So, I know you answered this a while ago, and I'm not sure if you've changed your stance on it since. But I wanted to point out a few things regarding the "nega" controversy surrounding the TADC voice actors as someone who is Blasian (black on my mom's side and Korean and Filipino on my dad's side).
Even though you believe the joke wasn't racist, Michael and Ashley confirmed it was in their apologies. And I can tell you right now, as a WOC, that it was. The butt of the joke was black people. One could argue that it was Ashley instead; however, who really is taking the brunt of white people giggling like hyenas about dancing around the n-word? Mind you, this was a running gag for 20-30 minutes throughout the stream.
Like your previous anon said, the basis of the "nega" joke was that it was "not touching you racism." It's on the same level as non-black people saying, "What up, my ė“ź° (naega)," to black people. If they get called out for that shit, they have a pre-established loophole to be all, "Wellllllll, I didn't say the n-word! I said something that sounded like it, so you can't get mad at meeee." They're not slick, and this isn't new. And that's the exact argument white fans have been using to sweep the situation under the rug.
In your response to that anon, you used the example of mixing up the words "artistic" and "autistic," but the difference here is that "autistic" isn't a slur, and you're not saying it with that intention.
Calling this "casual racism" feels like minimizing actual casual racism, along other possible -isms and microaggressions.
The thing is, this is a direct example of casual racism and a microaggression. That's why an absurd amount of white fans are so quick to shut down conversation about this and label it "nothing burger drama." You have to be able to understand nuance, perspective, and plow through layers of instilled white bias. Watching that stream in addition to seeing fans' reactions instantly made me feel icky because it was a reminder of how blatant racism can be towards us, but how inconspicuous it can be towards others.
Ashley accidentally saying something that sounded like the n-word wouldn't have been a big deal, but she, Michael, and the other two streamers are guilty of running that joke into the ground. They drew it on a deliberately chosen black-colored T-shirt, and even Gooseworx cracked a joke about "nega."
As a disclaimer, I'm operating under the assumption that you're black since you were talking on the TADC issue and I noticed AAVE in your About Me section. I know that we aren't a monolith. I've seen all sorts of reactions across social media, ranging from rage to nonchalance. But let me ask you this: why would black fans, haters, content creators, or just regular-ass people be this upset in the first place? That feeling has to come from somewhere.
What can I say, if you feel that way, then you feel that way, and I believe I understand why.Ā
The only thing that changed is that I listened to the beginning of the stream, and how it started, being someone saying ānegaā & Michael going āwhat did you say? that sounded like something else.ā And then, indeed, it was a bunch of white people giggling around the n-word, which is in very poor taste, but half of it was chat-prompted from what I saw, but Iām not sitting watching the whole 20 minutes, come on, Iām not writing a scientific paper here. I understand the t-shirts were black by default (as shirts for designs tend to be), but yet again I didnāt study it because holy shit, I am guilty of wasting my time on earth, but this ā¦ why. Just why.Ā
I feel terms like āhaving a stance on sthā really belong to the bigger picture. Does that godforsaken example fit somewhere into the bigger picture? Iām sure. I just prefer the bigger picture.Ā
I didnāt see any fans reactions, Iām not on tweeter, I donāt engage. If I saw people being plain stupid, then yeah, that would probably piss me off, but what else is new.Ā
I donāt care what some people say in some livestream, thatās my stance, if I need one. I donāt care about those damn people at all, Iām surprised to learn they have names. I watched TADC & I liked some art & thatās about it for me. The show itself is pretty non-offensive (thatās why my main job here is raging about Hazbin Hotel, bc this shit is one big offense in itself; but still I donāt give too many fucks about what Vivzie said 123 years ago, who cares, itās probably horrible, thatās just to be expected. Goose can do her job more or less right. Vivzie canāt. Itās not or/either, but I just felt like bringing it up. I just donāt care about creators as people, I care what they put out there, and only investigate if their work is sus as fuck.)
