NokiMo
Mera Mangle
Mera Mangle

patreon


Eyes Wide Shut

Well damn...that most certainly was not the fierce return I wanted for Mangled Morning in 2023!

If you haven't heard...a clip from yesterday's Mangled Morning went viral on Twitter. I was told the entire cast of Season 15 commented on the clip, along with a plethora of legendary RuGirls all commending Tabbi's comments too. (Not-so Fun Fact: This clip already has more views than any video my channel has EVER had🙁)

The viral moment is of Tabbi Katt calling Season 15's Robin Fierce abrasive for being confident. The comments & words chosen were definitely perceived as microaggressions. While Tabbi is saying this, you can obviously see my face having a range of confused & lost emotions (as seen in the screenshots above.)

I was trying to understand what she meant & attempted to clarify. My first response was something like 'What do you mean? In what way?' Tabbi says Robin wasn't likeable, full of herself, abrasive, and had an overconfident attitude...I responded with "It sounds like you're just describing a normal Drag Queen."

My face expressed a lot more than I even realized in the moment & I did try to clarify what she meant a couple times. However, I was also trying to keep it moving to get to the next queen. I obviously can't control what comes out of someone else's mouth, but I could've taken the time to really address it in the moment. At the end of the day, it's my show and my brand being represented. I'm ashamed that i didn't pay attention to this until after it went viral.


More than anything, I'm gutted that Robin Fierce had to experience this after her first episode on Drag Race EVER! I reached out to Robin privately to apologize for all this. I can only imagine how shitty that would feel when it didn't really line up with anything we saw in the episode. I'm still unclear if maybe Tabbi had her mixed up with someone else or something. 

I can’t speak for anyone else or their intentions, but I can say that I apologize to all of you for letting it air on my show. I'm better than missing something like this. I will be more aware of the words and tone associated from everyone featured on the channel. 🔆

📅 FYI: I attempted to edit out the clip from yesterday's video, however it became 'Under Review' from YouTube, so they wouldn't approve my edit. I was stuck with no options, so the Monday video has been deleted.

I'm currently unsure what we will do for the rest of the week, but please hang in there with me! I'm not going anywhere & I'm not giving up!❤

Eyes Wide Shut

Comments

Weird that this just popped up for me today. I remember when this happened but I wasn't a member yet. Nice to see that Mera took the correct stance on it.

Kris Palmer

Yikes.... “Eyes wide shut” is an expression used to refer to people who refuse to see something that should be obvious to them.

Steven Cipriano

Don’t you worry Steven…i understand more than you know.

Mera Mangle

I would recommend you DO NOT have Tabbi on your channel again. I understand Tabbi may have not ment it in the way others have perceived it but as someone once said you don't get an opportunity to mark to mark your own report card

Steven Cipriano

I was having Mera withdrawal symptoms so I had to join Patreon to get my fix! Glad to hear you will keep going, never give up!

Norbert Cilia

I didn't really see Tabbi's comments as micro aggressive in the moment cuz I think if someone finds someone abrasive then that's just they're opinion and knowing most drag race queens its probably accurate. but then I realized she was talking about Robin and that where she lost me. I mean next to Poppy, Robin got almost no screen time and barely said a word in the work room. its hard for me to come up with a unproblematic reason for her to form a negative opinion about her based on these first 2 episodes.

M1k3

I just became a Patron to show you love and support. This is hard work and enough sitting on the side lines. It’s time to give flowers for hard working artists like you. Thanks.

Romeo G

It’s your channel. Do what you will. I’m out.

Christian

Christian, everyone can only go off all these completely dismissive comments you’ve continued to make. From what I can gather …based on your own words, You have refused to acknowledge or open your mind in anyway to the reality of what happened. I was there, i am Mera Mangle. I know for a fact that Tabbi did not confuse her with anyone else and has no reasonable explanation for her words or statements. The level of reaction is all based on individuals and how deep they connect to the situation. It’s a waste of time, and not the point to argue if this is the right level of outrage. It’s acknowledging the problematic behavior.

