Black Lives Matter

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Black Lives Matter

Postby Tess » Sun Jun 14, 2020 12:52 pm

This is a news post addressing recent events affecting CS users worldwide. Many users have questioned why we haven’t made a public statement about the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement. We recognize that the issues brought up by the BLM movement are a priority for many members and they would like to know where we stand.

Staff have been discussing how to address the community needs in relation to the BLM movement for the past week. We didn’t wish to make an insincere statement just to jump on the bandwagon. It was important for us to think and discuss about how we as an online community can effect change. We want to allow users to explore and develop their own views without a heavy influence from the personal values of the admin team. However, it is not good for us to stay neutral when this means ignoring human rights issues. Because of this, we have previously taken an official stance against anti-LGBT movements, and now we are taking a stance against racial inequality.

We wish to make it clear the admins and staff of CS support the BLM movement. BLM is the slogan of a group fighting for justice, equality, and safety from racial profiling and violence towards black people. I apologize for the delay in expressing our support, and to those users who have felt unsafe or marginalized by our silence.

In response to BLM, many people like to show support for other groups with movements like “All Lives Matter” and “Blue Lives Matter”. However, these statements can be interpreted as a dismissal of BLM and the issues faced by black people in particular. Like you, we also support equality and safety for all people, but it is important to recognize that not all groups are being treated equally, so to achieve equality we need to focus on bringing up the people who are being left behind. I think this comic explains this point well.

Many CS users are directly affected by racial inequalities or by the BLM protests going on worldwide. These are dangerous times, and many of us can only safely participate from our homes. As a result, there is a lot of important discussion and campaigning on social media and websites like CS. We would like to support these discussions; however, we need to keep discussion age-appropriate and respectful so all members can safely participate. Please immediately report posts or profiles to staff if you think a discussion is getting out of hand.

In acknowledgement for these issues we have created a new rule: Confederate Flag images/themes are no longer allowed. While many have viewed this flag as a symbol of southern pride, it is also representative of a historical movement to maintain black slavery and white supremacy. We wish to remind users that Nazi themes and imagery are also not allowed. It’s important to understand and acknowledge mistakes from history, but we don’t wish to honor these views with representation on CS today.

We would also like to address an issue regarding an item we released in Halloween 2010. This was named “Native American Costume” and was intended to be a representation of traditional Native American clothing. However, members have pointed out that features of the outfit are culturally inaccurate, and feel that it was an inappropriate theme for a costume. We have many cultural themes in our pets and items on CS, and make an effort to be culturally accurate and respectful, as the intention is to celebrate these cultures rather than to dismiss their significance. Our views have grown and changed over the years, and we acknowledge that this release is offensive to some users today. However, we are also aware that the item has trade value on CS, so deleting or changing it would have an impact on the users who have owned or traded it. We have renamed this item to “Deerskin Outfit” to reduce the racial connotation.

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If anyone owning the Deerskin Outfit wishes to have it exchanged for a different outfit of similar value from Halloween 2010, please visit this page to trade it in.

For users who would like to discuss the BLM movement, you may join this topic found in the Adults (18+) board. Please remember younger members can access this board if they choose, so keep your comments safe for all ages.
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Re: Black Lives Matter

Postby BiscuitTheDog » Sun Jun 14, 2020 1:27 pm

thank you tess and all staff for this post and addressing this !!
Last edited by BiscuitTheDog on Sun Jun 14, 2020 1:54 pm, edited 2 times in total.

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Re: Black Lives Matter

Postby huddson » Sun Jun 14, 2020 1:28 pm

as a Native, i certainly appreciate the renaming of the item
is having a statement such as all lives matter or blue lives matter a reportable offense now?
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Re: Black Lives Matter

Postby tansy » Sun Jun 14, 2020 1:33 pm

      thank you tess and the rest of the chicken smoothie staff for addressing this problem. i am pleasantly surprised that you have renamed the deerskin outfit as well, and created an appropriate system to remove them from circulation.
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Re: Black Lives Matter

Postby iconerfatty » Sun Jun 14, 2020 1:36 pm

thank you for addressing the matter <3
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Re: Black Lives Matter

Postby ilikefruits » Sun Jun 14, 2020 1:39 pm

Thank you, Tess. This needed to be said/done.
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Re: Black Lives Matter

Postby ghostmaker » Sun Jun 14, 2020 1:44 pm

      thank you for posting about this. just a question, though; i’ve seen profiles purposefully made to be anti-blm— are any actions going to be taken against them ?? i’m full aware that some people may just need more knowledge and education on the topic (even then, they should seek that out themselves. it’s not our jobs as poc to educate people) but some cases are just extremely disheartening to me & make me feel a little uneasy on the site. i totally understand if you want to allow everyone’s opinions on certain things, but i think that if something was solely made to uproot a strong, valid movement, that it should be looked into :)
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Re: Black Lives Matter

Postby ferncat » Sun Jun 14, 2020 1:45 pm

Thank you! Definitely needed to be addressed and so great to see the renaming of the outfit, as well as adding a topic so we can all discuss it. Silence is violence in a time like this, and knowing you are not originally from America it is so good to see you stand up for justice.
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Re: Black Lives Matter

Postby Lacuna » Sun Jun 14, 2020 1:46 pm

kevin day wrote:
      thank you for posting about this. just a question, though; i’ve seen profiles purposefully made to be anti-blm— are any actions going to be taken against them ?? i’m full aware that some people may just need more knowledge and education on the topic (even then, they should seek that out themselves. it’s not our jobs as poc to educate people) but some cases are just extremely disheartening to me & make me feel a little uneasy on the site. i totally understand if you want to allow everyone’s opinions on certain things, but i think that if something was solely made to uproot a strong, valid movement, that it should be looked into :)

    Yes, we will be taking action to contact users if they are reported for insensitive profile content.
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Re: Black Lives Matter

Postby rainboxys » Sun Jun 14, 2020 1:47 pm

I think the outfit reminds me of Wednesday Addams’ from Addams Family Values a bit, so I think it’s appropriate to quote her here.

"You have taken the land which is rightfully ours. Years from now my people will be forced to live in mobile homes on reservations. Your people will wear cardigans, and drink highballs. We will sell our bracelets by the road sides, you will play golf, and enjoy hot hors d'oeuvres. My people will have pain and degradation. Your people will have stick shifts. The gods of my tribe have spoken. They have said, "Do not trust the Pilgrims, especially Sarah Miller." -Wednesday Addams, Addams Family Values

Thank y’all for saying something. It’s an honorable first step.
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