Seibertron.com Energon Pub Forums

Fellow Seibertronians and Transformers fans,

20 years ago this month, I built Seibertron.com. It was once a megaphone that I would use on occasion to show my support for things like Rock The Vote or to share my thoughts about 9/11 or other things non-Transformers related of which I was passionate. As Seibertron.com became more of a business over the years and as I became married and a father, I ceased using it as a megaphone for the things in which I believe are right. For too long, my megaphone has been silent.

For those of you who are upset because you came to Seibertron.com today to escape reality, I'm sorry. Today, is not the day that we get to come here and ignore what is going on elsewhere within the world. Today is a day that we need to acknowledge what is happening. You can't hide behind your computer today when others need us.

We are at one of the most historic junctions in our lifetime. We are in the midst of a pandemic. We are in the midst of financial challenges not seen in generations. We are in the midst of a racial crisis. These are just some of the challenges that face us at this moment. It is time to be silent no more.

Aside from telling all of you to practice social distancing, wear masks, be safe, and be smart ... there is little influence I can have over mother nature and a pandemic. However, the same can not be said about my ability to have some influence over the injustice and unfair treatment others must endure simply because of the color of their skins.

While we were all created equal, our society does not treat us all as equal. There are so many things that divide us and keep us apart. It is time for some deep soul searching my friends, my fellow Seibertronians and my fellow Transformers fans. It is time to ask yourself ... what can you do to help stop racial injustices?

We are all at a junction where we need to chart a different course than the road with which we have all traveled for so very long. It is time for change. It is time for us to all come together. It is time to say we are all equal and mean it. It is time to stand up to the unfair treatment that others receive because of the color of their skin.

Today, there will be demonstrations throughout our nation, and possibly the world. Peaceful protests expressing that BLACK LIVES MATTER. Protests against police brutality. Protests against being treated unfairly or unequal. Protests to hopefully change our course for the better.

As Transformers fans, the phrase "'Til All Are One" means so much to us. These words were first spoken by the Transformers Autobot leader Optimus Prime in the 1986 Transformers animated movie. In the fictional world of the Transformers, it is a statement, a rallying cry, a call for hope, a desire to unify, a moment of reflection, a wish for peace. It is a phrase that exemplifies this current moment where we need to bring all colors of people together, to be treated fairly and as equals. If "'Til All Are One" means something to you, it's time for you to share that with others. It does not just have to belong to the Transformers fiction. It is an ideal and a belief that we can share with everyone around us around the world.

If you do not wish to take part in today's protests, that's fine. But please, ask yourself what you can do to help make a difference. Donate to a charitable cause that helps others. Denounce racism. Spend some time trying to understand systemic racism. Ask yourself whether or not you are part of the problem or the solution. Spend 30 minutes today to educate yourself about some of the tragedies that have befallen people of color. Just do something to help move all of us forward as a society. Everyone plays a part in this.

I have been asking myself that same question throughout this week. To help make a difference, I turned my megaphone back on for today to reach out to the 250,000+ unique visitors that come to Seibertron.com each month. I am helping my bringing further awareness to this issue. I reached out to ask all of you ... What can you do to help make a difference?

My megaphone is silent no more. Rest assured, this won't be something I abuse. This topic needed to be addressed today.

Do your part. Show your support. Do whatever you can.

Black lives matter.
https://blacklivesmatter.com/
Show your support for equal rights.
'Til all are one.

Ryan Yzquierdo
Seibertron.com

Thanks, Seib.

PS...I CAN'T BREATHE!

...

UnderYourCloset wrote:All lives matter.

This is a Transformers site. I don't want **** political topics in the news.

It's not politics, it's humanity. Please read it again.

UnderYourCloset wrote:All lives matter.

This is a Transformers site. I don't want **** political topics in the news.

It's a Transformers site. But it's my site. This is happening today here on Seibertron.com. This is MY form of protesting. There are a lot of other Transformers fansites out there if you want to hide under a rock and pretend that all of this isn't happening. Today, here on Seibertron.com, we are going to acknowledge the unfair treatment black people are continuing to suffer and hopefully some of you can come up with some things we each can do to help make the world a better place for people of all colors.

I stand with those who stand against prejudice. Reading about all those lives that got snuffed out so carelessly, it makes me angry to think that it's 2020 and this is the world we have.

Your words stand strong.

Till All Are One
#BlackLivesMatter

...

UnderYourCloset wrote:All lives matter.

