I feel the time has come to question the philosophy of this site. My questions stem mostly from the Complaint And Debate forum. Now, I realize that the C&D forum is not necessarily meant to be limited to computer graphics issues like most other forums here, but I wonder how far it should range. As anyone who has visited it lately can't help but notice, it has become a very ugly, hateful place to be. We have some people complaining that the bodies haven't started piling up in Afghanistan quickly enough to suit their thirst for blood, others posting messages that are very clearly, openly, unflinchly racist, and personal attacks everywhere. Even I personally have let myself be drawn into these so-called "debates", and for that I apologize to all. But like most good people, when I see someone spewing hateful, racist diatribes, I get upset. A lot of people are getting upset. There's something happening there, something far more dangerous than the usual bickering that we sometimes enjoy. These aren't "agree to disagree" situations. Wounds are being inflicted that aren't going to heal. Asking "Where can I get some warez" gets you banned, calling someone a jerk can get you banned (although it seems like it's anything goes in the C&D anymore), but saying "I can't wait to start killing you Arabs" doesn't even warrant a damned WARNING?!? Isn't that a personal attack on ALL our Arab members? Where will it end? Swastikas? Direct death threats? Or will it actually take an act of violence by one member against another to make you consider that maybe SOME messages aren't appropriate on ANY forum on this site? Forget Afghanistan, we've got a war of our own to deal with, right here on Renderosity. It is your site. Will you step in and give peace or chance, or do you prefer to stand back and let the fires burn higher?

x2000, you are right that C&D is moderated a little more loosely than most of the other forums. Please point me to where someone said "I can't wait to start killing you Arabs", because I certainly can't find it in any thread there.

No, I'll admit that no one has said that in those exact words, but the "impatient to turn Afghanistan into a parking lot" rant is the same thing, is it not? I wonder, do any of our members LIVE in Afghanistan? Has anyone even thought for one short moment as to the fact that the people they are in such a hurry to kill might be the same people who helped them solve a problem with Poser last week? And now we have yet ANOTHER new thread just popped up in which people again debate whether or not they should share a plane with a person of Arab descent. Racism, pure and true. I'm not trying to be an alarmist, nor am I here ranting about bans and boycotts, I'm simply asking you folks that watch over this site if you feel that perhaps these messages have gone too far. When racism and bloodthirsty warmongering raise their hideous heads, I personally feel that we've gone beyond compliants and debates and into something far more sinister. Something that, in my humble opinion, does not belong anywhere on a site that claims to be an "Artist's Community". If people got this rowdy in a bar, they be shown the door. Your site, your choice. Personally, I pledge here and now not to dignify anymore of these kinds of messages with responses of any kind. But they're apparently not going to go away unless you make them. Don't you feel that people are upset and hurt enough as it is without coming here and reading messages that only insults them and inflames this whole thing even more? How far is too far? Just a question. Not a rant, not an accusation, just a question, but one that I hope you will all think about very hard. I've loved this site from the moment I stumbled onto it, but all of a sudden I don't feel comfortable here anymore. And having talked privately with other members, I know for sure now that I'm not the only.

If they break the TOS they are gone. Period. If they arent breaking the TOS there isnt anything we can do to remove them or their personal thoughts from this site. One possible solution might be to stay out of the C&D forum and ignore it? Clint Renderosity Administration

X2000, I am a Muslim woman, so I sort of know your sense of hurt and outrage right now. I have been purposely avoiding C&D the last few days rather than get exposed to something that might hurt my feelings on a very deep level that would stay with me long after the passionate poster of the hatred had calmed down. I imagine that right now, all Muslims are doing about the same, going very deep, avoiding confrontation, waiting for this too to pass.

You prove my point exactly, Mehndi. Aren't you a moderator yourself? And yet, here you are, feeling the need to avoid C&D, only because no one here cares enough to rein in the animals spewing hatred all over the forum. When I wrote the above letters, I was trying to keep an open mind toward the powers that be here at Renderosity. But when even you feel the need to hide yourself, when the administrators don't even care enough to try to protect the feelings of their own people, I have to say I'm disgusted. Maybe some of the other mods share these racist feelings? I'm not accusing anyone, but I really have to wonder. I've seen threads locked and people banned for less. Is it too much to ask someone in authority here to post an announcement in C&D advising EVERYONE to cool it? It probably won't be enough, but it would at least show some degree of effort. The TOS says no personal attacks. In my opinion, attacking someone's race or nation of origin is a very personal attack, whether you mention an individual by name or not. I guarantee that if people were saying "niggers" this and "niggers" that, something WOULD be done. But since Arab people are so unpopular right now, no one cares, hmm? Absolutely revolting.

