Now before I begin, I know exactly what I'm getting myself into here. I'm prepared for the flaming and the insults, but I'm going to put on my brave face here, and finally say something which I believe has been on a lot of other member's minds, but nobody wants to speak up in fear of being ridiculed. Inappropriate
I've noticed some people, if not a lot of people, on these forums somehow think criticizing, comparing, and making rather disgusting comments on a females appearance is okay. Now, I'm not sure what you guys talk about privately or around your "buds" in real life (I mean, I've discussed other people's appearances before to friends in a mature manner) however do you guys do so around the actual girls you're discussing? I'm assuming not, but if you do, seriously, learn better manners.
I know we all like to sit around and post images of models and actresses then critic their looks. It's all in good fun, I acknowledge that and that's fine, but when you're doing so to girls that are SEEING your comments and you're well AWARE they're seeing your comments, what makes you think that's okay? What makes you think because these females post pictures of themselves, that you have the right to say you find them unattractive or compare them to one another? This is NOT okay behavior, and it doesn't matter how much you try to justify it, [b]it never will be okay.[/b] If you went up to a girl in public and said "Meh. 5/10. Seen better", you'd be considered an asshole. If you went up to two girls in public and said one was better looking than the other, you're an asshole. Comment on a girl's picture on Facebook saying "You got a good body, your face on the other had...", you'd be considered an asshole. Just because you're anonymous and because these random females post pictures of themselves online, doesn't make you any less of an asshole. Sorry to inform you.
Now before you all just start slurring comments such as;
>"Well don't post pictures of yourself if you care so much!!!", (which still don't justify such horrible behavior) I don't care. I'm content with my appearance, and if I wasn't, no I wouldn't have had posted pictures of myself. It is all in good fun, and shouldn't be no different than a male member posting a picture. [b]Looks are irrelevant on a internet forum.[/b]
>"Don't be so insecure!" I can ensure you, I'm not. If I was I would have NEVER made a thread like this. I'm prepared for a ton of insults coming my way for simply making this thread.
>"It's an opinion! Deal with it! I can say what I want online." Sometimes it's best to keep opinions to yourself. We all can be judgmental, and I'm definitely no angel myself, but I don't be going up to be people saying negative comments about things they cannot change. That would make me a [b]mean person.[/b] It doesn't matter if you're online or in person, this is still [b]mean.[/b]
>"Like if someone posts art online, I'll tell them how I truly feel so they can improve!" Unlike art, you can't change your appearance, and seriously nobody say plastic surgery.
This thread was made out of curiosity, and curiosity alone. I just want to know why you guys think this behavior is okay. I was going to keep this thread within TFS, but I don't think my main target members will be able to see it. I may regret doing so, but come on guys, for once show everyone we're not such a god awful shit-tier forum. I BELIEVE IN YOU!!!
-
I've been waiting for this thread for awhile now (more on that at the end). A lot people have been sick of this for awhile. I know I was about ready to pack up and go when that thread making fun of Shadow's appearance got 200+ posts and even went white-shield for awhile (then again, I remember [i]you[/i] telling her she wasn't really a girl [though not because of appearance], so maybe you don't care about that). The problem we have is that this is an online forum with a disproportionate level of ineffective males who, many for no fault of their own, grew up with pretty warped views of women. I'm pretty sure I've never done what you're talking about in the OP (to females anyways; I can't help myself when it comes to studs like Capiton and Weeded Dragon), but I've certainly pushed the bounds of political correctness when discussing things like feminism. To stuff like that I'd say "don't go online if you don't want to see different opinions," but I don't think that's what this thread is about anyways. This thread is about specific, targeted, harassment, which is a problem here. Truth be told, this thread is probably the best thing you could possibly do to enact change. I don't respect the argument some have given that "we can't fight this because we'll be called white knights" (seriously, anyone who cares about being called that probably is that), but ultimately we can't speak for you, and you probably don't want us to. The most effective way to establish this change would be to establish a culture in which we as Floodians called people out when they harassed people. If you never express that you dislike the harassment though, we pretty much [i]are[/i] speaking for you. I'm pretty sure there are a good number of people willing to support you in this, but you need to give their voice direction.