Hi HP community,

Due to current events in the US, we have decided to forgo the zaniness and silliness that we typically try to embody at The Horse Phenomena Journal, and create a hub of resources, tools, links, and quotes to hopefully shine a light and educate those on HP who might not quite understand what is dividing the nation. We aren't looking to start a war. We want to be a place for learning and personal growth and mutual understanding and respect.

If you have any information, articles, anecdotes, fundraisers, or other resources that you feel are pertinent to the current climate, please feel free to send us a message and we will do our best to include it on our page. Additionally, if you are interested in opening a dialogue with us or have questions about information on our page or really anything at all, please don't hesitate to contact us.

This is for our fellow humans. For our brothers, our sisters, our mothers, our fathers, and our nonbinary friends and family. Please stand with us in solidarity against tyranny and abuse of any kind for your fellow humans.

- THPJ Team

P.S. We've also noticed over 10 years of playing HP that there are almost no long-term players that identify as POC, let alone are in a mod or admin position. We want to know why, and to hold HP accountable if they aren't creating a space that is safe or comfortable for POC to exist in. We also understand that HP is a small business run entirely online that was started by one woman and now maintained by a small team - but we can still advocate for a diverse community. The internet is a great tool for bringing people of all walks together.

We are nominating HP for Pull Up for Change. It is a direct action movement started by Sharon Chuter to hold beauty and cosmetic companies accountable to create a diverse and safe workplace for POC and to fight for economic opportunities for black people.

As a Community Ambassador, I feel it is important to speak on this and to address a few things. 
I'm sure the fellow mod squad will have their own thoughts on this, but I want to add my 2 cents. (*This is my own opinion and in no way reflects the views of HP*) 

HP has and always will be a safe space. Hear me loud and clear : All people regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, familial status, age, sex, sexual orientation... EVERYONE is welcome here. Everyone. 

As a CA, I volunteered myself to get involved more in the game. I challenge myself every single day to reach out and speak to someone new; to learn from someone new. To log in and to help bring positivity. This game is a place where people can come to escape the real world - to escape the problems. 

Now - does that mean that we should ignore what is happening in the world right now? No. What is and has happened is a tragedy that needs to be addressed. But, at the same time, (in my personal opinion) This game was built to be "for fun", for an escape, and for friends. So to me - bringing politics and an outside organization in seems a bit much. I feel like it takes the focus away from this being a safe space where we don't have to worry about what is going on in the outside world. 

Additionally - this game isn't about race. HP doesn't ask you what race you are or gender or any identifiers. It gives you the freedom to label yourself and express yourself (so long as it is not offensive). I have SO many friends on this game : people from every walks of life, all different ages, sexes, religions and probably POC too! Why do I say probably? Because I don't ask. I don't say "Oh sorry, your Latino so I don't want to speak to you." Because for the sake of the game, race isn't something that matters. (PLEASE do not take that out of context) I mean that as - I don't care because no matter what you are loved, accepted, important, and enough. 

I stand by my brothers and sisters in the LGBT community and I stand by those who are being treated injustly in the current state. Black Lives Matter! We have a true crisis in this country and it is our job to educate and to fight for what we feel is right. So, I applaud you for standing up for what you believe in! 

Maybe I'm reading wayyyy too much into it, maybe I'm thinking too much (hashtag anxiety). But it worries me that anyone on this game feels like they are not accepted. I mean it when I say my inbox is ALWAYS open to speak to anyone! 

xx Saturnia 

On HP, we do support the #BlackLivesMatter movement and recognize the need for sweeping systemic change, not just in the United States where it is currently playing out through protests in all 50 states and DC, but as well across the globe. For too long, peoples of colour have been treated horribly and marginalized worldwide, and it needs to stop now. We are hopeful that the protests and the huge displays of anger and dissatisfaction of the treatment of peoples of colour will usher in positive change!

We haven’t made a statement on this before now, as HP has always been a safe place where players can come and leave whatever is going on in their “real worlds” behind and find peace, and we constantly strive to continue to be. We are proud that we have players from all walks of life that are all equal in our virtual horse and dog world. We have old players, young players, People who are Christians, Jews, Atheists, and other religious denominations. Peoples of colour. People from North America, Europe, Australia. Peoples who identify in a variety of colours of the LGBTQ pride rainbow. HP allows you to come online into our game and be whoever you want to be, even if that doesn’t fully reflect on who you are seen to be offline. We recognize, however, that while this is a safe space and will continue to be, now is not the time to remain silent.

HP currently and has previously had staff members, as well as contracted programmers and artists who identify as groups that are traditionally marginalized, including peoples of colour and people who identify as LGBTQ , and we are extremely proud of that. Our founder and owner, Sam, is Jewish, another very marginalized group.  

All that being said, do we have some work to do? Absolutely. The beauty of this world is that we have the ability to be educated, to do more to support those around us who are under threat, and we welcome any ideas on the matter! Traditionally, women and peoples of colour are underrepresented in the gaming world. Peoples of colour are also vastly underrepresented in the equestrian world and the dog-training world. That does need to change!

We have found the following resources to be good ones, for those interested in learning more:

Books:

For children’s books: https://www.buzzfeed.com/mikespohr/childrens-books-about-race-and-racism

Anti-Racist book list: https://chipublib.bibliocommons.com/list/share/204842963/1357692923

Podcasts:

Code Switch from NPR: https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510312/codeswitch 

The Secret Lives of Black Women: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/stitcher/the-secret-lives-of-black-women 

Yo, Is This Racist?: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/yo-is-this-racist/id566985372 

We are ready to support the peoples of colour in the equestrian and gaming communities, as we believe the best way to support those communities on HP is to support them in the larger communities that we are all a part of.

We’d also love to hear of other resources on this topic that people recommend!

Ive been a long time player 11 years next month, I dont sign up to be a mod or anything because I dont know the pc all that well, I agree with Sat and Blitz everyone is welcome, I have friends on here, I come on here to play a game I love and to get away from my every day problems  even if its just for a little while. Doesnt mean I dont care about whats going on in the real world, Im sure other players feel the same way, Please just let HP be my quite place where my mind can rest for a bit and I can enjoy playing with my pixels and chatting with other players before I have to go back to all the problems and concerns in my daily life.

(*This is my very own opinion and no way reflects the views of HP*)

The best part of HP, is that everyone is welcome here. You aren't asked what Ethnicity you are, what religion you practice (or don't!), what your orientation is, ect. You're free to reveal however much or little you want and it doesn't change how we see you. I love each and every one of the members here on HP because they treat each other with respect. In the years that I have been active on HP, I have known a few POC here. I am so happy to know them, and love talking with them. 

Since many of the HP players won't know - I am Bisexual. I am a Green Witch who was born and raised as Catholic. I've read the Bible. While I may not be a Person of Color, I stand with you. I love seeing each and every one of the players here on HP get to express themselves in a healthy manner. 

It is one of my goals to make everyone as comfortable as possible here on HP. To feel accepted, included, and loved, and I hope if anyone ever feels attacked or singled out that they would bring it up to staff to ensure that the environment stays accepting.