Hey folks, can I ask for some advice/suggestions on writing a response to people who are shocked and dismayed that their argument against the suggestion there should be more diversity in the characters of a comics-based RPG could be seen as in any way defensive or hostile? Here's what I have so far:
I'll come right out and say it: I DO see hostility and discrimination when a LGBT issue (or similar issue dealing with women, or African Americans, or another minority of some sort) is raised and straight men promptly come out of the woodwork to declare their belief that it's a non-issue and argue that the people who raised it should settle down and be happy with the status quo rather than asking for improvement. And do so repeatedly and vehemently, despite the alleged unimportance of the issue. It's not burning-crosses-in-the-front-yard/throwing-rocks-through-the-windows style overt hostility and discrimination, but when anybody questions the rationale behind a matter of straight white male privilege I can pretty much start a countdown to the appearance of someone who (1) feels threatened by attention being focused on a problem or inequity that he's not on the losing end of, and (2) wishes everyone would just stop talking about it.
I really like it too! Nice work!
Matt, that's spot on. It's pointed, but not angry. Clear and concise, and gets your message across nicely.
Matt, it's clear, except you might want to rephrase the business about "privilege"--it's kind of a term of art, and if you're actually trying to convince people unfamiliar with the issue, they seem to get hung up on "privilege". "But I'm broke/poor/unemployed!" they say. "I am not privileged!"
Consuela, I don't think I actually said this earlier (my incredulity at asinine cow-orker's antics fried my synapses), but I am sending you all the ~ma in the world to let you get through this with your sanity intact. I'm sorry you have to deal with her.
It's car racing season.
And airshow season. I like things that go fast. If there was hockey, my sports life would be perfect.
'Suela, I swear I now want you to "sleepwalk" into her office and tell her off, pretending to be asleep.
Dooooooooo eeeeeeeeeet.
Amy, I'm sorry for your loss. Also, congratulations on the book/TV contract dealie!
Oh, Amy, I'm so sorry.
Consuela, I think I'd send her messages that said, "Have you spoken to and/or had any correspondence with Jack & Jill on project X since 8/16/2011, when we last spoke?" If so, please send copies to me immediately." And I'd do that every Monday. If she didn't answer, on Tuesday I'd ask F2F if she'd gotten the message. If she said "No" then I'd show up an hour later at her desk with a computer person to check for problems since it must have something to do with her computer settings since all your other mail was finding its way to the right person.
IOW, I'm a bitch.
