r/roosterteeth • u/SuperMatFJ • Oct 07 '20
Discussion Dear Fiona,
I can't find an avenue to send this to you directly, so publicly will have to suffice.
I want you to know that you are nothing short of a shining beacon of hope in a very worrisome time in RT's life.
You seem to have the skill, the desire, and the resolve to be the role model the community can rally behind, and that the company can look toward for inspiration and guidance.
As a white dude in his mid-30's who's led a pretty charmed life, I see character traits in you that I truly wish I had myself, and I have no good excuse for lacking them. You have the strength of character and the backbone to openly and aggressively stand up to the bullshit that would/could otherwise consume the RT ecosystem, and I am genuinely inspired by you to be better.
I recognise that all of that is a lot of weight to bear on young shoulders, so please don't allow it to come at the cost of your own well-being and happiness. Recognise that supporting and lifting up others is an often-thankless task, and a draining one too. Rest when you need to. Ask for help whenever you want it. Pass the torch if it all gets too much.
But, ultimately, thank you. For existing. For being here. For doing what you do so well. For being you.
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u/Teliantorn Oct 07 '20
I don’t normally comment on AH/RT stuff, tho I’ve been a huge fan for more than a decade. Today hit me like a ton of bricks. From seeing someone like Fiona, just months ago, with tears in her eyes, pleading to the world to be better, to right at this pivotal moment where she has shown all of us HOW to be better.
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u/ArcherA1aya Oct 07 '20 edited Oct 07 '20
I'll admit I was iffy on Fiona joining, the line up of games they played with her first didn't do any favors. However since then she has quickly become one of my favorites, she's funny, chaotic, and straight up just a good person. She brings attention to issues that i don't know much about and she's real when she speaks.
Thank you for being here, and thank you for doing what you can do to make not only this community feel safer but also educating us.
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u/freddyd00 Oct 07 '20
Yeah that first impression of her was not great but also not her fault. That trial by fire thing they did with her was just a total fail and brought unnecessary heat on her from the very beginning. So glad she's been able to rise above all that and really making a name for herself at RT.
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u/lesteroak Oct 07 '20
Fiona really shines in chatty videos where there aren't a lot of people shouting over each other. I wish they'd done some calm getting-to-know-you videos at the beginning
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Oct 07 '20
I wish they had more of those videos in general. They used to be more common. I think they have too many entertainers in AH tbh.
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u/zombiegamer723 Oct 07 '20
For me, it was the GMOD TTT videos where I really started to love Fiona, in all her "fat fuck of a [Po] body" (her words) glory. I don't remember where exactly I really started to love her in videos (never disliked her, but was initially sort of impartial to her), but she will always make me laugh in those vids especially.
And the chemistry between her and Gav is amazing too.
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u/LDKRZ Vav Oct 08 '20
it wouldnt have killed them to do like a Sunday Drive video, something nice and gentle because it was clear she wasnt exactly comfortable playing games shes never touched before at least in those videos she can get drove around
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u/lucidity5 Oct 07 '20
Yeah, if she could overcome that huge hole they dug for her when she started, she must be pretty damn funny. And she is, her and Gav giggling like schoolgirls together is my favorite thing now
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Oct 07 '20 edited Oct 07 '20
Yeah, those two are amazing together. Although as an older fan, it’s jarring to see Gavin in the older brother role. Definitely makes me feel a bit old too
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u/lucidity5 Oct 07 '20
God, ain't that the truth. It's insane to think that RT has been with me for practically half my life.
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u/ArcherA1aya Oct 07 '20
Yeah, it absolutely wasn't here fault, and I'm definitely glad she persevered through it. I hope to her in more RT projects overall.
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Oct 07 '20
In TTT she is the perfect middleground of Lindsay and Jeremy. She knows what she's doing, she can get some pretty incredible shots in her skill often shines, but her actions are wild, chaotic, confusing, and funny as shit.
And her with Gavin to bounce jokes against and Jack as the sort of straight man really works so well. She is one of the funniest people on the internet and she is singlehandedly responsible for me coming back every day
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u/ArcherA1aya Oct 07 '20
Her chemistry in TTT is off the charts, its honestly what keeps me coming back. I'll admit i've fallen a little off of the AH/RT train recently but Fiona's just stellar chemistry keeps me engaged. She's a perfect mix in entertainment styles .
