Originally posted by GM Freehugs, last year:
"Dear Tibians,
Many of you may or may not know who I am or what I have done or what I stand for, and that's fine, I will introduce myself and explain everything I am to you.
A few years ago, a new campaign was started, a "Free Hugs" campaign. Quoting from wikipedia, "the hugs are meant to be random acts of kindness - selfless acts performed just to make others feel better."
In March of 2008, I led a walk through Keltera promoting Free Hugs and marched against discrimination. Unfortunately, the article is no longer found on TibiaNews but the effects of the thread can be found here:
http://www.tibianews.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=21309
What's the point of me posting this here, right now, you're wondering? Many of you may think that with GMs being abolished, that you may run around free and do whatever you please. I just want to make it a point that the biggest thing in Tibia is the community. You all need to work together, stick together, and help promote a racist free, discrimination free world out there. A little gesture, a simple gesture can help. A few years ago, I posted this on the tutor boards, a story I was told when I was back in high school.
________________
Wrong or right
Black or white
If I close my eyes
It's all the same
One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class was walking home from school. His name was Kyle. It looked like he was carrying all of his books. I thought to myself, "Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday? He must really be a nerd." I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friend tomorrow afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on. As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him. They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt. His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him. He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes. My heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him and as he crawled around looking for his glasses, and I saw a tear in his eye.
As I handed him his glasses, I said, "Those guys are jerks. They really should get lives." He looked at me and said, "Hey thanks!" There was a big smile on his face. It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude.
I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived. As it turned out, he lived near me, so I asked him why I had never seen him before. He said he had gone to private school before now. I would have never hung out with a private school kid before.
We talked all the way home, and I carried his books. He turned out to be a pretty cool kid. I asked him if he wanted to play football on Saturday with me and my friends. He said yes. We hung all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked him. And my friends thought the same of him.
Monday morning came, and there was Kyle with the huge stack of books again. I stopped him and said, "Damn boy, you are gonna really build some serious muscles with this pile of books everyday!" He just laughed and handed me half the books. Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends. When we were seniors, began to think about college. Kyle decided on Georgetown, and I was going to Duke. I knew that we would always be friends, that the smiles would never be a problem. He was going to be a doctor, and I was going for business on a football scholarship. Kyle was valedictorian of our class.
I teased him all the time about being a nerd. He had to prepare a speech for graduation. I was so glad it wasn't me having to get up there and speak. Graduation day, I saw Kyle.
He looked great. He was one of those guys that really found himself during high school. He filled out and actually looked good in glasses. He had more dates than me and all the girls loved him! Boy, sometimes I was jealous. [...]"
[...]Today was one of those days. I could see that he was nervous about his speech. So, I smacked him on the back and said, "Hey, big guy, you'll be great!" He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and smiled. "Thanks," he said.
As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began. "Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years. Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach ... but mostly your friends. I am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them. I am going to tell you a story." I just looked at my friend with disbelief as he told the story of the first day we met. He had planned to kill himself over the weekend. He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker so his Mom wouldn't have to do it later and was carrying his stuff home. He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile. "Thankfully, I was saved. My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable." I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us all about his weakest moment.
I saw his mom and dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile. Not until that moment did I realize its depth. Never underestimate the power of your actions.
With one small gesture you can change a person's life. For better or for worse. We all are in each other's lives to impact one another in some way. Look for the light in others."
Seeing how there's growing tension - whether it be on the boards, in-game, or even in your real lives, how such a small gesture could be seen and be taken so seriously to an extent such as this one. Seeing as gamemasters will be no more soon, I ask you now more than ever to show more respect to your fellow players, I ask you to give them the respect that you want, and that they deserve.
I ask you all now, or shall I challenge you all: to smile to a stranger ... in-game, and IRL. To try and do good deeds; not to make yourself feel better, but for others. So turn to the person next to you now and just give them a HUGE hug!
*hugs everyone*
Yours forever and always,
GM Freehugs"