Ask Feminist Cadance

Princess of the Crystal Empire, wife of Shining Armor. Following her aunts into the realm of Tumblr, Cadance has decided to share her own thoughts on feminism and social justice, from the view of somepony who has followed a somewhat traditional path.

[askfeministcadance]

Following that train of logic that the anon posted about, your highness, is it a bad thing that I like johnjoseco's SFW art? I absolutely despise Molestia and his politics regarding the subject, but his SFW art is really well made. This issue has really been eating me up ever since the APM takedown, and I really don't know if it makes me a huge hypocrite or not.

Oh friend, I feel for you, I do. JJ is a very talented artist, especially when he remembers that we are just little ponies! I’ve seen some of his pictures of me, and Shining Armor as well, and they are quite lovely, when they’re not too saucy - I do tend to skew more to the innocent pony art, I admit. I do like them as well, so I feel your conundrum in my heart! This is a tough one. APM was such a vile comic (especially because I know my aunt pretty well and she would never!), but JJ’s talent at drawing us surely can’t be denied. However, I personally don’t think that liking the tamer art he makes makes you a hypocrite, friend. You’re fully cognizant that his SFW art is not Molestia, so I would guess that if you’re okay with recognizing his artistic talent, while not supporting Molestia, I think it’s okay? I don’t know. I may have to examine this in my heart of hearts myself, cause you’ve given me something to think about.

[portaljumper339]

Thank you your highness! This made me feel so much better about the topic. Can’t wait to see what else you have to say!

[askfeministcadance]

Thank you for the question, my friend! I like questions that make me re-examine myself and my thoughts because like every pony, I know I have areas that I can improve in!

[feminist-merpony]

Personally speaking, if I’m fully disgusted by someone’s actions I couldn’t support them in any way While JJ is obviously a talented artists he used his gift for evil, I couldn’t support him in anyway even his SFW content. I’m not trying to attack anyone, but I do think that is something to think about when discussing this I hope I’ve helped and I think you’re doing a fantastic job Cady trying to tackle these issues.

[askfeministcadance]

(SERIOUSLY JUST LAUGH AT ME THAT'S THE SECOND TIME I'VE DONE THIS, JEEZ) Thank you, Lotus Drop. It is a knotty problem, isn't it? Where does somepony draw the line for what they can support. I guess it's all a matter of what they think they can do. I have to admit that I've done some more thinking on it since I got the ask - not as much as I'd like because I am a busy pony! - but some everthesame. I'm hoping to find some time for some deep thought on it.

[askfeministcadance]

Following that train of logic that the anon posted about, your highness, is it a bad thing that I like johnjoseco's SFW art? I absolutely despise Molestia and his politics regarding the subject, but his SFW art is really well made. This issue has really been eating me up ever since the APM takedown, and I really don't know if it makes me a huge hypocrite or not.

Oh friend, I feel for you, I do. JJ is a very talented artist, especially when he remembers that we are just little ponies! I’ve seen some of his pictures of me, and Shining Armor as well, and they are quite lovely, when they’re not too saucy - I do tend to skew more to the innocent pony art, I admit. I do like them as well, so I feel your conundrum in my heart! This is a tough one. APM was such a vile comic (especially because I know my aunt pretty well and she would never!), but JJ’s talent at drawing us surely can’t be denied. However, I personally don’t think that liking the tamer art he makes makes you a hypocrite, friend. You’re fully cognizant that his SFW art is not Molestia, so I would guess that if you’re okay with recognizing his artistic talent, while not supporting Molestia, I think it’s okay? I don’t know. I may have to examine this in my heart of hearts myself, cause you’ve given me something to think about.

[portaljumper339]

Thank you your highness! This made me feel so much better about the topic. Can’t wait to see what else you have to say!

[askfeministcadance]

Thank you for the question, my friend! I like questions that make me re-examine myself and my thoughts because like every pony, I know I have areas that I can improve in!

[askfeministcadance]

Princess Cadence, may I be hired as a royal guard to protect the crystal empire? I'm a sergeant already so I need a new guard name if you hire me. Thank you for reading this.

I do appreciate the offer my friend, but we have plenty of royal guards at the Crystal Palace already and we also have the best of the best royal guard, my Shining Armor. Thank you for inquiring though!

[askfeministcadance]

Following that train of logic that the anon posted about, your highness, is it a bad thing that I like johnjoseco's SFW art? I absolutely despise Molestia and his politics regarding the subject, but his SFW art is really well made. This issue has really been eating me up ever since the APM takedown, and I really don't know if it makes me a huge hypocrite or not.

Oh friend, I feel for you, I do. JJ is a very talented artist, especially when he remembers that we are just little ponies! I’ve seen some of his pictures of me, and Shining Armor as well, and they are quite lovely, when they’re not too saucy - I do tend to skew more to the innocent pony art, I admit. I do like them as well, so I feel your conundrum in my heart! This is a tough one. APM was such a vile comic (especially because I know my aunt pretty well and she would never!), but JJ’s talent at drawing us surely can’t be denied. However, I personally don’t think that liking the tamer art he makes makes you a hypocrite, friend. You’re fully cognizant that his SFW art is not Molestia, so I would guess that if you’re okay with recognizing his artistic talent, while not supporting Molestia, I think it’s okay? I don’t know. I may have to examine this in my heart of hearts myself, cause you’ve given me something to think about.

[askfeministcadance]

Is it wrong to still be interested in someone's work, even if their opinions are less than savory?

Oh goodness. You know, Anon. I’ve had to actually fight this problem myself, time and again actually. There are a lot of people that I enjoy very much as artists of various stripes who have proven themselves, to be pretty problematic when they’re off camera/stage/behind the scenes. I guess it just comes down to if you think you can support such behavior and still be a fan of someone. What I’ve personally decided for myself is that if somepony is good at what they do, and their work itself isn’t the problematic part of them, then I can separate the artist from the work and enjoy the work without enjoying them.And I know, paying for the work of somepony who has proven themselves to be problematic is just giving them more bits to continue being problematic and it just goes all sorts of circular and it’s one big ouroboros and it never ends, but that’s where I’ve had to draw the line for myself.Does that make any sort of sense? I will be happy to clarify if need be. ((OOC: The one that comes up most often for me in that way is Jennifer Lawrence. Who I have actually adored, as an actress, from the moment I saw Winter’s Bone. Turns out, she’s a pretty terrible human being in a lot of ways and it hurt my heart a lot because I think she’s such a talented girl.Because I don’t tend to let myself get too mired into fandom except as a casual outsider and occasionally saving cute pictures for icons, I’ve been able to separate Jennifer’s problematic side from the talented actress, and I’ve been able to still enjoy her work as an actress quite happily.))

[askfeministcadance]

Greetings, friends!

Goodness, I do hope I'm not late! Hello, everypony, it's me, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, though that is a mouthful and I honestly don't care much for it, so you can call me Cadance or Cady. I've decided to join my wonderful aunts in their quest to answer questions as best as we can. My perspective is a little different from theirs, as a younger married pony, but I will still try to speak as honestly and plainly as I can, just as they do. My ask box is open, so feel free to submit any questions you might have!