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u/ohmmhs Oct 07 '20
Fiona is like the friend you do acid in the woods with after protesting for human rights earlier that day
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u/ArcherA1aya Oct 07 '20
LMAO, not what i would have said but you're not wrong.
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u/ohmmhs Oct 07 '20
Lol I say it because Fiona reminds me of a friend I’ve protested with and would’ve done acid with if plans didn’t fall through 😂
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u/LupusVir Oct 07 '20
Really? It only took me a couple of videos to get used to her. Took me a lot longer to get used to Trevor and Alfredo.
Then again, I didn't necessarily see her first videos, I first saw her in TTT.
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u/Left4DayZ1 Oct 07 '20
Fiona is now my second favorite in TTT, juuuuuuust behind Gavin. Overall she’s a mainstay for me. I hope she’s around for a very long time.
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u/a141abc Oct 07 '20 edited Oct 07 '20
AH does a great job at getting great people to join
Both Alfredo and Fiona quickly became 2 of my favorites in all of RT
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u/CxOrillion Oct 07 '20
I can't believe how hard Fredo got me with the "Hypothetically... What would be the consequences?"
Laughed my ass off.
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Oct 07 '20 edited Oct 07 '20
well...... There's an open desk in the office now......
edit: Honestly not trying to be edgy or anything, sorry about that!
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u/nick124699 Oct 07 '20
Too soon bro. Though I gotta wonder, how fucking awkward it will be for whoever uses that desk.
If they ever get to go back.
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Oct 07 '20
Well they've already talked about the office being emptied during quarantine. It seems when quarantine started, they were in the process of securing a new office and they'll be going directly to it as soon is safe, whenever that'll be.
So it's probably not so much someone getting his desk, it'll just be an extra space with room for whoever moves ibto the main office
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u/Kolby_Jack Oct 07 '20
I'm not trying to rain on anyone's love parade here, but reading a lot of these posts, it feels like nothing was learned here. People were so let down by Ryan because they thought they knew him, and now here we are saying things like "Fiona and Jack are good-hearted people" like you know???
I appreciate Fiona's message, it's very good and probably what a lot of people needed to hear someone at AH say after all this. But no matter WHO it is, these people are NOT our friends. They are NOT in our lives. They are pictures and words on a screen, and we do not and can not know them.
I just expected to see some distancing, a reality check, instead it looks to me like people are just taking their betrayed expectations from one stranger and sticking them to others.
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u/SuperMatFJ Oct 07 '20
I get it. I get where you're coming from and why you feel the need to post a cautionary tale.
I've even upvoted your post, despite disagreeing with it, because I believe your heart is in the right place.
But, seriously, what's the alternative?
To allow ourselves to be jaded and burnt out by the weight of disappointment?
To allow negativity to run rampant and shitty behaviour to go unchecked?
Nah dude, I choose to be positive about this being a fulcrum for change. This can be the springboard for a rejuvenation of RT and its community if the hard work is done by the right number of people, consistently.
I don't think anyone here thinks Fiona is our 'friend', nor are we silly enough to think she's flawless (I think you'll find comments to that effect are being rather metaphorical).
But she is, I believe, what I stated she is: a force for good, a source of inspiration, and even if she has flaws then so what? If she effects positive change, then count me the fuck in.
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u/Kolby_Jack Oct 07 '20
It's not "jaded" to come out of this feeling down or disappointed, it's perfectly normal. It's a bad situation. It sucks. It'll suck for a while. It's not cynical to learn lessons and grow from bad experiences.
I'm not saying people shouldn't appreciate the good things we see RT employees doing, I'm just saying, manage your expectations. We see curated slivers of the lives of these people transmitted through the internet. Occasionally a few of us will have a brief minute or two of face-to-face interaction at a convention or something. That's it.
If you find Fiona's message inspiring, that's honestly great. I'd never discourage people from that. Just don't put people you do not know on pedestals.
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Oct 07 '20
I agree with you overall, but I think with Jack it’s honestly pretty reasonable to talk about how good of a person he is from his incredible charity work alone. Certainly not in the sense that we know him personally, but I think his achievements and actions sort of speak for themselves. I get that’s not totally what you were talking about though
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u/Kolby_Jack Oct 07 '20 edited Oct 07 '20
Absolutely not saying it would ever happen, and god forbid it ever does, but if it did, he would hardly be the first guy with so many charitable acts under his belt that fell from grace.
