What #ForceOutHate Is and Isn’t
The world just keeps getting smaller, doesn’t it? We can reach people on the other side of the world is seconds, literally. Unfortunately, this amazing power comes with consequences and responsibilities. Neither, it seems, are things people are prepared to deal with.
Last week #ForceOutHate started making the rounds. With the apparent suicides of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain just in the past few days, the hashtag seems oddly appropriate now for a variety of reasons. It was created to bring awareness to individuals who had taken it upon themselves to bully Star Wars directors, writers, and even actors. The Star Wars fandom has always had its ups and downs, but with so much new material to work with, some just can’t help getting mean. To quote an Aesop Fable, The Wolf and The Lamb, “The tyrant will always find a pretext for his tyranny, and it is useless for the innocent to try by reasoning to get justice, when the oppressor intends to be unjust.” Sometimes, people just want to do what they want to do. So, #ForceOutHate was born.
What #ForceOutHate Isn’t
#ForceOutHate is not avenue to spread hate. One of my favorite examples is seen below. Calling out haters everywhere with a hashtag is one thing. Calling an entire race and gender of people is UNACCEPTABLE. If you agree with this tweet, unfollow me immediately and let me know you did so I can also block you. #ForceOutHate is not a logical reason for you to spread hate about other types people.
It is not your personal slogan. Everyone can use it and everyone should want to. Who wants hate in their fandom like this? It should bring people together, not separate.
It is not a reason to hate on people who dis agree with anything. We are a diverse fandom with lots of varying opinion. People love and hate different aspects of the material. It’s perfectly fine for someone to say they didn’t enjoy a story, film, tv series, or book. It doesn’t make them haters. It makes them people with opinions. Voicing an opinion and voicing hate are two different things. Find the line before accusing someone of being a troll.
It is not a reason to be vindictive. “He hurt my feelings so I have to lash back”. Or, you could be an adult, mute them, and move on. Lots of people have complaints about the new material. I am one of them. However, I have found I can have respectful conversations with people about my complaints. Those people do exist. Find them, and ignore the rest. They aren’t worth your time or feelings.
What #ForceOutHate Is
#ForceOutHate is a way to support your fandom. I know this seems to be a Star Wars movement, but I believe it applies elsewhere. I am genuinely sorry to those who have been the brunt of such attacks. They are cruel and should never happen. But, they do, so we are left dealing with them. Support each other. Support that individuals will have different opinions. We are in this together. Let’s make sure everyone can have open and honest conversations about real-world issues inside of this fandom.
It’s a way to spread some love. Instead of just using the hashtag to call put haters, use it to distribute positive thoughts. We have individuals in our fandom that are dealing with some powerful issues. Let them know they aren’t alone; that they are accepted and can get help. Everyone has issues. Let’s make sure no one feels like they have no where to get help.
#ForceOutHate can be an amazing tool or just another clickbait hashtag that goes nowhere and means nothing. We, as a fandom and community, have the opportunity and responsibility to help those we meet online have better experiences. It can be difficult to comprehend the human behind the screen, but they’re there. Let’s make sure we treat everyone like we would like to be treated, ignore the hate, and point out the good. Make #ForceOutHate a #ForceForGood.
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