Salutations Potterworld Community,
In the last several months, we have seen protests surfacing in every US state and around the world. Many people, including us, feel the pain and anger over racial and social injustice in society, and the inequality is clear – change is overdue.
This world has a long history of racism. Humans love to group together, and then love to create division between groups unlike themselves. It is so ironic how people need each other but still try to separate each other when those “other people” don’t look like themselves. The things happening in the world are not new, they are stark examples of the ongoing struggles for equality and justice all around the world. Like many of you, I have struggled with processing these tragedies and thinking about what Potterworld and I can do to help.
When I created Potterworld, I knew from the beginning that I did not want to make Potterworld a social platform for me, or anyone to use as a place to soapbox social issues, religion, politics, or the like. The reason why we always “measure twice and cut once” when it comes to addressing things like this is because of this reason - which is my own stance on things. I want Potterworld to be a place of acceptance for ALL people no matter their background, no matter their beliefs. I want to make sure, especially during these times, that at a minimum, our Black friends and team members deserve to feel safe whether they are playing on Potterworld or helping to staff our server. We want to again commit to our rule of not accepting slurs in any form on the server. More than ever, we are making sure that we are committed to not only racial equality but all forms of social, political and belief equality as well.
I know many of you are affected in different ways. I am personally overwhelmed, angry, sad, frustrated, disappointed, and struggle to see justice in the world. I want to help – and I know you all do too – but we don’t always know the best way to do that. The Head Staff and I will continue to look for ways to support, grow, and champion the right for everyone to be equal in this world. It is a core belief of mine that we are all equal and should be treated so.
I have made it my obligation as a citizen of the world to continue to educate myself about the traumas others have endured as well as work for change to help eradicate these experiences. In these trying times, we can’t let COVID-19 or anything else stop us from working to be better individuals and better overall as a collective. Now is the time for us to show compassion, support, and work for change in the society. Change begins with each of us:
- Educate Yourself: Right now, it’s super important that we continually expand our understanding of the current situation and the underlying causes and history that have brought us here. I have included some resources that will be a good start.
- Listen and Be There for One Another: Check in on your friends, whether it be on staff or off, and support them. Listen to their stories and experiences. Leave space for our friends affected to share their experiences and feelings.
- Speak Up and Advocate: Commit to action. Speak up and speak out AGAINST hatred, racism, and injustice. If you see it happening on our server, staff or not, help us stop it. It is NOT tolerated on Potterworld in any percentage. Protect everyone’s right to equality.
- Additional Resources for more learning:
- Our Next Steps: Beyond each of us individually finding ways to help make a difference, know that the Potterworld leadership team is committed to making sure that Potterworld is a place of acceptance and equality. Some of you have asked about our silence and why we haven’t shared anything publicly. We are not silent. We all feel strongly about supporting this moment and we want to do it right. We know it is vital that actions should back our words, that is important to me personally, and we know it’s important to you.
These are incredibly difficult times. Be there for each other in whatever way you can.
Thank you Potterworld Community.
Headmaster Droobledore
In the last several months, we have seen protests surfacing in every US state and around the world. Many people, including us, feel the pain and anger over racial and social injustice in society, and the inequality is clear – change is overdue.
This world has a long history of racism. Humans love to group together, and then love to create division between groups unlike themselves. It is so ironic how people need each other but still try to separate each other when those “other people” don’t look like themselves. The things happening in the world are not new, they are stark examples of the ongoing struggles for equality and justice all around the world. Like many of you, I have struggled with processing these tragedies and thinking about what Potterworld and I can do to help.
When I created Potterworld, I knew from the beginning that I did not want to make Potterworld a social platform for me, or anyone to use as a place to soapbox social issues, religion, politics, or the like. The reason why we always “measure twice and cut once” when it comes to addressing things like this is because of this reason - which is my own stance on things. I want Potterworld to be a place of acceptance for ALL people no matter their background, no matter their beliefs. I want to make sure, especially during these times, that at a minimum, our Black friends and team members deserve to feel safe whether they are playing on Potterworld or helping to staff our server. We want to again commit to our rule of not accepting slurs in any form on the server. More than ever, we are making sure that we are committed to not only racial equality but all forms of social, political and belief equality as well.
I know many of you are affected in different ways. I am personally overwhelmed, angry, sad, frustrated, disappointed, and struggle to see justice in the world. I want to help – and I know you all do too – but we don’t always know the best way to do that. The Head Staff and I will continue to look for ways to support, grow, and champion the right for everyone to be equal in this world. It is a core belief of mine that we are all equal and should be treated so.
I have made it my obligation as a citizen of the world to continue to educate myself about the traumas others have endured as well as work for change to help eradicate these experiences. In these trying times, we can’t let COVID-19 or anything else stop us from working to be better individuals and better overall as a collective. Now is the time for us to show compassion, support, and work for change in the society. Change begins with each of us:
- Educate Yourself: Right now, it’s super important that we continually expand our understanding of the current situation and the underlying causes and history that have brought us here. I have included some resources that will be a good start.
- Listen and Be There for One Another: Check in on your friends, whether it be on staff or off, and support them. Listen to their stories and experiences. Leave space for our friends affected to share their experiences and feelings.
- Speak Up and Advocate: Commit to action. Speak up and speak out AGAINST hatred, racism, and injustice. If you see it happening on our server, staff or not, help us stop it. It is NOT tolerated on Potterworld in any percentage. Protect everyone’s right to equality.
- Additional Resources for more learning:
- Our Next Steps: Beyond each of us individually finding ways to help make a difference, know that the Potterworld leadership team is committed to making sure that Potterworld is a place of acceptance and equality. Some of you have asked about our silence and why we haven’t shared anything publicly. We are not silent. We all feel strongly about supporting this moment and we want to do it right. We know it is vital that actions should back our words, that is important to me personally, and we know it’s important to you.
These are incredibly difficult times. Be there for each other in whatever way you can.
Thank you Potterworld Community.
Headmaster Droobledore