This is a Transformers site. I don't want **** political topics in the news.

Ummmm...
You're going to pull this Mod $#!% on Ryan (Seibertron)?
You got some set of bearings, kid!

Thank you for this. These are truly exceptional times, and it's weird to cruise the web, pretending this isn't happening around us. Thank you for making me feel like this site, which I visit daily, is one where all of our humanity is welcome and respected.

Love the banner. Great work!

Seibertron wrote:

UnderYourCloset wrote:All lives matter.

This is a Transformers site. I don't want **** political topics in the news.

It's a Transformers site. But it's my site. This is happening today here on Seibertron.com. This is MY form of protesting. There are a lot of other Transformers fansites out there if you want to hide under a rock and pretend that all of this isn't happening. Today, here on Seibertron.com, we are going to acknowledge the unfair treatment black people are continuing to suffer and hopefully some of you can come up with some things we each can do to help make the world a better place for people of all colors.

Here, here!
Well done, my boy!

....

UnderYourCloset wrote:

Z3ROhour wrote:

UnderYourCloset wrote:All lives matter.

This is a Transformers site. I don't want **** political topics in the news.

Ummmm...
You're going to pull this Mod $#!% on Ryan (Seibertron)?
You got some set of bearings, kid!

Ban me, idc. If me actually looking into things beyond a news headline, and actually caring about all the people suffering right now gets me kicked off, Idc.

That rage you feel... that is part of this too.
We know ALL LIVES MATTER.
But what they are saying is
SOME LIVES MATTER MORE &
BLACK LIVES MATTER, AS MUCH AS OTHERS.

Just calm down.
No one is forcing you to read any of this.
People just want to get involved and in touch with their community.
Even this community.
It's a safe place for us.
But to ignore this is folly.

...

Whilst I agree with the sentiment behind the post, and the circumstances surrounding the beginnings of this situation are awful, I cannot in good conscience support BLM itself. Not with their failure to properly condemn the looting, arson and general violence performed by rioters using the protests as an excuse to act like barbarians, not to mention their close ties with Soviet-founded terrorist group Antifa (recently exposed by Project Veritas). And that's before we start on the higher-up bad actors supporting the riots (see: magically appearing bricks) and bailing out rioters. The original cause is just, but what these protests have devolved into is utterly abominable and I cannot, and will not, support them.

I've always been hugely opposed to overreach of the law- I am wholeheartedly in support of the pro-democracy campaigners in Hong Kong being oppressed by the CCP for example- but there are a lot of lies and misinformation being peddled at the moment about this mess (from both sides), and it pays to be vigilant to avoid being deceived. There is a difference between the genuine peaceful protestors and the huge amount of violent thugs who just want a reason to cause mayhem.

Freedom is the right of all sentient beings. 'Till all are one.

...

UnderYourCloset wrote:

Z3ROhour wrote:

UnderYourCloset wrote:

Z3ROhour wrote:

UnderYourCloset wrote:All lives matter.

This is a Transformers site. I don't want **** political topics in the news.

Ummmm...
You're going to pull this Mod $#!% on Ryan (Seibertron)?
You got some set of bearings, kid!

Ban me, idc. If me actually looking into things beyond a news headline, and actually caring about all the people suffering right now gets me kicked off, Idc.

That rage you feel... that is part of this too.
We know ALL LIVES MATTER.
But what they are saying is
SOME LIVES MATTER MORE &
BLACK LIVES MATTER, AS MUCH AS OTHERS.

Just calm down.
No one is forcing you to read any of this.
People just want to get involved and in touch with their community.
Even this community.
It's a safe place for us.
But to ignore this is folly.

I just feel this is unwarranted. What happened was almost certainly not a race issue, so why the hell are people doing this **** now? Every creator I enjoy is doing this bullshit "anti racism charity" stuff when that makes 0 SENSE because HOW can sending money to some organization cause people to stop hating other people. Yes, racism is a real issue, and yes police should be more carefully selected. I feel like "restructuring the police force to prevent this from happening again" should be the cause to go for, not "**** the police". This situation is too **** complicated for a simple Transformers forum. You're not doing ANY "part", this is a pointless and frustrating endeavor.

It's not going to cure racism.
It's just not.
But it might help someone.
Just one someone.
Isn't that enough?
It's EVERYTHING to someone.

Anyone else amused by the irony of changing the site background colour to white?

...