Mera Mangle

Please don’t presume to know me or what I think. I didn’t say there was no issue. I said the reaction to Tabbi’s comment, which you even admit below may have resulted from her confusing one queen for another; was disproportionate.

Christian

Yes you’re right, I commented from a privileged place as a white person it’s not my place at all to accept an apology that isn’t for me. Thank you for always speaking up about what isn’t right. As someone from a small town with almost no diversity, I have learned a lot from you and the local girls you feature on your channel. I hope everyone can walk away from this situation more educated about the seriousness of micro-aggressions and more able to deconstruct them!!

Courtney Thomas

This happened bc there’s a real issue. It’s not just a simple mistake of words. If we don’t acknowledge it and just dismiss the people hurt by it, we are contributing the problem. I failed at addressing it properly in the moment. I’m disappointed that i couldn’t verbalize my discomfort of what was said.

Mera Mangle

Yeah, there’s no confusion. Acknowledging that it’s deeper than that will be the only way to grow and change the behavior.

Mera Mangle

Yeah, Didi is right. I appreciate your support and seeing the bright side of people. But people are upset bc this was very clear microaggression and it’s not acceptable to see it as some sort of misunderstanding. Yes my face said it, but my voice should’ve too. That’s where i failed.

Mera Mangle

In the video I immediately asked clarify why she was saying that. Which was still inappropriate and not based in reality. Their hasn’t been a clear explanation or acknowledgment of why those words were used since then. I hope you can see that people aren’t just upset for no reason. There’s an issue.

Mera Mangle

Thank you. I know I should always trust my gut instincts going forward.

Mera Mangle

Kornbread posted on Twitter today that she didn’t blame you, so hopefully that will calm down any hate still coming your way. (Since she has a large following due to being a freaking rockstar.) I think the positive of this is it taught people an important lesson. You hit the nail on the head about white people never being the oppressed minority and therefore we can not equate the situation. We can however all learn and be better.

Kelli Rembowski

Thank you but I’m better than just expressing it on my face. I should’ve fully used my voice too.

Mera Mangle

I can’t control what others say but i couldve called out the what was said and challenged it.

Mera Mangle

Thank you for the love and i appreciate your support. but the apologizing for being confused is not unacceptable. This requires the acknowledgment of why that string of words was put together. It’s not just a simple mistake. People aren’t upset for no reason. I promise.

Mera Mangle

I will absolutely discuss it when i return. Tabbi’s return is most certainly not my priority…Apologizing for misusing a word is not acknowledging the issue. The narrative that she just used the wrong word or was confused is not the reality.

Mera Mangle

I appreciate your support but it’s not just words and it’s dismissive of what happened. No question, Tabbi’s statement was rooted in racism. And i failed to properly challenge it.

Mera Mangle

Thank you so much for taking the time to write this. Everything Gloriamus has said will hopefully help anyone who reads it! I know folks struggling to understand will try to process it by the example of “what if she was white?” It’s human nature to compare what we know from our experience to make a connection, but that comparison is not possible. White people have never been the oppressed minority and there’s no way to equate the experiences. It’s important that it’s called out immediately & i completely failed in the moment. Not acknowledging will normalize it bc we’ve continued on like nothing out of the ordinary happened. I know better & didn’t trust my instincts. I just displayed a pathetic, confused reaction. My soul is fucking crushed by my inability to just be a good human. It feel like I’m stuck in a fever dream from hell.

Mera Mangle

And Christian I do not think you have taken the time to really think and process through what people have said and explained is the issue here, especially about intentions vs actions and outcomes. You are actually reinforcing the bias that has happened---you say there is no issue but actually your comments demonstrate the issues you claim do not exist.

