"I'm a Black Female Cosplayer & Some People Hate It"

[fickery]

Once upon a time, I inadvertently started a cosplay race war on Tumblr. Whoops.

So, here's the deal: I'm a cosplayer. If you don't already know one of us in person, (and you probably do) (WE'RE EVERYWHERE) you've probably seen people like me on the news -- all dolled up in a rainbow of face paint and eye popping wigs, 50 shades of spandex and

Comments

[sunnyolaf]

I think she looks great and I love her Captain America.

[jaydestarlight]

Cosplay racism makes my skin crawl. It's a fun (if not expensive) hobby that brings many people together, and should stay that way.

[vulturoso]

She looks badass and I hope she never lets anyone try to tell her she can't do whatever she fucking wants.

Side note: can't wait to see the Akuma cosplayer at Emerald City Comic Con again this year. :)

[mickeym]

Oh, my god, those eyes! *shivers*

[shadwrayvn]

Damn thats awesome

[elialshadowpine]

Sorta OT but how is Emerald City Comic Con? I've been a little put off from how much misogyny I hear goes on at other comic conventions (plus the difficulty that people with disabilities have at, unfortunately, many conventions). I'm not sure if it would be in my budget, but I'd love to hear some experiences.

[the_glow_worm]

If cosplayers had to stick to cosplaying their own race...then a lot of the white people at anime cons would have to start putting their costumes away. Sailor Venus isn't white any more than she is black.

[liliaeth]

This so much.

EXCELLENT point.

[theidolhands]

My Mom took it in stride, but enjoyed playfully asking how Sailor Moon was a blue-eyed, blonde Japanese girl.

Right. Welcome to anime. She just is.

Like the one with natural green hair is too. *cough*

[abiding]

lol mte

[girly123]

Asa black female cosplayer, it always amuses me how surprised people are at the virulent rqcism in that scene. My introduction to cosplay was seeing the horrible shit people would call black cosplayers on /cgl and other boards.

[ladypolitik]

I honestly dont know how you do it. Over the years Ive either opted out of anything fandom or geek culture-related, or not pursue something that passively piqued my interest, because the racism and/or sexism and/or double-standards was/is just really gross and discouraging. I dont even think the existence of support groups made up of marginalized folk would ease how unsettling these subcultures can get for me. If I cant enjoy an interest privately, I'll pass. Cosplay is participatory by its very nature, so for me it's like "LOL NO DICE, EVER".

[girly123]

I would say go for it! I only ever cosplay characters who are either already black or rewuire slathering myself in opaque, non human-colored body paint for this exact reason, but it's still soooo much fun.

DON'T BE INTIMIDATED, YOU CAN DO IT. C:

[fauxparadiso]

Yep.