Posted by Kim on June 2, 2020, 9:05am
We're in a very important moment for the USA, and for the world as a whole.I and the mod team are feeling our way through this moment. We'll be figuring some things out as we go. I wanted to let you in on some of our thought processes so far.
Let's start with this: The official position of the RPR is that Black Lives Matter. "All lives" can't matter if Black Lives don't matter too.
Many of our community members manage underlying mental health conditions and/or are members of vulnerable populations. We know that a certain amount of escapism can be an essential tool to help manage your energies and be able to bounce back from the truly frightening things going on in the world. The RPR serves that purpose for many. It can be a restorative refuge from traumatic events and news cycles, as well as toxicity in other online spaces. We do want to be able to continue to offer that to everyone.At the same time, it can feel as if your chosen family is ignoring the real problems that face you, and abandoning you in your time of need when we don't discuss these things. Perhaps “feel” isn't even a strong enough word. It may be true.
This has been an uncomfortable tension over the years that has kept me up many a night. It was one more thing on the very long list of things I had no idea I was getting into when I opened a site for playing pretend with my friends. It screamed with importance but also felt unanswerable, too big to tackle, possibly inappropriate, or irrelevant to the RPR. I did my activism in other spaces, in real world protests or in calling Congress people or in registering voters. I know many of the mods did the same.Over the years, we watched a pattern of excellent conversations about politics on the RPR get unfailingly derailed by slogan shouting and name calling. We were exhausted by the moderation requirements, as well as fact-checking bogus news sources, hoaxes, and conspiracy theories. We erred more and more on the side of letting the RPR be a bastion for escapism and recharging. Surely we didn't sign up for teaching media literacy and asking folks to confront the truth about the racist history and present of the US, right?? We had volunteered to an unpaid position to look after a community of mostly young people playing (really awesome) pretend. Adding in the international nature of the site only added more layers of confusion and exhaustion.
We still want to be able to offer escapism and joy. We also want to care for and support those in our community who have more reason than ANYONE to want those things, and that means showing up for them.
We still don't know the right way to go forward. But we're going to try some things.
In the coming weeks…
- We'll be talking about media literacy skills in the news, so we can all get better about sorting out fact from fiction and the grey areas in between.
- We'll be allowing some discussion of current events on the forums, as it relates to how it is touching our users in their real lives, and their fear for their friends. At this point, the distinction between what's “politics” and what's just life occurring on our doorsteps is even more difficult than it was before.
- Please DO NOT share videos or images of a violent nature, regardless of the discussion, especially the recent videos going around of violence against black folks. These videos far exceed the violence ratings of our forums, and can be deeply traumatic, especially for BIPOC folks to have to see again and again.
- The mod team will shortly be opening a group specifically for discussion of United States politics. It will be considered more or less another official forum. We will ask that some discussions move there if they become too heavy, or go beyond how political realities impact your life directly. The group will be heavily moderated to remove racism, anti-LGTBQ+ sentiment, anti-semitism, gaslighting, and baiting.
If you're champing at the bit to start talking politics, we ask that you wait for the opening of this group. Please don't go making posts about candidates and how you feel about them on our public forums.
This will be an experiment in allowing political discussion on the RPR, while still preserving most of our spaces as places to recharge. This group may be shut down without notice if it presents too much burden on the team's time and attention, or temporarily locked if things get out of hand and there aren't enough of us online to handle it. If it proves a failed experiment, we'll regroup and try something else.
We hope that these are first steps on the road to finding an appropriate balance. Like I said, we're figuring things out as we go. We're going to make some mistakes and have to change policies on the fly as we learn more about them. Our role in all this is still not totally clear to us. What is clear is that we ALL have a role during these times. Even silly little websites about playing pretend.
Finally, remember that it's okay to be overwhelmed. Everyone needs to do what they can. If all you can do is survive, then do that.
Q: What about other countries?
This is something that we're still discussing. Most of us feel vastly less qualified to be able to moderate such conversations and evaluate other countries news sources, cultural contexts, etc. However, people have always been able to start their own groups to discuss these things, and that seems like the best solution we have right now.
Q: When will that group be dropping?
Probably early next week.
Comments
Thanks to you and the team for providing a separate space where these issues can be discussed! I think it's great to give people the option of engaging.
Hades_
June 2, 2020
12:58pm
Cass wrote:
public areas, where this discussion will inevitably happen due to the importance of its nature.