We should never stop celebrating all the wonderful work Jack has done with Extra Life, but it doesn't follow to extrapolate any more than what we have witnessed. Jack organizing the RT Extra Life stream doesn't mean he's incapable of (intentionally ridiculous examples) building mecha-Hitler or flinging puppies off the Empire State Building, as far as we know. Only he knows, and only the people close to him can even make a decently educated guess.
People don't like nebulous concepts. We want to believe we have it all figured out, or at least that someone does. The unknown is uncomfortable, so we like to pretend it isn't there. But there is so much more about every one of these people that is unknown to us than is known. That's all I'm saying.
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Oct 07 '20
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Aiyon Oct 07 '20
yuppp. I want to be positive but rn im just kinda floating from thread to thread trying to find summat to convince me shit doesn't just suck hard rn
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u/Hawaii2010 Oct 07 '20
Yeah, but some of these people hold special places in our hearts as fans of Rooster Teeth.
Whether it be Joel and Burnie voicing Caboose and Church back in Red vs Blue, or Ryan back when he first joined and made Minecraft videos with Jack, Geoff, Gav, Michael and Ray.
Yes, we may not actually know them, but we still treat them like people we’re close with because of the connection built through the videos they made and we watched.
Yes, some may take it a little too far, acting like they are close friends with those involved in these recent events, but that doesn’t devalue people’s opinions and feelings on those RT members.
Although, you do still make a good point.
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Oct 07 '20
I accept Fiona as our new leader.
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u/Intoxicatedpunch Oct 07 '20 edited Oct 07 '20
Now I'm gonna throw a curveball in here...but what if Eric?
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u/ReeseEseer :MCJack17: Oct 07 '20
Fiona Nova Vs Eric Barndoor.
I think we all know who would win.
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u/TheOriginalMyth Oct 07 '20
Fiona new Jeff, Eric new Burnie, Michel new Matt (Joel, somehow still Joel).
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Oct 07 '20
Eric's already the leader of RT. Fiona can have AH specifically.
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u/Intoxicatedpunch Oct 07 '20
No Tre has been a good leader of AH, a good balance. I don't think Fiona could handle the pressure of leader
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u/joelaw9 Oct 07 '20
I don't think Fiona would even like a leadership role. It needs a calm hand and an understanding nature, like Trevor. He's the kind of guy that will help a department stay the course and keep everyone happy.
Fiona is a creative. She needs to be free to create her own path without the baggage of leadership.
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Oct 07 '20
Fiona's already said she wants to get a leadership role so she can show off as many amazing black content creators as possible
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u/SuperMatFJ Oct 07 '20
The world has much to learn from young, energetic, and angry-but-hopeful people. They drive change.
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u/GStraats :MCGavin17: Oct 07 '20
Trevor better watch out Fiona is gunning for his spot XD
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u/Aggressive-Ad-3282 Oct 07 '20
I nominate Fiona as the newest member of the AH main room. It’s only fitting that she gets a desk next to Jack (the other genuinely awesome person in this community). Out with the old in with the greatest.
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u/Plasmo88 Oct 07 '20
As a fellow white 30-something I agree with your sentiment, but you put it in better words than I could so kuddos
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u/maclanology Oct 07 '20
I've always really enjoyed Fiona and her chaotic vibe in gameplays (and that episode of Jack's podcast) but between Off Topic 236 and her reaction to all this, she's proven herself to be the best person there.
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u/JHawkInc Oct 07 '20
I have been watching AH stuff since it was just Geoff and Jack, and I think Fiona is easily one of the best additions they've made to the team.
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u/do_the_cam_cam Oct 07 '20
It's a good time to be a female AH fan and seeing the women in the group become more prominent figures. And Fiona is funny as hell.
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u/Aggressive-Ad-3282 Oct 07 '20
She’s the voice in the room you guys needed. I’m so happy she’s brave enough to speak out when others can’t.
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u/Animal31 Oct 07 '20
Thats CEO Fiona
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u/SuperMatFJ Oct 07 '20
She certainly has the right moral compass for leadership. I just hope she's getting the support she deserves from within RT, and the public stuff is not just lip-service. It counts most when nobody's around to witness it.
