Friday, January 27, 2012

Aero's Advice: Respect is Key

Initially, when this page was founded, its creator laid down a very specific ground rule:

"Please keep the material on this page tasteful, however. Just because we're protesting Capcom's actions, that doesn't mean that we have to be jerks about it."

It seems, though, that many of you have either forgotten this little statement or just simply haven't bothered to take it to heart. It exists for a reason. If we act like a bunch of whiny jerks who can't be pleased by anything, then the gaming media will see us that way. The behavior of all too many people on this fan page as of late has been absolutely unacceptable. There are a few things that you have to remember if you really want be a part of this fan movement:

1. Your opinion is not fact. Everyone is allowed to express their own opinions, regardless of whether or not it agrees with yours. Disagreeing with an opinion doesn't make someone a troll, nor does saying that the fan movement isn't going anywhere or isn't going to succeed. Even when people are trolling, don't get riled up over it. Remember this post about trolling from a while back?

2. It's Capcom, NOT Crapcom. Constantly insulting Capcom will get us nowhere, and, in fact, will actually set us back. Our New York Comic Con team didn't get the attention of Capcom USA representatives by insulting them. They were courteous and the only protests they were engaged in were peaceful. Yes Capcom may have wronged us, but they also hold the key to making things right. The real way to get through to them is to show our support, and trying to bring them down with insults does nothing but make us look bad and hurt our efforts.

3. People are allowed to like Capcom products. Boycotting Capcom was never a requirement for liking this page. Of course, you are allowed to boycott and encourage others to do so, but some people are excited for Resident Evil Revelations, Street Fighter X Tekken, or Asura's Wrath. The members of this fan page come from a variety of backgrounds and have a variety of tastes. Remember this post about communicating with members of other fanbases? On that note, insulting members of non-Capcom fanbases is not appreciated either. Some of you have it in your mind that Sonic the Hedgehog fans are all insane. I am a Sonic fan, and I pride myself on not being insane.

4. Homophobia is not cool. For some reason, many of you consistently use the word "gay" as synonymous with "bad" or insist on insulting Capcom or people you don't like by calling them "faggots." Cut it out. I may be straight, but on behalf of the many homosexuals who support our cause, stop calling anything you don't like gay.

5. Language. Seriously, this should go without saying. If you don't like something, say "I don't like it." You don't need to drop an F-bomb every other sentence.

6. Respect the Roll's Wrap-up. The admins provide posts like Roll's Wrap-up to provide you with news of goings-on in the community. If we put something in a wrap-up, then we generally have a good reason to do so. Some of the negative reactions to recent reports give the impression that some people believe that the admins are trying to scam them. In fact, nobody is paying us to do anything. Some of us have even spent a significant amount of money on this page. We have lives and jobs as well, just like most of you do. If you don't hear from us for a while, and/or things are not moving quickly enough, chances are that we're busy, but we always want to keep you as up to date as we can. Just please be reasonable and respectful.

All things considered, very few people have been banned from this page. However, if you consistently can't get your act together and insist on insulting your fellow fans, you will be banned. Enough is enough. We will never succeed if we can't work together.