Fandom and pressure ?

[Zygen 6,066]

Well I can understand part of what your saying, but I have to say as a closet brony myself it isn't always as easy for one person then the other.

 

Of course I don't really go out of my way to totally hide it or anything, but I don't tell anyone and I don't really let anyone see me watching MLP or anything of that such. Its simply because I don't think my parents will be totally accepting of it, and I think it may even bring awkwardness or even collapse on my relationship totally with my parents, not to mention my brother might mention it to a bunch of people just to annoy me and I'll lose any chance at friendships I have.

 

Between that and I don't really have an appropriate time to say anything about it, and because i'm a bit shy it leads to me staying closet brony. i don't see a reason to reveal it anyways.

[Broccoli 127]

I agree completely, especially for the bigger evil.

 

It is no big deal telling someone that you watch a cartoon. It is not the same as confessing that you do drugs or have raped a young girl off the street. This is a CARTOON which in many aspects is positive and is in no way going to hurt this world and certainly isn't going to bring it to an end. 

 

Another thing is that if someone can't get over not being able to let others know that they watch a cartoon, then they would have a lot of trouble with other people later on. What I mean by this is that it's no big deal letting some others know that you watch MLP, but if you don't even have the courage to do that then there will be many other things in life that you may not be able to handle due to a lack of confidence etc. It's more than fine to have some people hate on you(haters) but just let them be. There is never going to be a world where everyone agrees with you or likes you, so being able to let insults go is a good thing to do. 

[Jessper 735]

Well, as I've said, I really don't mean everyone should run around and brag about ponies 24/7 to anyone around, or wear the shirts and have the toys, it's just that.... Treat is as any other show, not as something bad, dark and embarrassing.

 

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

Yeah, not really, something is better to miss. Tho, have you ever ever seen a group of people who share one religion, but each have different denomination argue which one of them is the closest to a god and which one will burn? Yeah, it's kinda like that, except for a lot more serious busyness. 

[Zacharias 191]

I think everyone complaining about closet bronies should just take a few minutes to think this through. Everyone has a unique familiy situation one way or another and who knows how the people they know might react to some shocking news like that.

 

Personally I have tons of reasons why I'm hiding it and why I'd like to stay that way. There's no undo button on this. Even though my mom has been the best and most understanding mom for the 17 years I've spent here, I'd risk losing that by telling her this. Even if there was an "undo button" I wouldn't do it either because I wouldn't like to know her reaction. Actually I promised her I would tell her why I always act funny and move my mouse around so fast whenever she comes near my room but due to recent events, I lost all motivation for that.

 

If anyone at school found out about this I'd probably end up either committing suicide because of all the teasing or in jail because I'd stand up for myself so much that I'd hurt or possibly, kill people. If I had even just ONE brony friend in real life I could always hang out with I'd have no problem being open about it. It would be worth taking the hate and the crap because I'd have something I never had before. I'm not saying I have no "friends" but they live too far and they are busy enough without listening to me babble.

Edited January 2, 2013 by Zacharias

[Jessper 735]

I think everyone complaining about closet bronies should just take a few minutes to think this through. Everyone has a unique familiy situation one way or another and who knows how the people they know might react to some shocking news like that.

 

Personally I have tons of reasons why I'm hiding it and why I'd like to stay that way. There's no undo button on this. Even though my mom has been the best and most understanding mom for the 17 years I've spent here, I'd risk losing that by telling her this. Even if there was an "undo button" I wouldn't do it either because I wouldn't like to know her reaction. Actually I promised her I would tell her why I always act funny and move my mouse around so fast whenever she comes near my room but due to recent events, I lost all motivation for that.

 

If anyone at school found out about this I'd probably end up either committing suicide because of all the teasing or in jail because I'd stand up for myself so much that I'd hurt or possibly, kill people. If I had even just ONE brony friend in real life I could always hang out with I'd have no problem being open about it. It would be worth taking the hate and the crap because I'd have something I never had before. I'm not saying I have no "friends" but they live too far and they are busy enough without listening to me babble.

I actually  thought it trough, and I'm sorry if it left the impression of "Damn them closet bronies" because that wasn't the intent at all.

 

But let me demonstrate what I mean on you, and to be clear, no matter how it will sound I am not trying to be offensive.

