In Defense of Bronies...

[Bojo 1,172]

Imagine you've got to convince a hostile audience to think that the brony fandom is not a bad thing. What arguments would you use in defense of bronies? What do you think the haters' best argument against the fandom would be? How would you kill their argument?

 

Hope you give your opinion and thanks for reading/replying to this post!

(Yeah, I've got to make a persuasive speech on why the brony fandom is a good thing so I wanted to know what your opinions are. I'd appreciate your help!)

[SharpWit 2,647]

gather them in one place, throw a party. play some music that everyone knows. then changed it to mlp fan music of the same genre and introduce more elements that relate to the show, like have a projector come out and start playing some scenes or whatever. have a bunch of cosplayers enter. then at the end of the party, have 2 units of guards, one lunar, one solar, just waiting outside and create a staged battle. as dificult as all of this would be, i think it would be a gauranteed way to give them a positive image of us from then on, unless they are true haters/dicks to the core.

 

but considering this isn't something you can just do, i say just introduce some music and art to them. there is also that documentary we have thanks to sir john de lancie.

Edited February 9, 2014 by SharpWit

[Metemponychosis 1,261]

I'd show them the best examples of fanart to counter the "oh so horrible R34 stuff". I'm sure that people would bring up this argument to color the bronies as bad. Showing the beautiful fanart is a way to at least show that it's not all "bad".

 

The problem is that people talk about being gay and all that. Honestly, this is ignorance at it's best. Even if you tell that liking a show about colorful horses doesn't change anyone's sexual orientation, and also don't attract gay people to the fandom. I mean, people are what they are, regardless of the show, but making someone understand that is hard, specially because if this kind of argument is made, it isn't really a conversation: just ignorant people spouting ignorance. And I run into it almost every time some colleague sees my ipad with Celestia in the background.

[Lightning-flickr 214]

Just ask them to list their arguments. The main 3 are:

It's "gay"

it's for little girls

and it's pedophilic.

just counter one with a personal opinion Then they'll say the same thing reworded and you can say the exact same thing back. This actually works a lot considering the people who "don't like it" are quite often stubborn, close minded and ignorant. Some people just don't care for it, but the people who actually seek bronies to bash them have this kind of personality.   

[GenderIsAnIllusion 2,177]

Well I'd start off by saying your persecuting people for watching a cartoon, and emphasize how stupid they are for doing so. The. I'd go into a rant about how every person in the room has skeletons in their closet a million times worse than watching a cartoon, and then I'd finish them off by Showing the crowd a picture of Fluttershy, and asking them if they could really, REALLY from the depths of their mind and soul hate that.

 

A haters best argument is that it's not normal.... Which is piss ass poor if you ask me, and sooooo easy to disprove. Just ask them: what is normal?.... And most likely they'll say boys are supposed to like guy things, not girl things, then ask : Well your gf is a girl right?... They'll say yeah wats your point, and you'll say: well damn you'd better get a bf, cause your not normal by your own definition of normal. DERP!!!!

Edited February 9, 2014 by ChampionOfHell

[ShadowRose2k 271]

 

 

What arguments would you use in defense of bronies?

 

Bronys are not the 1st fandom out there, nor will they be the last.  We like a show that is fun and happy to watch. 

 

 

 

What do you think the haters' best argument against the fandom would be?

I've never seen haters' have any actual "Argument".  Simply arrogance because they feel threatened by a show that  should not affect them at all. Don't like it? Shut up and don't watch it.

 

 

 

How would you kill their argument?

 

Don't like it? Shut up and don't watch it.

[Acchan 232]

Hmm... I'd probably host a kind of brony/hater exchange. Or just post pictures of fillies until they give in to the cuteness.

[Cwanky 17,579]

We're actually not all that different from other misunderstood and persecuted groups or minorities, whether it be Muslims, gays, or nerds or bikers.

 

First I'd actually ask these folks what THEY like or do in general. Find some common ground, have lunch or dinner at a place you all can agree to. Show them that despite your differences, you're not all that different and bronies are just as cool as other folks.

 

What I would NOT do, at least not initially, is show them MLP related stuff. Like it or not there's a lot of people that don't like the show or don't understand it, hater or not. You should not be trying to convince them of that. If I were a liberal for example, it would be very ineffective to try and win over a conservative person as my friend by showing him how great liberalism is. It won't work.

 

That said, just be who you are, don't be afraid to talk and be open, but understand that even if you don't win over a "hater" that's okay. If they can't see past 1 aspect of you that they disagree you despite you being an otherwise nice, decent, chill and even agreeable person, that's their loss.

[Deesinn 393]

I dunno, if you're arguing with me why you think the show is gay, and you haven't even watched it, than you're a fag. 

