“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” Maria Robinson
The last few months have been an eye opener. The Susan Boyle fan community has both delighted and disappointed me.
Some of my expectations and stereotypes have been shattered. Like Dyebat said in her blog, friends have become enemies and enemies have become friends.
Previously, one of the greatest sources of friction had been the conflict between the pro-shippers and the anti-shippers. But the barrier between these two groups was actually insubstantial. We have much in common, including respect for fairness. I find what we share is far more important than the ways in which we differ.
Shippers stood up for lchris, Dyebat and Citroenlady. As a result, my respect for them has increased. They have demonstrated the courage of their convictions.
And shippers are not the only ones who have exhibited wisdom and generosity of spirit during the recent conflicts. Many other members have demonstrated that they were concerned with fairness and truth. I have been heartened by this.
At the same time that I have been encouraged by the basic decency of much of the Susan Boyle fan base, I find I am disappointed in others.
There are some fans whose pre-conceived ideas about others color their beliefs so much that they readily, even eagerly, accepted lies and misinformation as gospel. Fans who cling to erroneous ideas, in spite of the facts, are present on both ‘sides’ of the recent conflicts. Ironically, this includes both those about whom the cyber-bully has lied and his unwitting accomplices.
While I have been both pleasantly surprised and disappointed by the recent behavior of Susan Boyle fans, the positive far outweighs the negative. I believe the answer to moving forward must lie with the fans who are willing to join together in a forum that respects fans and puts them first. Together we can work toward an inclusive fan group based on our shared appreciation for Susan Boyle and our mutual respect for each other.
With the support of lchris and Dyebat, Citroenlady and I have recently started a new forum. It is not meant to replace any other forum, but to be a fansite where fans can follow Susan's career without corporate influence. It is a site run by fans, for all fans. Everyone is welcome.
Here is the link: Susan Boyle Fans
