Writercon 2009: -ism in Fandom

[rahirah]

At Writercon 2009 this last weekend, I was on a panel entitled "Evil In Our Midst: Racism, Sexism, and Homophobia in Fandom." And before I start talking about it, I want to give some background, because as I discovered through some conversations at the con, some of the people who attended weren't aware of why the convention decided to host this

Comments

[texanfan]

I want to be extremely clear, because it's just been pointed out to me I haven't been, no one on the panel behaved inappropriately. There was nothing but cool and even handed dialogue from all the panelists.

As I read about this incident I'm also becoming convinced she was misheard. I happened to be quite close to her (the table in front of her) so I'm beginning to think what we are ultimately dealing with is a miscommunication.

[missmurchison]

*hugs*

I was behind the person who reacted and I know I had trouble hearing what was said.

[lilachigh]

I am beginning to doubt my own senses! I was sitting just in front of the lady in question - and I do wish she would post what she actually said! - and I would have bet millions that she never said she was too fucked up to belong to fandom. All I heard were the words relating to colour, children and age.

And when it comes to the latter, i am 66 next week and let me tell you, girls and boys, you think you have problems now. Just you wait!!!! I bet in twenty or so years, we'll have ageism panels all over the place.

[missmurchison]

I didn't hear anything about children,but what I did hear didn't sound like what was reported.

You're right about the ageism! One comment I've been seeing a lot lately is that everyone over 50 needs to die (usually in a fire) because we're the ones with the attitudes that are causing all the problems in society. I put my birth year on my LJ because there are so many of us of a certain age in fandom but younger members don't always realize that.

[slaymesoftly]

I don't put my birthyear on my LJ, for precisely that reason. Maybe I'll rethink that. Getting old doesn't necessarily make you smart, but if you're fortunate, it may have forced you to acquire some wisdom along the way. OMG, am I going to become one of those "In my day, sonny...." people? LOL *sneaks off to peek at your birthdate* Hah! Got you beat by ten years. :)

[spiralleds]

Had the conversation turned to ageism in this panel, it wouldn't have been appropriate.

However, I think an ageism panel could be really interesting and timely for the next Writercon. (I think of shows with already young 30 something casts that are now going for 20 something casts: Stargate and Doctor Who, I'm looking at you.) How fandom is generally more drawn to the stories of those younger than themselves than characters of the same age or older, etc.

So when you fill out the Writercon Survey, make sure to include it as a programming idea. :)

[missmurchison]

That would be interesting, but I've also noticed that older characters like Laura Roslin and Bill Adama have been well-received by younger viewers.

edited to stay on topic

[spiralleds]

I'm glad to hear that. (I've not yet had a chance to watch BSG. I really should, even if I've missed the apex of the fandom stuff.)

edited to stay on topic

Definitely keep peculating on the thoughts and pass them along to programming.

[rahirah]

Actually I would have loved to get into other topics (agism, ablism, sizeism, the works) but there just wasn't time - and if we were going to venture into those waters, it would be better to do it with panelists who could speak to those issues directly!

[missmurchison]

Really? I never would have guessed you were older than I.

I decided I needed to own my age after some very pointed comments a while back. It goes both ways, of course, and I think the world of the energy and attitude I see in a lot of younger people. But while we do come with some baggage, not all of it is bad. And the last time I came all "in my day" over someone's ass, it was a very young Republican who was announcing things like, "The unemployment and interest rates have never been this high, EVER!" and "Things will never improve after a recession like this!" so I got all, "Calm down, sonny."

[slaymesoftly]

LOL It does get tricky when someone who isn't as old as some of my clothes tries to tell me what it used to be like, or acts like he just invented...whatever. My common response to anyone who thinks he/she's all that is - "Hey, aging Baby Boomer here. We invented sex, drugs and rock and roll!" It's hard to remember sometimes (well, it's hard to remember all the time, but that's another story. lol) that things that seem to me to be just a little while ago are ancient history to some people. If they know about them at all.

PS - I'm older than everybody - except Lilachigh, who beats me by a year or two. And maybe somebody else whose name is escaping me ATM, but she was on one of the panels and maybe is a concom member?