Has this forum (and the previous one) ever changed your views on human rights to become a better person?

[texhnolyze]

I must admit, I was a bigot once. Or more like, the majority of my life. Maybe not as bad and brutal as some of those you can see online, but still, I'm not proud of it. Sometimes, I'd throw racist remarks on people. Not directly at people, but something like when hanging around with friends or family, because racist jokes and insults are considered "normal" somehow. Moreover, I was also not too fond of LGBTQA+ people. Just like what the elders taught me, they're not normal, they're sick and need to be cured. I always believed that. I also looked down on women sometimes. I have even said something uncalled for in front of my teacher in college, and I fully regret it to this day. I was a horrible, horrible person.

But everything changed after I joined GAF back in 2012 or so. Say what you want about the owner and some of the staff over there, the community was fantastic, full of compassion and very welcoming of everyone from every background and situation. There, I learned a lot for the first time. Mostly, racism and bigotry are not okay. They're people too, just like me. How would I feel if someone throw insults at me like I did to them? The time I spent there completely changed my worldview. And then the exodus happened, but fortunately the community and culture mostly stays the same in this new place. There's no place for racism and bigotry. I'm glad I found this (and the previous) place, or else I might have hurt people around me. Even today, I'm still learning new things from here, and I will continue to do so to become a better person. For me, and the people around me.

I wish all the best for this place and everyone who's working hard on maintaining it.

 

[nsilvias]

i've been following this community since high school (2011-2012) so yeah. ive learned more here than i did in school.
i learned mainly about lgbt stuff here. while ive never hated lgbt people i was ignorant about them and at times insensitive.

 

[Freakzilla]

It has worked to refine me as a person. I kinda naturally grew out of being an asshole but the fact that this place has temp bans, it has taught me to change certain aspects.

 

[Deleted member 8852]

No, but they've given me an interesting glimpse into part of the US political spectrum.

 

[Parsnip]

No, I've always been an awesome person.
Also have you browsed this forum? It can be quite shitty at times.

 

[G.O.O.]

I think twitter did make me a better person.

This forum ? ... not so much. It's not like you can select people who are consistently interesting or reasearch what they did IRL, so you basically get a ton of opinions, some more coherent and constructed than others, but you always have to get through all the anger around them.

I don't think it's a place where you can become "better" past a certain point. You discover people from all around the world and a variety of subjects you might not have known before, and that's good, but it's still kind of a hivemind.

 

[Wackamole]

No. I was never a bigot. It has made me more aware of certain things though. It had made me a better person in some ways.
Even recently.
It's impossible for all people to fully understand how life is for other people. But we can all learn and try to understand.

 

[CrazyAndy]

No, but they've given me an interesting glimpse into part of the US political spectrum.

Click to shrink...

This, and it has been quite...entertaining.

 

[Doober]

GAF before it went to shit? Yeah, big time.

Era? No.

 

[JDSN]

No, it has taught me that allies are always conditional and virtue signal is sadly a real thing.

 

[ArjanN]

It probably made me more aware of some issues.

 

[GrimJawz]

No I've never held any real bigoted views, but places like this have definitely helped solidify my overall negative opinions on progressives/leftists.

 

[Patitoloco]

No, but they've given me an interesting glimpse into part of the US political spectrum.

Click to shrink...

Yep. From an outsider, it's a window into such a different culture for me.

 

[Arjen]

Yes, GAF thought me zwarte piet was racist. Thanks for the people willing to explain it back then.

 

[fanboi]

No I've never held any real bigoted views, but places like this have definitely helped solidify my overall negative opinions on progressives/leftists.

Click to shrink...

Isn't these contradictions in some sense? Since a lot of shit minorities takes required progressive people to fix. If you don't want change they would still be treated like shit.

 

[Soda]

I wouldn't have classified my thoughts as bigotry, but I went from moderate (or possibly one of the "fiscally conservative, socially liberal" people) to relatively far-left (by American standards) since joining the old site over ten years and and being here since launch.

I'll add, in the last year or so, this site has also helped me see how people on the left (as opposed to me thinking this was a mainly right-leaning problem) can be biased or have group-think occur. I generally appreciate the conversations here, but if you step back and read things objectively, you'll observe flaws in logic and reasoning pop up from time to time, even if the intent is good/wholesome.

So, yeah, I'd say both sites have broadened my worldview and changed my political beliefs for the better, while also improving my ability to sniff out bs and/or misguided-but-good intentions.

 

[Kingpin Rogers]

Probably. Gaf certainly got me thinking more about that kind of stuff, and I joined around the right time as Gamergate was just blowing up I think. My views could certainly be quite different if I hadn't found Gaf when I did.

 

[TheGhost]

Nope, been in the middle for a long ass time.
I'm not down with socialism or anything left.
Anything right of center usually provokes a fight with me.
I rather see politics stay as they are with some improvements here and there (legalized marijuana and better treatment of marganlized groups)

 

[keku]

I held shitty views when I was young that now I'm appalled, but the this and the other place were just tools. My goal in life was always to improve and always wanted to be a truly person who does good to those around.