Gloriamus

Good job keeping up on this Mera~ <3

Gloriamus

Microaggressions are talking about day to day interaction where oppressed people experience these "death by a thousand papercuts" of small, insidious stereotyping and hostility and ignorance. So it is inherent to her being a queen of color and the issue is the specific words and language Tabbi used have been used against poc in an spiteful and manipulative way particularly towards black folks. So yeah you missing the big and small picture here a bit but ist good you know. So if she was a white person then probably folks would just argue its not a very fair assessment. It is not a microagression around race because were talking about a white person in this hypothetical. Doesnt mean its nice, doesn't mean it may still be an odd take. But its not happening in the structure of racism and hurting through those microagression channels. That it is not a fair assessment and uses this loaded language against a poc suggests implicit bias, parroting what society has implicitly and explicitly insinuated in a derogatory manner about poc. Also, even if those terms could 'fairly' be used, when you learn the history of a term and the baggage it has, you should try to use other language. Tabbi should know better from my take of her, but I guess not? Ultimately, many queens were boasting about their beauty and how great they were, but Tabbi formulated a *very strong* negative take on Robin. I would add that PC is something conservative people say to try and police progressive ideas and racial justice and other forms of justice. It is a term that tries tomaintain a status quo of hateful language and widely spread sterotypes "dont be PC" So it is a term that is critical of discussion of equality, equity, and oppression.

Gloriamus

I think the best thing Tabbi could do is apologize and if she got her confused with someone else then that would make a lot more sense. I’m sorry this negative light was brought to your channel Mera, you’re so uplifting of the queens and it sucks that people who might not know your content don’t know that about you. You’re honest but in a very tactful way and it sucks that this is getting reflected on you. From Robin’s Twitter she seems over it and I hope everyone can just move past it bc it seems like a honest mistake

Courtney Thomas

Tabbi seemed confused all episode tbh like not getting the Lucy joke? Will she be back on the show? Will it be addressed in video form?

R. Shawn Abrahams

What a palaver, it’s just words delivered in the tone used. Good that Robin has a lot fans but it’s just one person’s opinion. Are we not allowed to have one anymore? It’s not easy these days to bridge the generations. Don’t let them stop you from doing your work. We love you! 😘

Raquel Sobrado

Mera fuck them fuckers. You didn’t say shit wrong, and to be honest Tabbi maybe just used the wrong word. This new generation is toooooooo sensitive.

Jose DeLeon

So sorry that this happened. I did find it odd to hear what was said about Robin as well. I honestly don't think Tabbi meant anything hurtful, but was just expressing an opinion and worded things wrong. Now, this may be ignorant of me because I'm not super socially adept and know all the PC stuff (please feel free to correct and educate) but do you think people would be acting like this and calling it a microagression (especially on twitter) if Robin wasn't a queen of color?

Hunter

I’ll try to figure that out tomorrow!

Mera Mangle

Okay I reread what you wrote and you said you didn’t know yet. Whatever you decide I’ll be here for it!

Kelli Rembowski

Also, are you not going to post any videos this week due to what happened? Will you post them here? Just curious. :)

Kelli Rembowski

Mera, you did the right thing by apologizing for your content, even though you clearly didn’t say it or agree with it. I do understand micro-aggressions. I do agree it was way out of left field. Hopefully it is a learning experience for many. I’m glad people are understanding you weren’t the one that said it, because I hate seeing people come after someone I enjoy so much! Side note: The person that was the loudest on Twitter wasn’t Jaida, it was a fan account. It took me awhile to figure that out, but maybe that’s just because I’m old.

Kelli Rembowski

ALSO would be Fierce....to have Robin Fierce on the show haha. Even zooming in. I realize they cant do certasin things until the end of their run on the show...

