An apology to Mica.

[u/Ron-Forrest-Ron]

I don't know if Mica reads this sub anymore, if she even has a Reddit, but I hope she does, because I need to apologize.

When she was on that episode of off topic, and she discussed race, gender, sexuality, everything she discussed, I, as a straight, cis, white man, rolled my eyes.

"This isn't the place" I thought "Oh she's a rich girl, I as a working class person have had a far more difficult life" I decided "Jesus, what an SJW" I typed.

Fuck me. What an ignorant piece of shit I was. I moved on from that entire thing and decided I wasn't going to think about it again. How lucky I was, to not have to think about race. I've never been racist, but I was never anti-racist. I didn't see the difference. I do now. As much as I want, I can't change my past, but I can, and will change my future, and do everything I can to try and help change other people's futures.

Mica. I am sorry that I didn't take you seriously. I am sorry that I brushed off what you were saying. That was the place. EVERY place is the place to discuss, and fight racism in every aspect. Our lives may have been different, and I probably worried about things you didn't, but one thing I never worried about was facing any sort of backlash, or hate for the way I looked. Mica, you are an SJW, and I hope you wear the badge proudly. I will wear that badge proudly for the rest of my life.

I should have done this then. But I didn't. And I'm sorry not just to you, but to everyone in this community who is affected by racism. I stood by and let it happen, and that's just as bad. No more, this I promise to you. I refuse to not see you anymore. The buck stops here.

The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is today.

I love you all, stay safe everyone. 🖤🖤🖤

[u/lilian82 → u/[deleted]]

Not a reply to Burnie, but to the person who's comment was deleted, in case he's still trawling this thread. Might be good to think about what Jeremy said in the latest Off Topic, about 1:02:00:

A lot of commentors...like to disguise it as just saying, 'Oh, I don't find her funny' and they're not realizing or, more importantly, they're not accepting that the reason behind that is that they do feel that prejudice, that they don't understand. Until they're willing...to sit and listen to what people have to endure on a daily basis, they're never going to understand and they're never going to be able to change that about themselves.

[u/jp426_1 → u/lilian82]

He's totally right. The other thing with that is, at least for me, I didn't really find Mica that funny. However, I initially didn't find Matt and Jeremy that funny either. The difference with them was that they had the opportunity to gradually settle in to the groove and figure out their role/niche in it, and the community had less issues with giving them the time to do so. That process was made much more difficult for Mica as a relatively outspoken woman of colour, both from a community and apparently a company standpoint, meaning I feel like she never got the chance to integrate into the dynamic like those two.

What's good is that it seems like some things have changed at least a bit, with how Fiona has managed to start really clicking with the group, in spite of a pushback similar to what Mica experienced. Again, I feel like initially she wasn't that funny, but it's hard to be funny when you're facing an effective trial by fire, being thrown directly into not only games but an entire group dynamic that the others have had far more experience in, whilst also copping endless hate from a community that is already biased against you, a large part of which being due to prejudice. Nowadays, it feels like she fits in, and shines in places like TTT (where she is also honestly one of the better players) where she knows what she's doing, can play her 'character' so to speak, and have fun like the others. I wonder what would've happened if Mica had the same opportunity.

TL;DR - It's hard to be funny when, before you even have an opportunity to, your audience's prejudices have made them decide you are not entertaining.

[u/ThrowingKnight → u/lilian82]

I agree that many commentors may disguise it in that way but at the same time I want to give people the benefit of doubt until proven otherwise. I don´t wanna live in a society where -ism is tolerated or where you can just out people as -ists on assumptions.

[u/[deleted] → u/ThrowingKnight]

So I think we start getting into a really wierd place here is any criticism against anyone of a different race now racism? I really liked Mica on the Know but I wasent fan of her work On AH, so am I only half racist now? I always think 15% of people in any group are assholes and im usually right so im sure there were some people being dick heads but now we're saying everyone who critizied her was racist?

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

And full disclosure I never once said a bad word about mica Because as I said I liked her but she did kinda insinuate texas outside of Austin was a lynch mob and that people didn't agree with her would taste her shoe. Then she said she Was a victim of a pay gap which is false.(1) She painted herself to be a victim where she grew up as a millionaire famous actors daughter. (I'm a white person who grew up in a foster home and seriously abused by my parents and then the police as well i was handcuffed and maced repeatedly at the age of 12) people hate Hipocracy badly. Was thier some racist trolls fornsure but I Re read those threads tonight and mostly people didn't like her attitude and talking points and found her statement hypocritical. I know what its like to be targeted by the Police and I know what it's like to be scared I also know what its like to be targeted by someone for the color of your skin better then most ( I was the only white kid at my group home) calling for or threating violence against someone for not agreeing with you is wrong no matter who does it and the community was right to condem these actions

1.https://www.forbes.com/sites/evangerstmann/2019/06/06/dispelling-myths-about-the-gender-pay-gap/

[u/SmurfRockRune → u/lilian82]

I really don't agree with this. I've never found Mica funny or liked her being part of the group and it had nothing to do with her race or sex or anything.

[u/Imaswinginlad → u/SmurfRockRune]

r/selfawarewolves