Fandom and pressure ?

[Jessper 735]

Greetings.

 

   This is something I've been wondering about for a while, so let's share and hopefully get some opinions. 

At first, I've been thinking that what "hurts" the bronies or fandom, whatever you prefer, are the omnipresent haters and/or ignorant people who love to judge everything they don't like or care to know, but the more I get in, the more it seems to me like it's the fandom itself that produces the most pressure.

 

What do I mean?

 

The lesser evil - Let's divide (and conquer?)! Do we really need to point out who is -real- brony and who's not? I see the term "real brony" more and more often. What the buck, people. Who gave us the right to judge each other. Did we become a religious cult somewhere along the way and I just didn't get the memo with the tenets? Let's not do this "He writes fiction I don't like therefore he cannot possibly be a real brony." routine.

 

The bigger evil - While most of us who travel around the world of internet probably met a hostile people going "your gay cuz your watches ponyez!!!!111!1", I doubt many were offended or touched by the intelligent display. Many also met self-righteous people who aren't really "hating" but will lose a giggle or a remark over a MLP shirt or avatar - while I see how it could make someone feel bad, especially if that comes from a friend or a family - it's really easy to ignore or turn the joke around. I don't really think either of those can be overly frustrating.

   On the other hand, what I find to be somewhat frustrating is the number of people within the fandom who keep going on about how embarrassing it is, how to hide that you're a brony, how to secretly buy pony stuff, how to confess that you watch MLP, et cetera, I'm sure you've seen a few too.

As I've noted somewhere else, when someone walks to me, tells me that he or she is new in the community and immediately follows with "So, how do I keep it a secret?" I find it to be very frustrating, firstly I don't know whether I should be actually offended by that or not and secondly, what about some self-esteem and self-respect? This tells me that the people often actually see it as if they're doing something wrong and make me feel as if I'm part of some creepy fetish porn community. Or maybe the Illuminati. But more like the fetish porn.

   For crying out loud, there is nothing to confess to your family and friends, not even mentioning embarrassment or doing something wrong. Walk with your head held high, it feels good and you have every right to do so.

 

Either way, that is how I see it, if something is not clear, ask me and thanks for reading and possibly leaving your opinion.

 

Cheers.

[Dusty Soul 2,611]

I have to agree with you, I won't tell you how many times I go to Youtube and see one of those comments, but then after those comments, there are more from bronies, that are actually sometimes worse then the original.  Well, I can't agree with you on your third point, about keeping it hidden.  Some people just want to keep it hidden, though some of the lengths people go to to hide it does get odd.  

[Otter 1,942]

For many people, it is a big deal to tell your family that you watch My Little Pony. A lot of people are still stuck on gender roles, and male teens/adults watching My Little Pony definitely does not fit with those gender roles. They might think you're a freak for watching My Little Pony, call you a pedophile for watching a show primarily aimed at little girls. For some people, whose families are the stereotypical 'Muricans, "manly" men and "ladylike" women, telling them you watch My Little Pony could ruin the entire relationship. 

[CrystalRose 636]

I heartily agree with you.

 

People are far too stuck on gender roles. In this day and age it's a sad but true fact. Whilst I don't parade my love for MLP around in everyone's faces, I don't hide it either. I don't want it to be a secret, because us bronies keeping it "secret" from the rest of the populous makes it feel more to us and everyone else that it is something that is indecent and should be hidden. We are contributing to the problem of the negative opinion ourselves by hiding it.

[almozayaf 72]

i live in a country were there no other brony

(arabic MLP is at Episode 14 of S1 )

 

and i never make big deal of it

it just a show i watch

 

(i never buy MLP thing , there non of it here and i have fear of statue , i just don't trust statue)

 

and what i love about my country is we have that treadmark of thinking (So What)

and at last it not haram (forbidden in islam) just do what you want

 

  and there 99.9% chance if it get popular they will say it is , it happen to pokemon

 

but i still have no idea why any one need to know that you watch a cartoon

why you tell them 

 

i never hide it

just never see a resin why i need to tell any one <_<

 

in these days you can watch youtube videos in any were (Android phone or Android tab or laptop )

 

why any one need to know

how hard to keep it secret

there no way to know

 

it just a cartoon   a good one

[XrosOver 613]

There are people who judge others on the fiction!? Jeez! Those people sound like they are pretty Hippocratic. The "darker side"of the fandom seems to be showing its face a lot more in recent times but there has to be a way to change that. This is concerning, where this fandom will be in the coming times.

