UPDATE: There is a way to do things and exposing_the_buttertones_ did not do it the right way. The instagram account has been deleted, and there is suspicion that the account is allegedly owned (not confirmed) by Chloe S Razink and friends as well, based on research made by some of the targeted accounts, see here and here. Please do not believe anything you see without proof or facts. Not excusing anybody, just looking for true justice. I do not encourage or promote any type of attack to Chloe or her family and friends. Hope you find meaning in the reading below.
I suspect foul play. I began a single Reddit post to shed some light on the rapidly toxic and defaming situation involving the Buttertones. Since then, many other accounts have reached out to me to explaining how the actions from exposing_the_buttertones_ have affected them, to the point of death threats. What I thought was just a misunderstood situation, now has become that of an active person/s with an agenda to exploit and hurt other people. More than a group of people, this is the reality of the culture we live in nowadays.
Before I continue with all the information below, I want to make everything clear. I am not excusing rapists and their behavior. My main goal is to be able to show the facts from both sides and not reach conclusions and effect consequences without proper evidence.
The main points I will criticize about exposing_the_buttertones_ is:
1. Targeting hate towards anybody who even slightly disagrees with anything is said.
2. Taking money from people and when questioned by several people then owner decided to mention she was donating it.
3. Releasing private information from band members and instructing them to target hatred to band members that have no evidence against them.
1. Targeted Hate
An account by the name of (@paris.gaston), contacted me and told me that she commented on a post by exposing_the_buttertones_ which was followed by exposing_the_buttertones_ personally tagging her and telling people to attack her. Since, this person had to delete her original account in which she had made the comment because she was receiving death threats and constant attacks. If exposing_the_buttertones_ truly wants justice for the victims, the owner needs to be behave in a matter that does not incite violence and harassment. The owner should instead open a space where people can feel free to express their opinions rather than block them and push their own personal narrative of the situation.
Here is @Paris.gaston original post that gained her constant harassment and death threats from exposing_the_buttertones_ and other people.
2. Profiting
I personally have already been reached by the owner of exposing_the_buttertones.
After I brought up the fact that they are profiting from this, not only accepting that she is by saying "that makes two of us" but inculpates me of the same. I have received zero money from this and I do not expect any. I do this for what is fair, whether it is for the victims or the band members that are innocent.
3. Leaking Private Information
Essentially, we all have the individual right to our own opinions and own views. This is the free world, and the Internet is free for all. However, exposing_the_buttertones_ is using her followers to indiscriminately target accounts and people. She has even threatened to make personal information about the Buttertones open to the public, see picture below. That does NOT help victims or the situation better. This is just malicious intent.
I cannot see justice in this but just a spurred individual/s, trying to use a young audience to self-profit and exploit sexual assault and rape victims.
But you may wonder, what is the proper way to fight for justice?
Making an instagram account targeting people without evidence, compiling defamations, and profiting from this is far from the real answer. A victim has to stand up and reach the authorities. We can support those victims but there is a line where we cannot step on. Becoming a judge and executioner, deciding if a submission or an allegation is true, targeting the band members and their supporters, is far from the right process.
My biggest motivation to write this blog, is to protect real survivors and also the indie community. The indie community is a talented group of artists that are trying to make it into the big leagues. Not everyone has the same opportunities. These are people who risk it all for a chance to make great music. Imaging creating a band from scratch, practicing everyday, trying to get a label and people to believe in you, for a moment to be all gone from defamations that started with a bad hookup. Accusations like these, not only aim to destroy the band but the Indie community as a whole. This does not mean there are bands that are guilty of crimes, but there is a process to do so. The issue with exposing_the_buttertones_ is that the owner is creating MISINFORMATION in so many ways. For example, when the author now starts to decide which bands to SUPPORT or not. But even because of things are framed, their followers thought those were "BAD" bands but they were not involved at all. This is is just one of the ripple effects that will have on the industry. The worst thing is that other bands and followers believe every piece of information without any sort of verification or due process, leading to create wrong conclusions or share experiences that just fall upon on slandering.
The media is a very dangerous thing. Having an allegation in your name, nowadays, can tear your life apart even if you are not guilty. exposing_the_buttertones_ is actively encouraging followers to reach medium outlets without even a conviction or proof. This is a serious recipe to disaster.
Please support your bands, show your LOYALTY until certain there is solid proof to believe otherwise, and stand true against this CANCEL culture, this culture of hypocrisy. Do not allow the voice of real survivors to get lost and help them to get justice the honest way, the right way. We cannot be dissuaded to see a situation without the right mindset and allow our oppressors to step on our beliefs, on our friends, on ourselves.
you can't erase, a blank slate...
Count of Monte Cristo
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