Alright, now that I've calmed down let's see if I can make some headway. I have multiple points I'd like to present, so without further ado:
1) Comment replies (Was my comment in place?): Around a day passed inbetween my posting of the comment and my ban. As such, I did not surmise it breached the site rules in a capacity that meritted a ban. As such, I made no edit to the comment. The first complaint I got was that I was simply whining about the site being a "liberal hugbox" and that my comment was as fitting anywhere else on the site. I dispute this claim. Apart from the fact that my statement was vague and up to interperatation, my comment was fitting for the place. As a matter of fact, the author of the article's comment suggested anyone point out if they feel uncomfortable. I did. As such, I believe the comment was in place. Should I have been more direct about my point? I doubt it, I'd probably just have been banned even sooner. Regardless, this wasn't cited as a reason for my ban, so I won't mind if you choose to disregard my argument on this point.
2) Site rules (Could I, should I have had the rules before me, have known my comment would get me banned?): Before writing this comment, I consulted the site rules in order to see if there was anything to dipute. As a matter of fact, there is. Here are the rules I may have breached and why I believe at the very least the rules need to be explicified in order to justify bannings such as this one.
Rule Zero: Don't be a dick: I've never made a statement that directly said anything against anyone. I simply said I think that better things can happen, and that they might not be what you think. Now, let's get a bit personal. An issue very close to my heart is that of my nation. If someone said the dreamed of a day when my nation was gone, would that be a dick move? Moreover, would that count as a simple statement or as a threat? Either way, it's a very personal thing. Being a dick generally means abrasive behaviour, flagrant disregard for ettiquete, and general rudeness. I believe I've done none of these things, and more importantly my statement was more about myself than about others, and introspection on my view of the world. Since my initial bannings around a year ago I've been very careful to be polite and I've taken every precaution not to personally insult or even address members of the site or anyone for that matter. TLDR, I find it very hard to justify calling my actions "dickish".
Behavior that is indistinguishable from trolling: Trolling in the online sense refers to the deliberate act of making random unsolicited and/or controversial comments. I've already explained why my statements weren't unsolicited or random. As for contorvesial, how is it any more controversial than simply saying "I respectfully disagree with the general opinion here"? As a matter of fact, that pretty much was what I said. I haven't been doing this repeatedly or frequently, this was one of if not my first comment on such matters. Saying my behaviour is indistinguishable from trolling is disengenuous.
Stirring up shit: This is the one that has the most justification behind it, although I believe it's incorrect to apply to my situation. However, since "All rules are subject to interpretation by staff. Everything on this page is subject to change after review by Staff.", there's really nothing I can do about it if you think I've acted in such a manner. But still, I'll try to make a case for myself even if you can choose to simply disregard it: the definition you state on the rules is "a pattern of constantly toeing the line of unacceptable behavior". Now, that constantly part doesn't bother you, at all? Fine. Toeing the line? A soft spoken, rather in place reply is toeing the line because it may be against widespread site opinion? I don't buy that. However, due to my following point I'm pretty damn sure that none of this matters:
3) Site agenda and transphobia (The real reason for my ban): On my disciplinary page the mods explicitly state that the reason I was banned is because I'm probably transphobic. You know what? Fine. Let's accept that premise. It's still not sufficient to ban me. Let's go back to me and my nation, shall we? Let's say someone on some site I'm disciplining says they think my nation is trash. Now, is this enough to ban them? If I've made some rule that says you can't criticise my nation, then sure. If it's simply widespread opinion on my site that my nation is good and no dares to say otherwise? I don't think so. No, more than that, I know so. What this shows is that the SCP site has become more and more an echo chamber through the years. It's all very clear to a frequent reader such as myself, but perhaps that's the goal? I can't make a judgement, and so I won't. What I will say is that the frequent villinazation, figuratively and sometimes litterally of anything not utterly intersectional on the wiki doesn't seem like healthy behaviour.
4) Why I'm not asking for alleviation (What's actually the point of bannings? Rehabilitation vs punishment): However, with everything said and done, the decision was made to ban me from the site for a month. I'm not too terribly caught up about this, it's more the way in which it happened. I truly did think I was in the right when I made that comment, it didn't even cross my mind I might get banned for it until it happened. But unlike other people you may have banned, I really do love the wiki. As such, if I were to be permanbanned for my next offense, it would truly be a great shame for me. If I was more sure that I could 100% avoid being banned in the future, I wouldn't be so worried, but I simply can't be sure of that. Inncuos statments get me banned, so what should I do? Never state anything close to resembling an opinion? That's fine I suppose, though I doubt I'll be able to stick to that. I really would like to post good stuff to the wiki, and I really do respect whatever decision you choose to make here. You can choose not to believe me, but I didn't try to break any rules or cause any trouble. If the goal is punishment, what for? I did nothing malicious (if you choose to accept my prior reasoning). If the goal is rehabilitation, I need to have a bit more leeway before I get permabanned for my next accidental offense. Of course, maybe my next offense will be so horrific there's no debate at all, but at the very least I hope you trust me when I say that I never try to offend or cause discomfort. I say what's on my mind.
So in conclusion, I'm not even asking for the lifting of my ban. Simply give it some thought before permabanning me for my next offense, if it comes. I hope it doesn't. I hope after this month is up, I'll have something really good to post to the site. But even if not, even if this entire argument falls on deaf ears and the very fact that I hinted I'm not as intersectional as the rest of the site is worthy of complete disdain, I wish you a good day.
Regards, Wakawaaa.
