#racism-criticism

[lasnevadaslaborunion]

It frightens and discourages me how pervasive "tribal" stereotypes and imagery are in the fantasy and adventure genres.

It's all over the place in classic literature. Crack open a Jules Verne novel and you're likely to find caricatures of brown people and cultures, even when the characters are sympathetic to the plight of the colonized peoples - incidentally, this is the biggest reason I can't recommend 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea to everyone, despite Captain Nemo being one of my favorite fictional characters of all time.

You can't escape it in modern cinema, either. You'll see white heroes venturing bravely into jungles and tombs to steal from natives who don't know how to use their resources "properly." You'll see them strung up in traps, riddled with sleeping darts, forced to flee and fight their way out. Hell, Pirates of the Caribbean, a remarkably inclusive franchise in many other ways, had an extended sequence of the white heroes escaping from a cannibal civilization in the second film.

And when fantasy RPGs want a humanoid enemy, the "bloodthirsty natives" are the first stock trope they jump to. World of Warcraft is one of the most egregious examples, with the trolls - blatant racist caricatures with faux-voodoo beliefs, cannibalistic diets, Jamaican accents, and a history of being killed in droves by (white) elves and humans - being raided and slaughtered in nearly every expansion.

It doesn't matter how vibrant and distinctive the real-world indigenous, Polynesian, Caribbean, and African cultures are. It doesn't matter how much potential these real civilizations offer for complex and sympathetic characterization. Anything that doesn't make sense to the white western mind is shoved under the same "savage" umbrella. They're different. They're strange. They're scary. They have to be escaped, subjugated, eliminated, ogled at from the safety of a museum.

Modern writers, directors, and developers don't even seem to realize how horrifying it is to present the indigenous inhabitants of a place as "obstacles" for non-native protagonists to overcome. "It's not racist," they say, "because these people aren't really people, you see." And if you dare to point out anything that hurts or offends you as a descendant of the bastardized culture, you're accused of being the real racist: "These aren't humans! They're monsters! Are you saying that these real societies are just like those disgusting monsters?"

No, they're not monsters. But you chose to design them as monsters, just as invaders have done for hundreds of years. Why would you do that? Why can you recognize any other caricature as evil and cruel, but not this?

This is how deep colonialism runs.

#tw racism #critical #this isn't even about any specific media anymore #it's a pattern #and it's a pattern that seems so obvious #but it's so omnipresent that even the most progressive folks can't seem to recognize how terrifying it is #these tropes were written in blood

[hneycmb]

Why is it that brainrotted fandom idiots will go "fandom is a space for FREAKS and WEIRDOS it's not your safe space 😡😡😡 if you don't like it you can LEAVE 😤😤😤" but then when someone asks them to stop treating black people in fandom spaces like shit they're all suddenly like "but ummmmm it's my safe space 🥺 the real world is mean and scary this is the only place I can go 🥺 racist harassment is my coping mechanism why won't you let people enjoy things 🥺"

#talking #fandom critical #racism #antiblackness

[zvaigzdelasas]

I mean. I literally do???

#the entirety of pakistani media is a plot by a shady islamist style organization #basically what they say right after this #'news' broadcast #self described gender critical ppl just love racism and western centrism #like im probably one of the ppl for whom 'do you usually read [non western] media??' rhetorical questions is least applicable lmfao

[thatdiva]

#slavery #ron desantis #jason aldean #education #politics #florida #racism deniers #whitewashing history #crt #critical race theory #dei

[spaceshipsandpurpledrank]

#talkin #tik tok #aapi #florida #ron desantis #model minority #crt #model minority myth #critical race theory #racism #white supremacy

[sweetmage]

When I say I hate being black in this fandom, this is exactly why. The constant dismissal, exclusion, and judgement of the only black character is frustrating. The way some people treat those who are bothered by this is frankly disgusting.

Had someone reply to a post I reblogged about fandom racism the other day calling the OP delusional for being upset (op if you see this I'm so sorry someone did that from my blog).

Saw someone on twitter saying that them excluding Wyll from an artwork they labeled "full party" was fine because they drew a red girl and a green girl (because that is totally the same as black people /s) and then basically said they'll never draw Wyll again.

Seeing constant criticisms and judgements of Wyll for things other characters do and arent criticized for.

The white washing mods, the racist comments on his appearance, the fact that Larian reworked him to appeal to crybaby white gamers, etc. etc.

And now what just happened to Theo in the interview makes me livid. He deserves so much better than being shoved aside by both the fandom and the interviewer.

