Active Duty's Axl tattoo controversy

[pat grimshaw]

…What are you going to do if racists started using the ying yang symbol as a means to represent the separation of black and white? Are you going to argue that its offensive to ever see it?…

We can't control the future. This 1890s building at the harbour entrance to my city has a decorated marble floor with this fylfot.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fylfot

 

[Ninja108]

Yep, that basically sums it up.

I hope Axl removes them numbers or inks over them in the future, and that he may be re-featured on JUB one day.

Maybe in the future he will. People can change..and removing a couple of those tattoos would go a long way.

 

[LuvFindsAndyHardy]

I'll trust you know why i've posted these emoticons!

Izzzz that me on the soapbox or am I the one cheering him on???

 

[Hellax24]

Amazing. Well, I'll introduce myself as the recruiter/scout who actually found "AXL" and sent him to ActiveDuty.
I had planned on staying out of this thread but really people.

And that being said, I know for a FACT that AXL isn't racist, a nazi, so on and so on.....

I'm DARK ! Yes, mixed race ! We hung out for days and talked numerous times before he went to AD. NEVER was the kid rude or disrespectful or anything of that nature to show racism or bigotry.

Yes, his tattoos freak some people out. So did Madonnas burning of crosses in a video.
He was a young naive kid who made a poor decision in his choices for tattoos. Well, live and learn which I'm sure he's doing. We've all been young before, apparently some of us still are.
I don't look at the Confederate Flag and think "racist", I think "history". That's just me.

So, no, AXL is NOT a RACIST. But people will believe what they want.

Did you take him for a test drive?? It's funny that you say you know about the tattoo's and he was just a dumb kid yet, you never brought this to Dink's attention? Were you afraid he would ask for a refund from the scouting money he paid you? It's a little late in the day for you to jump in.

CXXX

 

[RecruitingNSeattle]

LOL. Funny. When I met Axl I had no idea what the tattoos were and I didn't ask. As a person with some ink myself, I know they're usually put on for personal reasons. What was there to bring to Dinks attention? I scouted him out to plenty of other studios who would have hired him also. They still want him today.

As as a gay man I do forget, we're all perfect and don't make mistakes and it's so easy to point the finger and judge. Very typical.

The priority that's be put on this is amazing. I did really think that I could maybe shine some light on this but I was mistaken.

People believe what they will. At least that's one of the few liberties we have left. For now.

 

[LuvFindsAndyHardy]

As as a gay man I do forget, we're all perfect and don't make mistakes and it's so easy to point the finger and judge. Very typical.

Oh, HERE we go again.....

It's NOT the Aryan Brotherhood TATTOOS that's the issue, it's judgmental gay men!!!



Honestly, is there some "talking points" memo the apologists are referencing before posting in hopes of changing the message? Did you READ any of this thread before you posted?

 

[LuvFindsAndyHardy]

The priority that's be put on this is amazing. I did really think that I could maybe shine some light on this but I was mistaken.

Pretty much everyone had their say and this thread was working its way toward the archives until you showed up to put some juice into it so I'm not really sure why you are blaming anybody else for this "priority."

At least that's one of the few liberties we have left. For now.

cue SCARY music....!!!

 

[Hellax24]

LOL. Funny. When I met Axl I had no idea what the tattoos were and I didn't ask. As a person with some ink myself, I know they're usually put on for personal reasons. What was there to bring to Dinks attention? I scouted him out to plenty of other studios who would have hired him also. They still want him today.

As as a gay man I do forget, we're all perfect and don't make mistakes and it's so easy to point the finger and judge. Very typical.

The priority that's be put on this is amazing. I did really think that I could maybe shine some light on this but I was mistaken.

People believe what they will. At least that's one of the few liberties we have left. For now.

You are the one that compared his tat's to Madonna's video. You also explained that he was a young naive kid that made a mistake. That gives the impression you knew what the tat's meant when you hung out with him. Now, you claim to have no knowledge of what they meant.

How exactly do you know that he made a mistake if you never discussed this with him? Dink posted that he spoke with Axl and he claimed he didn't know what the tat's meant yet you post saying that he was just young and made a mistake? He would be the one that would be able to tell you or Dink that he made a mistake. Axl, at one point hung out with a crowd that believes in what the tat's he has on his body believes. At one point he shared this belief and to what extent he still does is debatable but, the fact is he has the tat's and has not made an effort to have them removed.

CXXX

 

[Ninja108]

I will say this about tats..tis far easier to get them..then to remove them.

 

[braex27]

We can't control the future. This 1890s building at the harbour entrance to my city has a decorated marble floor with this fylfot.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fylfot

Ah Customs House. How many times have I walked past that and noted the markings? I am glad the government hasn't seen need to cover them up and hide it. The building, like many things, is a product of its time.

