A bunch of long time mastodonians are suggesting that newcomers take the time to learn the rules, to recognize what is and is not "courteous" where the tools of the site are concerned. That's fine, and I agree.
However, I also want to make clear that you have every right to insist on being your whole, complete self in this new space. Insist on it and keep insisting on it until whomever says otherwise relents.
This isn't one of those "ignore the rules" suggestions: this is a suggestion that we make ourselves visible in our fullness from the jump. We bring all of us to this dead elephant site and figure out how to be our full and complete selves.
I say this because the massive influx of new users creates an opportunity to push the norms of this place in a direction that enables us to be all of who we are. And yes, this is going to involve friction. It will involve conflict.
But growth is never easy, nor is building a new home from nothing. And, even in my newness to this site, I would caution long time mastodonians to give us the space and time to figure out how to be our full selves without demanding we submit to norms (not rules) that limit who we can be and how we can make that present.
I promise you your site and your communities will be better off for it.
@shengokai
[I see you updated, thanks!]
agree with everything you're saying about honoring the need to be fully present
But also a little squicked by the phrase "kow tow" which is orientalizing
it basically means "bow" in translation but in Anglophone use it often means "unwarranted submission to authority"
Unfortunately, that extra meaning _probably_ comes from Anglophone ideas about Chinese submissiveness, and, uh, yuck, i don't think you mean that
@Animus714 @trochee Ah, yes. I recall this.
But also, this is why we have the edit button. Fixed it.
@shengokai To an extent, yes.
<EDIT>
After more reading, it is clear that there was a misunderstanding on the part of both parties here. I failed to see this discussion was about race relations. As such, I'm retracting my statements entirely. I am sorry if any offence was caused and hope you can see it in yourself to forgive.
Happy to discuss further if you want, but also happy to just leave it be.
Already have another episode out folks. This one is titled “Missing the Point.”
New Mastodonians, please 🙏🏽 follow thread for context. Oh and the other posts on @shengokai page regarding the valid criticisms marginalized folks made of their experiences in the #fediverse and what does that mean in ensuring safe space for them here.
In the longer term, part of this process is going to be setting up new instances that materialise evolving ethics. That's been true all along, but it requires activists sharing technical skills and building new tools. We make our full selves in community with machines and ecosystems.
Dr. Johnathan Flowers
Jeremy Kahn
Feyn Shih
Goofrider
David de Groot
Nisa (she/her) 
Robin Detje
Gemma Rex
Jonathan Beckett
Ada
themolluskk
yuvipanda
Will Tuladhar-Douglas
Bishop Whitewind
Andrew Jon Thomson
anlomedad
Will is too honest to be an MP
Awkward Ada 🏴👩🎨
Cristi in TX