[Oblivion 20,266]

I would explain that it is no different than any other fandom, and that their are TONS of creative bronies out their with families jobs just like anyone else, and of course I wouldn't even mention all the R34 crap that's out their, that would just literally scare them away!

I might even show them some of the awesome (non clop ) fan work out their such as MLD and Snow Drop in hopes that they might actually get a soft spot in their heart for ponies!

 

Then I might try to convince them to watch at LEAST 3 episodes of each season just to prove that it isn't all about tea parties so to speak...If that doesn't work, well then, I can at least say I tried!

[Starshine 16,333]

I will join the hostile audience just for the heck of it

 

It's kind of hard to convince people driven with senseless hate. Might as well use the chance to get some fun seeing them frothing at the mouth on random piece of r34

[Kraken B. Trippin 43]

See, I would set up something similar to a convention panel of the most influential people of the Brony fandom and culture. Get a sampling from the best artists, musicians and authors. Sit us all down and take questions from the angry mob. Let their rage barbs fly right past us and tackle the meat of their issues with Bronies with informed, responsible, patient and kind responses.

 

At the very least, if we couldn't change the minds and hearts of our detractors, deep down we would of planted a little seed of what we are really about in the back of their minds. And no matter how angry or hateful they may be, they will either reflect on this experience and feel bad for being such a jerk or at least remember that "I may hate Bronies, but those guys weren't so bad were they?"

[Simon 4,557]

See, I would set up something similar to a convention panel of the most influential people of the Brony fandom and culture. Get a sampling from the best artists, musicians and authors. Sit us all down and take questions from the angry mob. Let their rage barbs fly right past us and tackle the meat of their issues with Bronies with informed, responsible, patient and kind responses.

 

At the very least, if we couldn't change the minds and hearts of our detractors, deep down we would of planted a little seed of what we are really about in the back of their minds. And no matter how angry or hateful they may be, they will either reflect on this experience and feel bad for being such a jerk or at least remember that "I may hate Bronies, but those guys weren't so bad were they?"

Actually that's something I've thought they should do at a convention for a while... I'd like to see a convention host a panel on getting to know the brony fandom where people from the community who are interested in learning more about the brony fandom can come in without buying a pass and ask questions to a large panel of bronies.  Maybe if it got some attention, people could start to get an idea of what the fandom actually is instead of just making assumptions.

[Kraken B. Trippin 43]

Actually that's something I've thought they should do at a convention for a while... I'd like to see a convention host a panel on getting to know the brony fandom where people from the community who are interested in learning more about the brony fandom can come in without buying a pass and ask questions to a large panel of bronies.  Maybe if it got some attention, people could start to get an idea of what the fandom actually is instead of just making assumptions.

Unfortunately the sort of people who go to conventions in general are already pretty accepting of Brony culture, even if they aren't that into it. Those who are freaked out by Bronies probably would feel even less comfortable in a cosplay environment full of Man-Feys and Reverse Trap video game expies. lol.

[Simon 4,557]

 

 

Unfortunately the sort of people who go to conventions in general are already pretty accepting of Brony culture, even if they aren't that into it. Those who are freaked out by Bronies probably would feel even less comfortable in a cosplay environment full of Man-Feys and Reverse Trap video game expies. lol.

True xD Maybe just take online questions then xD 

[Everleaf 541]

Bronies had helped many people and so had donated to many charities kindly the show teaches many about true friendship just because it's called (My little pony friendship in magic) does not mean it's (gay) it's just got that name for one reason it seemed back in the 80s where the first mlp was made gen1 to be exact at the name of My little pony which was first named after a toyline of the ponies even make in gen1 their was STILL dark parts of the actual show/movies which why would you call for little girls anyway? like Tirek

 

he was awesome Catrina the witches? and mlp glew as that gen stuck for likely the longest only it could not last they gone though another generation which for some reason had no show just Slender/skinny horse-like toys the toys there good but the show never came  to be gen3 not bad even know a few had not keen keen on the girly kind of stuff shell i just say and now we got gen4 though all the generations the bronies had helped so many people and if that's bad your just cold-hearted...

 

 

It's truth haters if you don't like us just please leave us alone...

Edited February 9, 2014 by Everleaf

[Scootalove 10,689]

Bronies have donated to charity, raising money for charities, and trying to do things for the greater good. Haters, we will gladly leave you alone as long as you leave us in peace.

[Riddle 102]

Ok this fandom I can say is

one of the most open and

well loving ones I have sort

have fallen into and they have

done a lot for events and

Con's and things from writing to

Videos and has one of the

most creative branches I will

say on the Nets.