Black Hat wrote:Whilst I agree with the sentiment behind the post, and the circumstances surrounding the beginnings of this situation are awful, I cannot in good conscience support BLM itself. Not with their failure to properly condemn the looting, arson and general violence performed by rioters using the protests as an excuse to act like barbarians, not to mention their close ties with Soviet-founded terrorist group Antifa (recently exposed by Project Veritas). And that's before we start on the higher-up bad actors supporting the riots (see: magically appearing bricks) and bailing out rioters. The original cause is just, but what these protests have devolved into is utterly abominable and I cannot, and will not, support them.

I've always been hugely opposed to overreach of the law- I am wholeheartedly in support of the pro-democracy campaigners in Hong Kong being oppressed by the CCP for example- but there are a lot of lies and misinformation being peddled at the moment about this mess (from both sides), and it pays to be vigilant to avoid being deceived. There is a difference between the genuine peaceful protestors and the huge amount of violent thugs who just want a reason to cause mayhem.

Freedom is the right of all sentient beings. 'Till all are one.

Check your "facts". Antifa was founded in Germany pre ww2 and again later in the 1980's.And the fact that your dear president Trumbo calls them terrorists doesn't make it 100% true.

First thing that needs to be said is a thank you to Ryan for addressing this. No matter our own personal views, the best way to achieve a solution to a problem is by discussion and a shared effort to reach a common goal.

The second thing that I need to say is that I'm white. Just so those reading my post have a frame of reference.

Black Hat wrote:Whilst I agree with the sentiment behind the post, and the circumstances surrounding the beginnings of this situation are awful, I cannot in good conscience support BLM itself. Not with their failure to properly condemn the looting, arson and general violence performed by rioters using the protests as an excuse to act like barbarians, not to mention their close ties with Soviet-founded terrorist group Antifa (recently exposed by Project Veritas). And that's before we start on the higher-up bad actors supporting the riots (see: magically appearing bricks) and bailing out rioters. The original cause is just, but what these protests have devolved into is utterly abominable and I cannot, and will not, support them.

I've always been hugely opposed to overreach of the law- I am wholeheartedly in support of the pro-democracy campaigners in Hong Kong being oppressed by the CCP for example- but there are a lot of lies and misinformation being peddled at the moment about this mess (from both sides), and it pays to be vigilant to avoid being deceived. There is a difference between the genuine peaceful protestors and the huge amount of violent thugs who just want a reason to cause mayhem.

Freedom is the right of all sentient beings. 'Till all are one.

This is largely how I feel as well.

If black lives truly matter to those taking part in this, why is no one speaking about David Dorn? He was black. He was murdered in the riots.

I don't subscribe to all the conspiracies surrounding this whole thing, but I'm not saying anyone else shouldn't. Believe what you want, it's your freedom to do so.

I do firmly believe there is systemic racism towards minorities, especially blacks, but I don't believe white people as a whole should be pointed to and said "it's your fault!" That's nonsense. The blame belongs on those who made the rules of our society 200 years ago. Not just the founding fathers, but the next few generations after them, when the United States was still a developing country. Then it was almost perpetually continued by those who make the rules and laws on both sides of the political spectrum, at least until the 1950s.

Being told to "educate yourself" is condescending and rude, and whenever I'm in a conversation and that phrase is thrown at me, I usually check out, because it reveals a lot about the other person's frame of mind and point of view. When I get told that it comes off as the other person looking down on me simply because I don't agree with what that person said.

George Floyd was a victim of a tragedy. But he was not innocent and not a hero. He didn't "change the world," like some have said. The cop that killed him sparked these events.

Same with Colin kapernik. I approved of his initial actions, but once he got the big money from both nike and the NFL, he became a fraud to me. I'm sure he gives a lot to charities, and he's still somewhat active in protests, from what I'm told. But I'm certain he sits on a lot of that money and is keeping it himself, which is wrong. He got that money due to the notoriety he received because of horrible events that happened to others. It's blood money. Until he gives it all to the cause he helped bring to the light, I will never respect him. And no matter how much his supporters want to claim this, he did not get blacklisted from playing football. He had opportunities befitting his talent level, and chose not to play.

Lastly, blacks (not all of them, just most of the ones who like playing the victim) need to stop putting all the blame on whites. Blacks cause plenty of damage to their own communities through their own actions and elements of their own culture, especially in entertainment. I know plenty of respectable and hardworking black people, and even they condemn these leftist loudmouths who are mostly looking for a handout under the guise of fighting inequality or pretend to be one of the oppressed, yet they sit in their million dollar mansions sipping champagne.