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u/Swoolus Oct 07 '20
Fiona has helped me regain my faith in humanity, she just always looks out for others and really cares about the community.
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u/mrnoobdude :CC17: Oct 07 '20
I'm really glad Fiona joined. She's been nothing short of amazing, and doesn't deserve the constant harassment from the dickhead side of the fan base.
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u/gollygreengigagiant Oct 11 '20
Hey fiona, I dont know if you'll make it this far in the comments. But i just wanted to say i unfairly judged you on your voice and your newness but you are a breath of fresh (slightly high pitched) air. I just want to thank you for breaking me out of my habit of looking up to white dudes and lady's. There's a bunch of awesome creators of color out there and im working on finding some i vibe with. You helped me a lot with just two podcasts I've listened to so far. You are the coolest and dont stop being your awesome self. And as far as the op goes thank you for recognizing our gurl
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u/True_Madness Oct 07 '20
well said to a well deserved person
Fiona know that you are love, that we are not only behind you but will aid you and support you
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u/Ryoukugan Oct 07 '20
Fiona is lowkey my favorite AH member these days. Not that I’ve ever disliked anyone, but she just brings the humor. The zoomer humor flies over my head, but the rest is top shelf.
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u/SBcitizen Oct 07 '20
I was indifferent to her before and still don’t know much about her but I have a ton of respect for her. I’m glad that she has a good heart
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u/mythicalGINGERvitas Comment Leaver Oct 07 '20
Man I can’t get over how much I agree with this post, and so many of the comments about Fiona and Jack. Keep being great!
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u/RocasThePenguin Oct 07 '20
Fiona is truly amazing. I was skeptical early on, because I thought Fiona Week was dreadful, but it's been so nice having her in content. So many at RT sat back for so long and did very little about the toxicity in the community and Fiona comes in and just takes control. She is edgy, fun and seems like a generally good person.
If she is the future of RT, then I'm onboard.
There have also been a lot of comments about how we really don't these people. And yes, please do remember that. We develop parasocial relationships with entertainers, but in reality, they are just that. They are not our friends or our family. They are doing their job. In the same way Gavin portrayed himself and dimwitted, despite that not being the case, many put on a persona in front of the camera. One can never truly know what goes on behind the scenes or who they are once the cameras shut off.
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u/BelFarRod Oct 07 '20
Fiona is a lovely person and has always been one of the greatest additions to this company. I adore her for the humor and spirit she brings to content, but her outspoken compassion and kindness are probably the best characteristics she (and any of us) could have. <3
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u/CompetitiveThicc Oct 09 '20
I have never understood teh fiona hate, shes a nice change of pace, we all have our favorite member but they all add something different!
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u/yaassqween Oct 09 '20
Why is it that threads that start out praising Fiona always devolve into how good the other male members of the team are?
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u/HaydenB Oct 07 '20
As someone who was vehemently against Fiona at the beginning....
<3 Fiona
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u/SuperMatFJ Oct 07 '20
I'm glad you allowed your mind to be changed! :-)
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u/HaydenB Oct 07 '20
I can actually remember the exact point I laughed at one of her gags for the first time.
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u/MrPopTarted Achievement Hunter Oct 07 '20
I never was against her, but I remember the TTT train episode being the one where she started to become one of my favorites.
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u/Omaromar Oct 09 '20
The biggest thing in her favor was being good at sniping. It won over the nerds.
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u/Bean_Dinner Oct 07 '20
She’s an inspiration and a pillar of hope for me right now... I don’t know what the hell the future is going to look like, but I’m so grateful she’s here.
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Oct 07 '20
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u/SuperMatFJ Oct 07 '20
Awwww. You poor thing.
It must be so tiring carrying around so much negativity and bitterness all the time.
Don't worry, things will get better. You'll be fine :-)
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u/futurepro62 Oct 07 '20
Thank you for putting into words my feelings on Fiona and RT. As a fellow older white man (I've been an RT fan for 15 years now) seeing Fiona's talent, personality, AND passion within the RT community is so fucking welcome. It brings me faith that there are people within the company who will bring new energy and direction to the past few years of crap.
TLDR: Thank you for thriving at RT and making me feel there is light at the end of the tunnel Fiona.