Gloriamus

I watched it and was very confused by what Tabbi was saying. I actually thought she was mixed up over who was who because yeah like, Robin never acted that way and Tabbi seemed confused about a few details of what happened (like Loosy at the end). I But no matter what, it did seem odd Tabbi was calling someone out for this vibe on a reality tv show, especially drag race. Contestants know there are so many folks who want that attitude and if they can bring it, they should! frankly! Get those fans. And like...Irene was all those things! Unless she meant Irene then yeah its awkward. I do think it can be hard to react when you are confused and processing and you really clearly were, and you explicitly defended Robin. You are doing the right thing now acknowledging that racism unfortunately is at play here.

Gloriamus

love you mera!!! i wont lie tho when i was watching and tabbi said that my entire face scrunched up... dont stop doing you tho!!!! we love the content

Malibu

we love you mera

Mikolaj

Also, in terms of posts for the rest of the week, you should totally post your favorite looks from Drag Con, especially the Jinx situation! Lol hopefully you saw

Stefanie Mercadante

When I saw I didn't interpret it so harshly, but we all have "blind spots" in life and if I were in her shoes maybe I'd feel upset too. We all know you try to spread positivity ❤️ and we love and support you

Stefanie Mercadante

While I get the controversy over Tabbi’s comment, I don’t think this should be a think bashing you or Scarlett. I also think everyone should not go attacking you two because if they watched the video, they’d see you two were not siding with Tabbi on her comments.

Skarlett Letter

Sending you good vibes <<<<<♥️>>>>>>>

abraham cervantes

over these bitches on twitter coming for u. keep doing ur thing ❤️

Lee Johnson

Mera: How about you post the vids one day ealier in the patreon and we watch it and the patreons hint to some stuff before the Internet goes bonkers again? 🙈 As I am reading my own comment a) just a joke from my side 😋 And b) in some cases not even that bad of an idea 😅🙈😘 love ya and also to all patreons: Have a great day as well 😘✌️

Dominic Baden

I really enjoy Tabbi and the input she has to offer with certain topics but i don't think this is the right format for her and maybe she just wasn't paying attention to the episode at all there were a lot of references that flew past her and her mistaking queens. I know it's a lot of queens and it's only the first episode but i was expecting more from her. i hope you are handling all this well Mera! love you!

Azarath 🇵🇷

That’s true but I do believe that since it’s my show, ultimately it’s my responsibility. I’ve always had a tight timeline for filming and editing, but this is one case where that really bit me in the butt. I could’ve caught it in the editing…but we film Sunday evenings and then i edit Sunday night into Monday morning. So I finished editing that video at 4am Monday morning for it to post at 9am. I just wasn’t paying attention 😔

Mera Mangle

Gurl! I don’t even have twitter bc it’s always so intense and unfortunately this got huge! Though it sucked that the tweet was posted at 3pm and unfortunately no one sent it to me until like 10pm 🤦‍♀️😔😵‍💫😔🤦‍♀️

Mera Mangle

Thankfully the internet seems to recognize that YOU aren’t the person responsible for the micro-aggressions that were said

Daph

Thanks for addressing this here on patreon for those of us not on Twitter, Mera. Appreciate you handling situation with understanding and grace

Melissa

I think you have handled this really well. Tabbi is clearly intelligent and I was surprised when she didn’t clock Loosey’s joke about padding. It almost seemed like she must’ve been distracted while watching the episode, and then may have fallen into unconscious biases when discussing Robin. Definitely an important lesson moving forward.

Brad H

I applaud your pragmatic response to this Mera. Head on, no excuses, learning and moving forward.

Scott

I don’t think she confused Robin with anybody because her quote about being grand and the inflection there could only have been Robin. Not my place to comment on the right-or-wrong, but I worry that some people are interpreting the “confused with someone else” idea as another DRUK-esque confusing black queens moment, which I think is just factually not what happened here.

Matthew S

I gotcha, gal!

Eleanor E

Eleanor! You always say the perfect thing!

