Branded a freak for being me.

[Plaidman]

I'm a dork. I fully realize that, and even embrace it. I love comics, with Batman topping the list, followed by JLA, Marvel comics, etc etc.

I love Power Rangers (The first two seasons. Once Zeo came, I lost intrest. Then Dino Thunder came, and I saw that season). I still watch old videos of the original rangers.

I love Dungeons and Dragons. I love fantasy mostly, and a chance to be a constant hero, rather then only rarely.

I hate fist fighting, but I love to study and practice melee weapons (Swords, Staffs, Daggers, Axe). I don't have the body for it yet, not with my hip. Once I get that healed, I'm going to really push it to the limit.

I don't have an intrest in fashion, I have my own style of clothes. I don't like much of the music that is out today. I'm open minded towards race/gender/religion, though I still see and witness alot of sexism/racism/homopobia (And even Hetrophobia from some).

So, why do some people mind just instantly think the worst of me for having my own intrests? I don't go out of my way to be stigmatize those that like their own thing.

I just don't get the hatred that some people have that don't have the narrow view that one must have same intrests as everyone, but it really seems that those who love fantasy, those that keep fandom of their childhood toys and fashions gets alot more hate about a tenth of those that are different religon, different sexuality and different race.


well, at least in my view. In my past most hatred comes in order of

Sexual Oritation
Race
Sex
Religon
/abnormal/ intrests compared to the /status quo/.

[Hobbs]

*hands Plaid some chocolates*

I've been picked on for being different. Then I joined the USAF. Half of us are jocks, the other half are nerds, so it all balances out.

I think it also has to do with where you're brought up. For instance, where I'm from, most people would call someone out as a jerk for picking on you like that (well, depends on which side of the city, I guess).

[the_std]

It all boils down to the fact that most people instinctively feel that different = bad. It is something that everyone deals with, even the people who bully and think the worst of you. I don't know if it will ever truly go away, I just think that truly tolerant people will either continue to not listen to that little voice, or just about stop hearing it all together.

[evillebee]

Fly your freak flag high and proud!!!

There will always be homophobes, bigot's and just plain assholes in the world. Don't ever let their issues affect or reflect the person who you are.

[Red Panda]

Unless you are projecting your hobbies, lifestyle, whatever, how do people even know about it? My thinking is if you're going to go a week without bathing, walk around wearing a dragon shirt, and talk to random people in the comic book about things they don't care about then you should be prepared for the natural consequences.

[Fryk]

Hehe, that's where my screen name there comes from. It's a word me and my best friend made up with in college. We were both weirdos from the music department who geeked out over weird music styles, cartoons, comics, collected toys (I still collect transformers), and on and on and on...

One time, in passing (and in jest) someone told us we were a couple of freaks. I shot back that, yes, we were freaks, but we spelled it differently. "Freaks" are weirdos who are the dregs of society. Fryks are awesome sexy people who are weird with STYLE. It just stuck, and I've used it ever since.

[Cats]

Unless you are projecting your hobbies, lifestyle, whatever, how do people even know about it? My thinking is if you're going to go a week without bathing, walk around wearing a dragon shirt, and talk to random people in the comic book about things they don't care about then you should be prepared for the natural consequences.

So it's okay to just pick on people who are different as if they asked for it by being who they are? That there was nothing wrong with the verbal and emotional abuse I once had to put up with (and that others deal with) because I wasn't a clone?

Humans are social creatures, and we find others with common interests by expressing them in various ways. 'Nerd' and 'freaks' find other 'nerds' and 'freaks' buy talking about/doing 'nerdy' or 'freaky' things, just as anyone else world. Why is it okay to talk to someone new about what happened on Lost or American Idol or whatever big show a ton of people watch at the moment, but it's not okay to discuss Dungeons and Dragons or whatever? If it's not illegal and doesn't harm anyone, what's the problem?


I don't mind people disliking me because I'm a somewhat of a geek, they are entitled to that opinion. But when it crosses the line of insulting me just because I don't conform and for no other reason, then I start to brand THEM as an asshole. They wanna slap labels on me? I can do that too.

[muses_nightmare]

My thinking is if you're going to go a week without bathing, walk around wearing a dragon shirt, and talk to random people in the comic book about things they don't care about then you should be prepared for the natural consequences.

So that means it's okay to torment someone because they're different? Or a little less mainstream than you? Is that what you mean by "natural consequences"?

[draggar]

I love Dungeons and Dragons. I love fantasy mostly, and a chance to be a constant hero, rather then only rarely.

I'll oneup you - I'm a fan of Spelljammer.

I hate fist fighting, but I love to study and practice melee weapons (Swords, Staffs, Daggers, Axe). I don't have the body for it yet, not with my hip. Once I get that healed, I'm going to really push it to the limit.

I sleep with a sharpened sword under my bed. I also know which swords on display are sharp and which ones aren't.

I don't have an intrest in fashion, I have my own style of clothes. I don't like much of the music that is out today. I'm open minded towards race/gender/religion, though I still see and witness alot of sexism/racism/homopobia (And even Hetrophobia from some).

T-shirt and jeans, all year round.

So, why do some people mind just instantly think the worst of me for having my own intrests? I don't go out of my way to be stigmatize those that like their own thing.

