Con!
ChryedCon was AWESOME. So awesome. Kind of reeling from just how well it all worked out. :D So much love for everyone who worked so hard!
God, I love this fandom - and I'm so glad we did the con, cos it reminded me just why I love this fandom and everyone in it, and how it's time to forget all the crap of the last year or two and celebrate the good stuff.
And it was also a weekend that was very validating - hearing from people involved with the original storyline, knowing that no, we're not mad and we're not just 'silly fangirls'. It really was that good once, and it really has been that crap recently/currently.
Special respect for Yusef Gojikian, Welfare Officer of Imaan, who did a brilliant Q&A, really eloquent and interesting. (Am so glad we managed to raise Imaan a good amount of money for the great work they do.) And to hear all of his issues with EastEnders and how he feels they've wasted so many opportunities with Syed was particularly satisfying. I do confess to a certain amount of white privilege guilt when it comes to criticising EE about their treatment of the Masoods, as strongly as I feel about it - that niggling little voice that can't help wondering if I have the right to get this upset as a white, straight female.
But when an actual gay, Muslim man of South Asian descent who was involved with the development of the character at the start says 'no, the treatment of their gay Muslim character - and Amira and all the Masoods - has been pretty appalling', again it just adds that extra layer of yes, we're not mad. It really has been that bad and borderline offensive.
Even so, in-between the ranting and the anger, there was so much love and joy and remembering the good stuff and tears and laughter and hugging. Lots and lots of hugging. Fabulous weekend. Is there anything better than fandom at its best?
Back home on Wednesday and time to start thinking about
festivids ...don't have a song yet and still no idea where to start. Eep. Hoping inspiration will strike!
God, I love this fandom - and I'm so glad we did the con, cos it reminded me just why I love this fandom and everyone in it, and how it's time to forget all the crap of the last year or two and celebrate the good stuff.
And it was also a weekend that was very validating - hearing from people involved with the original storyline, knowing that no, we're not mad and we're not just 'silly fangirls'. It really was that good once, and it really has been that crap recently/currently.
Special respect for Yusef Gojikian, Welfare Officer of Imaan, who did a brilliant Q&A, really eloquent and interesting. (Am so glad we managed to raise Imaan a good amount of money for the great work they do.) And to hear all of his issues with EastEnders and how he feels they've wasted so many opportunities with Syed was particularly satisfying. I do confess to a certain amount of white privilege guilt when it comes to criticising EE about their treatment of the Masoods, as strongly as I feel about it - that niggling little voice that can't help wondering if I have the right to get this upset as a white, straight female.
But when an actual gay, Muslim man of South Asian descent who was involved with the development of the character at the start says 'no, the treatment of their gay Muslim character - and Amira and all the Masoods - has been pretty appalling', again it just adds that extra layer of yes, we're not mad. It really has been that bad and borderline offensive.
Even so, in-between the ranting and the anger, there was so much love and joy and remembering the good stuff and tears and laughter and hugging. Lots and lots of hugging. Fabulous weekend. Is there anything better than fandom at its best?
Back home on Wednesday and time to start thinking about
festivids ...don't have a song yet and still no idea where to start. Eep. Hoping inspiration will strike!