First off, I’m going to say that this letter is something I did not anticipate writing, but after finding a pattern over the past two weeks, I figured I’d ought to write it and bring to your attention what has certainly come to my own.
The @miraculousblackout, for me personally, began as almost a crusade against reposting. The action is certainly wrong and harms many people in the process. In taking up the interviews, I had hoped to show you just how much harm comes of doing this over and over. I had thought that perhaps hearing the voices of your victims might lead you to reconsider your actions. (I say actions a lot, but I do so because reposting is an act of choice, something you choose to do and must actively do, so ‘actions’, I felt, was appropriate.)
TANGENTS ASIDE, the interviews I conducted always ended with a certain question, and this was done purposefully. When I asked ‘what would you like to say to reposters in general’, I had thought originally that I would get a personal announcement from each person that reposting is wrong and to please stop. While I did get this reaction, I also got other words I did not expect, but left in the interview simply because these were the heartfelt words of creators that needed to be heard.
“…Maybe you don’t have the skills to draw, or to write, or to sing or dance. Maybe you’re shy or scared or want to stay hidden. But that’s ok. Just be yourself. Be confident in who you are. You’re not just a Miraculous Ladybug fan, you are an entire person, with emotions, with thoughts, with ideas, with skills of your own…” -qookyquiche
“…And for those who genuinely didn’t know this is a bad thing to do? Put yourself in the artists shoes. Imagine you made something you wanted to share and someone copied it, stole it, and it even got more attention than your work even though yours is the original!...” -MidnightStarlightWrites
“… whether you weren’t aware of reposting being an issue until now, please understand that consent is important, and to never assume anything. Just because one artist or writer allows reposting of their work doesn’t mean it’s a universal rule. Always. Ask. Permission.” -Insanitybloomings
Reposters, creators don’t like what you’re doing, that much is so very much true. But there are also those who want you to learn. To grow and be better than you are now. Not all of you are doing this while willfully knowing what you are doing and the consequences of your actions. Not all of you are aware of the disastrous effects your actions could have on the writer.
That, reposters, is what the Blackout has become. We’re not just asking you to stop for two weeks. We’re asking you to stop for two weeks in order to learn. To be a fan by producing your own content, or appreciating the content of others the way it was meant to. If you don’t know how to do that, reach out to any one of us and ask. There’s no harm in that and there’s no harm in wanting to learn.
We don’t want you burned to the ground over your mistakes, and there is no shame in attempting to move past them. Just take down the reposts and start again by using your own two hands.
And I, for my part, am making an apology. To those who didn’t know and want to learn. I’m sorry if I made you feel anything less than human over a mistake. If you repost, you will be reported and those are the consequences of your actions, but if you want to learn, then reach out and we will gladly help you get on your feet.
