So, originally, I wasn’t going to comment because I had nothing of substance to say regarding FunkyFrogbait’s response to the chat mentioning Gooseworx. Yet their tiktok came across my page and I completely forgot I was following them. Anyways, I’m not here to say whether the apology was good or bad as it was not for me. I may be Hispanic, but I’m sort of white passing and privileged. I’m here to just have a general discussion of patterns I’m noticing.
It’s hypocritical for them to tell their chat to do research before making claims about anyone. While I agree, it was clear that outburst came from personal experience rather than understanding the situation with Gooseworx. It’s not my place to make a blanket statement on whether goose is racist or not. I will say that the jokes itself are racist and insensitive though.
When it came to the TikTok addressing the situation, I understand Funky explaining that people on the internet will blows things out of proportion and use certain incidents to excuse bullying online rather than actually holding one accountable. While I agree, and it did happen to where some people took the TADC controversy to the extreme, that’s not the focus. It can be brought up separately, in another post because the focus should be on the black community rather than focusing on how your viewed online. Funky even agreed that you can’t control what others think anyways.
To put it simply, Funky has no right to claim if someone is racist or not, just like how I have no right to claim if someone is or isn’t racist. Obviously there’s nuance because there are obvious racists, but what I mean is, if a black person is telling you someone is racist, believe them first. It’s okay to continue to do research but the point is to start believing, trusting, and amplifying black voices over white and privileged people.
Funky, who seems to be white from appearance, and when white people in general start discussing about racism and racial related issues will automatically be at the forefront. It’s why white and privileged people should always be careful with what they say and if they don’t have the proper knowledge to speak about the situation, especially racism or anything related to race, they shouldn’t speak at all. By speaking up without knowledge, especially when you’re an influencer, you can cause unintentional harm to the black community. Funky did do their research and commented on Goose and took Goose’s tweet about how “she doesn’t accept racists” supposedly doesn’t make her racist.
Ok, I’m not going to argue on that point exactly. My thing is, is to simply consider the skin color of who’s talking. Funky may not be intentionally racist and I’m not calling them a racist but I will say everyone, and I mean everyone, you and me, have some sort of racist bias/subconscious within them. Most people aren’t aware of that at all because of how ingrained it is and thus normalized. It isn’t ok but I’m talking more about the everyday things people assume wouldn’t be racist at all, like the master bedroom being named the master bedroom. It doesn’t make you evil because frankly, it’s insane about how deep it truly is ingrained and it’s everyday things that seem completely “harmless” and “innocent”.
Goose may not be intentionally racist but they have caused significant harm to the black community and especially, regarding the people they associate and/or work with. Funky commentating on this further drowns out the black people trying so loudly to speak up about how the seemingly “little things” to white and privileged people. This allows for blatant racism to become normalized. It’s not about you aka the white and privileged people (including me). The black community is tired of “micro”aggressions being normalized because it always segways into racism being normalized.
Additionally, white and privileged people need to learn how to put themselves into others shoes. Granted, it shouldn’t have to affect yourself to get you to care about others but perspective always helps. Imagine judt enjoying a show or a creator’s work/art/etc. and you get hit with the random or occasional offensive comment played off as a joke about something of yours you can’t control. Sure, you may be white and privileged but maybe it’s about your physical body, interests, how you think, speak/talk, or even your financial statues or anything that you wouldn’t want someone to make fun of. Then it occurs with other creators and you start to see it everywhere. Then it slowly becomes the general consensus.
The point is, and what I’ve learned is to amplify black voices over white and privileged voices. Additionally, consider if the message is for you and your community. If it’s not, be very mindful about what you say, how you say it, and sometimes it’s better to just not speak at all. It’s okay to have a genuine discussion and to ask questions if you really are unaware of the full situation. It’s good to reflect on potential biases you might have within yourself. I’ve learned a lot by shutting up myself and why I strictly comment on patterns I notice. Additionally, I’ve learned a lot about my own unintentional biases when typing these posts too, as these situations force me to reflect on things I’ve never thought to reflect upon. I like sharing what I’ve learned and I know I have a lot more to learn.
I will say this, this is not hatred towards FunkyFrogBait. Just a general discussion on why we should all be a little more mindful and to please remember to listen to the affected communities and always listen to black voices. While I understand it can difficult to distinguish valid criticism and claims compared to false accusations and hatred, it’s always good to see who’s saying it, why they’re saying, and the communities involved. Follow trusted black and poc creators. Amplify their voices instead and boost or mention their post in your posts.
It’s not a moral failing to be uneducated, it only is a moral failing when you claim to be educated but choose not to be or when you dismiss the harm of a genuine mistake. People will always be cruel and bully you, especially on the internet, but it’s the internet. Take a step back and remember your activism/posts/actions speak for themselves and that’s all you can do and go outside into public social spaces. Take this from someone who’s learning to deal with their pretty bad rejection sensitive dysphoria. The more defensive you become of claiming to be something you’re not, it’s better to show that through actions and genuine accountability and change. If someone is accusing but blowing it out of proportion, you have your accountability, actions, and progress to speak for you.
Additionally, it’s not that hard to be like “chat, I don’t have the information to make a solid opinion on this.” Then move on. You also could’ve said you weren’t interested in the creator or anything related to TADC, nothing wrong with that.
