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I have a challenge for Whyville. Reading this article is the first part of the challenge.
It seems to me that now, more than ever, there are fights about Newbies and Oldbies. I saw the article by dxdxdxdx that centered around the argument that Oldbies are treating Newbies badly and creating a rift between the two. Although dxdxdxdx has made some good points about how Oldbies are rude to Newbies and they are not being treated fairly, but I have another point of view.
Oldbies are known for telling Newbies off and ganging up on them, but is that really the only problem? Is it really okay to blame the Oldbies? No it isn't. I have noticed that Newbies are just as much to blame! Let me set the scene. I am usually found in the Sunroof with a couple friends just chatting. People are moving around, leaving the chat room, joining, and then they arrive. A Newbie moves their avatar right next to mine. It always goes the same way, "Can I have some clams?! I'm new." I reply, "I'm sorry, I don't just give out my clams, I really am not that rich." The Newbie will beg a few more times and then things get crazy. Caps lock is turned on and it gets out of control. The Newbie usually starts telling me that I'm rude, mean, and ugly. This has happened many more times than once. I realize that not every Newbie is like this, but this is out of control.
Blame is a natural tendency of humans. We want to blame someone or something for our own faults. The name of this article is "Under Pressure" for a reason. Everyone is under peer pressure to do things that may not be the best thing to do. You may be rude to that Newbie because your friends wouldn't want to hang out anymore or you may be rude to the Oldbie because you want to look tough. Either way, both are to blame.
Like I said at the beginning of this article, I have a challenge for Whyville. Stand up for someone else. Be yourself. Try to make a difference. Don't ever let someone tell you who you are. Next time you are in a chat room, make a new friend. I challenge you, Whyvillians, because I know from experience that it is tough to stand up and be yourself when so many are telling you what is "cool", and I want everyone to be able to do that. Maybe I get just one person on Whyville to participate in this challenge, but that is one life that is changed and that person will change others lives and so on! It is a living, breathing cycle.
Whyville, take this challenge seriously. Go out there and be yourself. Maybe just start on Whyville and when you are ready, go to school wearing your favorite sparkly red blouse or bright yellow shoes and be YOU. This is my challenge to Whyville, do you accept?
"Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else." - Judy Garland
Peace to all,
MooFrost
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