Rambling Thoughts

My last two entries talked about some of the challenges of running a fan page and delved into the ugly side of this community. Those experiences, as awful as they were, do not reflect the vast majority of the Renegade community. I’ve seen Renegades go out of their way to help each other in big ways again and again. The generosity and kindness displayed by the majority of Renegades is beautiful. I’ve personally been on the receiving end of that generosity more times than I can

If you do anything long enough, someone is going to resent you for it. You’ll also make mistakes, which aren’t always easily corrected. As an admin for the RH, I can honestly say I worked with the best team of humans anyone could ask for. We truly worked together and had conversations about removing posts, giving warnings, and banning those who willfully or egregiously broke group rules. We looked at situations from different perspectives, and sometimes we had to make really

Sometimes I wish I had discovered Ren later. When he and the leaders of the Renegade community were already well-established---kind of like the Twenty-One Pilots community. Maybe then I wouldn’t feel so much pressure when engaging with other Renegades. I never intended to run a fan page for Ren. Never intended for “Crabs” to become such an important part of me. Honestly? I just started making Ren memes early on when “Hi Ren” started taking off, and three years later I’ve some

Scarlett Fae first became known in the Reniverse for her smooth backup vocals in Ren’s cover of “Back on ’74 / Message in a Bottle.” Since that unforgettable performance by Ren, Scarlett has gracefully stepped into her own spotlight, releasing several original songs that showcase her vibrant spirit, poetic prose, and impressive vocal range. Her music seamlessly blends soulful, indie vibes with a contemporary twist that’s sure to appeal to listeners of all ages. Moreover, her

On June 16, 2024 I met with my friend Brooke to celebrate my birthday. We had met a couple months earlier and we became fast friends. Brooke was a shining light in the Reniverse. She genuinely cared about the suffering of others and was always quick to offer up an ear to listen. She began working to promote other independent artists in her spare time, before other groups dedicated to such endeavors had found their feet. And she was always smiling. I was away from home when I

“To be symbiotic is to escape a lifetime of conditioning, and it is to feel a collective relief not yet felt by our species. Life is incredible. I wonder what it would look like to choose it.” Ren’s continued emphasis on harmony makes me want to do better. It makes me want to listen to those who seek to tear me down. I want to empathize with those I consider my enemies, because I want to understand why they hate me. I want to reconcile, if possible. Even though there are some

Two years ago, Ren posted a video about being met with hate. He discussed the ways in which the Internet has not only expanded a person’s reach, but expanded the hate to which we are exposed. And he’s right. You can’t please anyone. And between you and me? If you’re not pissing someone off, you’re probably not being true to yourself. Ren rejects the labels of left and right in relation to politics, but his core principles, the things he stands for, are never in doubt to those