MrFusion

I've been debating for quite a while on whether or not I should post my thoughts on here. I sure feels like a lifetime ago when journals on the Rooster Teeth site were a great resource for folks to vent, work through the issues they were having in their lives, and find support from the community of a common threads. While the community is still there to a large degree, so much has changed, and recently so much has come to light that has really effected so many of you. As more and more info comes in daily, it does sicken me that so many of you had your trust broken. You sought community, fellowship and even a safe haven from whatever you were experiencing in your personal lives. You developed friendships, established some form of loyalty and fanship with so many here, including those that have been exposed as bad people. I'm sorry so many of you have had to be silent for so long. I'm sorry you had your trust compromised. I'm just sorry. Last week, I realized it had been 16 years since I joined the community site. In that time I've seen so many of you grow up, grow old (like me), and even grow out of many things RT. It get it. It happens. But like all things, a younger and excited generation cycled in and got to experience the dynamic content that the company was putting out. Little did I know so many of you were being preyed upon by an individual that some of you befriend, and many of you admired. It makes me angry because, at 42 years old, there is a level of responsibility that those of us that have been here so long feel we should shoulder. Welcoming in newcomers, showing them how embracing the community can be and how there's a place for them to share interests with so many from all across the world. There are so many awesome people that work at Rooster Teeth. I've gotten to work with and know so many of them over the years and I will tell you that it breaks their hearts and they are hurting with all of you. I'm not going to tell you how to feel, or what to do given all the information coming to light. But, my only suggestion is this; please don't feel like you have to process these feelings alone. There are so many wonderful people in the community that want your voice to be heard, that want you to feel safe, and are ready to help. Don't give up on the community. Now is the time to embrace the community. For those of you that have been here for a long time, now is the time to take a leadership role. Join a community group, talk to their mods, let them know you want to be there, and be ready to listen. That's the most powerful weapon in our arsenal, the ability to listen. Just so you know, I am here, and I'm here ready to listen. -P