Nathan Chen
- Thread starter matmuh
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Nathan made a public apology. He admitted he used harmful language. Some of the recent posts here share a similar insensitivity and ignorance. The “but he did nothing wrong” arguments are unhelpful and if their purpose is to gatekeep this thread from others who do not share like-minded views, then it’s working.
I sort of understand where Oatmella came from. I recovered my Twitter password the other day thinking I want to share my perspective and show my support. It’s really hard to talk to people when one side of the voice is so much louder and I ended up feeling upset. That being said, I don’t think anyone here has the intention of gatekeeping. I hope everybody feel comfortable sharing their honest opinions.
ETA: since this video was posted here a few days ago, we are among the first group of fans who saw the interview. I wanted to know if anyone truly felt uncomfortable with his answer before it got blow up on Twitter. I remember a lot of us immediately got terrified by the Mozart hip pop idea so maybe it was overshadowed by that . I would appreciate they share their thoughts now.
ETA: since this video was posted here a few days ago, we are among the first group of fans who saw the interview. I wanted to know if anyone truly felt uncomfortable with his answer before it got blow up on Twitter. I remember a lot of us immediately got terrified by the Mozart hip pop idea so maybe it was overshadowed by that . I would appreciate they share their thoughts now.
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- Joined
- Mar 27, 2018
It was posted on another site too and the only thing people said before someone took that one clip was mentioning it was a fun interview but they wished the interviewers knew about figure skating and found the 4lo discussion funny.
I think if you want to support you can tweet him, but I wouldn't bother to do anything else since it's really nasty out there. There's all sorts of threats and other things and it's beyond the point of being reasonable anymore.
And honestly I'm American was not aware homosexual was something frown upon to use and I'm not even straight. It's not something I actually use, but didn't know it was super offensive but more outdated. The more you know!
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Is it usually so soon? I seem to recall it happening just before the first JGP's in previous years? I actually didn't check the dates though.
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2017
Usually Mid-August.
Is it already known where Champs Camp will be this year?
It’s sad because in real life the people around me who occasionally watch figure skating all warm towards Nathan (they don’t know I am a fan as I chat w/ them other sports too). Some of them even love his performances more than any of the women’s which they usually prefer. The only critique I ever got from them is that his after-event interview could be more fun
Same for me, Nathan is generally one of the faves when I talk or watch skating with others.It’s sad because in real life the people around me who occasionally watch figure skating all warm towards Nathan (they don’t know I am a fan as I chat w/ them other sports too). Some of them even love his performances more than any of the women’s which they usually prefer. The only critique I ever got from them is that his after-event interview could be more fun
We know there's a fan here who talked her Mom into watching all the different performances of La Boheme, even the ones ... I am trying to find a word other than shine's word 'ruined' by Vera's awful outfit. His skating is wonderful.
I find the willingness to dismiss people entirely because you disagree with something they said--even though they were willing to do the hard work of examining their action, they admitted their error and apologized--a sad commentary on the future of this world.
I find the willingness to dismiss people entirely because you disagree with something they said--even though they were willing to do the hard work of examining their action, they admitted their error and apologized--a sad commentary on the future of this world.
- Joined
- May 9, 2019
In the end, whether someone finds what Nathan said offensive, hurtful, or nothing wrong at all depends on their own point of view. It’s important to realize that people have very different experiences and personal truths, and to encourage everyone to share their perspectives. I don’t mind if someone disagrees with my position on whether Nathan was right or wrong; what I can’t stand is hijacking this issue to spread blind hatred and biased agenda. If anything, people who are doing this are just creating more hurt and harm.
Nothing official, but I’ve heard Nashville.
- Joined
- May 9, 2019
Thought I could join the ongoing Nathan appreciation and share a more light-hearted story. My friend trains with a high-ranking skater who took the same edge class with Nathan. They said that Nathan’s clusters and edges were actually tighter and more precise than some skater considered to have better skating skills, and they failed at attempting his steps 
Goes to show how much quality he has in things under-appreciated by even some of his own fans.
Goes to show how much quality he has in things under-appreciated by even some of his own fans.
- Joined
- Jan 18, 2021
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- Joined
- Jan 18, 2021
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- Joined
- Feb 16, 2018
It’s true we see the world through our own own lived experiences. There will always be a difference in opinion but what’s important is that Nathan recognized that his words upset some of his fans and he let himself to sit in the discomfort, understand why, and apologize. Those who choose to see the best in him, from what they’ve seen so far (his volunteerism, working with children, etc) will know that there was no malice behind his words. It was a candid interview, he was put on the spot, and was not prepared to answer. Poor choice of words but honestly everyone has put their foot in their mouths at one point. It’s called being human.
For all those who are trying to cancel him and raging on Twitter- I agree with that there is no point leveling with them. They are hell bent on taking everything he says or does and twisting it into the worst way. Ironically, if it was another skater, for example, someone who is not a threat to their favorite- would the reaction be the same? Probably not. Makes me wonder if they really are concerned about LGBTQ+ Issues?
I found nothing offensive with what he said. Sure he could have worded it better. Much, much worse has been said by others. I also think his points were valid.
But for those who were hurt, I feel for them too. We all have our triggers that not everyone will understand. And that’s ok too- as much as I felt it was an non-issue, I learned why it would be an issue to some.
For all those who are trying to cancel him and raging on Twitter- I agree with that there is no point leveling with them. They are hell bent on taking everything he says or does and twisting it into the worst way. Ironically, if it was another skater, for example, someone who is not a threat to their favorite- would the reaction be the same? Probably not. Makes me wonder if they really are concerned about LGBTQ+ Issues?
I found nothing offensive with what he said. Sure he could have worded it better. Much, much worse has been said by others. I also think his points were valid.
But for those who were hurt, I feel for them too. We all have our triggers that not everyone will understand. And that’s ok too- as much as I felt it was an non-issue, I learned why it would be an issue to some.
LutzDance, now you need to tell us who that other skater was!Thought I could join the ongoing Nathan appreciation and share a more light-hearted story. My friend trains with a high-ranking skater who took the same edge class with Nathan. They said that Nathan’s clusters and edges were actually tighter and more precise than some skater considered to have better skating skills, and they failed at attempting his steps
(also, I'm in no way surprised)
Absolutely agree with Shine here, this is exactly how I understood his words. What else could he logically mean, when so few skaters are publicly out, it's the only interpretation that makes sense. He's obviously not referring to those winning/dominating in terms of results.
Not sure how acknowledging that an above average proportion of skaters is gay equals diminishing their discrimination though. I don't see any connection, nor did Nathan even address the topic. It was just an observation he made, probably based on his own environment.
I also got the impression that many felt he was solely talking from the perspective of a straight male skater, because that was his opening sentence. But when he spoke of 'us' and 'his fellow skaters' (being belittled etc.), he didn't specify gender and/or orientation, so I would assume that he was including everyone in those statements.
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In other news, Nathan gave a short interview with SLC TV about his last Olympics experience and his approach to the upcoming Beijing games.
www.nbcolympics.com
SLC Olympian may understand Simone Biles the most
Figure skater Nathan Chen says the pressure to perform as the "face" of Team USA in 2018 ruined the Olympic experience for him. He's looking forward to Beijing with a different frame of mind.
www.nbcolympics.com
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