Questioning the stability or fragility of the HMS Lukola
So it seems that one of the Captains of the HMS Lukola has gone on a blocking spree today.
Im confused, concerned and frustrated.
Yes, I was one who has been unceremoniously blocked. I have not done or said anything unkind to or about this person or their blog.
In fact, I very much love their blog, but it seems that because I liked another Captains blog, that was reason enough to block me.
In no way is this meant to offend anyone, but I am just curious why the blocking spree occurred?
Today's incident has also made me think a little deeper about the fragility of this little corner of the world.
Until today I loved this little corner of the world where I can connect with like minded people and be a part of a community that has an unwavering belief in Lukola despite the mainstream PR narrative and the constant battering from jakolas and other ships trying to tear it down.
However, if the community is so fragile that those of us on the HMS Lukola cannot like different bloggers viewpoints and engage in curious, thoughtful, objective and respectful conversations that get us thinking outside the box about what may or may not be occurring BTS and in public then how are we going to survive?
A huge part of this community and why I joined it and enjoyed it so much is because of the communitys curiosity and depth of belief in Lukola.
The ability of many, Captains and ship-mates alike to unpack what we see publicly, questioning and respectfully challenging the PR narratives, collating crumbs, analysing sm posts, etc and calling out the trolls and blatant bullying behaviour with kindness and respect has kept the ship afloat through many rough waters.
BUT...
if those steering the ship are so reactive and fragile, then trolls and bullies like jakeholes and the red devil become insignificant and do not need to continue throwing stone's when we are tearing down our community from within.
The reactiveness of blocking followers for the simple act of liking other blogs creates a sense of bitterness within the community. As well as a deep troubling sense of sadness that some people in this community feel they have to block followers simply for liking other blogs.
It speaks of a fragility within the Lukola community that I thought had been worked through. 🧐
The ship has weathered many storms, taken hit after hit from other ships and trolls, that I thought had only strengthened the resolve and determination of those that lead the ship.
Captains who have used their blogs to both encourage sooth and reassure the battered and the bruised shipmates.
But when a Captain uses their weapons against the shipmates without warning, without conversation, it makes me question how stable this ship really is and why they feel the ship has to separate into fractions in the first place. Simply because someone's curiosity or broader thinking doesn't align on the same day, in the same moment as anothers is not a justifiable reason to block a bunch of followers.
I thought this ship was built of stronger stuff and that the HMS Lukola encouraged objective, critical thinking and open-mimded conversation as long as it was respectful.
Maybe I was wrong because the reactiveness I've seen today makes me question how truly stable, fair and objective this ship actually is.
And I worry that if we continue being so reactive, tearing each other down from within then eventually (or sooner rather than later) there will be no ship left. Just little lifeboats and dingys afloat in the tumultuous seas of the Lukola fandom, left to fend off the vultures, snakes and sharks and navigate the stormy waters alone.
That thought makes me feel really sad..especially given how much the ship has weathered to date. 😭
I get that we all have bad days, believe me, my life recently been a shit storm filled with unfortunate events piling on top of each other and weighing me down so heavily that some days I can barely breathe let alone be a functional human being. But that doesn't give me the right or justification to be mean, unkind or cruel to the rest of the world, whether that in person or within the shit fest of the internet.
The bigger message
While it may seem that one or two people are trying to protect their space for whatever reason, and they have every right to do so. The bigger picture sends a stronger message to the Lukola community as a whole, that even the act of liking or engaging with different theories about Lukola is completely unacceptable to some of the captains and if you are perceived to not align 100% with that person's views you are going to be pushed off the plank into the shark infested waters without even an opportunity for parley.
Im an individual who likes to question, to analyse, to look at different viewpoints and theories and make up my own mind. I think critical thinking has been essential to stay firmly seated on the HMS Lukola.
I'm 1000% super glued to the viewing deck. But that should not mean I cannot engage with the viewpoints of other Lukola's for the risk of being thrown overboard.
Thats not a community I want to be a part of.
This fandom and Lukola community has been one of the few things that has kept me going through the shitstorm of my life and now it feels like even this is falling apart and that thought breaks my heart.
Im still here, but I am shaken by the fragility and reactiveness I've seen today on board the ship.