I'm not one to talk much on dA. Most of the things I do here, I do for good reasons. All through my life I have encouraged, taught and helped countless people. Through the application of logic and perseverance I have managed to survive, to what must appear to many here, a "ripe old age". Sometimes though, when bad things continue to happen, my primal side has revealed itself. When an animal is cornered, he will either submit to his demise or bare his teeth and find the courage to survive. I have had to do that too many times over the last couple of years. And yet, despite this, I have tried to maintain my composure in the face of incredible ignorance and abuse. I value knowledge and understanding, as I know some of you do. Many people, I have learned to my dismay, do not.

Up until today, I was an operator in a certain room. Curiously, I was demoted from that position by someone only a day after they learned that I was an ethnic minority. Had it happened a week afterwards, I could have put it down to coincidence. Had this person not been so insistent and adamant on knowing my real name here, I could have put it down to coincidence. As it is, I am not sure what to think about this person, or the people who frequent this place.

There are some people on dA who have really earned my respect. Some of these are people who freely admit to doing sometimes silly things in the past, but who have become fine and decent and admirable people. Those are the kind of people I like. Then there are those who attempt no such improvement, who resist maturation, and who take it upon themselves to bring down those that do. That's their choice.

I have been told that I cannot tell someone off for their beliefs. Yet it is perfectly tolerable for them to insult my beliefs, badgering me for hours and hours to explain the answers to all kinds of questions? That require lengthy and in-depth scientific description? It's a lot easier and more concise to say that God made everything. Maybe he did. I never denied that, and I wouldn't want to. Yet I am the one who is punished without even a chance to put forward my side.

I have been increasingly stressed because of numerous things like this happening, combined with tough times my family is going through. I won't tolerate it any more. But, since there is nothing I can do to change it, I will just retreat. I can't think of anything else to do. Passive resistance worked for Gandhi. I like to believe that there is a natural justice in the world; that racists and thieves and liars will ultimately pay the price for their deeds. Hopefully that will be the case here too.

The title of this entry is perhaps misleadingly called "Art" but it is not an attempt to confuse you. I used to think that the raison d'etre of this place was art. I realise now that I was mistaken. Nevertheless, I will continue to work towards my artistic goals as a craftsman in the field of 3D. I will upload work if and when I create it, on my own schedule, and I will not listen to the insults of those who would goad me and tell me I am useless just because I don't churn out mediocre artwork on a regular basis. As for the other 99% of dA that is devoted to gossip, prejudice and inane conversation and childish politics - I won't have any more to do with this.

I like "art". I like making pictures. But I am no "deviant".