something's hiding in the pantry, but I can't find it, so would you please

All right. This one will of necessity verge on the political. I'm not here to discuss that, precisely? But the behavior of one person in specific in that one freebie group. Okay? That being said, I do have definite opinions, and they will creep in. (Though I doubt any long-term reader won't know them already...)

[11:00] axxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Petit Mort has a Black Lives Matter cop tank top gift as well as a compassion tapestry. In the group gift section, but NGN.

To be fair, they're not the only one. There's also a couple over at a protest event--I still don't know what it's called, though, because only half of it ever rezzes in when I port there. There are some really confrontative works there, though--art, sculpture, and of course, some pointed freebies. But again, that's not the point.

[11:00] axxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: *crop tank top, not cop tank top. unfortunate typo
[11:01] sxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: *giggles* (although BLM is actually a terrorist political group) typos happen

Yeah, no, try again. This is our first problem child, Ms. [Sxxw] (giving that much of her name due to having another Ms. S below).

[11:01] axxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: wow
[11:01] axxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: shame on you
[11:01] sxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: sad but true noo noyt shame on me
[11:02] axxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: ok, run along little fascist wanna be troll

I think she meant "not", and this was the first little blow-up; in a lot of my groups, there've been these little spats that the group mods have tried to quash. Sometimes that works. Sometimes it doesn't. It's a heated time, on the grid and off.

But more importantly, now they're both escalating the drama.

[11:02] hxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: No no no no no.
[11:02] hxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: We will not do this in this group.
[11:02] Exxxxxxxxx Gxxxxxxx: [Sxxx] and [axxxxxx], please peace
[11:03] axxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: no peace with racist trash
[11:03] axxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: sorry, but we all need to stand up for decency
[11:03] axxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: or WE are the problem

I do tend to agree, to a point, at least in RL. We can no longer stand by when we see something that's manifestly wrong. We NEED to stand up, make others aware. Stop it if we can, but at the least acknowledge the harm that happened.

But in SL, there are different cultural expectations. One is, don't just randomly be political, racist, bigoted, homophobic or transphobic, misogynistic or misandrist, et cetera, in places that aren't desiring that level of confrontation. Especially in groups where a) they're going to tell you not to say anything about X anyway, and b, have nothing to do with the politics of the day, it's fairly useless bringing up the topics at hand. Mods will just jump down your throat, and if none are online, you'll just end up with a bunch of offended yelling people.

(And yes, I realize I'm viewing this through my own lens, because I believe tolerance is very important. But my beliefs aren't everyones', and I understand that. All I try to do in world is ask for civility, if respect and understanding can't happen.)

(I also occasionally fail at civility.)

[11:04] sxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: *not shame on me I think what happened to Mr. Floyd was terrible police brutality but raciaisling and groups taking advantage for political opportunism is shameful.

"Racializing" is not only misspelled there, but it's also a terrible word usually used to indicate specific opinions. Which Ms. [Sxxw] seems to have.

But more to the point, Antifa and people in BLM seem, largely, to be protesting peacefully, as is legal and allowable. Most of the people stomping around shooting people are white supremacists looking for their coveted 'race war'. Tell me again how that's the fault of non-whites.

[11:04] Exxxxxxxxx Gxxxxxxx: we are not going to talk about it here [Sxxw]

As I'm trying not to talk about it (and also, failing). But it's context for what's coming up.

[11:05] hxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: We already said no, not in here.
[11:05] Sxxxxxx Hxxxxxxxx: good to be able to spend some time here and find awesome things..thanks to all.

Now, I was still getting dressed at this point, and hadn't read back, but I do laud Ms. H for trying to sway the chat back to center.

[11:05] sxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: ANtifa and BLM are not good things they are terrorists who stir up raciial issues on purpose. and YOu start name calling to me calling names I am not, shame on YUO!

"Racial", and "you". And again, no, I think you're more the issue, [Sxxw].

[11:05] sxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I only mentioned it because BLM was mentioned.
[11:05] sxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: YOU
[11:06] sxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: ppeaceful protests not rioting...
[11:06] sxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: chat lag causingtypos lol

Blaming the chat lag? Really? And for the most part, in most cities, it is peaceful protests. When night falls and the guns come out--again, largely owned by white instigators pushing for racial genocide--that's when the problems are happening.

[11:06] Exxxxxxxxx Gxxxxxxx: next warn is a ban

Oh, I hope so.

[11:06] sxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: wow
[11:06] fxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx Oh: When people can't follow the rules they need to be dismiss from the group.... when they have no reguard for others feelings

"Regard".

[11:06] sxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: smh
[11:07] sxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I HAVE plenty of loving feelings just stating a fact. I am not the problem

She is, actually. Very much part of the problem. One person mentioned BLM, it could have stopped there. She had to spout off about terrorists. So yes, she is the problem.

[11:07] sxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I was not the one who brought politics in to the dicussion actually

Actually, no, Ms. [Sxxw], all Ms. A mentioned was the name. Just that. YOU brought politics into it. YOU escalated it further by naming them terrorists, then even LATER used the dog whistle term "racializing". It's not on Ms A., this one. It's on YOU.

[11:07] axxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: omg [sxxw] is still talking?

Apparently.

