This letter is being written to express concerns regarding the lack of an organized administrative response to past and ongoing toxic behavior, and to advocate for necessary systemic changes to ensure the safety, inclusivity, and well-being of the community. These changes would include a democratic process for selecting community leaders, establishing a community Code of Conduct, and ensuring concerns can be raised and addressed safely and transparently..

Why do we need change?

As a mental health professional and member of this community, I, mrockstar20, have seen firsthand the psychological toll that toxic dynamics, invalidation, and fear can have on individuals. Such environments not only harm those directly involved but also erode trust, engagement, and the sense of belonging that are essential to a thriving community. My training and experience emphasize the importance of creating spaces that prioritize respect, safety, and open communication.

Recently, deeply troubling incidents within the community have come to light, some dating back over two years, including the case of a community member sharing a detailed account of abuse by a prominent figure in the tournament scene. Despite presenting evidence to tournament administration, this individual was met with retaliation and rejection rather than support. These actions—or lack thereof—set a harmful precedent, perpetuating a culture of silence and fear rather than one of accountability and care. The lack of action also perpetuated further toxic behavior by the abuser in the community at large, experienced by several other people.

When concerns about abuse and misconduct were brought to tournament administrators, they were dismissed and reduced to "relationship issues," disregarding the serious impact on the victim and their sense of belonging in the broader community. This dismissal is particularly troubling given how rare false accusations of abuse are, especially when victims provide extensive proof, as was the case here. Trivializing such serious allegations invalidates the courage it takes for victims to come forward and discourages future victims from speaking out..

Due to the mishandling of this specific event and the resulting negative experiences of other community members, the following concerns must be addressed:

1. Unaddressed Abuse: The victim of the aforementioned abusive relationship faced invalidation and dismissal when raising concerns. Additionally, the accused individual has a history of toxic and unhealthy behavior toward other community members, creating an unsafe and unwelcoming environment.
2. Fear of Retaliation: Individuals from marginalized populations feel unable to share their experiences or voice concerns due to fear of retaliation or exclusion from the community and its tournaments.
3. Lack of Representation and Accountability: The absence of a democratic process for appointing administrators has contributed to a perceived imbalance of power. Many community members feel that leadership decisions are disconnected from the needs and voices of members that are unrepresented in the broader community.

Proposal for Change

To address the outlined concerns and create a safer, healthier environment, the following is respectfully proposed:

• Democratic Leadership Structure: Allow the community to participate in the selection of administrators and leadership to promote accountability and inclusivity.

• Community Guidelines and Code of Conduct: Develop and implement clear, accessible community guidelines that define acceptable behavior and outline consequences for violations.

• Establish a Reporting Process: Establish a transparent, structured process for reporting unacceptable behavior, ensuring all members have a safe way to voice concerns without fear of retaliation and with the confidence that action will be taken.

While the community works to implement the above suggestions, I encourage those who have made mistakes, failed to act, or actively harmed others in the community to take accountability for their actions. It takes humility and bravery to admit fault, take accountability, and own up to the hurt and pain we’ve caused others and ourselves. Because trust is a foundational aspect of any community, taking accountability for our mistakes and rebuilding trust will help us all move forward.

Conclusion

By establishing a leadership team that has the trust of the community, implementing a Code of Conduct, and ensuring everyone has a voice that can be heard and acted upon, we can safeguard our community values of respect, fairness, and mutual support.

I encourage anyone in support of these changes to sign this letter and help begin the necessary work of implementation. It is my sincere hope that we can enact these reforms, benefiting and protecting anyone that chooses to be a part of this community both now and in the future.

Sincerely,
Members of the Super Metroid Community
(mrockstar20, primary author)