Ā Hey everyone, Iāve just been lingering about. Been avoiding Tumblr RP because itās not really where Iāve felt the most comfortable (even though Iāve made some amazing friends, you guys know who you are and you guys are awesome). I tried to return through discord because thatās where I felt more comfortable but I havenāt checked there in a while either. Life has been pretty terrible honestly and my muse has been drained as the distractions and problems piled on top. I just wanted to drop in and give an update. Also... wow, thereās a lot of drama Iāve seen. Another reason Iām very hesitant to come back but Iām glad certain things are being addressed such as toxic masculinity and racism, especially within the sect ofĀ āgay rpā (idk, but you guys know what I mean). Anyone else, this aināt about you, and I appreciate you guys because your talent is off the charts.
I try and lean less towards that gay rp end of the spectrum tbh because fetishization tends to happen, Iāve noticed, and thereās also been stuff to do with consent that, while I have to say is my problem considering itās not my business, Iām very concerned about and uncomfortable with as theyāre portraying non-con for fulfilment rather than being addressed as what it is. Or at least being treated as a trigger with a warning or anything at times. I prefer story based rps than smut (which I prefer to do with rpers Iām comfortable with) and thatās just my own personal preferences that doesnāt impact anyone but itās a huge part of rp, technically and I think itās worth putting my two cents (is that what Americans use? Is that the phrase?) in.Ā
In terms of a toxic masculinity argument, I donāt think that particular issue was addressed as well as it probably should have been in the post I saw going round but itās definitely a part of it. I think the types of muses we glorify are very evident but I do believe that thatās almost entirely okay. Be attracted to what youāre attracted to or gravitate towards and do you! But I do see a lot of muses (sure, twinks can be a part of this conversation, okay, but you know a lot of other groups as well) are neglected. I think white, traditionally masculine muses with perfect, muscular bodies are favoured (fine) and also āgayā (stereotypical) behaviour, attributes, traits, features are rejected (eek ok)/deemed unattractive and I do think that there has been a problem where itās teetered towards a kind of toxic masculinity/internally homophobic direction (not always but thereās been some of that.) I donāt think itās intentional because we can all like what we like but what we put out with that sentiment has crossed the line a few times and thatās where we need to be careful. I also understand that a lot of these things arenāt going to be addressed when your characters are smutting it up because those rps arenāt that deep and youāre just trying to enjoy writing. Iād just say that be careful within those spaces that we donāt put out any harmful messages or idk make a conscious effort to try and be positive in any way we can? Youād think this is a very simple thing but if people are still agreeing that this is still happening then itās something that needs to be realised and put into words.Ā
Idk. Could be as simple as putting a trigger warning or... rephrasing? Sometimes the character is just like that and thatās fine but acknowledgement OOC or something? I donāt know, maybe even that seems a little much but it at least makes the distinction between the character and mun. I donāt believe your characters represent you, wholly. Just be aware and conscious of these things and outside of your character interactions, especially if your character is intentionally problematic or toxic ect, try and be decent to everyone. Muses are fictional but the many muns behind them are real people and however great or small, you have an impact on the environment you contribute to. The argument I saw being conveyed was not well put but I think that just because the person arguing them has problems of their own (valid ones which I am about to address) lets not disregard everything they said from the conversation because I think we should still talk about toxic masculinity and homophobia in areas that were not addressed. Also the attitude of non-binary and trans muses as being less than is also something I acknowledge has happened a few times. Weāve come a long way since now these characters are actually being included and brought to the surface of attention and I donāt think that any of us are trying to be harmlful (or I should hope not) but I do think in queer spaces we should be the ones to make room/welcome these types of people and issues safely and comfortably into them. Iām not saying you necessarily have tor rp with muses you donāt want to, Iām not policing you to be more diverse and inclusive but be open minded and aware that you are making an impact in your threads, muses, bios, rules pages and ooc messages and be mindful what sorts of messages your words are communication. I want it in writing that trans men are no less of a man (same for trans women but I see even FEWER of these muses) and we should be learning to adapt to this understanding of gender rather than conveying attitudes of the past that harm people within the community. Also no matter what the body of the non-binary muse is like, respect that theyāre non-binary if that is the decision from the mun. Donāt erase that by disregarding chosen pronouns for your own fulfilment in the story. A character being non-binary shouldnāt change what they contribute to the story, especially if the story is two characters flirt in an undescribed location with a convenient bed and the only thing they have in common is that theyāre horny and hot.Ā
