the continuing conversation

[hesychasm]

I get so tired of seeing the same defenses and pleas for understanding on behalf of people who fuck up and show their ignorant, racist asses. She didn't know. She didn't intend any harm. What we need here is forebearance and compassion so everyone can learn something. Why do you have to be so rude about someone who made an honest mistake. She

Comments

[laurashapiro]

Thank you for your eloquent rage. The whole thing makes me sick.

I am particularly happy to see you address the issue of who has a right to object to racism, because I took some heat for that last year after my Vividcon post. If my solidarity is useful to you in these situations, you have it and then some.

[hesychasm]

Oh dear, I remember my bad behavior in that thread. Heh.

I think it's an interesting sub-conversation to have -- not necessarily who has the right, but rather how far the right extends. Because I think it should be obvious that everyone has the right to object to -isms of any kind. But yeah, sometimes you get that person who takes the ball and runs clear off the field with it (and I wonder, overcompensation much?). Bottom line I think is, allies should be speaking up *with* each other, not *over* each other.

[laurashapiro]

I didn't remember your bad behavior -- I had to go remind myself. (:

I think it's an interesting sub-conversation to have -- not necessarily who has the right, but rather how far the right extends.

I really appreciate the distinction you're making here. It's definitely worth further discussion.

[hesychasm]

Couldn't agree more. It's willful at this point. Especially considering it's the same goddamn fandom. But larger than that -- I know recognizing privilege is a lifelong process (I'm not done either) but in this day and age the excuses for not seeing it are getting few and far between. This whole situation could have been so easily avoided. This was basic, basic stuff. And I am tired of giving people the benefit of the doubt when the fucking up would cease if they just PAID ATTENTION.

[hesychasm]

Exactly! I've been amazed at how many people are commenting anonymously and/or under friends-lock (I've seen references). Like they felt it was wrong to criticize. Why on earth??

[arallara]

Racism and how to avoid it is not a mystery -- it is HISTORY.

I really appreciate this whole post, and I really hear all your frustration and exhaustion with the whole thing, but I wanted to single out this one line to respond to with YES YES YES because it's just that simple. Thank you for your directness.

[hesychasm]

It should be that simple. I know it's a process and I'm not saying I'm blameless either. But I'm so tired of it because we should be several steps past these basic ideas. The learning curve is moving on. People who are still fucking up -- and people who defend them fucking up -- need to move with it.

[the_reda]

I have to admit that it does not really surprise me that a fandom of a show that not only actively hates women and treats any religion but Christianity as a convenient plot device for the evil monster of the week, acts the way it did i.e. thinks that only white men count and everything/one else is convenient backdrop for their porn.

That said, I have no words for how much the author and the ones who defend her disgust me.

[hesychasm]

Oh man. I know this kind of insensitivity is not unique to any fandom (or even Fandom -- ironically I'd just picked up The Poisonwood Bible for my travel reading) but it does make you want to say, "Really, J2? REALLY?? WE DID THIS ALREADY GODDAMMIT."

I saw another long rant this morning defending the author and protesting the protesters and I just...yeah. Disgusted.