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lizbeeI feel like there's nothing I have to say that no one else has said already, but since I keep thinking about it (and I woke up and my hands weren't sore! CAN I GET A QUICK ROUND OF THE HALLELUJAH CHORUS?) here is what I think:
Applying for charity money, competing against groups raising money for underprivileged people and abused animals, in a situation where just being an option on the list means that some other organisation has missed out on a chance, is really vile.
Never mind the stupid things that were said on being called out -- now deleted, but there are screenshots around -- the idea itself is bad. It reeks of entitlement and middle class privilege. It's disgusting.
FictionAlley is competing against causes like the following:
- free dance classes for inner-city children
- a dance program for children with cerebral palsy
- purchasing musical instruments for a disadvantaged school
And it goes on. Some the options are less earth-shattering, like a mural honouring police officers and firemen. But what they have in common is that, unlike FictionAlley, they're pretty solidly in the real world. FictionAlley doesn't do anything for people who aren't already in possession of a computer and internet access, which is the ultimate defining privilege of fandom.
In short: vile.
Applying for charity money, competing against groups raising money for underprivileged people and abused animals, in a situation where just being an option on the list means that some other organisation has missed out on a chance, is really vile.
Never mind the stupid things that were said on being called out -- now deleted, but there are screenshots around -- the idea itself is bad. It reeks of entitlement and middle class privilege. It's disgusting.
FictionAlley is competing against causes like the following:
- free dance classes for inner-city children
- a dance program for children with cerebral palsy
- purchasing musical instruments for a disadvantaged school
And it goes on. Some the options are less earth-shattering, like a mural honouring police officers and firemen. But what they have in common is that, unlike FictionAlley, they're pretty solidly in the real world. FictionAlley doesn't do anything for people who aren't already in possession of a computer and internet access, which is the ultimate defining privilege of fandom.
In short: vile.
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Date: 2010-11-03 09:04 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-11-03 09:48 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-11-04 02:44 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-11-03 11:14 pm (UTC)EXACTLY. WHAT ABOUT SET UP A CHARITY BUYING BOOKS OR COMPUTERS FOR KIDS/THE ILLITERATE? NO? WHUT?
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Date: 2010-11-03 11:44 pm (UTC)The stupid, it burns.
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Date: 2010-11-04 05:35 am (UTC)Believe it or not we've already heard some objections of the, "But think of the children!" variety: i.e., that we are somehow taking money that could be better used elsewhere by trying to win this grant.
I don't find that hard to believe at all. What I find hard to believe is that you find it so hard to believe.
I've done the research and I'm here to tell you that there are far more sources of funding available to traditional charitable causes than there are to fan-oriented websites
I . . . I . . . really don't know what to say to that. I'm sure you're right. I bet there are far more sources of funding available to traditional charitable causes than there are to funding me to go on a luxury round-the-world cruise, too. I'll even go out on a limb and say that's true even though I haven't "done the research" on it.
Our 501(c)3 is just as deserving as any other
If you're talking about filling out tax forms, then yes. If you're talking about a competition where only the top vote-getters get the money, think again. Seriously, think again.
no subject
Date: 2010-11-05 03:52 am (UTC)