Cultures Contemplations: Fall of an Idol 2 - A Second Opinion

Hello everyone. As you can see, I'm not opening up with my usual intro for this. I feel that it wouldn't fit the serious tone of the topic at hand. But before I get into this again I'd like to make a few things clear. First off, I wanna apologize to those who read my previous take on this issue. At the time I was only aware of so much regarding the incident so I wasn't able to form a clear opinion on all of it. Secoindly, I do not endorse, nor do I support, pedophilia in any way, shape, or form. I feel it's a crime punishable by highest degree and should be treated with the utmost severity possible. Lastly, unlike my previous post, there is no filter here. There is no safety net. And there is no saving face. I will be putting what I feel is necessary out in the open and I ask that you judge me only after you've heard me out completely. With that said, lets begin.

As many of you already know, 2018 hasn't been an.... impressive.... year for the brony community thus far. Recently, an incident has come up regarding a well known ponytuber named ToonkriticY2K, or Zak Kayes as many know him. This incident in question involved Zak having rather intimate contact with a young minor from the Philippines. As the story goes, Zak had contacted the victim, who shall remain nameless, with the intent of getting to know them more. Apparently this had been gong on for quite a while and had only recently devolved into sexual ERPing, or Erotic Role Playing for short. One can only imagine the impact this news had on his closest friends.

Of course, this was only the tip of the iceberg as it were. During this whole ordeal countless other victims and stories have surfaced about Zak's less than refutable behavior when not onscreen. This includes, but is not limited too, sexually groping females and males at conventions, contacting and manipulating other community members, and asserting his own status to harass and belittle others if he doesn't get his way. Which, sadly, was all kept under lock and key by his inner circle in the hopes Zak would see the error of his ways. Sadly, he didn't.

When I first approached the brony fandom I was fascinated by the an content and how creative the community could be. At the time, I wasn't quite as interested in the show as I am now. Originally, I felt it was too girlish for someone my age to even be into. That all changed when I came across the brony analysis community. I fell in love with so many of the celebrity reviewers like Lightning Bliss, Silver Quill, Dr. Wolf, and Keyframe, just to name a few. But my most favorite analyst was a certain edgelord by the name of ToonkriticY2K.

Toon to me was more than just an inspiration for reviewers like myself. He was a goal to reach. A purpose to keep improving and keep getting better. Or as I saw him as, a rival. To me he was the CM Punk to my John Cena. Every time I'd watch his videos I'd always pray that one day I would meet this god of reviews in a one on one setting. I especially enjoyed his cartoonz saga most of all because it really got to me. And because of that I was inspired to become a blog reviewer.

When I first heard the news of what happened, I was devastated. My entire world had almost crashed down around me and I felt this inner panic beginning to overwhelm me. I honestly didn't wanna believe any of it. I wanted more than anything to go back and find that it was all some sick prank someone pulled and that things were still the same.... But they weren't. Zak Kayes committed the crime and openly admitted to it. And because of that I'm not sure what to really believe in anymore. Let alone if it's still worth it.

I'm not perfect, and I'll never pretend to be. But what I am is a survivor. And somehow, someway I know the fandom will be able to pull through this. It's just gonna take a lot of love and compassion to get through this. What only hurts us will make us stronger as we build anew from the ashes of the old. For like the mighty phoenix the brony community WILL rise again and it's light will shine brighter than it ever has before.

in conclusion, I'd like to send my condolences to the victims and the people most effected by this. Understand that you aren't alone and that we as a community are here to help you anyway we can. And finally, to Zak, I just have this to say. Get help. Stop running from the right answer and get help. Otherwise I see no positive to the future you've already set in motion. Thank you all for reading and always remember to keep calm and brony on. Peace.