The Leader of the #KickVic Movement
What motivates individuals these days? Do people REALLY do things for the good of others? Are there really saviors and heroes out there? It would be nice to say that people do things for honorable reasons, but I don’t know, in these times it is very hard to tell.
Take this current witch hunt trend on social media. And yes, it IS a Witch Hunt. The modern definition of the term being that its a campaign directed against a person or group that holds unorthodox or unpopular views. In this case, those views being whether or not a certain voice actor, Vic Mignogna, at the center of the hunt is innocent or guilty of the list of accusations and allegations he’s named in on social media. There are several theories, opinions, beliefs, and even versions to these events. Everyone wants to either throw their voice in or have their side be heard, however that probably won’t happen anytime soon given the fact that…well this IS a battle being waged on social media, the most unprofessional place ever to hold court.
So far, this fight seems to have two opposing sides, the #IStandWithVic and the #KickVic. Both self-explanatory tags by nature. Sadly, the 3rd and 4th options of: “I would like to silently be Switzerland.” and “I believe in due process and the court of law.” Are simply very unfavorable with both teams. Individuals that are in support of the VA are doing so for a variety of their own personal reason which include: enjoyment of his talents, positive interactions, helpful meetings or correspondences, shared religious faith and liking of his overall personality shown to the public.
The other side however center their dislike on the reasoning of the VA being manipulative, narcissitic, and capable of being a sexual predator with a taste for underage teens. I would say that before I go and pick up my pitchfork and rally with the rest of the mob, I would like to first question the motives and motivation of its leader. Kaylyn “Marzgurl” Dickinson, 33, from San Antonio TX, once barely-known internet youtuber and now suddenly warrior for victim justice? Crazy how it developed from a simple tweet a few weeks ago? I find it very questionable that this individual, not a reporter, police officer, or investigator, instantly finds herself in the middle of this social media blitz sensation as it’s voice.
We review her history via her very open and easily accessible links to her web presence, but through her very long and drawn out ramblings of video game reviews and requests for attention (there were even some requests for money and donations), its odd that we don’t see any negative interactions with her target of choice… Actually, there aren’t any interaction at all. It would be understandable if she was one of the countless individuals tagging her name in the crowd of the unjust. But by her lack of even the basic references or details of the man’s character shows that she is an extreme outsider to the topic just digging for 2nd, 3rd, and 4th handed details. But still the question remains. Why spear-head the movement? Money? Fame? Friends? On, January 28th, a cosplay/actress, named Jessie Pridemore made a few shocking allegations against the VA on her personal facebook page. The story was immediately copied and tweeted by one, Marzgurl. A story that seemed way out of left-field for those that were team Vic. A few days later, voice actor and friend to Vic, Todd Haberkorn, posted his version of the same events and connections to Ms. Pridemore which ultimately set off a social media chain reaction of intimate tell-alls. To pitch a theory, we found that Ms. Pridemore is a friend of Joshua Saucedo, Marzgurl’s husband. How close, who knows, but that then stands to reason that she is then, Marzgurl’s friend too? Could there be a connection with the experience and who broke the story? Or why?
If it was simply an act of revenge for a friend then why hasn’t Marzgurl set her sites after Todd Haberkorn either? Another theory, one that has been kicked around more often is that she is more so out for shameless self promotion, social media ‘clicks’ and the feel-good attention that has come via the destruction of another individuals life and career. And not just that person, she also decided to go out on the attack of the people that like him and enjoy being a part of his fan club. This theory seems a little more believable as that Marzgurl’s on-going social rantings and nit-pickings with all things related to anyone and anything halfway related to the IStandWithVic movement has almost bordered on #cyberbullying.
Let’s stop for a second and try to understand her logic, for someone that claims to be out trying to stand with victims, going out and attacking fan clubs, shutting down people just because they don’t agree with you? She is essentially making MORE victims in her wake. And profiting off them with every click and ‘like’. She reports on her twitter that SHE has been attacked on social media, first, by a few individuals from his fan club for her reports of Vic Mignogna’s alleged conduct. However it seems that she’s using that reasoning as an excuse to actively perform group punishment upon the members of his fan-base and validation for her continued bear poking. Throughout the few weeks that this movement has been in existence, Marzgurl has made some other claims to her motivation even as far as claiming #MeToo and the protection of sexually assaulted con-going victims by ending the industry’s practice of coddling those named as the offenders. Yet, I find it difficult to believe that is her pure focus, seeing as though she has yet to comment, post or feature any information on the recent allegations against Neil Caplan, or make any attempts to suggest to said victims for anything other than how to benefit herself. Even the Ranger group that she seems to dislike suggested to individuals to take concern with one’s own mental health. Maybe its me, but I would think that if she were REALLY concerned about the well-being of victims or sexual assault/abuse survivors, it wouldn’t be a thing to try and tackle it alone, but at the very least offer information and suggestions for people to get help seek closure.
From past sites, it’s my opinion that Marzgurl seems to do a lot of repeat actions that possibly end up hurting others; causing major embarassment; and resulting in a depressive rant like this from her 2003 blog, “I doubt that anyone to whom this concerns will read this tonight… but I am so sorry. I’m sorry that I have become such a bitter human being, so angry at things so small. I’m sorry I yell and scream when there’s nothing I can do about it anyway. I probably do this just to get attention, and I admit that. I get depressed when I think that “If I don’t do this, no one will see me, and I’ll fall back into the dark again, where no one notices I’m even alive.” So I yell. And I scream. And I throw things. Throw a tantrum, is more like it. And it’s childish of me. I hate myself more than anything for it. I think from now on I’ll let myself fade. I think that people would rather hear nothing from me at all than to hear me screaming out of simple stress and lack of attention. I’m sorry to everyone I hurt tonight.” (http://www.angelfire.com/weird/hslife/)
It is this one blogger opinion that Mrs. Saucedo should take a beat and reminder herself of her past actions. In her 2015 livejournal blog, “…All day long, all I could think about was, “Why did I do that? Why DIDN’T I do that? I had a wide open opportunity back at THIS moment, and I didn’t take it, and now there’s no getting that opportunity back ever again. How do I live with that?” Mind you, these are all things that are years and years past, and there most definitely is no resetting or changing anything now…” “I’ve been a horrible person in my past. I believe strongly in reform, forgiveness, and grace. These are all things that I have so graciously been granted, and I am thankful for that all the time. So many people I’ve wronged, I’ve actually been able to address, not looking for forgiveness, and yet it was given to me anyway. Forgiveness is absolutely not deserved. Something has to earn it. All too often, my brain will tell me that I’ve never earned that forgiveness.” (https://marzgurl.livejournal.com/2015/05/20/)
I, personally might have found some of her information and sympathy credible but her biased opinions and lack of fact checking, scares me! Someone’s Uncle mentioned that “With great power comes great responsibility!” And even though Marzgurl’s twitter and tumblr blog are developments of her own opinions, she knows that she is influencing several people’s views on a very touchy subject. I for one wouldn’t be able to sleep at night knowing that all my years of public attention seeking and gain of followers has now resulted in a huge fallacy.
