[Skylord_Fox]

Can you PLEASE for Solestia's Sake never bring up anything about Derpy like this again? We know about Derpy. This has been around since "Derpy" was even a true character.
I would like to enjoy this character for the sake that She breaks norms and provides a Character more people can relate to and LOVE for her disability.
I've tolerated your righteous crusades this long, but you should never dare bring up such things about Derpy around here me.

[kingofturves]

Okay first off, it's okay to have a discussion and debate about issues affecting us and about life in general and it is quite interesting that it is a cartoon of all things that has initiated this.
However if we are to debate I shall have to lay down a few rules:
1)Assume that no one’s position is 100% right. Including your own. Everyone’s viewpoint is colored by personal background, religious belief, and facts that you don’t know or can’t understand.
2)You don’t get to tell anyone they’re wrong. Unless you can tell them why. If your response isn’t at least two sentences long, don’t write it down or yell it from the rooftops. Gut reactions are important, but only if they’re backed by logic.
3)Remember where you are. This is friendly, intelligent discourse. It should never be taken as a personal attack, but rather an opportunity to learn something you didn’t know. Give points to your opponent(s) where due, take issue with them where you have issue with them, or request clarification if you’re unsure.
4)No swearing or finger-pointing. Well, no swearing in a hostile way. I have a mouth like a sailor sometimes (I am a sailor’s daughter), and I fully support the use of adjectival expletives, but don’t use them to demean anyone. Also, no name-calling. Because if you need to resort to name-calling, it makes your own argument look faulty. And you don’t want that.
5)Learn. Pay attention to what other people are talking about. You may not agree with anyone else by the end, but you may gain a new perspective on the situation as a whole, which will allow you to defeat those same arguments when you have this discussion with someone else.


Let us avoid the last 3 and concentrate on the top 3.

[Skylord_Fox]

I apologize, first of all to Deel.
I honestly have no business being on the forums today because reasons.
I next apologize to the other bronies in this community, and to the entire community as a whole. -snip-
I will strive to further abide by accepted ways of communicating in a more polite and good natured manner.
I cannot do that lately, so I'm basically done for today.
Again, I'm sorry.
just don't expect me around anytime soon

[Meowrocket]

Turves, just thought I'd point out that the name-calling section may get you in trouble with staff for being posted on the forums.

[dlgn]

Apology accepted, Skylord. However, you did bring up a common point that I feel I need to respond to.

I would like to enjoy this character for the sake that She breaks norms and provides a Character more people can relate to and LOVE for her disability.

So the thing is...she doesn't break norms, sadly. She fits right into stereotypes about people with mental disabilities. While she might provide a character people can relate to, do we really want kids to have the only character who they see on the show who has their disability being the target of constant jokes about clumsiness and lack of intelligence? It can make people (especially kids, MLP's main target demographic) feel terrible when a part of them is mocked like that, particularly because there are so many disabled characters who exist for the same reason as Derpy, and so few who are treated like people rather than sympathy objects or sources of cheap comedy.

I'm not saying Derpy should never have existed in the first place, but if they wanted to add in a neuroatypical character they shouldn't have made her into a gag. To echo a sentiment commonly found in fandom analyses on Tumblr, underrepresented groups aren't obliged to accept or be thankful for bad representation; they have the right to request that shows be respectful in their portrayal. As American Dramedy says, " She's a pony with disabilities, and she's funny because she has disabilities...they wanted to laugh at (not with) her."

~dlgn

[kerovon]

As much as I dislike having to actually enter this thread, I kind of need to now. I think there has been enough discussion about "derpy", so I think everyone should drop it now. This is not a good thread for this type of discussion. Let the conversation die and get back to doing whatever it is you people do in this thread.

[dlgn]

As much as I dislike having to actually enter this thread, I kind of need to now. I think there has been enough discussion about "derpy", so I think everyone should drop it now. This is not a good thread for this type of discussion. Let the conversation die and get back to doing whatever it is you people do in this thread.

Um, this is what we do in this thread...talk about My Little Pony. We weren't causing any flame wars or anything, so I don't see what the problem is with this.

[kingofturves]

As much as I dislike having to actually enter this thread, I kind of need to now. I think there has been enough discussion about "derpy", so I think everyone should drop it now. This is not a good thread for this type of discussion. Let the conversation die and get back to doing whatever it is you people do in this thread.

Um, this is what we do in this thread...talk about My Little Pony. We weren't causing any flame wars or anything, so I don't see what the problem is with this.

Thank you Kerovon for your concern, if you would like to elaborate further you can always contact personally by private messaging.

As always I aim to keep matters straight, fair and on the level.
There are a surprising number of issues that can be brought up from even a kids tv show like friendship is magic. So long as they are discussed maturely and with great care, attention and respect for potentially opposing points of view. I am absolutely fine with them being discussed.
I value knowledge and understanding. Which I view as more of the show's main message than the old meme of Love and Tolerance.
Without being able to discuss maters of philosophy and ethics, we are sadly left ignorance to the matter in how our own views and actions may be detrimental to other individuals and potentially society as a whole.
An important part of democracy is free speech, the ability to ask questions, questions which we may find difficult or hard to answer. But sometimes you have to face those difficult questions and tackle those subjects.

Matters of discussion that I can see arising on this thread that still relate to the show can include any subject matter that is touched on by the show, to what the show values and how it portrays those values and themes (either meant to or as interpreted by fans).
Everything from gender issues, relationships, themes of friendship to how we treat others, discrimination, bullying, etc. Both the positive and negative aspects.

I'll admit I do have a soft spot for Derpy Hooves (aka Ditzy Doo, and many other aliases).
She is one of my favorite characters, but that is not to say I do not sometimes have concerns over how she is portrayed how others view her and treat her and what that says about people and society in general.


By all means whilst you are stopping by, feel free to speak your piece and opinion, but try to keep things civil.

[MellieCakes]

Sorry for posting that comic in the first place...I didn't mean to start anything. I never really thought twice about how she is portrayed on the show, mostly because I've always enjoyed her character. So, I never payed attention to how her eyes are crossed or how she tends to mess things up because I was just happy to see her get some screen time. Now I see how some people look at her character as being disabled and I definitely understand why, but I still don't really look at her that way.

[MellieCakes]