Welcome to Ravelry 1984. Big Brother is watching, and he doesn’t like your politics. Ravelry’s recent policy change saddens me. My craft is my escape from the shit storm of the political media cycle and the rest of the world. It is my safe space, it is sacred, it feeds my soul. With a single policy update, Ravelry has launched an all out invasion of that space.
It is totally about politics, to say otherwise is naive and ignorant. I question the timing of Ravelry’s policy change. Why didn’t they make this statement on the day Donald Trump was sworn in as President of the United States? Their argument would be stronger if they made this change shortly after the 2016 election or inauguration. Is Ravelry’s customer and vendor base so strongly supportive of devisive politics that this new policy speaks to the majority of their users? Or, is this is a well timed marketing ploy to cash in on a media cycle that is very anti-Trump and politically divided. Ravelry is receiving a ton of free marketing from the policy change. Everyone has an opinion about it–it’s gone viral.
I have valid reasons to oppose Ravelry’s new policy. It supports devisive politcs and does nothing to help heal the current hostile political environment. The policy statement is an assault on my craft, my art, and my whole reason for creating. It makes my soul cry.
My crochet is not political and I do not want it to be. Cramming politics into my craft, against my will, is just as bad, or worse, than the politics they claim to oppose. Crochet is my escape from the world, the media, real life. It is my way to destress, my safe place. With headphones, yarn and hook in my hand, I am truly happy. In that space, that refuge, I can create knowing that there are no restrictions, no rules.
Ravelry’s policy violates the sanctity of my space, that quiet, my peace and safety. It screams at me like a neon sign in Times Square. The very soul of my art is under attack. Careful about color choices, reconsider what holiday items you want to make, are gender specific items a problem, where do they really stand on religion?
Do I relaunch on Ravelry? I planned a relaunch for this month–it is on hold. Ravelry is engaging in devisve politics and I want no part of that. I question their motives — deep concern or free publicity. Their actions reek of an alternate agenda. Money is a powerful motivator. I need to distance myself and my business from this stupid game.
Look for the new patterns in my Etsy shop, The Granny Squared. Participating in A Brave New Ravelry is not where I want to be.
Thank you….
Excellent Point
Excellent points.
Precisely.