Well... hrm. Rcook moderates the board as best he can, staying as neutral as he can at all times. As you may know, he is my boyfriend, and we live together and love eachother very much. He is a Christian, I am a Muslim by conversion (and not of Arabic descent) :) So we hope we set an example of peace to all :) There is alot of pain in the world right now X2000. It is causing many people to act in ways they will later feel shame for having acted in. Sometimes, as hard as it is to watch it, it is best to let them burn a few effigies and get it out of their system fast. But it still hurts to watch. And the fear I have for my fellow Muslims at this time freezes my heart into ice.

Actually, I had no idea about you and Rcook. It does explain why he may be reluctant to enter the fray. But SOMEONE in power here should at least ASK people to restrain themselves. I wish I could believe that these people will "get it out of their systems", but that has never been my expirience. I've always found that they will keep pushing it as long and far as you let them. And let me say that I'm lilly-white and American for as many generations back as I've been able to trace. I live in a small town that has very few minorites, except for doctors at our rather large hospital (who have been targets of some ugly incidents themselves, unfortunately). What stake do I have in all of this? None. So then, why am I so vocal about fighting racism? Because it's the right thing to do. SO right that I can't just sit back and go, "Oh well, whatever" like so many others. I can't NOT speak up. I can only hope that someone listens. One final time, I plead for SOMEONE in authority here to go to C&D and ask these people to restrain themselves. And to you and Rcook, Mehndi, I wish the best. May you be spared from any of the crimes that are being committed against your people. What a horrible time this is for ALL of us.

By the way, I believe just as strongly in freedom of religion, as well. But that doesn't seem to be the issue at the moment, just race. Whoops! Shh, don't give them any ideas...

There are many crimes being committed right here, right now, in these dangerous days. Whether they be acts of hatred for one reason or another, who knows. I have never made it a secret that I am Muslim, and frequently have spoken of Allah in my posts. Thank you for your well wishes x2000, you have warmed my heart and given me hope :)

Thank YOU, Mehndi. It's nice to be appreciated:) I was afraid this thread would be a waste of time, but if I've given you hope, it's not a waste, whether the powers-that-be here at Renderosity heed my plea or not. You made my day. And I needed that, let me tell you, because after dealing with the twisted racist animals in the forum, I didn't get any sleep last night...

Well, all the really offensive threads in C&D seem to have ground to a halt, finally. Let's all pray (to the deity of your choice;) that maybe this fire really will burn itself out now. But don't bet on it...

Attached Link: http://http://www.renderosity.com/messages.ez?ForumID=12360&Form.ShowMessage=412491

There you very much for your effort. Although I may have lost my temper somewhat while responding to some of these peole directly, all I've EVER asked of anyone in any of my posts on any thread is to THINK about their words and their actions (or inaction, as the case may be). These people will always be there, spewing hatred as far and long as they can, but that doesn't mean we should sit back passively and let them have at it, or run away and let them take over. It's the same blind "death to the 'enemy'" thinking that these people are spouting that CAUSED this horror in the first place. By standing up to these people and trying to enlighten them (however vain an effort as that may be), we do more to combat terrorism in all of its forms than all the bombs in the words could ever do. End of speech. Thanks again. Time to go make some art:)

And that's supposed to be "bombs in the WORLD", but you knew that, right? Stupid typos:(

Actually, I think "bombs in the words" is a quite appropriate phrase as well. Perhaps if we rid ourselves of bombs in the words, we would eventually be free of bombs in the world.

So true. Hey, maybe it wasn't a typo, maybe it was just my subconcious coming up with a better line? Nah, my typing sucks...sigh

Subconscious. ARRGH! Maybe it's this stupid keyboard...

It was nice to see someone bring this up. Thank You x2000. I have been avoiding C&D lately because of this. I am not Arab, I am not Muslim, I am full fledged American/Native American who personally lost 3 of my best friends over this ordeal. (Well, 1 whose body is accounted for and 2 from higher up the tower that we are still waiting for although I hate to say that. So this all of Us against all of Them doesn't ring true. I can't stand to see what is happening with some of our nations people verbally and physically attacking others because they happen to share the same faith or nationality as those involved. Not everyone in the trade center and on those planes that day were white americans. One of my most beloved friends who I lost that day was half Arab. So before people start to trash a whole group, maybe they out to cool down and think more. It is horrible to think that if she survived, she would have had to deal with some of what was being spewed over in C&D. (And yes, she did frequent this site, although she did not speak out much.) Thank you again for bringing this up. I am just now at a point where I will start posting again. And I plan on going to C&D and Marking All Read and starting fresh. Angela

Thank YOU for sharing that. I look forward to seeing you in C&D. We can use all the sensible, compassionate voices we can get down there...