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

[droewyn.livejournal.com]

I've noticed that Fandom is really susceptible to the idea that We Can Never Be Racist, Sexist, Or Classist Because We Are Open, Inclusive, Tolerant, Intelligent, and Enlightened. ... Now Excuse Me While I Go Freak That Mundane I Saw With The Jesus Fish On His Car. Fucking Christians.

OpenSourceBoobFail was an excellent example of this.

[sparkfrost.livejournal.com]

Indeed! OPenSourceBoobFail was an incredibly interesting example, because there was extreme fail on both sides. I read the original post before fandom exploded, and it seemed to me that the author had *no idea* that people might take offense to the actions of him and his friends. To all the people involved, it was a fun Con game. Then, of course, fandom exploded. Which I didn't blame them for, until they started *berating* the women who had been involved in the Open Source Boob Project, and denying them their ability and right to make choices for themselves.

General fail all around, imo.