Hey I hope it’s not annoying to send this ask and I respect you not answering especially when stepping away from this blog, I’m not as tapped into what’s going on with the band as much as I used to be but would really love some insight if you’re comfortable sharing what’s made you want to take a step back as I value your opinion on this stuff and if there’s something I’m not aware that they’ve done if I should re examine my support as well. Thanks for taking the time to read this I’m so sorry whatever it is I know the decision comes with a heavy heart and I hope you’re doing well.
aghh okay, let’s do this.
i’ve gotten a lot of asks like this, so i picked one of the friendliest ones. to be honest i’ve really avoided giving any details on here because i feel like no matter what i say, certain people will react negatively. i guess that’s unavoidable.
the bottom line is that i reached a point where i feel like i can’t trust that they’re good people. i’ve always been uncomfortable with the way they essentially stand for nothing (including mental healthcare in any practical sense beyond don’t kill yourself), but it has reached a point where they just seem… so undisturbed by people speculating that they are bigots.
it’s difficult to overlook silence in the face of fascism (for example, it seems reasonable to assume that since Tyler has Lebanese heritage, we could expect him to have a public opinion about the violent invasion and fatal attacks on Lebanese civilians perpetrated by the U.S.-backed IOF; it seems reasonable to assume that in the midst of promoting a Mexican-crewed movie, shot in Mexico city with Mexican fans, they would have had any level of stance on ICE kidnapping hundreds of hispanic immigrants); indeed, it was (and is) painful to watch every other artist i care about speak up. but by far the most painful part is knowing (and witnessing) how completely comfortable racists, transphobes, ableists, etc. feel in this fandom, because tyler and josh have never (in any serious, lasting way) made them feel unwelcome.
it has been a painful grieving process, and i didn’t get here lightly. i’m sure it would be easy for anyone who disagrees with me to take this out of context and call me parasocial, but let’s be real, they’ve been like a family member to all of us.
please know that i’m not judging anyone for continuing to be a fan. that is your choice, and this is mine. please also know that if they decide to share with us Anything that they stand for, literally Anything to explicitly confirm that they are not fascists, I will be back. I just can’t be until then.
to those who have checked on me and asked if i’m okay, i am! thank you 🩷 all my love.
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oh, let me also save people who want to argue with me some time:
“they don’t owe you anything” - i really didn’t say they did.
“music isn’t political” - neutrality is very much a political stance.
“the proof is in their lyrics” - i’m sincerely happy that that’s enough for you! /gen! i wish it was for me, but it’s just not.
“touch grass” - that’s what i’ve been doing for the last 3 months before i logged on randomly and saw i’d been getting ~2 asks a week about where i am and if i’m leaving the fandom.
“this is performative” - i have been asked a question many times by people who have very kindly supported my fics, and this is my honest and respectful answer.
I forgot one Really Important item in my list that’s been weighing on me recently:
I feel that as someone who spent 9 years telling a storyline that relied on Iranian religion and history and making money from the reconceptualization of an inherently Iranian/Persian idea (towers of silence), Tyler is somewhat obligated to have at least a bare minimum public opinion about the war in Iran.
