I can't just stay in lurker-mode for this one.

[briarwood]

Sometimes I think we're over-sentistive about racism in fandom. I'm conscious that maybe I think so because I'm white, with all the attendant privilege, but still. Sometimes.

I could give a list of examples, but that's really not the point of this post.

This is.

By now, I'm sure most of my friends list has already seen it, and witchqueen's response and discussion here. If you haven't, go read. It's an incident in Harry Potter fandom, but this isn't about Harry Potter, it's about fandom. Adult fandom.

liviapenn has a collection of links and cold_poet links to more of the discussion here.

Sometimes I think we're over-sensitive about racism in fandom. This is not one of those times.

Like some of my friends, I didn't even know the word miscegenation. I had to look it up. And having done so, I had no trouble recognising it as a word I shouldn't be using. Like ever. That these people would not only use it when there are a number of non-offensive alternatives available, but that they would actually defend its use when the offensiveness of the term is pointed out to them...well, I'm lost for words.

I really thought fandom was better than this.

I hope someone reports them to lj abuse because this isn't just use of offensive language; it's hate speech.

Fandom is no place for that. We war with each other all the time. We meltdown over the silliest things. We "hate" each other for liking the wrong couple, or for not liking the right one.

But this. This isn't fandom. It's racial hatred.

Comments

[mab-browne.livejournal.com]

Okay, so I did know what 'miscegenation' meant before this issue, and well - ::boggles:: If people want to use such a loaded word in a casual way then they should batten down for the shitstorm.

[gwendolynflight.livejournal.com]

i would hope they'd be reported to lj_abuse as well, except for previous examples of lj_abuse declaring hate speech and misogyny as protected under "freedom of speech" as described in their tos.

[morgan32.livejournal.com]

I don't think there's a line in the TOS that could be used against them, unfortunately. I read through it after I posted this and the TOS forbids incitement to violence, but not actual hate speech. So you're probably correct.

Even so, I'd like to see it reported. You know, just on principle.

[polly-b.livejournal.com]

I already *know* I'm possibly overly sensitive to racial issues, but when you've been accused of miscegenation yourself, the word looks twice as ugly.

[morgan32.livejournal.com]

I already *know* I'm possibly overly sensitive to racial issues

No. If you're part of a racial minority you're entitled to be sensitive to racial issues.

but when you've been accused of miscegenation yourself, the word looks twice as ugly.

I'll just bet it does. That's horrible.

Part of me wants to say I know how you feel - I mean, I've had my share of abuse for being gay. But I don't think it's the same. Similar enough that I can empathise, but not the same.

[polly-b.livejournal.com]

I've had my share of abuse for being gay. But I don't think it's the same.

I think there are definitely similarities, as you say. Maybe the only difference is that the bigot can instantly identify a person of color where it might take them a while to suspect someone is gay. *shrugs* Wish we could transfuse empathy - the world would be a better place, eh?

[skywardprodigal.livejournal.com]

It's been a long while since I read this, but I want to give you my thanks.

It does my heart good to see your words like this.

[morgan32.livejournal.com]

It's a year and a half since it happened, and part of me is still angry about the incident.

Not the original mistake; I could excuse that as the thoughtlessness of privilege. But the fallout that followed.

But I do think fandom has begun to learn since. Fandom responses to the racism in Supernatural and the debates around the casting of Gwen in Merlin; I do see more people aware of the issues and willing to listen. Not everyone, obviously, but enough for hope.