 

[pat grimshaw]

…The building, like many things, is a product of its time.

And unfortunately too many foolish men have branded themselves with dead ink which seemed like a good idea at the time.

 

[Críostóir]

So, another brand new member comes in making unsupported claims with no evidence at all, and apparently expecting us to just take him at his word and say "well, that's all right then."

The sheer stupidity of this is just...tiring.

 

[ACTIVE DUTY]

I will say this about tats..tis far easier to get them..then to remove them.

Axl is back. I'm letting him spend the next few days reading this thread. I believe it has a proper place and I believe the people who are offended have a right to be heard. I also think the people in his defense (like myself) have a right to be heard. I think he can take it all in and decide for himself how he deals with it. Whatever that outcome may be, I'll be happy with him. I'll still support him but that doesn't mean I'll put him in more films. I've given him the thread and a couple of days to read it, think to himself how it affects him and those of you who want answers and the chance to respond.

I've purposely deleted my goings on and my defense of him to give him a better understanding of how his tattoo's have offended so many. I will not require him to answer anyone, should he choose not to do so.

It's up to Axl.

I will say this for myself, I have never meant to intentionally harm any of you. Has this thread caused me to be upset with many of you? Of course. It's also caused me to be in constant and utter regret for myself. I do not stand for any type of racism. I really get sick of the whole gay'straight let's find a.....whatever. Get over it, queens.

We all want someone to support us, but we don't always want to extend that same support to someone else. And, in all honesty, just by saying that I've already set many of you up to *not* support Axl. No matter what he says.

But, I, and Axl, feel you are due an explanation. We will give it to you, no matter what you decide to do with it. I, for one, am very happy with his answer and what he decided to do about it.

From here on out. Kiss my ass. Regardless of what you think. And I'm not even sure what I think yet. What he says may turn me against him. My biggest regret is that I have to put him through this. And if he decides he doesn't want to do it, I support that, too.

Hugs
Dink

So yes, someone is listening. Will the majority hear? I'm not sure. Time will tell.

 

[majax79]

Is there an anti-drama queen tattoo?

 

[TallOneCA]

Dink

In my opinion, this is not about Axl. It's about his tattoos and your insistence on giving those tattoos a voice.

Why would you want to expose your audience, subscribers and fans to images of white supremacy? There is just no reasonable explanation. After finding out the meaning of the tattoos, you had so many opportunities to do something other than support Axl. Yet you opted to promote Axl, promote another video and post another video.

Issues of white supremacy are no joke. But regardless of what Axl's intent was...what does it matter? Any non white person, Jew or homosexual is going to be offended and most likely angry. But again, you chose to support Axl and to promote those images.

You continue to say that you are not a racist and that you have all of this racial sensitivity because of your upbringing. Where was all of this sensitivity? Do we make the same excuses for you that you made for Axl? You are not young. Are you naive? Are you under the influence of some "bad people?"

Also, I don't get this move.

I've purposely deleted my goings on and my defense of him to give him a better understanding of how his tattoo's have offended so many.

Sounds like that is more for you than him. Are you not trying to erase your history of defense of Axl?

Nevertheless, your message is as clear today as it was a few weeks ago.

From here on out. Kiss my ass. Regardless of what you think.

It's also curious that you have regret for yourself, regret for Axl but no regret for the people that have been offended by your actions. Is the state of your business so desperate, that you had to post the second video?

Lastly, don't forget, many of these "queens" are your livelihood.

 

[Críostóir]

So yes, someone is listening. Will the majority hear? I'm not sure. Time will tell.

I'm glad you're listening, though I must say that "From here out. Kiss my ass" doesn't sound very promising as far as two-way communication goes.

I do have a question for you. Can you confirm or deny that this person is who he says he is?

Amazing. Well, I'll introduce myself as the recruiter/scout who actually found "AXL" and sent him to ActiveDuty.

...that is, not just that he's the recruiter who found Axl and sent him to you, but that he's a person of color as well.

The reason I'm asking you is that I'm reasonably convinced that you actually represent Active Duty here on JUB, but we've had some people come on here and say some pretty insane things, including one guy who came on, at first, as someone defending Axl against the base accusation of racism, then started spouting racist diatribes himself. He came back as a sockpuppet at least once, too.

If Axl wants to come on here to defend himself, could you post indicating that the person under ID whatever really is Axl? I could see someone making that claim falsely on either side of this issue!

The other thing I want to bring to your attention is that so far, all the actual evidence (as opposed to what various people have posted on here) has been pointing toward Axl being a racist: his tattoos are clearly racist in origin, regardless of his intent at the time he got them or his feelings now.

