J2 Racefail

[sparkfrost]

I imagine those of you in the SPN fandom, or those who read Fandom Wank have already heard about the epic J2 racefail involving the fic set in post-quake Haiti. If you haven't, or if you'd like to learn more about it, there is an excellent wrap-up post here, complete with links to not only the original fic but to other essays and responses to the issue.

I'm white. I've made no secret about that, I'm a WASP who was born and raised outside of DC. Even living in such a "blue" area, I've struggled with my own subconscious racial issues. I work really hard to NOT look at everything from my priveleged point of view, and to also not make it an "exploring the other" exercise. I try my best to think of and treat other people as just that- people. And when issues like RaceFail come up, I look really hard at my own beliefs and actions, and if I find myself acting or thinking in a questionable manner, I work really hard to correct it! But most of all- if someone calls me on an action or post that is fucked up- I DON'T THROW A FUCKING HISSY FIT! I don't claim that I can't possibly be racist because [insert x reason here], and I don't say I'm so fucking hurt that someone called me racist!

That is what I find most despicable about the J2 Racefail and the one last year- if you do something fucked up, and people call you on it, FUCKING DEAL WITH IT LIKE A GROWNUP! Apologize, retract your statement (or fic, or fanart, or whatever), and WORK ON YOUR ISSUES!

Fuck, man. Fandom, as awesome as it can be (see help_haiti), can be epically fucked up.

Comments

[sparkfrost.livejournal.com]

Indeed! I think people have pointed it out to her, but from the responses I read, she still seems to mostly be pulling the "But I didn't mean to!" line. However the fanartist, who was also criticized, has edited her post to include an apology, to change the art to links to the art so no one has to see it who doesn't want to, and to state that she will be taking the art down (but didn't want to just delete and pretend it never happened). In my opinion, that is how you react when you're told that you've done something offensive.

[xsnarkasaurus.livejournal.com]

This. this, so very very much, this.