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I have avoided saying anything on #firezackhall because I work 40 hours a week and am generally already mentally exhausted and I've progressed past involving myself in online stuff, but it is truly not in my nature to stand by silently. [cont]
I want to preface this with I do not deny that Zack has made inappropriate comments in the past to multiple people. I believe especially in a professional position and as someone who can have a direct effect on Brendon's reputation should have behaved better.
I also would like to say that although I have had grievances with the Weekes in the past, that I've let go of, I sincerely believe Breezy should never have to have felt uncomfortable or like she couldn't stand up for herself to Zack. I hope she finds peace and comfort.
My wish is not to minimize the feeling of discomfort that Zack's objectifying comments have brought upon people. Only to bring a little more empathy/ understanding to a super sensitive/ serious conversation. No person should feel objectified by someone they look to for protection
But this #firezackhall movement has gone so far beyond just wanting Zack to atone for his mistakes. It has become a witch hunt, which is damaging. It spreads false information & doesn't seek truth nor resolve for the situation. I know bc I am guilty of starting +
witch hunts when I was a teen that lacked empathy and realization that I'm talking about genuine multifaceted humans. Which is why I feel the need to speak up now because I know how damaging false information and witch hunts are.
We so badly need to seek truth and understand there are three sides to every story. Both party's point of views, and the truth that falls somewhere in the middle. We are so stuck on black and white and not accepting that that is not the way things truly work.
I have sat by quietly because I did not want to be called a "pedo apologist" or what have you because that is something I truly despise deep in my soul. But I can't imagine how Zack feels being accused of pedophilia when he has made it so undeniably clear that isn't who he is.
I remember specifically when he tweeted he stopped using Snapchat because he was receiving unsolicited underage nudes. He was disgusted by it. The collage of nudes he had were not underage nudes and that needs to stop being spread.
Also keeping nudes he was sent, or receiving nudes from OF AGE women of their own volition is not inherently inappropriate. Posting the blurred screenshot lock screen was just distasteful but not much to say beyond that.
Zack did not in any way help Kenny with his creepy predatory behavior what so ever. Kenny did that on his own. And Zack handled it and Kenny was gone the next day after he found out. Stop spreading gross speculation with no backing.
The false stories that were spread and since removed were so clearly false that the fact they were interacted with was unbelievable. They were so far fetched and disgusting I'm not going to repeat them just to debunk them. They've done enough damage.
Most people who have met Zack, especially people who have been to many panic! shows, kinky boots, m&g etc can attest to Zack's nature. And the way he generally treats and jokes with fans as if they're friends. And can attest he is truly good at doing his job.
Many people are trying to use a clip of him on periscope saying "the things he'd do to Taylor Swift" and citing it as a reason to cancel him. And it's honestly reaching. Not only is it years before they became friends with Taylor, I'd also like you to find me one +
Person who hasn't objectified or sexualized a celebrity. If you have written or read or participated in rp with sexual themes, or ever commented on a celebrity's body or anything of that type, YOU are just as guilty. I can guarantee most of you have done this.
This is not a cancel-able offense. This is just the sexual nature of society. While objectifying, still common place. I have seen many of you do this. So let's check that one off.
It is not a crime to be interested in sexual things. It is not a crime to express your interest in sexual things on your own social media. It is not a crime to have sexually themed thoughts about of age people. People like sex this is not news nor inherently wrong.
If you are going to be angry with Zack let it be for a real reason, and one that makes sense. He's made objectifying comments directly to people in the past. Ask him to recognize the harm such comments can have, and ask him to do better. If no change comes about or if he weren't+
sorry, then there's genuinely no learning that can be done and then we should question if he belongs in his position. But he has not done more than be an ass and make objectifying comments. Distasteful and outdated. But he should not be barred from redemption if he seeks it.
No one can replace Zack. And I mean no one. This is Brendon's brother. This is the man who has been by Brendon's side for 15 years. Who has laid out boundaries to protect Brendon from being spread too thin because he is often too kind to say no.
People see Zack denying fans signing or photos or whatever and think he's controlling Brendon, when he is sincerely just making sure Brendon doesn't wear himself down. Brendon would do it all otherwise. Sign it all, meet us all, do whatever because he loves us
But imagine how much that would wear him down. How exhausting that would be mentally to give his every moment to us. Zack plays an extremely important role in B's well being. And absolutely NO ONE could fill that position and do it with as much care for both B and fans.
As Zack gets older he grows kinder. But he has always been a softy at heart. Regardless of how he comes off. He cares. And I don't think if he'd known he was truly being harmful with his objectifying statements that he would've said them.
This is just my belief as someone who his met him on multiple occasions and is friends with many people who have met him on multiple occasions as well. And I have not benefited at all from having met him. And I do not expect to benefit from speaking out about this.
I in fact expect my mental health to be effected by saying anything. But I've already had trouble focusing at work because of this whole situation and I honestly just want everyone to find resolve. I still have more to say but I just wanted to get that out of the way at least
I genuinely don't know if Panic! will make a statement, I really only hope for Zack to make one. I don't think that it should be either Zack gets fired or everyone jumps ship and abandons Panic!. I think Zack should be given a chance to show he's changed.
And I don't believe Brendon should be punished for Zack saying stupid shit to fans. I don't believe we should be harassing the shit out of every one when the only person that can make it right is Zack.
These are genuine multifaceted human beings. This is the Urie's BROTHER. This is the man that keeps their lives safe, running smoothly, & happily. Protects them, loves them, looks out for them, has spent over a decade with them. Absolitely NOTHING like the Kenny situation
Why is it that we lack so much empathy that we are willing to berate and put down and send death threats to human beings who have time and time again proved they are always trying to be on the right side of history. Humans who care, and are probably beyond upset right now
Telling someone to kill themselves is far worse than anything else you could say to someone. And I have seen this being thrown around by some of you as if it holds no weight. As if it's not worse than what you're even angry about in the first place
If you're going to dislike Zack then dislike him. If you believe he was wrong in objectifying women, tell him he needs to do better. But the witch hunt? Expecting Brendon to fire one of the single most important people in his life besides Sarah over things Zack said years ago?
I genuinely have not seen him behave that way especially since he and Kala got together. I believe she is a good influence on him as well. I genuinely do not believe if he was as awful as the internet wants to believe he is, that she, who is kind and smart, would've married him
And the Urie's who are equally kind, smart, and empathetic beings, wouldn't keep him around. People are so much more than their worst moments, obviously within reason. And people can grow and learn and do better.
If I was judged based off of who I was five years ago or even two years ago, it would completely deny all the growth I've gone through. It will always haunt me some people only remember me for who I was then. I couldn't do that to another person.
Denying growth or allowing one to learn is to deny them to change. And is proving that you want nothing more than to be angry. You don't want things to get better. You don't want change. And that, I think, is all I have to say for now. I'll add more if I think of anything
