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"Gift?"
Yeah, this was a gift. I think it& #39;s about time I talked about the meaning behind it publicly.
(Warning, long thread) https://twitter.com/ghirapurigears/status/1175586657157836802">https://twitter.com/ghirapuri...
Yeah, this was a gift. I think it& #39;s about time I talked about the meaning behind it publicly.
(Warning, long thread) https://twitter.com/ghirapurigears/status/1175586657157836802">https://twitter.com/ghirapuri...
A little context, first. I was born into an extremely conservative Christian sect and spent the majority of my life following its teachings pretty tightly. I& #39;d say I was an ideal churchgoer. Lots of volunteer work, paid my 10% tithing, politically and fiscally conservative, etc.
I got into Magic in 2013 and quickly became hooked on Commander. I followed a lot of Magic content creators, including @loadingreadyrun , @commanderinmtg, @commandcast , and a certain bearded blunder we don& #39;t talk about (I& #39;ll get back to that).
I first heard about Shivam when he made a guest-appearance on the @commanderinmtg episodes 63 & 64, "Diversity In Gaming with Shivam Bhatt". At the time, I was a politically centrist straight white cis man who was slowly sliding toward the right thanks to good ol& #39; Brambly.
But listening to that two-part podcast on Commanderin& #39; made a huge impact on my perspective. I was intrigued by the discussion and immediately started reading through Shivam& #39;s blogs, articles, and any other content I could find. I began seeking other perspectives, too.
From there, I quickly began improving my attitude and perspective on diversity, feminism, and equality, not only in gaming but in life as a whole. I distanced myself from the Hamburger and his rapidly-radicalizing fanbase. I became a better husband to my incredibly patient wife.
I am no longer a member of my religion of 28 years. I am living a spiritually fulfilling and ethical life without it. I feel more at peace with myself than I have in my whole life, and I continue to learn how best to be an ally for those without the privileges I was given.
I owe this transformation, in large part, to a single socially progressive discussion on an MTG podcast. A discussion led by @ghirapurigears.
(Now look me in the eyes and tell me the active discussion of equality in gaming doesn& #39;t matter.)
(Now look me in the eyes and tell me the active discussion of equality in gaming doesn& #39;t matter.)
Thank you so much for everyone& #39;s positive response! There are so many positive voices in Magic!
@Em_TeeGee
@jfwong
@JoshLeeKwai
@TolarianCollege
@
@jay13x
@OriginalOestrus
@BibliovoreOrc
Please comment with other progressive and/or minority content creators to follow!
@Em_TeeGee
@jfwong
@JoshLeeKwai
@TolarianCollege
@
@jay13x
@OriginalOestrus
@BibliovoreOrc
Please comment with other progressive and/or minority content creators to follow!
Oops, typo 
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="😅" title="Lächelndes Gesicht mit offenem Mund und Angstschweiß" aria-label="Emoji: Lächelndes Gesicht mit offenem Mund und Angstschweiß">
Let& #39;s pretend the empty @ was the ENTIRE LoadingReadyRun cast because they& #39;re all amazing and do so much for the community.
@Graham_LRR
@Kathleen_LRR
Paul Saunders
@James_LRR
@alexsteacy
@UnarmedOracle
@BengineeringTV
@WakeUpSuper
@ihorner
@LunarJade
Let& #39;s pretend the empty @ was the ENTIRE LoadingReadyRun cast because they& #39;re all amazing and do so much for the community.
@Graham_LRR
@Kathleen_LRR
Paul Saunders
@James_LRR
@alexsteacy
@UnarmedOracle
@BengineeringTV
@WakeUpSuper
@ihorner
@LunarJade
