I know I've written about this before, but it bears repeating given recent events. Robin Williams is the obvious example, but there have been a few furs recently who have either considered suicide or have actually attempted it. This fandom has lost more than a few good people to suicide over the years, and I think we owe it to each other and ourselves to try to change this.

I've always felt that the greatest strength of this fandom is the sense of inclusion we all have. It's really quite amazing when you think about it. This fandom transcends race, gender, sexual identity, color, faith (or lack thereof), socioeconomic boundaries, and national borders, binding us all together, for better or worse, into this crazy mass of animal people.

And yet, despite all of that, these suicides happen, leaving the rest of us wondering how or why, and what we could have done to prevent it.

I see suicide as the ultimate act of despair. It is the act of someone who feels utterly and profoundly hopeless, the act of someone whose suffering is so great that they cannot see any possible escape other than taking their own life. It is the act of someone who feels totally alone, even when surrounded by friends. It is the act of someone who truly believes that they have no value, that world would be better off without them. It is the act of someone who believes they are Doing The Right Thing™, even if it's not what they really want.

Most importantly, it's the act of someone who needs help, both professional help and support from this community we're all a part of.

I'm not sure how so many of us got to be so jaded and mean-spirited. I know there are a few in my age group that blame the young furs and newcomers, but I think that's a bit shallow; I've seen more than a few brutally mean greymuzzles about. I think it has more to do with human nature, and fortunately it's something we can overcome.

Consider this: http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2004/03/19/

Most everyone has come across this idea in some form or another, and it's largely accurate. The thing is, becoming a "total fuckwad" is a choice. Being a douche and treating people like crap for the lulz is a choice. One of my favorite cartoonists put it this way:

The anonymity of the internet provides a test of almost spiritual potence; a test of the human psyche, if not soul.
Utterly free of consequence, devoid of any fear of repercussion, hidden under the potentiality of a false name and a false identity, the test asks, "Are you kind and mature and loving, or are you cruel and childish and mean?"
( from http://www.jenniverse.com/rants10.html )

I realize I'm going off on a tangent here. I don't know that fuckwads committing acts of douchebaggery and Internet schadenfreude are what lead to suicides. I do, however, know that such behavior can contribute to them, perhaps significantly. I also believe that behaving as a community and providing support could help these people survive. It literally could be the difference between life and death.


I guess the point of this wall of text is simply this: Be nice. You never know just how big an influence your behavior may have on those around you.


I hope that the worlds turns, and that things get better.
But what I hope most of all is that you understand what I mean when I tell you that, even though I do not know you, and even though I may never meet you, laugh with you, cry with you, or kiss you, I love you.
With all my heart, I love you.
( from V for Vendetta )

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8522)