I was told earlier this year that I could not join a faction. They sent a polite message to me in DMs about it after I expressed interest in joining. They even removed me from their Discord server. People have every right to do this, of course. It's their space. But the least they could do is given a proper explanation as for why.
I feel like "we don't like you" isn't a good enough reason to stop someone from roleplaying in a faction and with their members. If you have a good enough reason then say it and that way both sides can move on. At the end of the day I wouldn't want to write with a group of people if they didn't want me around either so the situation would resolve itself.
The "we don't owe you an explanation" thing is very childish as well.
I'm all for inclusivity, however, this is a rather narrow-minded and self-serving take on what boils down to policing our ability to freely choose whom we interact with.
- No one is "owed" an explanation as to why an individual or a group doesn't want to interact with them. A polite DM stating you are unwelcome is the BEST CASE scenario. Offering up an "explanation" opens the floor for an argument and it's clear most people don't want the drama.
- Just because you (the royal you not the you specifically) are ready to be forgiven does not mean the community is ready to forgive and interact with you.
- If a faction doesn't want to interact with you? Self reflection is your best option. Show the community you're doing better by actually DOING BETTER and not giving lip service.
Core Value Suggestion: Eliminate saying "it's all IC bro" to excuse maladaptive and harmful behavior. It's the one phrase that cheeses me off because it's never used in a positive way.