Dear Hogwarts Legacy Fandom,
I understand I said I may be taking a step back from the fandom to focus on personal projects, but this is something I cannot ignore.
Just today an amazing creator by the name of Winky was forced to delete her account because of the harassment she had been receiving over the past month by some very awful people. This is disgusting behavior and I'm almost disappointed that I even associate myself with this fandom. The fact that people decided to draw their swords and attack her so aggressively just because of a character likeness is astounding to me.
I have met other creators that have OCs with similar names, backgrounds, relationship dynamics, and even similar designs, and the fact that people defaulted to bullying and harassing another creator is abhorrent and disgusting. Not once did I ever think I would witness a fandom on a website β that is meant to be welcoming to everyone β push someone away so aggressively just because their OC resembles one of a popular creator.
Choccy has moved on from the fandom. It has been 2 years. People do not OWN an OC. They do not own a design, a backstory, none of it. Everyone is entitled to be creative and do as they wish as long as it brings no harm to others. It is understandable to miss a creator, but going so far as to send mean asks and messages to other people accusing them of "stealing the popular creators OC" is downright wrong and childish behavior.
If you harassed and bullied everyone that had a similar OC to someone else we wouldn't have fandom spaces. Details are bound to overlap, especially when an OC is made for a specific media where there are rules/details in game. Also, its a damn video game!!! Why does it matter to you or anyone else what story someone is creating? If you don't like it, you can do a lovely thing called blocking them!!! It's 100% free!
While I didn't have the ability to grow very close with her before she was forced out, I saw her creations, her stories, and how loved she was by great people. My only regret is not talking to her more.
To the ones who pushed her out, you are the reason safe fandom spaces are dwindling. You know who you are, and you are absolutely disgusting people. I truly hope you see the hurt you've caused and look in the mirror. Really stare at yourself and realize you are not some white knight savior to this creator who jasn't associated with the fandom for two years. You are a bully. You are cruel. You are dare I say a monster. I am ashamed to share a fandom, much less a website with you. You harass and bully people because you have nothing better to do with your lives. You are sad sacks of shit that crave attention online because you can't get it anywhere else. There is a special place for people like you after death.
We will all miss you, Winky. Stay strong. I'm so sorry it had to end this way. π