Yes, there's a serious racial divide in our society that needs to be healed. But just as it took both sides to rip it open, it will take both sides to bring it together.

White privilege exists mostly in largely white communities. I live in a town where 75% of the population is black. Here I'm not treated any better or worse than black people I know or am around in any public setting.

Antifa IS a terrorist group. If I am ever confronted by them, I will respond accordingly.

Sounds like this site now advocates.

"peace through tyranny"

BLM is nothing more than a left wing power movement.

EVERYONE MATTERS!!!!

I will remember Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom

Rodimus Prime wrote:
Antifa IS a terrorist group. If I am ever confronted by them, I will respond accordingly.

So... Using violence is ok, if you use it against folks that you see (not a fact) as a terrorist group? You just kinda chasticed the rioters for using violence, and right after that remarked that you would also use violence against left wing people. Or is your responce like... A nice chat with these people... You know, finding some common ground etc.

Good to see a seibs post on this. Since I see a lot of people going "All lives matter!" in response to "Black lives matter!", I'll share the relevant part of a post I made on facebook (for the record, I am black)


To my friends saying "All lives matter" in response to "black lives matter" or who don't "understand" or "agree" with the protests, you're not black, I don't expect you to understand it. Race is by its nature, a core part of this problem.

When the cop asks you for your license and registration, you probably go straight for your glovebox or pocket without thinking "is he going to shoot me because he 'thinks' my owner's manual or wallet is a gun?" even after announcing to the officer that you do not have a weapon in the vehicle and that you are going to reach into the glovebox to get your registration. I'd hazard a guess that almost none of you announce your actions to the police before doing them.

I'd bet that you've never driven behind your parents and had them call you before approaching a traffic stop nervously saying to make no sudden moves, to tell your siblings in the car to stay quiet and do not move, and to announce every action you're doing before you do it. That happened to me on what my parents believed was my first police interaction on their move to Georgia.

That's why this isn't just about police brutality. Because chances are, you get slightly inconvenienced by your traffic stops, not worried that each one could be your last.

And if you still have trouble understanding or agreeing with the protestors, this isn't limited to traffic stops. You take being able to do a lot of things for granted. Things like visiting the park on a sunny day, jogging as a form of exercise, and even sleeping in your own home at night after a long day at work. Ask your black friends how well they slept the night that last one broke the news.

On the same day that Floyd was killed, a white student at the University of Connecticut was charged with killing 1 man and injuring another and led police on a manhunt across 4 states where he was finally apprehended outside of Maryland 3 days later.

A man charged with the murder of 1 and the wounding of another, on the run and described as "armed and extremely dangerous" was apprehended. Still alive today awaiting his trial. A man charged with using a forged $20 and doing drugs was killed in police custody. There are countless cases of unarmed black men being shot by the police because they "feared for their lives" yet "armed and extremely dangerous" killers get "apprehended".

Oh, by the way, the cop that actually killed Floyd wasn't charged until 4 days later. After the protests. The other 3 complicit in his death weren't charged until today, 9 days later.

It took nation-wide outcry to get these people charged despite there being video of them murdering Floyd. It took the cops 8 minutes to Kill him.

Let's go back in time 2.5 months. Breonna Taylor, an EMT, was shot 8 times by police on March 13. The "no-knock" warrant that was signed to let the police enter her home was for 2 different men allegedly selling drugs who may have used her apartment to receive packages.

Breonna Taylor was shot 8 times and killed over packages. The UConn student was apprehended for murdering 1 person and injuring another.



And by the way, Breonna's murderers remain free today, 2.5 months later. But police did try and charge (though dismissed) her boyfriend, Walker, with attempted murder of an officer.

Imagine being a law abiding citizen and a group of men break into your home, murder your girlfriend, and then charge YOU with attempted murder for firing back at them.

Can you really claim to not understand why people are upset? Can you really "not agree" with the people protesting?

Dorkimus wrote:

Rodimus Prime wrote:
Antifa IS a terrorist group. If I am ever confronted by them, I will respond accordingly.

So... Using violence is ok, if you use it against folks that you see (not a fact) as a terrorist group? You just kinda chasticed the rioters for using violence, and right after that remarked that you would also use violence against left wing people. Or is your responce like... A nice chat with these people... You know, finding some common ground etc.

There is a difference between attacking and terrorizing people in public and defending myself against those attacks.

If Dereck Chauvin was also black, we wouldn't even be having this discussion. At least the racism part.