The Four Color Media Monitor

Comics Beat fawns over a store in the DC area called Fantom Comics that's providing "safe space" for anti-Trump protestors, in a move reminiscent of liberal-dominated universities that want to make their own campuses "safe spaces":

Last week, Fantom Comics in Washington, DC announced via Facebook that they would open their doors as a safe space and rest area for those protesting the Inauguration of President-Elect Trump on Friday, or marching in the Women’s March the following day. [...]

Oh, and that's not all. There's something pretty shady about the following statement:

They even welcome Trump supporters to check out the store during inauguration weekend, as long as they are respectful to those utilizing it as a safe rest stop from their protests.

Sounds like coded dialect, meaning "don't try to persuade anybody to change their minds." Or something like that. They proceed to interview the manager:

Edie Nugent: How does the creation of a safe haven during this years’ inauguration (and related protest march) “for anyone seeking shelter, solidarity, or just a drink of water” fit in with the mission of your store?

Jake Shapiro: Many of our close friends and family of the store are worried for their safety, not just in this upcoming inauguration weekend but for the upcoming four years in our country. We pride ourselves on our diverse community, so it behooves us to stand up for those people in a time of need. We’re trying to be as inclusive as possible, though–none of our messages are anti-anything. If a family of Trump supporters wants to shop here this weekend, they’re more than welcome, as long as they’re respectful to the folks in our space.

I can't help feel they're implying Trump supporters aren't respectable at all, while ignoring that leftists make mistakes too. Isn't that awesome; pushing liberals for sainthood.

Edie Nugent: Do you have any fears about backlash resulting from publicly providing this type of space?

Jake Shapiro: Yes, we’re definitely a little worried about backlash. Not in our direct community–DC is one of the most progressive cities in the country, and went over 90% for Clinton in the election. But tourists are visiting from all over, not to mention angry people on the internet. Of course, what happened to our friends at Comet Ping Pong is always on our mind, and we know anytime we take a stance we’re going to make ourselves a target. But that risk is worth it to us, because being a positive community space for marginalized groups is more important now than ever.

Oh, just look at that, he's implying that right-wing vandals are on the warpath! Naturally, no consideration that there's vandals on the left, not the least being the Black Lives Matter nuts he's pandering to. And how is possible that conservatives aren't marginalized in any way?

Edie Nugent: Comics and cartoons have long been intertwined with politics, whether it’s political cartoons or comic books that explore the issues of the day. In your view, why are comics and political expression such a potent combination?

Jake Shapiro: Comics are a visual medium, which gives them wide appeal. They’re no better or worse than any other medium for socio-political commentary, but unlike literature or film, comics are still fighting the stereotype of being “just for kids.”

Did it ever occur to him there's liberals out there who could be major perpetuators of the stereotype? They may be no better or worse for politics, but the problem is that superhero comics in particular are clogged today with ultra-leftist propaganda - far more than ever before - that's suffocating the entertainment value out of all they were meant to be when they first began.

At least one of the commentors, himself a store manager, spotted what was wrong with the Fantom staff's declarations, and said:

Wow. When you put it this way, it doesn’t sound like Trump supporters are very welcome at all…
Everyone is always welcome at my store. All viewpoints are welcome. Liberal and conservative. To say that Trump supporters need to be warned to be respectful is rather rude and not a very inclusive or tolerant remark to make at all. Why on earth would you want to alienate 50% of your potential customer base? Could you imagine the backlash you would be getting if you had said the opposite. You should sit back and think about that for a moment. Just some friendly advice from someone in the business for over thirty years in the most liberal state of all…

Bingo. All the store staff were doing was taking a partisan position, strongly hinting they don't like conservatives, and only see the right as troublemakers. Another guy said:

Love the whole “Trump supporters WATCH YOURSELVES” line.. When it’s just as likely the anti-Trump people will be violent.. but I guess the owner is saying that Anti-Trump people can be disrespectful and violent against the Trump supporters. and the Trump supporters just need to take it..

Sorry, this space doesn’t sound remotely safe to me. Why not instead of trying to scream that it’s a safe space and promoting violence against one side by implying that ONLY one side is capable of it when that is clearly not the case.. not just say “My store is for everyone. Period.”

That's an idea. Another idea for the moment is to simply vote with our wallets and not put any money into the pockets of a store ownership that's so cynically political. The store's ownership may want to consider that they might've alienated over half their customers already, and as I've indicated, no one should waste their time buying at their very unsafe haven.

Labels: politics, violence