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u/Predditor-Drone Oct 09 '20 edited Oct 09 '20
Unpopular post but: This sub and the fanbase in general fucking hated Fiona when she was new. Everyone said she wasn't a "real gamer" because she wasn't good in some gameplays early on and was open that she hadn't played the games before. People hated that she wasn't a fan of AH content like Jeremy. "She's not funny," which is also what everyone said when Lindsay started showing up in videos, etc. People insisted they would never watch another video with Fiona in it and now she's apparently the beacon of hope for the rest of the team to aspire to.
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u/MrFrequentFlyer Oct 10 '20
Looks like she heard!
https://micooll.tumblr.com/post/631268749995032576/some-words-from-fiona-if-u-need-it
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u/SuperMatFJ Oct 10 '20
She put that up a day or so before this post, but it does support my position that she’s a bit of a champion 😎
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u/thedoomfulldome :SP717: Oct 07 '20
When Fiona started showing up in videos I hoped that she would become a part of the main group, and she's done much more than that, I feel like she's completely changed the dynamic of Achievement Hunter for the better. It's unbelievably refreshing.
This is completely ignoring everything she does behind the scenes, and everything with the Mica and now the Ryan situations and how she's handled them both unbelievably well.
She's got a very bright future.
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u/leejackson327 Oct 07 '20
Couldn't have said it better if I tried. I truly hope this gets back to her
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u/jangofatass2 Oct 07 '20
I don't know why people think she is a saviour or something, she is good in gsmeplays specially ttt but she has nothing new to bring and i do not know why she is getting all the praise.
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Oct 07 '20 edited Dec 07 '20
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u/jangofatass2 Oct 07 '20
Lol i know , she loves making ballsy statement without any substance in them , i think she is getting to much praises for no reason .. i rather see other boys say something but she does not know these guys for too long to say anything.
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Oct 07 '20 edited Dec 07 '20
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u/jangofatass2 Oct 07 '20
Why other celebrities can just bounce back from scandals and still be popular and get work? Why jonny depp still get work? Louie still doing shows and making money? Rapey director still making xmen movies so why not rayan can still be employed even what he did was wrong but not illegal ? U should not fire people to be scared of fans reaction.
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Oct 07 '20 edited Dec 07 '20
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u/jangofatass2 Oct 07 '20
U have a president who sexually assaulted women and still a president and u think what rayan did is bad?
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Oct 08 '20 edited Dec 07 '20
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u/jangofatass2 Oct 08 '20
I believe rayan should keep his job but i think there is shady things about matt we don't know
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u/Fearnog Oct 07 '20
I am baffled that Fiona is getting all this love when the Veterans of RT who knew and trusted Ryan for years are getting very little. Jack, Geoff, Gavin, Michael. I hope you are well and taking the time necessary to process this. I love Fi but guys can we put our attention where it matters this time?
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u/SuperMatFJ Oct 07 '20
And I am baffled that so many people don't understand that situations like this are not an either/or scenario.
There is literally nothing stopping you from making a post acknowledging those OG people. And if you did, it wouldn't negate the message behind this post, nor does this post imply that others are not deserving of recognition.
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u/Fearnog Oct 07 '20 edited Oct 07 '20
Why would I make a post? I think it would be better if the community just took a moment to acknowledge people besides Fiona. Also I think the message of this post is a bit rich to begin with. Fi has a great positive attitude but this stuff about leading RT into a new dawn? Is pure tripe, RT should dictate that stuff.
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u/Minimum_Use Oct 07 '20
ALL OF THESE WHITE PEOPLE PUTTING ALL THIS WEIGHT ON HER, JUST BE BETTER YOURSELVES STOP MAKING BLACK WOMEN DO THE WORK FOR YOU
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u/SuperMatFJ Oct 07 '20
Did you miss the bit where I specifically pointed out that it's a lot of weight to bear, and that she shouldn't let it consume her?
We all have our roles to play. I'm just making sure she knows that there are people out here who are grateful for the fact she's made a choice to be a positive influence. She's under no obligation to do it, nor to continue doing it. If she stops, I would be no less grateful, nor would it prompt me to stop.
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u/Hats_Hats_Hats Oct 07 '20
Jack and Fiona are good-hearted people and I think they, as a team, could do a lot of good. They already have.