In terms of racism, now this hits a little harder. Thereās definitely a problem there (as pointed out by a lot of the people who responded to the toxic masculinity post). I empathise with the sentiments expressed about the blatantly harmful attitudes geared towards Asian and specifically Korean muses, as well as a general attitude towards all POC muses. This needs to change and if you think that this whole preferences thing doesnāt mimic the problems of the real world towards POC than I think you need to rethink. Many different muses of many different ethnicities have been either rejected due to physical preferences and the argument that due to this being done in a space where we create fiction that means this is okay I think is very questionable. Whole races of people being generalized and boxed into one is not where we should be at. You being comfortable with only FCs who are actors is fine, or FCs that supply no significant age gap is completely fair but implying a whole race of people is unattractive? Iām not putting words into anyone's mouth but please do not do this. Especially right now, we shouldnāt be doing this and we should already understand why this is bad. On the other side of the spectrum, the fetishization and stereotypes, especially in the way it is advertised is very grim. Fetishization of a whole race of people is dehumanizing, especially if that race is an oppressed minority. Iām not accusing anyone but PLEASE just try and consider your approach to interacting with POC muses in this way. It requires so little effort to just question whether something is okay. I donāt think it is hard to listen to what is going on in the real world and not project those harmful things in order to fulfil your fantasies. I think thereās a problem there if certain fantasies are fulfilled on the back of people getting hurt. Just do your research and try to offend anyone is what Iām saying. Itās very simple. Just grow as a human. Pretty much if youāre not talking from experience, just be respectful, whether youāre putting out a muse or trying to interact with a muse. Make a mistake and then try and then learn and grow. Donāt try and box POC muses into ways they can fulfil your fantasies based on very tired ideals of who they are and what they can offer. Iām saying it again, just be respectful. Question what you put out, think about it and try not to hurt people through what you communicate. Have empathy. Iām reiterating the same things because these are simple thoughts that should just come so quickly and casually. There are so many people with a multitude of different experiences interacting with this and probably people who have more knowledge on it but lets not just address these issues when someone needs to be called out. Lets put a stop to it in general. This shouldnāt have just been made aware of when it was right there in front of us.Ā
Listen, Iām not here to police or tell people how to go about RP. Get weird, go crazy and be out there. Characters and threads are not real life, I understand that but just be aware of the impact around that little bubble within the thread. Try and make a conscious ever to put out positivity outside of your threads when youāre contributing to your blogs. Or at the very least, donāt put out negativity. Make sure that no one feels unwelcome or disregarded or hurt when they come to your blog. RP is a social activity (wow I sound like an annoying, patronizing teacher while I write this) and that means that no matter how introverted you are, you gotta navigate it that way. Just donāt be a dick. This isnāt a call out post, just aĀ āthink about it this way the next time you try and put something out there.ā This was my opinion on a few things that have been circling and a few things that havenāt been touched upon much. Iām also open to criticism myself if thereās anything I should have said, got wrong or missed out. Like everyone else here, I make mistakes and I am trying my best. I donāt think many of us are harmful or negative people, but sometimes when we are otherwise distracted we can slip up so itās good to direct our attentions back to those areas. Ok Iām done.
( Hi guys, you guys are about to receive a whole essay from me which none of you have to read and no Iām still not back because Iām an idiot. But Iām gonna be addressingĀ āgay rpā cultureĀ - if you can even call it that, homophobia, racism, toxic masculinity and lgbt representation if youāre interested in that sort of conversation. )
( Hi guys, you guys are about to receive a whole essay from me which none of you have to read and no Iām still not back because Iām an idiot. But Iām gonna be addressingĀ āgay rpā cultureĀ - if you can even call it that, homophobia, racism, toxic masculinity and lgbt representation if youāre interested in that sort of conversation. )
( Hi! Iām going to be on discord all day because Iāll be lingering in the house. Please feel free to come interact with me there for RPs, plotting or chatting! )
( While Iām getting back into the hang of things, Iām gonnaā be basing myself on discord for RP. Please come and interact with me over there! But Iām trying to come back onto here. I miss it a lot! )
( While Iām getting back into the hang of things, Iām gonnaā be basing myself on discord for RP. Please come and interact with me over there! But Iām trying to come back onto here. I miss it a lot! )
( So like... how about Ocean went MIA for as long as Iāve been gone and put a strain upon my muses relationship with yours and thereās lots of questions and a lilā bit of mystery and angst? )
( Hey guys. I'm sorry to be gone for longer than expected. Hopefully I'll be back super soon but I won't make any promises just yet. In my time off I've been trying to invent an urban fantasy world so I've done a lot of mind maps and diagrams! Think I'm going to pursue more personal writing again when I get my laptop back on top of rp (which rp was supposed to inspire me to do lol). Also I'm considering doing a lil munday photo drop but idk if I'm confident or comfortable enough for that š. Anyway! I hope you are all well and I miss talking to a lot of you who I don't have on discord and sending love/positivity your way!)
( I'm not back, but when I am, if we have ongoing ships, I definitely think we should do something where Ocean has distanced himself from whoever he's tryna' befriend or wife up because he got himself in a dangerous situstion and doesn't wanna hurt them... Like do you want angst or do you want angst )
hi! i was wondering if you have or know of a guide on roleplaying non-binary and trans characters? thank you!
hi there! here are a few guides iāve found, if anyone has any other resources to contribute, feel free to pitch in. keep in mind that iām cis, so iām definitely not the best person to go to when it comes to character advice for writing trans muses.Ā
WRITING TRANS CHARACTERS MASTER POST by @realtransfactsĀ
HOW TO WRITE NON-BINARY CHARACTERS: A THREE PART GUIDE by @brynwrites
TRANS (CHARACTER GUIDE & BIO BUILDING) by @thetrolliestcritic
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