Forums, friends, conversations, etc... are all just tools at your disposal to have different points of views, traveling, meeting people with completely different life experiences, are all enriching but in the end how you process the information and channel it falls ultimately on yourself.

 

[N.Domixis]

I wasn't a fan of LGBT but after joining gaf I came to accept. Who am I to judge what you want to do with your life? I also stopped believing in religion. Coincidence?

 

[Artdayne]

Not so much here, no. I grew up in a very religious conservative family so that came with a lot of the baggage you'd expect. I more or less ditched the conservative thing shortly after High School but I was more of a disinterested centrist for a long time.

I had a great philosophy teacher in college who was very critical of Capitalism and I think that planted a seed. Jane Elliot's work actually moved me in a significant way, even something like the Wire was helpful. Otherwise it's kind of hard to pin point as it's been a pretty gradual process over the years to being more progressive.

No I've never held any real bigoted views, but places like this have definitely helped solidify my overall negative opinions on progressives/leftists.

Click to shrink...

Did you know that MLK and Nelson Mandela were leftists?

 

[.exe]

I definitely got more insight into certain communities and issues that I don't really come across (much) in my daily life, and it's helped me get a better perspective on them. I don't know if this is a bit crude, being somewhat voyeuristic and whatnot, but from time to time I read a number (community) threads of groups I don't personally belong to so I can read up on their experiences, views, etc. That's helped me get a better grasp on things.

While I have never been explicitly/intentionally hateful, coming from a somewhat conservative background/family/ area, there have been a lot of entrenched biases I've had to untangle, recognize the unsavory things I've said in the past — wittingly and unwittingly. Thankfully, very little of that expressed itself on the internet. Mostly back in my teen years before I spent much time on forums/social media. It would've been brutal having that baggage documented.

It hasn't really affected my political leanings though. Always been firmly on the left. Nowadays veering more into explicitly green parties primarily, but that's mostly because of being on the precipice of massive societal collapse.

 

[Artdayne]

pop

Click to shrink...

I'm glad we agree on the preferred nomenclature. :)

 

[Skade]

Nope. I didn't like people before, i still don't like people now.

I think i understand some a bit more at least.

And my view on politics where than no polititian from any side can be trusted and i still have not changed my mind (and i doubt i ever will).

 

[starpower]

I used to be all up in making fun of triggered SJWs but gaf helped me become much more of a feminist as recent as four or five years ago

 

[Soda]

I'm glad we agree on the preferred nomenclature. :)

Click to shrink...

I want to make an "I identify as soda, not pop" comment but I don't know how to do so without belittling the struggles of transgender individuals, so I'll just leave this awkward reply stating what I would have posted if I knew how to post it with tact.

 

[The Albatross]

I don't know about political views, but this community has made me way more aware of LGBTQA+ rights/awareness that go beyond just the "basics." Topics like Acephobia, non-binary awareness, etc, I think I'd be much more apathetic without this community because it's introduced me to other people who identify with those monikers

I don't think these are political issues, but human issues.

 

[GrimJawz]

Isn't these contradictions in some sense? Since a lot of shit minorities takes required progressive people to fix. If you don't want change they would still be treated like shit.

Click to shrink...

my problems have less to do with the overall context of what these people say, and more so with them as people.

If you can identify with a derogatory 4chan meme of a "SJW" you should probably take a step back and reevaluate some things. Don't be a caricature.

 

[ldcommando]

a little bit I guess

 

[fanboi]

I think I went from a more traditional center-right to more center-left over the years.

I firmly believe in social democratical policies.

EDIT: If that makes me a better person, I don't know, but I do know that I have much more understanding of minority groups (albeit I have always been let one live as they please and everyone is a human being even if you are black, white, yellow, green, pink, grey and so on).

 

[texhnolyze]

I don't know about political views, but this community has made me way more aware of LGBTQA+ rights/awareness that go beyond just the "basics." Topics like Acephobia, non-binary awareness, etc, I think I'd be much more apathetic without this community because it's introduced me to other people who identify with those monikers

I don't think these are political issues, but human issues.

Click to shrink...

Yeah, I wasn't sure how should I put in the title, actually. Maybe it should be "your views on human rights issues" or something like that.

Seems like people don't really read the OP and just replied about political views because of that.

 

[Tunichtgut]

Nah, not really. I think i was more left before this and last forum, then i'm now.

 

[z1ggy]

Not really, but its cool to see how people from the first world see politics.

 

[Bjomesphat]

No. I've been pretty left since college, but this place always reminds me that there's an extreme left and that keeps me pretty grounded.

 

[Huncho_Houdini]

I started around mid high school, and absolutely I've become more liberal and progressive because of GAF and here, while also realizing where my limits are on certain issues and how to navigate them politically. Hearing the concerns of other groups and their experiences has also helped me learn patience and not to jump to conclusions: I.e. try to see the world through others eyes. Much of this cemented itself before GAF imploded though.


