*big sigh*
I just read what you wrote three times, Karen, because honestly, this had been bothering a few of us for a while. I feel like what you're saying is a bit double-sided, but I *do* understand. I also think that a major issue here is that online, it's incredibly hard to tell how certain comments are meant to be taken. You say that the teenybopper comment was not intended to be offensive, but in print, it was. No one is warping your comments; that's how it came off, whether intended or not. One of the perils of internet usage, I suppose. Things that aren't to be offensive are taken as such, they *do* seem like they're being judgmental, and that's unfortunate. But as for things that *are* offensive - that's just not fair.
Secondly, no. There is no denying that thread. There, I said it. Half of what I posted was at 2 a.m. I simply shouldn't be allowed to have conversations at that hour - I was tired and probably stressed out, and that resulted in things I probably should not have said. I can't speak for others, but that needs to be said and understood. I'm admitting that I've learned a lesson about toning things down. But, with that, I must comment on this:
"now that I've said something to upset some people, you're all coming around and saying 'It's his talent, it's his talent!'"
Before you said anything, we were discussing his talent. Britt posted to talk about the Chatterbox, and that's what we were doing. I re-read a lot of the posts after hers, and they're all about how wonderfully talented he is. To say what you said is to say that we were simply fawning over looks until your posts upset us, and then (and ONLY then) did we feel the need to justify our comments with a conventional, stock answer. That's not the way it was.
"It's nothing personal, I was just recounting what I saw."
See, thing is, it *was* personal. You isolated a single incident that - aside from an excited message board post - you knew nothing about. There was no need to make any of these statements personal. That makes it seem even *more* offensive.
This is getting ridiculous, already. I'm 18. When Raul was doing Cabaret and Tick, Tick... BOOM! I was too young for those shows - too young both to appreciate them or to understand them. I've known OF Raul for a few years, but am just recently becoming a fan because I've finally been graced with the opportunity to see him. It seems like you want him to gain exposure, but not attention. I'm not sure that makes sense to me, but it's not all that important, I suppose.
As for the website: of COURSE it's only about his work. Would other, objective, non-valid material belong on an offial site? No.
And finally... "people are talking about him and objectifying him like he's not a person."
Please. How many times do I need to repeat myself? This is where words like "thrusting" cause this issue to become offensive. I know that I (as well as the other people involved here) would never, EVER do anything disrespectful or anything but treat someone like Raul as the wonderful person that they are. I have NOTHING but respect for him. Nothing.
KatePrinceton - your post strikes me as terribly immature. You speak of disrespect; what about your comment toward TMC? Disrespect much? I've already addressed the issue of appropriate/inappropriate postings. I've already (in THIS post) admitted that I was wrong. I'm not going to type it out again for you.
This has all effectively ruined how much fun I had on Thurdsay night. Thank you for that.
And with that, I have a paper to write.
A work of art is an invitation to love.