It's not just connecting with people who look different than you (though that's part of it for sure). It's connecting with people who hold different beliefs and values. Otherwise you're left with a façade of diversity, but the interior of the community will be just as closed off as any other group that excludes people for arbitrary reasons.

My guess is that it has nothing to do with you, and everything to do with them attempting to stop the insane amount of spam on these boards and in article comments.

Why would you expect a post written 3 years ago to address something that happened today? Are they not allowed to re-post it to pay tribute to him?

I said this on the last spam post linking to this site, and I'll say it again here.

Buying fake likes, views, and ratings is not marketing. It's deception, and a complete waste of money.

Um, buying fake likes and views is not marketing. It's deception, and a complete waste of money.

Start building relationships with people who work in the scripted world, and make sure those people know you're a capable, trustworthy camera assistant. Without those relationships in place, there's a very good chance you'll start back at the bottom. Good luck!