I initially wanted to remain silent on this matter entirely, but it wouldn't have been right.
I think that the great majority of the writers on RPR are in support of Black Lives Matter, whether they are in the U.S. or not, including myself. That being said, any political or religious discussions on an anonymous forum with people from different age groups, and who have different experiences and sometimes strong feelings about a topic, always have the potential to go very wrong and also cause great harm.
The negativity associated with certain topics and events can be very distressing to many of us. I join those asking that these discussions remain part of the official private group to be set up, and trust that Kim and the moderator team will look out and ensure that debates remain civil and respectful, especially if those under age are allowed to participate. It is a great responsibility.
Above all, there should not be an assumption that the people who do not want to engage in political discussions on RPR specifically do not care enough or that they are being passive about these issues IRL. In simple terms, there is no pressure to join the U.S. political group simply to express support with Black Lives Matter.
I think that the great majority of the writers on RPR are in support of Black Lives Matter, whether they are in the U.S. or not, including myself. That being said, any political or religious discussions on an anonymous forum with people from different age groups, and who have different experiences and sometimes strong feelings about a topic, always have the potential to go very wrong and also cause great harm.
The negativity associated with certain topics and events can be very distressing to many of us. I join those asking that these discussions remain part of the official private group to be set up, and trust that Kim and the moderator team will look out and ensure that debates remain civil and respectful, especially if those under age are allowed to participate. It is a great responsibility.
Above all, there should not be an assumption that the people who do not want to engage in political discussions on RPR specifically do not care enough or that they are being passive about these issues IRL. In simple terms, there is no pressure to join the U.S. political group simply to express support with Black Lives Matter.
Further, I wanted to touch on some of the comments I was reading. Concern is valid, but it's not a group that you are required to join or see posts from. Why should it bother you? I don't join groups or things like Pokemon RP because I'm not interested, and so I forget that they exist since they don't cross my feed. I don't want to be a part of those things and no one is twisting my arm to do so. It's not a bother to me. I don't understand how that same mentality isn't applicable to a closed group about world events.
I really don't want to see politics on rpr at all, and honestly I don't really want to tackle real life issues with such large serious impacts on everyone's lives. A big reason I love rpr so much is I can escape here and not have to see all the real life problems (political or otherwise) and unfortunately it sounds as though while I may be guarded from the political portion of this, the real life "non political" issues that mods decide to deem non political (as I see how it is a difficult call more so these days than ever) is something I may be forced to see in my feed and on forums. This is a highly disappointing thought for me personally. 
I'm extremely glad to see this feature being tested. Great idea, RPR!
As has been stated a few times before, this US political discussion group will be opt-in only. If you don't wish to see political discussions, you need not join, and it won't be in your feed at all. This was done specifically so that people won't have to worry about their escapism being impacted. It will all be contained to one place! 
I'm very proud of this decision and so happy to be a part of this moderation team.
I'm very proud of this decision and so happy to be a part of this moderation team.
Hades_
June 2, 2020
11:52am
I am in support of black lives matter but I would prefer rpr remain politic free or by all means keeps discussions like these in private groups only. I need somewhere that is a manageable escape and that is why I came to rpr in the first place.
Challenging what makes us uncomfortable is part of learning and growing as human beings. Sometimes being put outside of our comfort zone is an opportunity to learn. There will be no voting on this topic.
As Kim stated, you have the option to not participate. This isn't a mandatory group to join in any capacity. Instead, it is a platform to use to hold a conversation. Instead of having the forums--public areas, where this discussion will inevitably happen due to the importance of its nature.
As Kim stated, you have the option to not participate. This isn't a mandatory group to join in any capacity. Instead, it is a platform to use to hold a conversation. Instead of having the forums--public areas, where this discussion will inevitably happen due to the importance of its nature.
We should keep politics of any form off of rpr, people will not be civil I can almost guarantee it, I can't speak for everyone here and I know that but I come here personally to escape politics being screeched in every direction every hour of the day. All it takes is 1 person to ruin something for everyone else, It's not a good idea to bring on something that will cause problems
Morrigan
June 2, 2020
11:06am
@Kim, thank you for more clearly answering that question.
I agree with Morrigan that a vote should at least be implemented to see if the discussion group should exist at all...not simply placed for the sake of trying as this decision clearly gandered a lot of attention.
This is such an important movement; I'm proud that we are supporting it. To stay silent in the face of discrimination is to continue a cycle that's already gone on for far too long.