I just don't get the hatred that some people have that don't have the narrow view that one must have same intrests as everyone, but it really seems that those who love fantasy, those that keep fandom of their childhood toys and fashions gets alot more hate about a tenth of those that are different religon, different sexuality and different race.

It's actually quote hypocritical - if you're different you should be like everyone else but the second you do something that everyone else does you're a copycat.

[blas87]

I have the opposite problem....I work with a few "freaks" and "geeks" who are overly obsessed with video games and not leaving the house, and they call me a ditz and a "sheep" because I prefer to be social and go out and I like to wear "preppy" brands of clothes. Go figure, hatred works both ways. "Geeks" and "freaks" aren't totally innocent, either. Not saying you do this, Plaid, I'm sure most people like you don't, but I work with a few nerds who really can slam some insults towards people who don't live their hermit video gamer lifestyle.

But I'm a little lost......where did Plaid ever say that he only showers once a week and awkwardly walks around bugging people in the comic book stores?

[radiocerk]

How am I a freak....

Let me count the ways.

Bisexual, in a poly amorous relationship. And into BDSM.

An older goth, so when I'm not in black, I'm in skirts, which doesn't seem to go over well in this jeans and tshirt town.

A member of the local Star Wars fan force and worked with Renaissance faires for many years. I also collect comic books and make costumes for numerous "pretend" things : steampunk, BSG, renaissance, Star Wars, our yearly Halloween display, etc. And I wear these costumes "out in public".

I'm pagan, living in a largely Christian community. And trust me, you work in the same place for three years, these things come up.

And, I'm educated. Which seems like it wouldn't be a big deal, but everyone around me, including those coworkers with degrees, look at me funny because I'd rather read National Geographic than People, and I can tell them about history, but not what happened on Dancing with American Idol, or whatever reality show they're watching.

I just try not to let it bug me. I have the small groups that fit my interests, and they do not merge. I have a few friends who "get me" completely, but most just think I'm a little, or more than a little odd. Let 'em. Who gives a damn what their opinions are anyway.

[jackfaire]

I am a man stuck in both worlds. I am a gamer/comic geek who also likes to go out and be social with his friends and travel.

Yeah and the bisexual thing. One of my closest friends is a straight girl who doesn't quite understand what it's like to be despised for your sexual orientation.

[Lace Neil Singer]

I've always been different; gamer, geek (on certain things, like X-men for example, and LOTR) and goth (or at least, that's what the label is. I personally don't call myself goth; I just like the alliteration. ) My view is that I don't care a toss what other people think of me, and just go out and do my own thing. Picking on someone for being different just shows a person up as being a narrow minded arsehole. How's that for a label?

[Amanita]

Red Panda, that was a nasty thing to say! As others have said, where do you get the idea that being a "geek" means that Plaid (or anyone else) for that matter, is not bathing and pestering strangers about things?

About "projecting", are we supposed to cover up who and what we are? Should I not be wearing the ankh pendant I love, lest I be "outed" as a Pagan and given grief? Should I not wear the clothes I've made and designed myself, out of fear that somebody may say something?

I tell you- I was ruthlessly picked on while in school, because I was different. I couldn't relate to most of the music my classmates liked, as my tastes were different. I didn't wear the same brand names. And I preferred books on history and architecture to fashion and pop culture.
I didn't bother other people over the things they liked, surely I deserved the same consideration? I guess not! My parents and misguided guidance councillors told me not to ever draw attention to myself- play the chameleon. Don't ever do, wear, or say anything attention-getting. Be nice to the bullies, say good morning to them, and all will be okay.

Well, it wasn't okay. No matter how much I tried to blend in, I still got crapped on. And to top it all off, I was miserable. Was it all my fault for not being like everyone else? Or was it my asshole classmates who needed to grow the fuck up?
As somebody said, if people want to label me, fine. I can label right back. Call me a freak and a wierdo, suggesting that I deserve to be treated badly because I stand out in any way however small? Fine. Then I will call you an ignorant asshole, and say that your ignorance deserves about as much respect and consideration as what I scrape off my boots at the construction site.

Radiocerk and Plaid, I've got lots in common with you guys!
I'm Pagan
Not much interested in mainstream fashion, but LOVE to design and create my own clothes
I do sewing and leatherwork
I do art and writing, a lot of it exploring some pretty wild stuff, like the bleeding edges of Animism
I create elaborate costumes (Star Wars, Asian inspired, etc), and wear them in public*
Count me in as another sword-lover. I've got a ton of the things, both decorative and functional.

*About cosplaying in public- even in the cosplay community, that's a controversial subject. If some folks only costume/cosplay at cons, that's fine with me, I respect that. It's their life and their choice. But it does make me angry when some of them get self-righteous about it- "I ONLY cosplay at official events and conventions, and if YOU cosplay in public, it means you are an attention whore/making us look bad/are a bad person!"
Sometimes we cosplayers are our own worst enemies..sigh

[Lace Neil Singer]

At school, I used to sit alone during break with my book. That still didn't stop various bitches from coming up to me and laughing at what I was reading, and saying how much it sucked and how much better Sweet Valley High was. -.- I wasn't going up to them and talking about how much I loved Lord Of The Rings or Watership Down; they were coming up to ME and telling me how much they sucked.