Paint the Motha Pink: An Open Letter to the SD Community

Dear You (this is you: https://slickdeals.net/forums/showpost.php?p=4532467&postcount=379)

Yes, YOU, you know who you are and what you did. Although I know that the result was unintended, I need you to know what your act did for me.

I was beginning to lose what little faith I had in the people who occupy this little corner of cyberspace. Sniping, in-fighting, rumor, gossip, and the constant barage of sexually explicit posts have been weighing on me to the point where I was beginning to wonder what this place held for me. I am not without fault in this so I am not pointing fingers. I will say that having such behavior reflected back at me has given me pause.

A deeper concern has been for and about the women of SD who, probably in a spirit of fun, maybe to gain notice, choose to objectify themselves. I can't help but wonder about the effect of online behavior on real life self image and esteem. I worry that bringing one's self down to that lowest common denominator here so frequently will have a negative effect real life. It is so easy for people to judge us by the limited input of what they see on these pages. Too many have forsaken their multi-faceted personalities of intelligent, caring, witty, fun people for jaw dropping titillation. It is up to each of us to choose our own behavior, but we can't chose how we are perceived and then treated by others. If that is what you are putting out there, then you are going to be treated accordingly, in that one dimension. I was truly one glossy-lipped, cherry-slurping avatar away from leaving SD for good.

Considering that the above represents where my mind has been, I can't tell you how much your show of support and solidarity to our dear friend meant to me. I know you did it for her and I know that it means so much to her, but I couldn't let what your act meant to me go unstated. Last night, as I watched avatar after avatar change, I was moved to tears. (see the pink avatars here: https://slickdeals.net/forums/showpost.php?p=4523013&postcount=174) Your unsolicited act of kindness renewed my faith in humankind. Most known for sarcastic and caustic comments, I want you to know that I am completely serious when I say this. You blew me away! I appreciate, beyond my capacity to communicate, what you have done. Your small act has had a huge impact.

Thank you, dear friend, for showing me the heart and soul of it.

CD