Rule 2: Don't Be Hateful
We want to build a welcoming community. You can't post anything that is hateful or advocates harassment or violence, even against fictional or historical people. Be mindful in everything that you post.
- Be understanding of other viewpoints and perspectives.
- Be considerate of how your opinions and statements can be interpreted by others.
- Don't use slurs.
- Don't talk about how great it would be if someone was raped, tortured, maimed, etc.
The Fine Print
"Don't be hateful" is about how what you say speaks to
groups of people. For example, while slurs might offend a specific individual, they also generally offend communities. You are mindful not because of specific individuals, but because of all those who might be affected by what you say.
We expect, for example, that you will gender everyone appropriately. We expect that you will not refer to anyone by what might reasonably be considered a slur: don't use "retard", "japs", or "traps", for example.
We also expect that you will treat others with a modicum of civility and dignity. In particular, you must be willing to treat them as people. Revenge fantasies (Internet Tough Guy-ing) - whether against fictional groups, like the Na'vi, or against real groups, like the Taliban - are unacceptable. While there is more leeway when it comes to historical or fictional groups, a community that is willing to devalue outsiders is not the welcoming one we are trying to build.