I know the bar is in Hell. But thatās where we are.Ā
āIn your response to that anon, you used the example of mixing up the words "artistic" and "autistic," but the difference here is that "autistic" isn't a slur, and you're not saying it with that intention.āĀ
Yeah, and they werenāt saying anything with that intention either. That was my point. They were giggling about the taboo. To which I often say: whatever.Ā ((also: some people absolutely do use 'autistic' like one would use a slur, including dancing around it 'in a polite way', like 'well after all you are ... um, well... ummm... (me: not helping, letting them simmer, with a very attentive look on my face) well we aren't all the same, are we :) (them: genuinely(?) feeling like they saved face with diversity card(??) and not doubled down on the worst aspects of wtf they're saying.) I genuinely prefer people being like 'shut the fuck up, [slurs] ' or 'get your *** **** ******* * ass over here' (this one ofc might be offensive or affirmative depending on who/when says that) it saves everyone time and pretense. that is to say, white lib skilled with words aint your friend either. I find that far more condescending and systemic issue than someone being like HAHA THAT ALMOST SOUNDS LIKE A THING...... NO ONE SHOULD SAY........ yeah it's childish as hell & that attitude stems from systemic issues. America is inherently racist. neurotypicals are inherently ableist. and so on. but this instance is just stupid and inconsequential, it's the 'high brow' dancing around it I genuinely despise, because that carriers real prejudice. just say the fucking word you pretenscious non-aggressive elitlist fuck, jesus. whichever word that is. yet again: no trace of this here, imo. just highschool level of ignorance & getting all pumped up from almost doing a bad thing. I don't think those people have any Black (real) friends. what state(s) are they even from? didn't check. might sound harsh, but whenever I hear 'Black fans are dissapointed,' 'disabled fans are dissapointed,' and so on, I'm like: what possesed you to be a fan in the first place?))
āEven though you believe the joke wasn't racist, Michael and Ashley confirmed it was in their apologies.ā
Thereās no objective truth they could confirm or deny, what else could they say? Itās just classic damage control, running on a script, they are expected to say āyes that was very very ugly, weāre so sorry,ā so they did. Allegedly, I didnāt see that. They exist somewhere out there in a world I try not to give a shit about.Ā Also I don't believe there was a joke to begin with.
āIt's on the same level as non-black people saying, "What up, my ė“ź° (naega)," to black people.ā
Idk about level, maybe, but no one said anything to a Black person. Thatās why I donāt consider it microaggression, it was very directed at nobody.Ā
I just wanted to stick to the facts, instead of running with the offense. Yet again, I understand some people take offense, thatās their right. Iām just against making this what it is not, saying they said sth they didnāt, not checking for details. Maybe that stems from being autistic and having that sort of primal fear that someone will just take what I said at weirdest moment, misconstrue it in their measly neurotypical brain, and casually ruin my life while no one will listen to me bc why would they. I donāt wish that on anybody on principle.Ā A few of them, even.
I like my definitions crisp is all. Ofc one can debate definitions too. It is an interesting case tho, specifically bc itās so meta.Ā
Tl;dr I agree that it was very poor taste, I donāt have it in me to feel anything about it, I was just passing by. I think there are bigger issues to spend oneās energy on, even in unimportant fandom beefing spaces (which I avoid, Iām here to write cope.) Iām also around those peopleās age & being a millennial desensitizes you to stuff lol. Also Iām guilty of laughing at the worst shit, at worst times, physically unable to stop (greatly exploited by others in high school! also āve been told I sound like a hyena so you evoke some solidarity here), so, Iām biased.Ā
Iām just too autistic for this shit.Ā
I hope it's clear I'm not 'defending them,' I just don't care what some white normies have to say on anything in the first place. But those normies sure aren't the devil either.
My answer/thesis would be: people are pissed because people are tired. People shrug because people are tired.Ā
Itās just tiring. I just want to eat good food and sleep. Iām sorry. Iām a simple guy.Ā
Edit: first post here, someone rightfully saying I'm wrong about the shirts here
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