Schedule/Rules/FAQ

[katiemariie]

Schedule
December 1st, 2012 - Sign-ups open
May 1st, 2013 - Fic rough drafts due + Sign-ups close
May 29th - Rough drafts due + Artists sign-ups close
June 1st - Claims open
July 24th - Artist rough drafts due
August 1st - Posting begins
August 31st - Posting ends

General
What is a big bang challenge?A big bang challenge is a type of fic

Comments

[katiemariie]

I understand where you're coming from and it's a totally valid reaction; I've had conversations like this about the reclamation of derogatory terms with my mom (who spent most of her childhood in Shriner's Hospital for the Crippled Children, as it was known back then). As someone who wasn't institutionalized as a child in 1960s Chicago, my experience and engagement with "crip" is very different from hers. Our receptiveness to reclaiming terms is very much situated in the context of our lives and cultures.

This community is situated in an internet disability culture that freely uses disability slurs as a form of self-definition that directly and aggressively challenges attempts to make disability disappear and silence people with disabilities. (See: dot_gimp_snark, Bipolar: Crazy Mermaid's Blog, Tales from the Crip.) My position within this culture clearly influenced my decision in naming this challenge. I knew in using a reclaimed slur in the challenge's title I ran the risk of alienating other people with disabilities, but placing this challenge with my experience of disability was extremely important to me.

I'm sorry if the name prevents you from participating in this challenge in any capacity.

[felinephoenix]

This response makes me feel a lot better, actually.

I lurk at dot_gimp_snark and Tales from the Crip (and I am a huge fan of Bitch in general). In case I gave the wrong impression, I think I should clarify that I'm in my mid-twenties here? I spent a lot of time in Shriners Hospitals as a kid, too, though fortunately they had changed the name by then. Reclaiming words is a part of my experience as well -- I just have mixed feelings about it.

(It may be because reclaiming has not really been a safe experience for me, I admit. Too many people not getting that it's my term to use and not theirs. Yes, I am a little bit bitter. Besides, I have a hard enough time getting people to understand why I'm so tempted to whack them with my cane every time they call me "differently abled" or "inspirational". Ugh.)

Ironically, one of the characters I'm thinking of signing up for is the type who uses crip constantly! I don't know. Now that I get where you're coming from I think I would be okay with participating -- but I still some time to think about it.

[katiemariie]

I'm glad my comment at least made you feel better. (And I'm sorry if it came off like I was comparing you to my baby boomer generation mom! I was not trying to call you old. Not that there's anything wrong with old... but I digress...)

There's definitely a risk in reclaiming terms. I think it's really up to an individual when (if ever) and in what company they reclaim terms. It can be a matter of safety and survival not to reclaim terms (even just in certain circumstances). It's something everyone has to decide for themselves.

Take all the time you need; sign-ups are open until *scrolls up the page to check* May 1st.

[felinephoenix]

Don't worry about it! Honestly, I think I may have misread, but that's what I get for replying when I'm tired

I completely agree. It's a thorny issue. Again, I don't think there's anything wrong with it (when I'm around people I can trust I've been known to do it too!) but it's also not for everyone. Knowing that the name was thought through really, really does help, though.

Completely unrelated question -- are crossovers okay? I've had one brewing in the back of my mind for a while that would be perfect for this. If not, that's okay, I may just write the characters/fandoms separately.

[katiemariie]

Crossovers are totally okay! In fact, I might be writing a crossover myself.

[felinephoenix]

Awesome!