This shit has got to stop (please read)

Okay. This is going to be a brief vent before I continue photo editing. Honestly, I have no IDEA whether or not me saying it will change anything. But if I can wake one person up, or get the word spread further out there, then GOOD.

My next post is going to be how f'ing incredible AnimeUSA was. I cannot even begin to describe it. I had more fun there than at Otakon. But, despite the massive amounts of amazing, I noticed one very disturbing trend. There are fucking weirdos and creeps that don't fucking listen to cosplayers. Allow me to further explain as that is kind of an open-ended statement that I will most likely amend once I think of better wording.

Multiple times, throughout the weekend, I was either participating in photoshoots/opportunities, taking some shots myself, or being a bag carrier. And at multiple times, there were fucking weirdos that would come up and bother/harass the cosplayer/s. From insisting on poses that the cosplayer clearly stated they were uncomfortable with, to urging cosplayer/s to take photos when they had repeatedly said no. And yet these creeps kept asking and insisting, or worse, ignoring outright. Be it wanting to take a photo of a particular pose, or wanting said cosplayer to take a photo with them.

I know that there is the whole socially awkward stereotype when it comes to Otaku and going to conventions ("It's the only time they ever get out of the house..."). And that there are creepers at every con. But seriously, I don't think I've EVER been witness to as many incidents of this as I have this weekend. And it's downright infuriating to see. I know there are attractive female cosplayers (and males, so as not to discriminate). But NOTHING gives anyone an excuse to harass or make them feel uncomfortable. Nor should any of their friends have to step in because they're being ignored. If they say no or stop or ANYTHING about being uncomfortable. That should be it. THIS SHOULD BE FUCKING COMMON SENSE.

Apparently, it's not.

SO, thoughts and comments are encouraged and welcomed, but more importantly, SPREAD THE DAMN WORD. If you have friends who have not been to cons/are thinking about going, remind them about etiquette and NOT being a jackass.

Thanks.

I'm excited to write up my fun, lighter-hearted AUSA in review, but I felt this was majorly important to get out there. So thank you for reading.

Author's Note: due to popular demand, this journal has been reposted on my Tumbr so it can be re-posted, link is: mindfall.tumblr.com/post/13133…

As always, until next time:

...see you space cowboys...

~Corey