Open Letter to LJ
Originally published at Memoirs of a Nobody. You can comment here or there.
Since recent events cast me into the grey zone of life, this is a copy of the letter I sent to LiveJournal, hopeing for either clarification, or…something. Of course, as my email signature contains my livejournal name, I could have just signed my own death warrarnt.
To the staff of LiveJournal/Six Apart/Whomever I’m missing:
Thank you, for both attempting to make LiveJournal a better place for all, and for admitting when something went wrong (can’t really blame you guys, you had your hearts in the right place and we all screw up, we’re human…and part machine *grins*)
And while I’m glad you’re working to balance out the errors, I’m still concerned, as one of those groups that falls into the grey area.
I write two fictions, both of which have been showcased on my journal as well as two other writing communities. One deals with what, in our modern times in most countries would be ‘under age’ (he’s fourteen and lives in the medieval era when such relationships were not frowned upon or illegal), and the other involves incest with a minor who is above age in his country of origin.
Add into that I am a politician with controversial views, and you can see how my concern is warranted, as, according to the new standards, I am at risk of being shut down if I post my stories or my views on the age of consent.
I in no way support or ‘like’ pedophilia, incest, child rape, other acts that could harm minors (I myself am a survivor of child molestation and work tirelessly to protect the children within reasonable dictates and the law), but because I wish to explore controversial topics in my writings and with close friends on my journal, I am rather terrified that something I have enjoyed and been a part of for seven years now will disappear.
I hope, that you will re-look at your policies of fictional content and academic discussions, to make sure those of us who are writers, politicians, artists, what have you, are not silenced simply because we reach outside the norm.
I know the path you’re treading is a hard road and that you can’t make everyone happy, and I know that in the end, my interests fall far below those of keeping children safe and LJ a rather respectable place, I just wanted to share the side of the grey area, who is close to being forgotten.
In closing, thanks to everyone, for seven great years of journaling and connections with people that I never would have otherwise met.
Saitaina
So if I get suspended…so be it. I just wanted to know where the line was drawn and point out that not all fictional and academic works were ‘thin veeners’.