So, here's an off topic ramble apropos of nothing
Because the kerfuffle going on, while it hasn't really affected me, has kind of bothered me, and here's what I think about it all:
There is apparently a kerfuffle going on in fandom generally. I have no idea--I haven't read the fic in question (not my fandom), avoid RPF because it's not my thing, and stick to what I like. Which, you know, is lots and lots of fic in my fandom of the moment.
But my point is, and I just felt I wanted to say it, is that I hope that all the kerfuffle doesn't stop people from writing what they want, and more importantly, doesn't stop people from writing about other cultures or peoples. Even if they don't understand it. Hell, I write hurt/comfort all the time, and I have only a vague idea of the medical science behind a lot of it.
Which is not to say that people should be offensive. But, for me, fanfic is experimental because it is recreational/amateur writers trying to write, and experimenting with genre and format and voice, and a bunch of stuff. It's about stretching both in your writing and in your communication with the world. And I'm all for stretching into trying to figure out things that you might not otherwise, in a space that is relatively harmless.
And also--and I know lots and lots of people disagree with me, and that's ok, this is my journal and my viewpoint--I like curiosity. To me, what is worse is dismissal. What is worse is people dismissing those that are different as other, as someone or something they will never understand, and won't bother to, because it's not important enough. And from my experience, that is the most hurtful thing ever. Curiosity, even if it is stupid curiosity, is far better, far more helpful, far more productive than sustained ignorance or avoidance. Even if someone asks something offensive, at least, in my view, they have deemed you worthy of interest, and are asking. And honestly, most people, even those that have no clue, are usually asking because they want an answer. They're not assuming something that is misguided and possibly more offensive. (And because, in the end, it's those hidden thoughts that end up being the most harmful.)
Fanfic, for me, is always an experiment. And I want comments--not to tell me how awesome I am (although, really, I won't object if you want to!) but because I want to learn. Every fic I write, everything I post, I'm asking a question--of myself, but also of whoever reads it. I assume it's that way for most of us and I just would really, really hate to see that stifled.
There is apparently a kerfuffle going on in fandom generally. I have no idea--I haven't read the fic in question (not my fandom), avoid RPF because it's not my thing, and stick to what I like. Which, you know, is lots and lots of fic in my fandom of the moment.
But my point is, and I just felt I wanted to say it, is that I hope that all the kerfuffle doesn't stop people from writing what they want, and more importantly, doesn't stop people from writing about other cultures or peoples. Even if they don't understand it. Hell, I write hurt/comfort all the time, and I have only a vague idea of the medical science behind a lot of it.
Which is not to say that people should be offensive. But, for me, fanfic is experimental because it is recreational/amateur writers trying to write, and experimenting with genre and format and voice, and a bunch of stuff. It's about stretching both in your writing and in your communication with the world. And I'm all for stretching into trying to figure out things that you might not otherwise, in a space that is relatively harmless.
And also--and I know lots and lots of people disagree with me, and that's ok, this is my journal and my viewpoint--I like curiosity. To me, what is worse is dismissal. What is worse is people dismissing those that are different as other, as someone or something they will never understand, and won't bother to, because it's not important enough. And from my experience, that is the most hurtful thing ever. Curiosity, even if it is stupid curiosity, is far better, far more helpful, far more productive than sustained ignorance or avoidance. Even if someone asks something offensive, at least, in my view, they have deemed you worthy of interest, and are asking. And honestly, most people, even those that have no clue, are usually asking because they want an answer. They're not assuming something that is misguided and possibly more offensive. (And because, in the end, it's those hidden thoughts that end up being the most harmful.)
Fanfic, for me, is always an experiment. And I want comments--not to tell me how awesome I am (although, really, I won't object if you want to!) but because I want to learn. Every fic I write, everything I post, I'm asking a question--of myself, but also of whoever reads it. I assume it's that way for most of us and I just would really, really hate to see that stifled.