Much of this could be attributed to being a teen, but when I started posting I had some pretty shit views on things.

I will also say that browsing Era has helped me realize that the far ends of any political ideology has craziness, though not all politically extreme ideologies are equally abhorrent.

 

[You Are Viewtiful]

I was 14 when I started browsing GAF so my politics were shaped directly by that forum. I've become more right wing in the economic sense since 2016.

 

[PanickyFool]

Yes. I found Jesus and now do everything I can to make the world on his image.

 

[Couleurs]

Something Awful helped me realize that being a liberal Republican made absolutely no sense and that I was voting against my own best interests.

Growing up in Missouri, almost my entire family and friend Circle's families were Republicans, so I had a lot of conservative talking points drilled into my head at a young age. So while I was in pro-equality, anti-guns, in favor of unions, wanted universal healthcare and better social safety nets, being pro-choice etc, I still voted Republican because Democrats were so demonized.

I was heavily into the debate forum in SA and there wasn't a particular thread that changed my mind, but more of several years worth of threads making me realize "yeah why the fuck AM I voting Republican", and voted Democratic for the first time in 2008.

 

[Hey Please]

Yes. Much like Contrapoints has had an effect on right wing men, as mentioned in the video, "Men", GAF/Era had a huge influence in pulling me away from getting black piled.

 

[Untzillatx]

I'd say it has helped me be more sensitive about how certain issues are seen and discussed. It also has ended my ability to participate in some other gaming forums (many Spanish speaking gaming forums I used to be part of), where sexism and racism are rampant and almost celebrated. I just cannot tolerate that kind of discourse anymore, while in the past I was guilty of tolerating it, even if I didn't take part myself.

I have never been a racist or sexist or homophobe, but there's certainly stuff that I used to tolerate or just not give too much importance, and since participating here that has changed for the better.

 

[ghostemoji]

Definitely a lot more aware of social issues because of those communities. I grew up in an insulated rural Midwest community and learned/grew up with a lot of homophobic and racist ideas (not outwardly racist, but a lot of ideas that perpetuate institutional racism). Internet access wasn't a thing until I was already a shitty teenager and it took a lot of having things put in front of me to help realize that I was wrong in a lot of ways. I was also falling into the punk and hardcore scenes at the time which are very self policing when it comes to social issues (though far from perfect).

So I'd say it was definitely a contributing factor.

 

[Goskarrr]

Yeah, gave me a window in the lives of some minorities I would not interact with irl and thus made me more sensible to their problems. This despite the hyperbolic and overreacting mentality I unfortunately often see around here.

EDIT: Also ny exposing me to more informed points of view on multiple political and social aspects.

 

[DrROBschiz]

I have definitively been more exposed to more diverse viewpoints than ever before thats for sure

Whether or not its made me a better person because of it?!?

I cant say for sure

 

[PtM]

It helped with some introspections on the level of not hitting on people at their job, and put me off tribalism for good. Also introduced me to transgender issues.

 

[Seductivpancakes]

Nope. Just plenty of life experiences for me.

This forum can be pretty shitty at times.

 

[ElOdyssey]

GAF before it went to shit? Yeah, big time.

Era? No.

Click to shrink...

Yep.

 

[viciouskillersquirrel]

Definitely. Prior to the Gamergate thing, I thought feminism had achieved most of its aims back in the 60s. Reading what happened to Zoe Quinn and how she was drummed out of the industry, followed by the American treatment of Hillary Clinton shocked me out of the complacent stupor I'd been in about these issues.

Further to that, I grew to accept the right of LGBTQ+ people to something as fundamental to the way we live our lives as the ability to marry the person they love and have society officially recognise that relationship. Once again, this was something I didn't care about because of its lack of effect on me personally and it was contact with people who were effected that rousedthis belief within me.

All of this came about because I spoke to people who calmly and logically explained their positions. By interacting with them over time, I gained an understanding of where they were coming from. On this issue and others was never a eureka moment where everything clicked into place. Rather, to paraphrase Barack Obama, my positions evolved over time.

Exposure to people different to yourself is how your mind changes. Conversing, interacting, participating in society side by side - these things are slow but effective. The hurt you feel as a hated and misunderstood minority, the micro aggressions you face every day for simply being who you are, these things matter. At the same time, however the work you put in by exposing yourself to the slings and barbs, by changing minds one at a time with your simple presence - that matters too.

Here is one mind at least that was changed for the better by the LGBTQ+ members of this place and GAF before it.

 

[leafcutter]

I don't think so, but I've been around gaf since 2004 and that's long enough that it had to have molded me in some way. Who knows.

 

[Reckheim]

make me a better person? ;probably the opposite to be honest.

 

[Crawling Mushroom]

As I grew older, I learned to use humane and basic common sense, though some viewpoints on here might have influenced me.