Psychodabble

I thought this was private messaging, but it doesn't matter either way. You seem dead set on defending yourself from an attack that doesn't exist. I'm not casting what you post in any light, I'm telling you how it comes across.

I explained why I responded to your public post publicly. I didn't turn it into anything, I explained to you what it was, though that point seems to have been lost on you. I know you didn't intend to, but by punning on BLM in conjunction with something as trivial as blocks in a video game, you made light of the organization and the reason it exists. You didn't need to express any opinion in the joke...it's the joke itself that's the problem. Do you understand that now?

I never said it was wrong or immoral, I said it was in bad taste. Jokes in bad taste are not a crime...people try to be funny and miss the mark ALL THE TIME. The reason why it is an issue that I felt needed to be addressed publicly is because of your position in the community. Do you understand that?

It's not personal. It's nothing against you. Were it a random member of the community, I'd just report it and expect it to be removed. Coming from a moderator, it's a different thing. When you or any of the moderators or the staff post something like that it changes the environment itself...it sends a message that that kind of thing is endorsed or encouraged. I've seen what happens in online communities when that goes on and it's not pretty.

It's fine that you don't know the staff's demographic breakdown, all you had to do was say that in the first place instead of trying to make an issue that I asked. I don't expect you to find out anyone's racial background, but don't you think that perhaps a conversation with a person of color that you trust might have been helpful in making up your mind about how to respond to this? I understand that those conversations can be uncomfortable, but if they don't take place, we can't move forward as a society.

You say you have a wide spectrum of friends and associates from every demographic background...I assume that includes some black people. Ask them. Ask them how they feel about your joke. Ask them if they would feel welcome in an online community where a leader makes that kind of joke. Ask them how they would like to see a leader respond when they object to that kind of joke.

Maybe I'm alone in this. Maybe I'm too sensitive, but I don't think that's the case. Even if I am, my interest is in keeping the environment here positive and I don't think you should frame that as a political agenda. I'm trying to help.

@Roland My above questions were not rhetorical. I'd appreciate a response.

@meganoth Feel free to contribute as well. I feel like our exchange on the topic was also not very productive.