Hey! I want to talk about something and something that has been bothering me for a while. Gatekeeping: When someone takes it upon themselves to decide who does or does not have access or rights to a community or identity (Urban Dictionary).
The best example of Gatekeeping I always use: 'Omg, you like the so-so movie, you can't be part of this group'
Growing up, I didn't have a lot of friends or people to talk to about horror movies, video games, or anything nerdy--I was an outcast who was bullied, quite a lot. Younger Kurt always strived to be a part of something and never fit in anywhere. And never fitting in is a horrible feeling.
People like me and others found solace in the things we loved because it kept us sane and it gave us a place to escape, and when the internet came into our homes, we started to find others like us and started to feel normal (whatever normal is). We found a place to fit in and garner friendships.
So, imagine, some young kid or adult has been feeling like this his entire life and finds a group of people and he starts discussing his favorite movies. But he's shrugged off and told: You're gay for like this or fuck off with that nerd shit. Now that person feels left out and hopeless because now he has to give up the one thing that's kept him going and is miserable for the rest of their life. congratulations! You ruined someone's life.
It's unfair.
Films, movies, and games are meant to be enjoyed by everyone. You can't tell someone what to like and what not to like. It's bullshit. Now, you can disagree with an idea or opinion, but you have no say who is a fan and who isn't. There is no super-elite of a fandom. Let people enjoy what they like.
Gatekeeping is contributing to a toxic fanbase, which has ruined the likes of Star Wars, Nostalgia, and Anime. I will not get involved with anime just because of how toxic some of the people are.
We need to start calling it out and putting a stop to it--the worse feeling in the world is being left out of something you enjoy.
because you don't like all the same stuff.
TL;DR Don't be a fucking dick and let people enjoy their fandoms.
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