[Shanks 10,816]

I am getting sick of the whose a real brony arguments too and it is almost always geared against cloppers and gorefic fans especially cloppers. I can respect someone if that is not their thing but the amount of hate toward them is a tad harsh, how many cloppers do you know actually run around screaming "I fap to ponies?" I also noticed a lot of hate toward Derpy fans too, I have noticed alot of people say "oh no not another Derpy thread" or "oh man will those whackos ever shut up?" or my personal favorite from yesterday comparing all Derpy fans to the handful of crazies that sent death threats. Honestly for people that claim to not care very much whether Derpy stays or goes they sure seem to bitch and moan alot.

 

As for people keeping it a secret while I don't go out of my to tell everyone, I don't hide it either. I don't really think people keeping it a secret is a good idea and in most cases will do more harm than good as it just makes it a bigger deal than it should be but I understand why people want to do it especially teenager hiding it from their parents. I really feel bad for a lot of the teens out there whose parents are pressuring them not to watch MLP, it is one of the most harmless innocent things someone could possibly get into yet they don't bother to try to understand why their child might like it.

[Harmonic Revelations 8,835]

Personally nothing can hurt me. I've learned not to care what other people think of my hobbies, and to do whatever makes me happy. I'd give that advice to anyone, just do what makes you happy. It doesn't matter what haters think. But at the same  time, sometimes it IS our communities fault, for example, some bronies think they need to flaunt it around like a shiny amulet everywhere they go, and are pretty much intentionally looking for a fight. Those are the bronies who give the rest of us a bad name, 

 

If you ignore haters they'll eventually probably forget we even exist and move on with their lives, but some members feel the need to constantly remind everyone that they're a brony. (You know who you are).

 

Personally I find that's it not even the fault of those who like clop or gorefics, just those bronies who perpetually rub it up in the faces of those who don't care for the show.

i live in a country were there no other brony

(arabic MLP is at Episode 14 of S1 )

 

and i never make big deal of it

it just a show i watch

 

(i never buy MLP thing , there non of it here and i have fear of statue , i just don't trust statue)

 

and what i love about my country is we have that treadmark of thinking (So What)

and at last it not haram (forbidden in islam) just do what you want

 

  and there 99.9% chance if it get popular they will say it is , it happen to pokemon

 

but i still have no idea why any one need to know that you watch a cartoon

why you tell them 

 

i never hide it

just never see a resin why i need to tell any one <_<

 

in these days you can watch youtube videos in any were (Android phone or Android tab or laptop )

 

why any one need to know

how hard to keep it secret

there no way to know

 

it just a cartoon   a good one

 

Good to know we have bronies who are over in the regions where they speak Arabic. Do they have the episodes translated or are they only with subtitles?

Edited January 1, 2013 by Harmonic Revelations

[Flicker Sweet 3,391]

I 100% agree with you here.  Then again, I have no problems being open about my Bronyism because in this pert of Texas (where I live), if you have the courage to openly admit to something, regardless of what it is, people will respect you for it.  They recognize that it takes courage to come out like that.  I would HOPE that other parts of the world are like this, but, hey, they may or may not be.  I don't know.

[almozayaf 72]

Personally nothing can hurt me. I've learned not to care what other people think of my hobbies, and to do whatever makes me happy. I'd give that advice to anyone, just do what makes you happy. It doesn't matter what haters think. But at the same  time, sometimes it IS our communities fault, for example, some bronies think they need to flaunt it around like a shiny amulet everywhere they go, and are pretty much intentionally looking for a fight. Those are the bronies who give the rest of us a bad name, 

 

If you ignore haters they'll eventually probably forget we even exist and move on with their lives, but some members feel the need to constantly remind everyone that they're a brony. (You know who you are).

 

Personally I find that's it not even the fault of those who like clop or gorefics, just those bronies who perpetually rub it up in the faces of those who don't care for the show.

