Dr. Piggy  🐽

For a long time now, I've wanted more. I've wanted the simple pleasure of attending a tournament & not hearing a slur. I've wanted to have my drink at a table at a National & throw it out after. I've wanted to look at girls who have been assaulted in the face & promise justice.

I joined the Harassment Task Force 2 years ago. I wanted to show the statistics, qualitative research, & scholarly proof that as long as we prioritize the ability of a person to be good at a game above the literal safety of ppl they've harmed, we will never be an equal community.

I was not the only one. @emilywaves spoke up several times: ban them all. Make it simpler. But it was a committee. I was the research branch, not an experienced community head. I listened to others and forgot that experienced community heads haven't fixed the problem before.

In doing something new, we were slow to forget the old. At that point, even a 2.5 year ban of someone alleged of sexual violence was better than the precedent our community had: scandal, cooldown, person returns after a few months, harmed person leaves. & it is, but not enough.

I've wanted the committee's original outline to work. It was a collaborative effort based on precious volunteer hours, sweat, and blood. It was careful, it was legally vetted, it was new and better than the old way. Yet: it was embedded in the old way.

Also, changing it would mean undue attention to myself. I hate the spotlight, I hate doxing, I hate having people scrutinize me. In my life I just want to find truth through slow & careful research, not enact policy & endure violence for it.

But it has become clear that the original outline is lacking. It was written anchored in a scene that allows attempted murders back in, that defends pedophilia and transphobia. The COC is going to advise bans based on player safety. Period. That's it. No more "middle ground."

If a person perpetuates sexual violence, lies to you, attacks you, or manipulates you, trust their actions more than "the potential to change." Letting them back in means directly putting your community at risk. It means more harm. Especially to the most vulnerable members.

Note: a person who does harm is not a monster. Few ppl are beyond reformation or atonement. But they can have that journey of healing & reconciliation SOMEWHERE ELSE, where their presence itself isn't representative of violence.

Grassroots Smash has been a horrible place to be a victim of anything bc we've had no oversight/accountability, so we've been swayed by cultural forces that demand leniency for the most powerful people. But by being grassroots, we also have the freedom to do the opposite.