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This is something that took me a while to learn (or unlearn idk) but MRDA skaters: no one owes you news coverage. No one owes you exposure. No one owes you entrance/existence in the space that they've created. Am I saying you shouldn't be allowed? Absolutely not. But you (1/?)
have to earn those things and you have to work hard to keep them. You want coverage? Create it. You want a volunteer-run organization to cover your events? Invite them in, acknowledge and validate why they haven't given you coverage in the past, and accept the answer they (2/?)
give even if it is a no. Is it easier to get exposure on a site that already has followers? Yes. But it's not impossible to create that yourself. If someone has a negative opinion of you and your organization, then do better and change their minds. Defensiveness never works (3/?)
If someone calls out a problem and there is a resounding outcry from people who aren't associated with you/your organization, then LISTEN and change. Don't just defend or demonize. Also on a more personal note, toxic masculinity IS real and does not mean what you think it (4/?)
does. I promise you if you listen and research instead of immediately getting defensive over the term, you will start you recognize that it is a rampant problem in our culture. Speaking from direct experience. Emotions aren't weakness and the sooner you accept that the (5/?)
better life will be. It took me years of therapy (and ~$5,000 in therapy costs) and losing a whole slew of friends to realize my behavior was toxic and I needed to change it. I hope you all get to that point quicker and with a less expensive path. (6/?)
I realize this will probably be put on derby hell and I'll be ruthlessly made fun of 
but it's worth it if it resonates and changes even one person's mindset. Multiple derby people helped me with this years ago and I only hope to pay it forward. Derby love everyone 
(7/7)
but it's worth it if it resonates and changes even one person's mindset. Multiple derby people helped me with this years ago and I only hope to pay it forward. Derby love everyone (7/7)
