I had the opportunity to talk to Franzeska in person last year about That Meta Post and to be honest I was not impressed with her response to the criticisms of it. She doesn't seem inclined to listen or respect the feelings of large numbers of fans of color. I was surprised, too, at her words (both in the post and in person). Like you, I'd not noticed racist tendencies but why would I, really? I'm very, very white. What she said in that long meta post and her reaction to it, though, gives me more information than relying on any "racist vibes" she may or may not emanate.
As for your unease with being called out for the use of "spirit animal," I think it's important to remember that canon isn't always everything. There are many things in canon (for all sorts of shows) that we as fans can and should critique and not utilize or perpetuate in our own creations. It sucks being called out for something, but I try to remember that it sucks worse having one's culture appropriated in media and then again in fan-produced media. I also try to remind myself that when someone calls me out on something it's because they care enough about me, my product, and the original material, to say something. So I swallow my pride and pledge to do better in the future.
TYK for your input. I am in a state of continuing to learn things.
When you spoke with F, was it at a fancon? (I'm asking that only because I'm wondering if you and I have been at some same con and either met unknowingly or else perhaps missed meeting.)
Oh, another learning experience! Learning about a con about which I didn't know! Is this a con that you attend regularly? I attend between 4 and 6 cons a year, and maybe this could be one of them.
I attended Con*Strict for two years in a row and if my health allowed me to travel, I'd probably go this year, too. It's a teensy little con (like, 20 people?) and I found out about it from one of my fave fic writers, splix, a long-time attendee.
Also, in regards to the general issue at hand, I don't want to give the impression that I'm telling people they shouldn't support this film. It could be that Franzeska has worked out her issues with fans of color and everything's hunky-dory and it'll be great. I just think it's important that anyone giving them money should probably know there's some capital-h-History there....
Again, yes, TYK, I do appreciate being apprised of the capital-H-History. (And I am still supporting the making of the film...and still baffled at some of the concerns about racism when there are WoC working on this project, and I wonder how they feel about the storm that has brewed over this.)
Also TYK for giving me the Con*Strict link. If the con is annual, maybe I could go in 2018 (all my 2017 time off from work for cons has already been allocated to Escapade, TGIF/F, ConneXions, and VividCon). I saw two familiar names when I checked the Con*Strict attendee list (well, two more along with you): devilc and gloriana).
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ride_4ever) wrote2017-04-22 01:44 am
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As for your unease with being called out for the use of "spirit animal," I think it's important to remember that canon isn't always everything. There are many things in canon (for all sorts of shows) that we as fans can and should critique and not utilize or perpetuate in our own creations. It sucks being called out for something, but I try to remember that it sucks worse having one's culture appropriated in media and then again in fan-produced media. I also try to remind myself that when someone calls me out on something it's because they care enough about me, my product, and the original material, to say something. So I swallow my pride and pledge to do better in the future.
no subject
When you spoke with F, was it at a fancon? (I'm asking that only because I'm wondering if you and I have been at some same con and either met unknowingly or else perhaps missed meeting.)
no subject
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Also, in regards to the general issue at hand, I don't want to give the impression that I'm telling people they shouldn't support this film. It could be that Franzeska has worked out her issues with fans of color and everything's hunky-dory and it'll be great. I just think it's important that anyone giving them money should probably know there's some capital-h-History there....
no subject
Also TYK for giving me the Con*Strict link. If the con is annual, maybe I could go in 2018 (all my 2017 time off from work for cons has already been allocated to Escapade, TGIF/F, ConneXions, and VividCon). I saw two familiar names when I checked the Con*Strict attendee list (well, two more along with you):
no subject