 

 

Good to know we have bronies who are over in the regions where they speak Arabic. Do they have the episodes translated or are they only with subtitles?

it dub by cartoon network arabia

 

the dub is faithful to the original script (that rare to happen)

 

but the voice acters try to act like little girls

and that mean thy speak holding they nose

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgtW1mVv3r0

and yah if you think the voice don't match the lips .... you right

 

PS i don't watch that crap

Edited January 1, 2013 by almozayaf

[Winona the Dog 1,984]

I completely agree with you up until the part of keeping it secret. Personally I've kept it a secret until my parents saw me watching it. Things didn't go well afterwards....... You have know clue how stereotypical people can be these days. My own parents thinks I have a mental problem because I watch My Little Pony ,so I can completely understand why people would keep it a secret from thier family and possibly thier friends since results may vary.

Edited January 1, 2013 by ~Chaotic Harmony~

[Jessper 735]

Thanks for answers. I was half-expecting to be left with none or sent to a place where sun doesn't shine.

 

For many people, it is a big deal to tell your family that you watch My Little Pony. A lot of people are still stuck on gender roles, and male teens/adults watching My Little Pony definitely does not fit with those gender roles. They might think you're a freak for watching My Little Pony, call you a pedophile for watching a show primarily aimed at little girls. For some people, whose families are the stereotypical 'Muricans, "manly" men and "ladylike" women, telling them you watch My Little Pony could ruin the entire relationship. 

I heartily agree with you.

 

People are far too stuck on gender roles. In this day and age it's a sad but true fact. Whilst I don't parade my love for MLP around in everyone's faces, I don't hide it either. I don't want it to be a secret, because us bronies keeping it "secret" from the rest of the populous makes it feel more to us and everyone else that it is something that is indecent and should be hidden. We are contributing to the problem of the negative opinion ourselves by hiding it.

I completely agree with you up until the part of keeping it secret. Personally I've kept it a secret until my parents saw me watching it. Things didn't go well afterwards....... You have know clue how stereotypical people can be these days. My own parents thinks I have a mental problem because I watch My Little Pony ,so I can completely understand why people would keep it a secret from thier family and possibly thier friends since results may vary.

 

Yes, gender roles. This part is quite sad, really. Gender roles (and masculine / feminine "stuff") are very old social construct that was bad thousand years ago and it's even worse now. It sense does not make. As far as I am concerned, openly going against that is a good thing and perhaps even something to be proud of, a little.

 

I understand how it can be problem for people who live with their parents and those parents stand behind this ... ideology. On the other hand, you could always call them out on their hypocrisy, because I think (well, more like hope) that the number of families actually following the traditional roles are minimal. They just pick and choose what to like and what not - and you damn well better follow it.

I've said it times before, but this construct doesn't work, unless you are and expect everyone else to be rather mindless drone. This concept does not go well with individuality and free will.

 

I don't know, this point isn't really about just MLP anymore, it's about mentality of society and equality - much wider and important I dare say. Often overlooked tho.

 

 

 

I am getting sick of the whose a real brony arguments too and it is almost always geared against cloppers and gorefic fans especially cloppers. I can respect someone if that is not their thing but the amount of hate toward them is a tad harsh, how many cloppers do you know actually run around screaming "I fap to ponies?" I also noticed a lot of hate toward Derpy fans too, I have noticed alot of people say "oh no not another Derpy thread" or "oh man will those whackos ever shut up?" or my personal favorite from yesterday comparing all Derpy fans to the handful of crazies that sent death threats. Honestly for people that claim to not care very much whether Derpy stays or goes they sure seem to bitch and moan alot.

 

As for people keeping it a secret while I don't go out of my to tell everyone, I don't hide it either. I don't really think people keeping it a secret is a good idea and in most cases will do more harm than good as it just makes it a bigger deal than it should be but I understand why people want to do it especially teenager hiding it from their parents. I really feel bad for a lot of the teens out there whose parents are pressuring them not to watch MLP, it is one of the most harmless innocent things someone could possibly get into yet they don't bother to try to understand why their child might like it.

Oh yes, the good old "I don't care about this at all, but by the gods, I will kill you if it means proving my point!".

 

And well, there are good and bad reasons to stand up to your parents. Bad ones, like "You gave me white iPhone instead of black!" and good ones, like standing for who you are and defending your right to be a person, instead of a jar of unfulfilled dreams of your parents. That might sound like I'm making it more dramatic, but if parents go after their kid for MLP, you can bet your legs that the issue runs deeper than that.

[GuillermoGage 246]

I am getting sick of the whose a real brony arguments too and it is almost always geared against cloppers and gorefic fans especially cloppers. I can respect someone if that is not their thing but the amount of hate toward them is a tad harsh, how many cloppers do you know actually run around screaming "I fap to ponies?"

