There’s something deeply wrong with the Heated Rivalry fandom and its online illiteracy – plus this desperate need to twist words to fit a narrative and project onto the actors.
It’s wild how that statement was completely taken out of context. Now people are dragging Connor just because he didn’t repost a story. For real, it wasn’t just about racism (did you guys really stopped to read what everybody talked about or???) – it was about several crimes the entire cast has been subjected to, and that includes Connor as a victim too. If you can’t see that, you completely missed the point. There’s no "bigger" or "smaller" crime; a crime is a crime, and pain is pain.
(White privilege obviously exists, but that privilege doesn’t do much when people are ready to expose your private life in the most degrading way possible and you have zero power over it, especially when you’re just starting out in the industry – and Hudson also dealt with the harassment of having his life dug up and exposed, btw. Racism kills, homophobia kills, biphobia kills, transphobia kills, misogyny kills. Practically the entire cast is vulnerable to these things; none of them are safe, just like none of us are safe.)
For 24h now I’ve been reading the most stupid, wild takes I’ve ever seen. Some of them are actually sickening. Comparing Connor’s silence to a genocide, calling him maga, or saying Hudson needs "better friends" (when Hudson is clearly a conscious, functional, and intelligent adult), is ridiculous. It strips him of his autonomy and implies some gross things about him too. I know this fandom reacts first and thinks later, but for the love of god, think before you post. If you just hate Connor, say it with your chest and move on.
Inventing narratives and using that ig story – where the cast literally had to highlight their love and support for each other –, just to ignore that part and attack Connor is crazy. Especially when he’s a victim too (highlighting that again for the people in the back). Acting like him not reposting a statement online somehow erases everything he and Hudson have been through together behind the scenes is cowardly and vile. Reminder: their friendship is private and they don’t share everything for a reason.
Also, while I’m at it, I need to reinforce this: It’s actually so wrong that the victims are the ones forced to speak up when there are major platforms and professionals (Crave canada, the director of HR, etc) who should’ve made a formal statement months ago. It’s wild how a poc had to speak up first for others to follow, but then again, his statement barely even mattered because people are twisting everything anyway. Once again, I’m putting all the blame on Crave Canada and Jacob, the director. This should’ve been addressed ages ago by the people in charge, not by the victims. So yeah, pressuring ANOTHER victim (Connor) really doesn’t sit well with me, just like I never wanted Hudson to have to handle this mess himself. Do better and learn how to interpret what you read (idk touch grass and find a job too, some of you need it).