What caught my eye at the start is that you call it "shocking news", and then later, to simplify and recap, you are basically saying that if people learned that you are a brony, your life would be either permanently destroyed or you would die. That is "it". That is what I mean. That's way too dramatic and I don't think you really believe that either.

 

You know, from that stance, I'm, err, closet Big Bang Theory fan. I enjoy the show, but I don't ever talk about it, I don't think I've ever told anyone I watch it and I don't think anyone actually knows.

Why wouldn't you treat MLP the same way? I understand people not wanting to share that, because they don't want to deal with people making fun of them, or what not. And that's fine. Any reason good enough for you is good enough. You don't have to share everything you do with everyone else. But that's it. No drama, shame, self-doubt, stress, frustration... Frankly the drama aspect is damaging, both to yourself and the community you decided to be part of.

Well, does that make my stance a bit more clear?

[Akemi Homura 7,680]

Secondly, wasn't the motto of this fandom "love and tolerance"? Just saying.

 

No, it isn't. That's just some joke originating from 4chan that eventually received infamy due to people taking it seriously. Not everyone can be expected to behave a certain way. Trying to get along with everyone should be everyone's priority and they should not have to be babied by some overblown "motto" that was thrown around here and there.

[Zacharias 191]

What caught my eye at the start is that you call it "shocking news", and then later, to simplify and recap, you are basically saying that if people learned that you are a brony, your life would be either permanently destroyed or you would die. That is "it". That is what I mean. That's way too dramatic and I don't think you really believe that either.

Yes it would, maybe not that quickly, but it would definitely lower my chances. I could never ask for any help from anyone, I could never rely on anyone and unfortunately, there are times when you have no choice but to do that. Maybe it would get to my teachers  as well and they'd abuse me and give me worse grades or something. Yes, things are that corrupt here. Not being able to go to university and leave this place because I was a brony? Sure...

You could also say that if the ignorant peers brought it to the level of using physical violence I should just sue or something once I turn 18, but when you see the son of the local police chief do all kinds of things I've mentioned a lot earlier, you really lose hope.

[Jessper 735]

Yes it would, maybe not that quickly, but it would definitely lower my chances. I could never ask for any help from anyone, I could never rely on anyone and unfortunately, there are times when you have no choice but to do that. Maybe it would get to my teachers  as well and they'd abuse me and give me worse grades or something. Yes, things are that corrupt here. Not being able to go to university and leave this place because I was a brony? Sure...

You could also say that if the ignorant peers brought it to the level of using physical violence I should just sue or something once I turn 18, but when you see the son of the local police chief do all kinds of things I've mentioned a lot earlier, you really lose hope.

Well, I'm sure that in school, there would be someone who would try to pick on you for being a brony. Maybe even in a physical way. Very possible, no point in me saying things like that do not happen, since they do.

But even tho I don't know anything about you, I'd still say the rest is self-imposed. I just don't think the teachers would be bothered enough to pick on you, and even if, not many would really risk career just to go "Oh, bronies are gaaayyy!". And not being able to get to university because of being a brony? Noone gives a flying cupcake once you are out of high school.

In fact, it all seems to me a bit like it's a high school issue. All those little, irrelevant things look so big and important during that time. *nostalgic sigh*

Edited January 3, 2013 by Jessper

[RDashFan85 46]

I agree with some of the stuff you guys said. I like to fandom a lot but if I'm with co-workers I keep that to my self. I told a couple of my co-workers that I really liked and trust and they had no issue with me at all for liking this show. My co-worker said " To Each There Own " witch is a very good and nice way of saying just because you like it I will not make fun of you for it. And I also keep it private if I'm in public or if I'm with a Brony meet up than I wouldn't. I know it's hard for some people to confess that they like the show but only your real friends wouldn't make fun of you or judge you at all for loving this show. 

[Tom95 59]

It seems to me that alot of the "haters" are just ignorant people vommiting gossip and are creating rumors about us based upon fandom and the words of self proclaimed bronies.

[Blizzard Gale 272]

 

This is a video I recommend watching if you can't deal with the pressure. It really explains a lot and can help you keep doing what you love. Of course, as from the different points of view. Most ponies won't be so accepting.