Mera Mangle

I’m not going to go in and look at what people are saying specifically about me. I know I’ve honestly done everything i can to address it straight away and feel like I’ve done what i can without actually being the person who made the comments. I’m sure there’s people who will see this as a moment to go after me and pile on but those folks will always be there. And i don’t ever have to see them! 😁❤️

Mera Mangle

This is not directed to anyone in particular but is a lesson I am still having to learn in my antiracism work: Regardless of intent, if your words hurt someone, that's on you. And it's up to you to understand why your words hurt, apologize and move forward correcting your behavior. It's always important to learn how your words can hurt, what microaggressions are, and to call those microaggressions out when you see them. Protecting the lives of Black, Indigenous and other People of Color begins with stopping the use of microaggressions. It's like being in an emotionally abusive relationship where the little pokes and jabs that you laugh off and ignore for the sake of peace just keep building and building until you realize you're under an entire damn building of insults. TL:DR: Words and history matter, intent does not, we can all do better and listen to those who are hurt. Mera, I think you've done the best you can in all of this. Pobody's nerfect! 💜 💜 💜

Eleanor E

Thank you! Look at my mental health getting tested right away!😅

Mera Mangle

You have a room full of people, including the host, that are trying to explain to you that it’s a problem. 30+ RuGirls publicly spoke up about this clip…because it is a problem.(not to mention endless none famous folks) Why would everyone (including me) agree it’s an issue? I most certainly wouldn’t want it to be an issue, but I’m aware of those specific words/phrases and the Systemic racial history behind it. Youve compared it to giving white queens critiques, it’s not about the harshest critiques. It’s deeper than critiques. I would ask you to take a step back and be aware that this might be something you’re not fully understanding. If myself and others didn’t think this was important, we wouldn’t keep trying to have you hear us. ❤️

Mera Mangle

I definitely agree that we can unintentionally cause harm. And we all know that black queens have borne the brunt of the "fandoms" ire, so I do think it's an area to be sensitive about. My concern is that while the impact is the best measure, people don't respond well to being called out and dragged all over Twitter. A better approach would be to assume a mistake in good faith, and point out how someone can do better.

Christian

I think people are being a tad dramatic online tbh, especially some of the people targeting complaints at you (even if Tabby’s comments was annoying 😂)

Tyler

I think you've been handling this so well Mera. Hearing you talk about that good mental health year you wanted, I'm 100% certain you will achieve- because we cannot control what is thrown at us but we can control how we respond!

wilson

Even if, don't call a black or latinx queen "abrasive", "aggressive" PERIOD! Done going back and forth with someone who refuses to get the point...

Samuel Boucher

This is just overstating harm. You don't know Tabbi's intentions. As I said earlier, it seems Tabbi to me confused Robin with Luxx, just as people are confusing Princess Poppy with Amethyst. That can happen when you're reviewing 16 new people. Luxx did come off as a bit abrasive as did Irene and Mistress and the twins! Immediately assuming bad faith from someone who - to my knowledge - has no history of being bigoted - is counter-productive.

Christian

I also don’t believe Tabbi meant harm but that doesn’t mean she didn’t. Mixing up black queens who look nothing alike or calling either one of them abrasive is an issue. These are specific issues rooted in racism. Her doing it specifically with malicious intentions or not is irrelevant. Because the person on the other end hurts the same either way. It’s still something she could be aware of, learn from, and work on going forward. ❤️

Mera Mangle

You're right Didi, it didn't come across to me as that, but of course very valid if so, so totally agree👌❤️

Dominic Baden

I just think she misspoke, confused Robin with Luxx. 16 queens is a lot of get through. Yes, there’s a pattern of black queens getting the short end of the stick but I don’t think Tabbi meant harm and she said far more direct critiques about the white queens and heaped lots of praise on BIPOC queens.

Christian

And a "read" is when a little bit of truth is thrown in with a JOKE, nothing about calling a black queen (ESPECIALLY ROBIN) "abrasive" is true or funny. And if it wasn't as serious as a situation as you're saying it is, The other queens of the cast and legendary RU-girls (who i'm very sure are not twelve years old) wouldn't have responded.

