If “be a good man” offends you, you’re an asshole

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On the subject of owning up to toxic behaviour…

When Jamie and I decided to start doing the comic again, one of the first things he proposed was going through the archives to remove content that’s considered more offensive now than when we started the comic in 2005. Which is to say it was always offensive and we’re just better at seeing it now than when I was casually using “tranny” as a lazy punchline. I honestly didn’t think of the word as a slur at the time but that’s somehow worse, like the grandparent who looks confused when you ask them not to call Asian people Orientals.

That’s just one example. There are many, many others including one that makes me wince to even think about. Yes, many of the things we said were intentionally shocking to get a laugh. But “Relax, I’m just kidding!” is a notoriously shitty excuse.

We didn’t remove anything.

I don’t believe in erasing the past. If I did it, I won’t pretend otherwise. But please don’t think I’m not embarrassed by the many, many times we choked on our own feet. I’ve always found the term “political correctness” to be a cynical way to dismiss compassion. Rest assured, the political move would be to not draw attention to our shortcomings. But I do want you to know that anyone I’ve ever hurt, I’ve hurt by accident. And if something we did hurt you, I’m truly sorry.

I have always tried to be a good person and I have the hobo spit to prove it.

-Graham

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