this week by listening to my teammates and by listening to my community.
It’s such a fine line to walk - running a business or a community and also recognizing injustice. Anyone who hasn’t been on this side of it, doesn’t recognize how challenging it is to make the right call on tough issues about race and harassment and gender and religion.
You don’t want to be on the wrong side by jumping to conclusions and attacking someone unjustly but you also want to stand up for the oppressed and hurt. We’re all nerds here. We’ve all faced various forms of bullying and harassment. We know what it feels like to be beat down.
As a company or community leader, you always run the risk of ruining your reputation or getting “bad PR” when you speak up. I get it. It’s scary and there’s a natural tendency to want to “stay out it” or write it off as Twitter drama.
It’s natural to want to “hear all the facts” or stay silent until the truth is more clear.
But let’s get something straight folks: harassment, stalking, and lack of consent is serious shit.
But let’s get something straight folks: harassment, stalking, and lack of consent is serious shit.
This isn’t about Star Wars or family fun or sci-fi literature or any of this fictional universe stuff. There’s no joy involved. No happiness or positivity here.
This is real life. And this is scary stuff.
This is real life. And this is scary stuff.
So here we are - with a creepy middle aged man with this weird online persona country accent shtick who’s been accused of basically stalking an active Twitter user that most of us don’t know. But we do know of Rural Farm Boy. He’s been in our live chats and our twitter mentions
And in our comments and our communities. We feel like we owe this guy something because he’s given us cash and support and made us feel warm and fuzzy inside and accomplished.
But guys: this dude’s a weirdo. We’ve all known it. We’ve all talked about it on our teams.
But guys: this dude’s a weirdo. We’ve all known it. We’ve all talked about it on our teams.
So get the hell out with this “I don’t want to choose a side” bullshit. There is no side. RFB has burned his bridges by being a creep.
And you podcasts and youtubers are showing your ass by not having anything to say about it and continuing to take his money.
And you podcasts and youtubers are showing your ass by not having anything to say about it and continuing to take his money.
And by the way, who people support on Patreon is public. So yea we know who you are.
And I’m not just talking to these Patreon people. I’m taking to any Star Wars fan community leader who I’ve seen active on Twitter this week but so obviously avoiding this unfolding situation.
To say I’m disappointed in this community is a huge understatement. I’m embarrassed that these big names in Star Wars fandom are so quiet about such an obviously disgusting situation with pictures and screenshots and evidence.
When I see you at the next Celebration or the next podcast meetup, you might not know me, but I’ll certainly remember YOU and how you acted when your little Star Wars empire was threatened.
History tends to side with justice and compassion. Y’all better make for damn sure you’re on the right side of it.
My DMs are open. If you want to discuss how to handle these kind of situations, me and my team are at your disposal. This isn’t our first rodeo and we’ve seen this unfold over and over again. So reach out if you need help.
“You must do what you feel is right of course.”
“You must do what you feel is right of course.”