 

Bad thing is people will see the

negative first before they even take

a blink at the good side of things

sadly. Makes me think of my furry

days.....(yes I was there too....)

Any thing that came out on the Fur-Dom

was all “SEXY AND PREVS!” Society

never looked at the art or time people would

put into making their fur suits from freaking

hand/paw at times or say some of the causes

the Furries might do in say doing things for

a local Animal Shelter or getting money

say for Saving Wolves or etc sadly.

 

It seems to be the same view for the Bronies

sadly.....

 

One thing I do know from being part

of fandoms and still is the sum of

it given by the Lord and Over Master

himself of DisHarmoney: Haters Going to Hate.

 

What makes the difference even to us is

how we handle them and show we

as people are bigger than them in

our actions.

[Moved to Elsewhere 11,331]

I would show them the brony documentary and maybe some of the best fan work.

[MLP Moth 224]

You can't argue with a rock. There is no point in trying to convince an ignorant person that the Brony fandom isn't bad.

If I had to I would say: That the show has at least one character you would like. The fandom is better than 100% of social networks.

[Bojo 1,172]

Thank you all for giving your opinions! You really helped me. I'll definitely convince this people tomorrow to like the fandom!

[Goblin 8]

You can't argue with a rock. There is no point in trying to convince an ignorant person that the Brony fandom isn't bad.

If I had to I would say: That the show has at least one character you would like. The fandom is better than 100% of social networks.

 

I agree. If conflict and hate could be resolved with reason, we wouldn't have the kinds of problems we do in the world.

 

The recent duckface might be ruining our "better than social networks" cred, though.

[RockinRarity 1,605]

I wouldn't bother dealing with someone who would not listen (ie a rock).

 

But for those who might open one of their ears, this is what I would have to say.

 

First, do we agree that the majority of people in the world do try to be honest and good? They might fail at it a lot, but for the most part they try to be good.

 

If you answered yes, then we can carry on with the discussion. If you said no, then I pity you and hope that your experiences in life change for the better by being surrounded by people who aren't completely selfish.

 

Next question: if the majority of people try to be good, then the chances of the majority of bronies being at least decent people is likely, correct?

 

To anyone who says No, I would ask why. Here are some counter-arguments (or insults, if you prefer)

-People who watch MLP are gay

-People who watch MLP masturbate to it

-People who watch MLP don't have jobs/lives/girlfriends and live in their parents' basements.

-People who watch MLP shove the show down people's throats

-People who watch MLP are socially awkward outcasts

-People who watch MLP are autistic

-People who watch MLP don't contribute to society in a positive way/they are man-children

 

There isn't enough time in this thread to counter all of these arguments, but with all of this material it is possible to have hours of discussion.

[AppleGearRising 526]

There is only one realistic way of ever proving to people once and for all that being a Brony doesn't make you different; ironically it would have to be making being a Brony into a societal norm.

 

People unconsciously and sometimes deliberately almost never question anything that is a norm. Norms are in place as a way of providing people with a sense of security and comfort, to venture outside of that norm is to put yourself in a position where people will call into question your true nature. Funnily enough the one thing that people NEVER initially consider when dealing with those who are different is that they may, in some way, be similar to them and it's because of this myopic stance that is imposed against anyone who fails to conform with general normality that the greater part of the masses think of us as alien.

 

When you find someone or something that is different and you don't like that what's the first thing you do? You, quite simply, put those differences of theirs out to be a bad thing. Exploiting stigma that's associated with whatever trait you've attempted to defame is also an obvious and easy way of getting people to join in with spurning the existence of the outlier. Unfortunately, our fandom suffers from the exact same problem and it doesn't help that it was altogether far too easy to label us as emasculating, horse loving perverts.

 

Brony hatred was never something that was contained for being the prejudice it is; it was allowed to fester and grow into what we have lurking around us today. Ignorance is our real enemy but unlike the people that loathe us, as I can imagine a great many of us do them, the potential for the continued existence of this ignorance is infinite. Lies and false-truths can exist for several lifetimes and so long as ignorance reigns supreme over the human race they will continue to dominate it until it's inevitable standoff with extinction.

 

If you truly want to completely eradicate and alleviate the stigmatic ignorance that continues to oppress and harass the Brony fandom then you have a long way ahead of you. Completely changing public opinion and achieving mass awareness on a global scale will be no easy feat, heck it may not even happen within our own lifetimes but if it's something that you truly want to happen no matter how long it takes then I'd be happy to help any way I can. I don't want this puerile nonsense to carry on any longer either, appealing to the masses will be an arduous task but it is FAR from impossible.

[Standard User 2,127]

I would do absolutely nothing. I don't have to defend nor justify my or anyone else's interests to someone who has preconceived prejudices.