Several people have claimed that Axl is not a racist. It's a fairly extraordinary claim, and extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. Him coming on here (on an ID you confirm is really him) and saying various things will help a little, but it's not enough to contradict the visual of all those AB tatts. That's why I thought it was such a good idea to have Jasun (who likes you but is reasonably independent) interview him on camera. Unless he's a really good actor, which I doubt, we'll be able to get some kind of read on his sincerity.

Of course, the ultimate action he could take at this point would be to have them removed (which would show that he is at least no longer willing to stand by the sentiments expressed by them); that's painful and expensive and time-consuming and leaves scars, so I don't think it's a very practical suggestion for someone who still wants to make money exposing his skin to the camera. As an earnest of intent, however, he COULD have the two numbers inked over so that they become solid blocks. That wouldn't even look that bad, and it would say something important.

As a person of pallor myself, I'm reluctant to say that someone else is NOT a racist, since that usually comes across as "'splaining," as it's called. I do know what it's like to be falsely accused of racism...and also to have said cluelessly racist things that horrified me once their nature was pointed out to me. So I'm not unsympathetic, not entirely, but we need something beyond unsupported assertions to cling to.

I hope you will reply to this, and not stand by your "kiss my ass."

 

[Críostóir]

Also, I don't get this move. Sounds like that is more for you than him. Are you not trying to erase your history of defense of Axl?

I've purposely deleted my goings on and my defense of him to give him a better understanding of how his tattoo's have offended so many.

There are a couple of possible interpretations, in addition to the one you cite. Here's the most benefit-of-doubt one I can think of: Dink could be trying to make sure that what Axl has to say comes from Axl, and is not simply parroted from Dink's defense of him here.

Malice exists. Some people are bad. But every once in a while it's good to step back and consider the possibility that some actions are well-intentioned.

I'm not saying that's why Dink did this. I'm saying it's one possibility.

ETA: Also, "regret for myself" could mean regret for things he's done. Not everyone is brilliantly articulate and communicative.

 

[TallOneCA]

Criostoir, Flamingo can be very articulate when he wants to be. If he truly regrets his actions, all he has to do is make a clear statement of apology.

But here is what I will always remember most. At the height of this controversy, Flamingo came on to this thread and tuanted the posters stating that Axl's next appearance at Active Duty would be "scorching." Then, several days later, he posted the second video with Axl. That's how I interpret Flamingo's statement, "kiss my ass."

 

[pat grimshaw]

(I've just been reading through the last five posts.

And I've just been thinking that the adult movie business is just like any other business in today's free-market society.

And I'm trying to imagine the situation in another business —a bakery, perhaps, or a gas station— where the customer comes into the shop and berates the proprietor about the clothing or the thoughts of one of his staff members.

And so it reinforces my long-held view that any fool that brands his body in black ink is an utter fool.)

 

[Comrad]

Axl is back. I'm letting him spend the next few days reading this thread. I believe it has a proper place and I believe the people who are offended have a right to be heard. I also think the people in his defense (like myself) have a right to be heard. I think he can take it all in and decide for himself how he deals with it. Whatever that outcome may be, I'll be happy with him. I'll still support him but that doesn't mean I'll put him in more films. I've given him the thread and a couple of days to read it, think to himself how it affects him and those of you who want answers and the chance to respond.

I've purposely deleted my goings on and my defense of him to give him a better understanding of how his tattoo's have offended so many. I will not require him to answer anyone, should he choose not to do so.

It's up to Axl.

I will say this for myself, I have never meant to intentionally harm any of you. Has this thread caused me to be upset with many of you? Of course. It's also caused me to be in constant and utter regret for myself. I do not stand for any type of racism. I really get sick of the whole gay'straight let's find a.....whatever. Get over it, queens.

We all want someone to support us, but we don't always want to extend that same support to someone else. And, in all honesty, just by saying that I've already set many of you up to *not* support Axl. No matter what he says.

But, I, and Axl, feel you are due an explanation. We will give it to you, no matter what you decide to do with it. I, for one, am very happy with his answer and what he decided to do about it.

From here on out. Kiss my ass. Regardless of what you think. And I'm not even sure what I think yet. What he says may turn me against him. My biggest regret is that I have to put him through this. And if he decides he doesn't want to do it, I support that, too.

Hugs
Dink

So yes, someone is listening. Will the majority hear? I'm not sure. Time will tell.

Aww man Dink. This sucks! I don't believe that their are as many people against you as it seems. It could very well be only 5 people with entirely way to much time on their hands. Sad and pathetic bunch.

Im a fan and a supporter! I just looked at the 3-way Axle did with Chaz and whats his face and honestly i can say he it was good. Their is something so fresh and him and his photographs very well. Good taste. Please don't remove him from future work! Honestly man!