Obviously we will be removing calls for violence and harassment against police officers. We are not anti-police, but anti-police brutality.
I understand that many of you are nervous. You will not be required to participate. But this is an experiment it's time for us to try.
I understand that many of you are nervous. You will not be required to participate. But this is an experiment it's time for us to try.
MordosKull
June 2, 2020
10:50am
I'm glad we're not shying away from discussing such topics. I know this is an RP site where many, me included, come to unwind, but everything in this world is connected and just because we're a gaming community doesn't mean we should be blind to what happens around us. Indeed, if we do, there might not be a world where we can play further down the line.
Morrigan
June 2, 2020
10:41am
So to that point Kim, will the anti police and first responder sentiments get shut down just as swiftly as racism, harassing, gaslighting, etc? Because I have to admit, if that cannot be included given that even the moderator team is directly impacted by that, I will be discouraged.
I came to RPR in October, and was so impressed by the culture set up here...and part of that was that politics didn't come into factor. While I applaud the attempt to include that for the community, I am concerned that this will become a slippery slope of allowing more and more elements of the real world impact RP. And that will defeat the escapism for many.
I personally use it as an escape, and worry heavily that my own friends will become disenfranchised by this new change in policy, as I think it is a valid concern that it will just be the spring board for more polarizing topics to be ok. Especially if anti-police and first responder sentiment isn't moderated as heavily as the other abusive and harassing topics listed in the post.
Honestly, I wish you had done a poll or something to find out just HOW many of the community want this. Because I can tell you now, I would have unhesitatingly voted NO.
There are so many other platforms that people can use, and I just don't feel this community should be one of them.
I came to RPR in October, and was so impressed by the culture set up here...and part of that was that politics didn't come into factor. While I applaud the attempt to include that for the community, I am concerned that this will become a slippery slope of allowing more and more elements of the real world impact RP. And that will defeat the escapism for many.
I personally use it as an escape, and worry heavily that my own friends will become disenfranchised by this new change in policy, as I think it is a valid concern that it will just be the spring board for more polarizing topics to be ok. Especially if anti-police and first responder sentiment isn't moderated as heavily as the other abusive and harassing topics listed in the post.
Honestly, I wish you had done a poll or something to find out just HOW many of the community want this. Because I can tell you now, I would have unhesitatingly voted NO.
There are so many other platforms that people can use, and I just don't feel this community should be one of them.
Queen_of_Hell
June 2, 2020
10:36am
I will not be dipping my toes in any discussions or anything of political nature, mostly because of the environment I come from and this entire deal has struck me emotionally. People I care about have or might be affected.
I just want to send my love and support to the POC community. You are loved and you are important. Stay strong.
I just want to send my love and support to the POC community. You are loved and you are important. Stay strong.
We are very aware that we have members associated with law enforcement, either directly or through family, friends and loved ones. There are multiple members of the mod team who have such attachments themselves. Being afraid that a loved one may not come home alive is a deeply frightening experience.
Mipps
June 2, 2020
10:22am
@Kim - Please know that there are those of us who are in Criminal Justice fields in education + profession and have family out on the streets right now.
While I will not be joining the group because of reasons mentioned in my other comment, I hope that you and the mod team will be respectful to these people with balance of moderating anti-police and not just advocate for one side. As this DEEPLY effects my life such that my family might not come home alive from all this violence and spread of misinformation.
While I will not be joining the group because of reasons mentioned in my other comment, I hope that you and the mod team will be respectful to these people with balance of moderating anti-police and not just advocate for one side. As this DEEPLY effects my life such that my family might not come home alive from all this violence and spread of misinformation.
SylOfficial
June 2, 2020
1:02pm
I really appreciate the addition to this because of current events in real life and how they affect our members. I think it's great that you'll provide a place where our members can openly speak about the fear and other emotions they go through under these circumstances.
However, I too think that it would be best if this was kept in the group that will be provided and not bleed into the forums. While it bleeding into the forums wouldn't bother me as much personally, I think many come here as a way to escape reality and find a safe haven that does not include the pain of real life in any shape or form and I do believe we should keep that safe haven for those that need it.
Providing the group is great and I fully support and stand behind that, but I believe it would be better to make seeing things regarding that optional.
I do not see people standing up against murder and violence as something political, but I can very much understand that some people need a space far away from that.
I hope a middle ground can be found so that some can keep that safe haven for themselves while others get to speak about what affects them currently. I think both are very important.