[11:07] ixxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: u no ppl feeling wont be hurt is yall will stop taking

And meet Ms. I. And her inability to spell. She definitely is also part of the problem.

[11:07] Rxxxxxxxx Rxxxx: drop it already
[11:08] ixxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: talkin*

Remembering you dropped an L from 'talking' doesn't correct the "u" for "you" and the "no" for "know", and does nothing for the "ppl" for people. Do better.

[11:08] Exxx Cxxxxxxx: eyerolls in solidarity with [Rxxx]
[11:08] ixxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: like not cause yall in a roup tat makes yall get stuff yall have to talk

"Group", "chat", you really need to drop different letters if you want to be understood.

[11:08] Rxxxxxxxx Rxxxx: Ever ! Hugs
[11:08] ixxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: abd constantly be disturbing other

It's "and", actually. And other...what? People? Groups? Small yellow plastic soap dishes? What?

[11:08] Sxxxxxx Hxxxxxxxx blocks the things I don't want to hear

Probably wise. I'm contemplating it for Ms. [Sxxw].

[11:08] sxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: amyway...moving on

"Anyway".

[11:09] Jxxxxxxx Nxxx: Ooooh where can I get an eyeroll ani for Lelutka?

Interesting question. I went to look. I found this one, but it's pre-Bento, and just causes the eyes to roll independently. They also have this one, but again, it's pre-Bento, and spendier.

Maybe there are more specific search terms than "eye roll animation" or "Bento eye roll", though.

[11:09] Exxx Cxxxxxxx: LMAO
[11:09] sxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Lol
[11:09] ixxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: like jeez stfu and take the free [s**t] yall get u wanna talk add the person and im them

Can you not, Ms. I? Now you're the one causing drama.

[11:09] sxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: *anyway*

You caught that, great.

[11:09] ixxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: yall jus love to chat o [f*k] man
[11:09] hxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Language, please.

Yeah, even misspelled, it's still against the rules.

[11:09] Jxxxxxxx Nxxx: That would get a lot of use. Bonus if it's discounted!
[11:10] Gxxxxxxx Axxxxx: Indeed.
[11:10] Exxx Cxxxxxxx: mine would stick that way
[11:10] hxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: O no, I said languange please.

"Languange"? Really?

[11:10] Exxx Cxxxxxxx: permanently lol
[11:10] sxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I use genus.. anyone? with the eyeroll thingy
[11:10] sxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: lol
[11:11] sxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: no cussing in group please
[11:11] sxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: chat lag agaion lol

"Again".

[11:11] Txxxxx Rxxxxx: black olives matter

A poor, but I think earnest, attempt at levity at this point.

[11:11] pxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Oh my gosh ...
[11:12] Mxxx Fxxxxxxxx: lo i saw eye roll animations on mp
[11:12] axxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: oh sorry, i must have it all wrong. i guess black lives DON'T matter here?

No, you're not wrong, but yes, you are wrong in persisting. The mods are attempting to redirect, and you, Ms. [Sxxw], Ms. I, and Ms. S are having none of it.

[11:12] hxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Excellent, [Jxxxx]!
[11:12] ixxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: @[Txxxxx] black olives matter really
[11:12] Mxxx Fxxxxxxxx: all lives matter

It was a single toss-off comment to attempt to lighten the mood, which failed, but come on, that's not the hill Ms. T is attempting to die on, okay? Relax.

But, more importantly, the entire reason it's "Black Lives Matter" and not "All Lives" or just "Lives" is to point out the disparity between how white people suspected of criminal activity are treated, and how black people are. There is a disproportionate number of blacks to whites in prison; a very disproportionate number of blacks getting shot by cops, whether they were committing a crime or not. The point was to push that realization that blacks in this country are historically considered more dangerous, lesser, less intelligent, less thoughtful, and are treated as that by a large bulk of cops. Shoot first, don't bother to ask questions has always been the order of the day.

[11:12] axxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: it was just info on a freebie that i appreciate, not anything that anyone needs to argue on

Truth. It was a single mention, and it spawned all of this.

[11:12] Gxxxxxxx Axxxxx: It's SL. no life matters. :-p
[11:12] Sxxxxxx Rxxxx: whoa. what di dI log into?

"Did I", and drama. As usual.

[11:12] hxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: [Axxxxxx].

Mmhmm. Ms. A., Ms. I, Ms. S., and Ms. other S, in short.

[11:12] ixxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: u no what let me leave this

Feel free.

[11:12] ixxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: group before i cuss t* out u

Door's over there.

[11:13] Txxxxx Rxxxxx: lol
[11:14] Jxxxxx Dxxxxx: OK I have had enough for today so closing chat sorry

Probably wise.

Then, later:

[11:36] hxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I want everyone to remember to be respectful of one another. We will have differing views on matters of great import and matters of little import. We MUST be respectful of that. We are living in difficult times for a cornucopia of reasons. The typists behind the avatars are real, live, human beings. [11:36] sxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: yes
[11:38] Emilly Orr: Thank you, [Dxxxxx].

But I won't lie, that's where I blocked the little pipsqueak. Her whole "I love everyone but genuinely upset black people are bad" attitude? Not one I'm going to deal with now. Take your "Live, Love, Laugh" poster and your likely frosted hair away, Karen, I'm in no mood.