You should know, I mostly only have seen text about the concept of "clop" specifically from people bringing it up in this manner.

[Gone Airbourne 21,977]

Man everything in the original post is so true!!! I agree 100% and many bronies need to read this and re-evaluate about themselves and the fandom. 

 

Just like you said there is nothing wrong with watching this show so do not act like it is taboo to watch it around others.

[mycarhasaMoustache 449]

I agree with you but I have another problem with the people that say "how to secretly buy pony stuff" why dont they just use the internet to buy things????? but apart from that If I could find a hald decent mlp bumper sticker for the pile of scrap that I call a car I would display it with pride. Why do so many people seem to be ashamed of being a brony? It makes no sense being a brony is something you should be proud of because it means you are more mature, more intelligent, more accepting and more open then 95% of the population and you are part of evolution that is taking this racist homophobic intolerant cesspool that we call our planet  and helping spread the word of love and tolerance and all that. Im not to sure what my point was with all that but still being a brony is nothing to be ashamed of.

[Shift 4,272]

Generally it takes a lot to throw something at me. Haters gonna Hate, Forgive and Forget,  Love and Tolerate, stuff like that. I just man up [techniclly I should 'girl up' since I'm a girl] and take life by the horns [does life have horns?]

 

Cheers. Just ignore them and move on, they'll move on too.

 

I really don't get how gender changes anything...I mean, I like Skyrim / Call of Duty / etc and nopony is bugging me about it though Skyrim / Call of Duty / etc as aimed for boys, so why can't boys like MLP when it is aimed for girls?

 

I'll never understand life.

Edited January 1, 2013 by DJ Shift

[~Lawful Sturdy Wing~ 522]

Most of the time the "Real Brony's" do what they do because they want to separate themselves from Alicorn OC's and cloppers. I mean I get it, it makes sense, but they are still Bronys... 

[Shanks 10,816]

You should know, I mostly only have seen text about the concept of "clop" specifically from people bringing it up in this manner.

 

Anti cloppers actually bring a lot more attention to this issue than most cloppers do by trying to publicly shame cloppers and scapegoat them for "making us look bad", most cloppers tend to keep it to themselves and only bring it up in response to the hate against them.

[GuillermoGage 246]

 

Anti cloppers actually bring a lot more attention to this issue than most cloppers do by trying to publicly shame cloppers and scapegoat them for "making us look bad", most cloppers tend to keep it to themselves and only bring it up in response to the hate against them.

It's funny you mention that, because I just got done telling someone that incessant and out-of-place use of the phrase "homophobic" makes me homophobic.

[duidamasterXD 9,627]

I half agree with you. We are in no position to judge who is or isn't a brony. Frankly that sort of talk has always disgusted me. Everyone expresses their like of the show in different ways and that's ok.

On the other hand, while MLP isn't and shouldn't be anything to be ashamed of, I can't fault people for being afraid to show it. Some people have had to put up with a lot of ridicule for it, even from family, friends and other loved ones. Having seen some of the things that people have gone through for being fans I completely understand some people's hesitation to display their interests openly.

[Jessper 735]

I half agree with you. We are in no position to judge who is or isn't a brony. Frankly that sort of talk has always disgusted me. Everyone expresses their like of the show in different ways and that's ok.

On the other hand, while MLP isn't and shouldn't be anything to be ashamed of, I can't fault people for being afraid to show it. Some people have had to put up with a lot of ridicule for it, even from family, friends and other loved ones. Having seen some of the things that people have gone through for being fans I completely understand some people's hesitation to display their interests openly.

Just treat it as any other show you ever watched and liked then. You don't have to wear MLP shirts, have a collection of toys and spread the good news, that's a choice and I may even approve of it, but that is irrelevant.

Don't do this "I.... Have an embarrassing... Terrible secret..."  drama about it tho. Frankly, you don't have such a secret, at least not related to this show and it possibly harms you and anyone else around, including the fandom, especially if you really thing about it that way. For all intents and purposes, you don't even have to go and "confess" to people. Do you "confess" every show you ever watched?

 

And by you, I don't mean you, but a hypothetical person standing in front of me.

 

 

 

Most of the time the "Real Brony's" do what they do because they want to separate themselves from Alicorn OC's and cloppers. I mean I get it, it makes sense, but they are still Bronys... 

