Here is a goodbye letter to the 7k followers I have and friends I’ve made.
Following the allegations of sexual assault involving Mike Fuentes, I haven’t been comfortable with calling myself a fan. The band had said something about suspending him from the band (?), but then, during the big lock down, did the hold on till may video and Mike was in it. I would have been okay with the band if they had just kicked him out. Now I just don’t think I can support them anymore. As a victim, I know what it’s like to not be believed or taken seriously and I don’t want the victim to feel invalidated because of his fame. I will always have such a special place in my heart for this band and have appreciated talking to all of you and even have friends that I still talk to. I know I haven’t been active in a couple of years, but I remember being 14 with 6,000 followers and not knowing how to contain my excitement. I made so many close connections and did so many things on this account. It honestly breaks my heart that the members of one of my favorite bands from my adolescence could be so ignorant. I understand that Vic and Mike are brothers and I’m not asking for Vic or Jaime and Tony to cut Mike out of their lives. I just don’t think that Mike should continue to be in the band. Their fan base is mostly teenagers/underage girls, because of the allegations, I don’t think that he should be in that environment. Drinking, smoking, making mistakes, young girls. I do believe that people deserve second chances and that people can change, but I don’t think that victims can forgive and if I stand with a victim, I can’t forgive. I have lived in this type of situation and I know that seeing my assailant, hearing my assailant, or thinking about any of it makes me sick. Puts me back in that dark place. It hurts. I can’t imagine how the victim of a famous person would feel. Seeing them in pictures, perform, being near young girls. Continuing to be in that position of power is ignorant. He can apologize, but as a victim (I’m saying this again) you can forgive or forget. Not addressing it at all is also ignorant because a victim can’t just ignore it.
ANYWAYS. This account will absolutely be something I will treasure and I had planned on deactivating, but I want to keep the memories of writing shitty one shots and interacting with so many of you. I love to read all of it because I am now minoring in creative writing and like to look at how far I’ve come.
If you want to stay in contact or reach out:
Twitter @/emmyinstereo
Instagram @/emmasslimee
If either of these links don’t work or my account doesn’t exist, I’ve probably changed my username and you can message me here. I won’t respond quickly because I don’t look at this account, but I should still see notifications because it’s linked to a tumblr I still use.
Thank you for giving me such a fun ride in this community over the past 6 years. I am writing this in tears because it is so hard to see people you’ve always idolized be so ignorant and hurtful. If anyone wants to talk about it, feel free to contact me on twitter or Instagram. If you think I’m wrong or overreacting, I understand. I just know what it’s like and when I put myself in the victim’s shoes, I can’t move on.
Thank you again,
Emmaline