Samuel Boucher

The reason we aren't taking that "extemporaneous comment" lightly, is because POC queens especially black queens face these kinds of comments everyday even when they're doing the same things other queens are doing (which can be boiled down to just the prevelant racism that exists in the fandom), for example; everyone is living for Sugar & Spice's chattiness but when Silky was doing the same thing back on season 11 she immediately got hate for it because when a black queen does anything she's annoying, cocky, obnoxious, arrogant but when a white queen does the same exact thing she's iconic. So the reason Tabbi's comment whether it had been the intention or not is being labeled as a micro aggression is because compared to more than half of the other queens on the cast Robin is by far the most opposite of abrasive, but Tabbi chose to describe her as that because she's confident in her drag and talent, even though she isn't anywhere near loud or expressive about it as ALOT of the other queens on the show, so people are assuming the reason she's coming for Robin is because she's a black queen, so Tabbi may not have meant to but yes SHE DID SAY SOMETHING VERY WRONG. Hopes this helps you understand <333

Samuel Boucher

I hear you and there’s definitely always people trolling out there. But I do agree that the comment didn’t seem to line up with anything about what we know of Robin so far. Furthermore there’s a history of words like ‘aggressive’ or ‘abrasive’ that are intended to demean black people in the States. Those words are definitely microaggression 101 specifically.

Mera Mangle

Dont condone those type of comments. We can love Mera and still acknowledge that one of her guests were in the wrong here. We dont have to silence others to support Mera

Mumu

To be fair microaggressions arent just shade. I think it was very valid to point outhat the comments were problematic and not cool. Love you Mera!!

Mumu

Regardless of what happened in the video, I think you've responded very graciously.

Bibijirante Sonteneguro Homesutony Kalmandole Poposu

Mera, some Jaida Essence Hall fan tried to turn an extemporaneous comment into a “micro aggression.” Tabbi said nothing wrong; though she may have confused Luxx who is clearly full of herself with Robin. It’s not this deep and don’t let 12 year olds on Twitter freak you out. They’re looking to cause drama and be toxic. As was said about Mistress and Irene, drag queens read each other. If the kids don’t get that, ignore them.

Christian

It's sad because I for example didn't even see this as a big thing?! But some people surely did. Totally understand the look on your face and that you where processing what is being said and I also thought Tabbi wasn't beeing mean or anything. When she was talking about her being "full of herself" and so on and you saying: "Sounds like a normal drag queen to me" I was "well duuuuh, that's what we're here for" 💁‍♂️✨️ we love the over the top nerve and confidence, even if we say something that sounds negative, it's mostly just shade and how we feel in the moment. It's sad that sometimes people take things either out of context or think everything that is said and is not 100% positive is a direct attack to someone, at least that's how I feel about it. BUT I also get being emphathatic towards Robin and seeing it through her eyes what happened when she is on TV for the first time, so I get and love you reached out to her Mera. I would love for her to see it the same way a lot of us do, but if not that is completly fine, she has the right to her emotions as well if so ❤️✨️ But I hate that these are the big things Mera and that people would rather look at a meme than really watch your show, they are missing out and really do not even get half or a quarter of what you gals really think and say about the queens...

Dominic Baden

Sorry this has became such a headache for everyone involved, still love you and the channel!

Volatile Woman

Maybe Tabbi can clarify what she meant? I certainly hope that doesn't stop her from being on future episodes - I enjoy her perspective, typically. Anyhow, much love, Mera.

Nathan

The look on your face was clear to me that you were processing the statement and trying to redirect me conversation. Thank you for addressing this directly

Joanne Robertson

You could see it on your face clearly that you didn’t understand or relate to what was said. Anyone who watches or follows you knows that this is so far from what you are about and stand for. The steps you have taken since this came out also show that. Love you Mera

Beth

You couldn’t control the situation it’s not your fault. Love you.

Sebastian Bishop


Related Creators