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Published by Damien Ferguson on the 8th of September 2015Useless Drama and Bullying
I think it is time for members of the VC/OVC who have seen the bullying that goes on to stand up and say and do something about it. It is time we put the Community back into the VC. Because this this is hardly the definition of community.
Something is currently happening in our community… It saddens me actually how individuals from our side are acting. It involves Anthony Hogg, who was invited into a group then attacked.
What puzzles me is this: Why is it that behaviour from we deem unacceptable from someone outside of the community, is accepted from those within it?
Yet. There has been a document floating around being worked on trying to get Hogg removed from the VC when he already is. Not only that, but during the time of it being made, members of the VC have abused, harassed, stalked and even advocated rape for Hogg and his friends in groups that aren’t even part of the VC. I don’t know about you, but to me that is a bigger issue than some guy in Australia talking online. So my question really is, if he is already removed from the VC, how can he be removed from the VC AGAIN?
It is because of this that I cannot support the toxic actions of people involved in this and I cannot support this document floating around. In fact it disgusts me and makes me disappointed. We could be using this time to build, grow, teach and even heal. Instead? Members of the VC go down a warpath.
Lately, we have been receiving some messages from the lesser known members of the VC about this issue. The bulk that comprises the community. A lot of them have seen the abuses going on but are not comfortable in voicing them out to our leaders. Mostly because they are intimidated and also due to the stance they have taken on this issue. I am truly astonished how our elders do not see the effects of this. Because of this, I would like them to be heard. Most of us have dealt with being different…do we really want the stuff we had to deal with to be part of the VC? Even supported by leaders of the VC? I know I don’t.
In truth my disagreeing and refusal to be a part of the document and speaking up may make me lose friends or respect from a few. But I do not care, I cannot stand around and let what is happening happen. It is wrong for those things to happen.
I do hope people will stop this silliness and get back to doing something productive and worthwhile for the community at large and the local communities they are involved in. But this needs to be halted.
So I am offering a place to speak respectfully, but to have a voice. A voice against this bullshit. To take our community and turn it into something good, helpful and growing and healthy. Not something toxic, and controlled only by a select few. A place where people awakening do not have to fear asking questions to others of the community because of elders or anything like that. So to our quiet members, the silent majority, this is the time for you to stand up and be heard.
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Damien Ferguson (2015)
