So I finally got to catch up on Heroes of Cosplay this week, and all in all I'm liking the second half of it. I feel like theres a little bit more information and explanation of each cosplayers process, and it seems more focused on the cosplay aspect than the social interaction/drama. As you may know from a previous blog post of mine, I am one of the few who enjoyed, appreciated and read past the scripted BS the first half of the season, but I'm still happy to see a stronger Cosplay focus.
One thing, however, rubbed me the wrong way. It's not Cosplay related in any way shape or form, and I don't feel anyone on the show meant any harm by it at all, but it's something that needs to be brought up.
What I'm talking about is the big effing stink made about Carl's choice of beverage.
Chocolate Milk.
HOLY SHIT GUYS! HES NOT DRINKING ALCOHOL! WTF IS WRONG WITH HIM!? SHOULD WE QUESTION HIS MASCULINITY? HIS MATURITY? HIS DRINK ISN'T PRETTY WITH CHERRIES IN IT! (three cherries, right?) WHY WOULD HE NOT WANT TO DRINK ALCOHOL THIS IS SO CONFUSING!?!?!?
Here's the thing. It's really not that confusing. Maybe he just personally doesn't like drinking alcohol all that often? I don't know Carl, I can't speak for him, but I too am someone who generally doesn't drink. I have no personal issues with alcohol, I just don't enjoy partying, clubbing, and drinking. I could list my reasons for not drinking much, but I won't because the point is, why is it your business? Why should it affect your opinion of me as a person? Why does my personal choice matter to you? It shouldn't, but for some reason the concept of consciously choosing not to drink is incomprehensible to so many people (most people) who do. I am constantly asked why I'm not drinking when I am out with friends, and when I politely say I'm not in the mood for alcohol they try and list off drinks they'd suggest in case I just can't make up my mind. Even some of my closest friends try and shove alcohol down my throat so that I can "loosen up" and "have a good time". I don't personally feel that I need to drink alcohol to enjoy myself. I'd rather be fully aware of my surroundings and enjoy my night to the fullest extent.
It's even worse for people who don't know me. Aquaintances and people in passing at bars who have tried to buy me a drink almost always turn to speulation. People have bluntly asked me "what, were you date raped once or something?" and others have treated me with pity, assuming that I was a victim of some sort of abuse from an alcoholic relative. I am happy to say that neither horriffic event has ever happened to me, but is it any of their business anyways? What is so wrong with the fact that I CHOOSE not to drink? Why do I need to justify this to anybody?
How often do you find smokers asking non-smokers why they don't smoke? How often do you find gay people asking straight folks why they aren't gay (and vice versa)? You don't hear about that too often and when you do it's deemed extremely taboo behaviour. Cosplayers don't ask non-cosplayers why they don't Cosplay, but if a non-Cosplayer asked a Cosplayer why they cosplay and made assumptions about them and their reasons (fetish, fake geek argument, attention whore, etc) it would be deemed extremely intollerant and rude.
The next part that bugged me was that everyone proceeded to jump on him about how milk is bad for you. I'm sorry, Milk may not be the healthiest thing on the planet. I myself can't drink milk at all, but you think it's any worse than the sugar loaded, high alcohol content beverages you're sipping on, topped off with the artifically enhanced cherry decorations? This just seemed like a very hypocrital, desperate attempt to try and justify them alienating him for not drinking.
Carl, you seem like a super cool dude and I'm not speaking for you in any way shape or form, this was just a prime example of the type of bullshit myself, and other people who don't drink often go through on a regular basis.
Food for thought. Maybe that person who doesn't drink IS a victim of abuse, date rape, or a recovering alcoholic? Your ignorance, judgement and need to make things your business could be making things much harder for a person trying to move on and improve their life.
P.S. If you don't watch Heroes of Cosplay, or if you don't know who Carl is, check him out on Twitter and Facebook. His Silent Hill Mannequin is freaking awesome.
P.P.S. DRAGON AGE INQUISITION GUYS! THIS MADE ME LESS ANGRY BECAUSE YESSSSSS!