Sure. Then go and make a club named "Real bronies", trademark it and let only people you like in. Otherwise it's a large community of people with varying opinions, tastes and talents, and everyone who wants in, is in and that's the end of the debate. You can choose to ignore what you don't like, however do not go on offending and complaining about what you dislike or disagree with. That will not solve anything, create a tension and makes you an ass.

As above, I'm not saying you do it.

 

 

 

Man everything in the original post is so true!!! I agree 100% and many bronies need to read this and re-evaluate about themselves and the fandom. 

 

Just like you said there is nothing wrong with watching this show so do not act like it is taboo to watch it around others.

Pretty much, part of my point is that it seems to me like it is a taboo partially because we (the fandom) actually treat it as such. If people who love the show feel ashamed about watching it or being part of the fandom, then we can hardly expect the "outside world" to accept it. It sounds like a cliche, but that's how it generally works.

[DoctorWhovian1902 596]

I haven't seen any "real brony" comments, so maybe I've missed something.

 

As for keeping bronyness a secret, I admit I was a "closet brony", as some call them, for a while. I eventually decided I needed more confidence and became more open about the show. I'm still a bit surprised when someone calls me out on it, but it's a rare occasion, and I'm working on that. Honestly, though, some people will react better than others. Many of my friends hate the show and fandom because of their ignorance and lack of willingness to try new things before judging them, and my parents are very much the same.

 

I've heard stories, though, of some bronies' parents reacting well and accepting, and their friends being fine with it or even bronies themselves! If you're one of those people, lucky you.

 

Still, I've had two friends of mine who are trying to get "off the brony train" so to speak, and I've tried to encourage them to not give up on it. I'm not sure how effective that's been, though.

 

Lastly, if the "real brony" thing is a problem, here's my take: We got into this fandom because we were different, by calling others out on being different in the fandom, we're no better than the haters. Secondly, wasn't the motto of this fandom "love and tolerance"? Just saying.

Edited January 1, 2013 by whoovesfan7698

[TheSupremeLeaderOfChaos 1,206]

I personally have never brought it up in a conversation with my parents, but if we ever got on the topic, I would not be afraid to say that I like MLP. I have a couple of very good friends who are bronies and another couple of friends who aren't. I just don't bring it up around the friends who aren't bronies! If the conversation moves to ponies for some reason, then I would talk about MLP. But I don't agree with the people who rub it in people's faces. I hate how society is so stereotypical and I must admit, I am slightly nervous about how my parents might react. But I also know that (thankfully) my parents are very accepting of people and their ideas. But I wish that the rest of society could just realize that the world would be a much happier place if they just accepted people! But I really love this community, because we are making a difference. Just by liking a show, we are teaching people to accept others. Thanks guys.

[Bruno © 125]

Well, i am not open about the show, but if someone asks me, i would answer the truth, because here in Brazil, there is a lot of prejudice about things like that, but the problem is that there are lots of traditional families here, like mine.

 

And another think is the fact that if people from my school knew it, it is certain that they would part to physical aggression (i would ensure myself if it were only 1 guy to fight, but i am talking about 4 people to hit me, so i guess that i would be pretty bucked up)and my friends would think about my sexual orientation (even with the talk about being confident and things like it, so i think that i will keep hiding it until it is the time to say it, or when they ask it.

[rftinker 3]

This is interesting, I can see why some people want to keep it a secret. There are people in my life that just don't need to know I'm a brony and there are others that I'm OK with them knowing. I'm not one to “bring up” the brony topic, however, if someone else does I'll join in.

 

I have a small Luna button on my hat (that reminds me I could use a few more buttons). If someone sees it and says ”why do you have a horse on your hat?” I come up with an excuse like I got it at a party or some such. If someone says “hey that is a cool Luna button” Then I'll freely talk to them about all things pony.

 

Awhile back I was invited to go to Hawaii with my parents (as a side note, I'm old. My parents are retired). I decided to take my three small stuffed pony toys with me and do a “traveling gnome” gag, I got some great pictures. Needless to say, my parents and their friends saw the ponies. I explained the gag to them and by the end of the trip my parents were making sure I had pictures of the ponies at various locations, even to the point of pointing out “good” spots. I'm sure no one ever figured out I was a fan of a cartoon show and if anyone did they didn't mention it to me.