Y'all really need to examine your biases and behavior and do better. No one has to like Wyll or any other character, but some of y'all need to put some thought into how you behave about him and how you talk about and represent black characters and how you address BIPOC fans who are hurt.

#bg3 #baldur's gate 3 #fandom racism #bg3 fandom critical #wyll ravengard #jun rambles #ok to reblog

[witheredoffherwitch]

Y'ALL CAN EXCUSE RACISM?

Let's get one thing straight: I have no part in this chaotic mess (infact, I have blocked all the accounts mentioned below), but it's grinding my gears how it's devolving into another petty fanfic drama: case 607. I know this drama is getting the attention for certain individuals who are demonstrating mean girl behaviour and gossiping about other writers behind their backs. However, I am solely focused on addressing the racist and discriminatory remarks made by these individuals in the leaked text messages.

For those not in the loop, there's been a huge drama in the fanfic community involving leaked text messages from a group chat of four prominent members. In these messages, two users - Fae and Bel - have admitted to sending hate anons and talking smack about other writers behind their backs. Two other members left the group after it was revealed that B tried to make amends with someone who these two, Em and Ange, don't particularly care for. As a move to clear their names, Em exposed all the texts, trying to prove that Fae and Bel are the real villains here.

But wait, there's more! In these same chats, Bel not only mocked fellow non-English speakers but also bragged about sending rat emojis to an 18-year-old Pakistani writer who was already receiving racist anons. While everyone is focused on getting back at these two women for being shady af, it's mind-boggling how Em and Ange are suddenly jumping on the anti-racism train.

These two ladies stayed in the same chat as a fellow Pakistani writer was driven away because of racism, knowing full well that one of their own was contributing to it, and said NOTHING! Zero discouragement, no condemnation - they only hopped off when things got personal.

So here it is… I've had it with all of you hypocrites. You praise and encourage these women at every turn, feeding their egos like they're the second coming of Beyonce. But let's not forget who's always stirring up drama in this fandom - hint: it's these same people with a sense of entitlement the size of a planet. The issue is groupthink and y'all have all jumped on the bandwagon. You're worse than HBO's marketing department because just like their shitty teams, everyone involved here SUCKS ASS. You don't have to pick a side because they are all petty, mean losers. Bel and Fae are facing the consequences of their actions, which they rightfully deserve.

However, Em's exposé on Bel's racism seems more like an opportunistic move and it's disappointing that so many of you are supporting it. It's a predictable cycle now; there will be a half-hearted apology, an announcement of a hiatus, and then tons of people will flock to their inboxes to shower them with praise and excuses. It's ridiculous! I know there are many who feel the same way as me but are afraid to speak up because they don't want to upset the "village elders" and risk losing their connections and engagements. It's a joke atp!

Instead of taking responsibility for their own wrongdoings, they will come up with a list of 10 different cyber crimes by others to divert attention from their own nonsense. These very same women have confessed to creating multiple fake accounts, secretly stalking servers without mods noticing, and constantly harassing individuals through anon messages.

Yet, we are supposed to consider them as examples of moral integrity and ethical behavior? 😒

#fandom racism #fandom critical #house of the dragon #aemond targaryen #hotd #asoiaf #anti hotd #anti hotd fandom #fandom drama #racism #daemon targaryen #hotd fandom #fandom bs

[butchmartyr]

ultimately you have to remember that complaining about "4chan white trans women who are bigoted and so and so" is almost entirely pointless for any purpose aside from raising transmisogynistic sentiments in observers. this specter of an evil tranny is constantly looming despite the individuals being rare and often total shut ins, and people expect transfems to take this shit seriously and be constantly swearing off association with """bad people""". these people, when they do exist, by and large lack the power to actually do anything with their beliefs; obviously if they do it sucks but this idea that there are trans women ~getting away with it~ and that all transfem communities allow and hide this behavior is blatantly transmisogynistic in addition to often being completely imagined! its insane to act like you have to choose between resisting white supremacy and resisting transmisogyny, and yet, people wind up continually portraying it as this

#trust me brother most of the people I’ve been friends with are trans women ive seen trans women say racist stuff before #my circles challenge it and figure it out #these subhumans are talking like we dont deeply value the contributions of black trans women to transfeminism #im all for combating white supremacy in lgbt spaces including transfem ones #which is why we have to stop people just adding 'white' in front of whatever transmisogynistic shit they want to say #transmisogyny and racism are closely linked due to the racialized expectations we have for womanhood and tackling them together is critical #and talking over trans women on this- especially trans women of color and jewish trans women- is batshit insane and yet impossibly common #genderposting #sasha speaks #stop putting spacelazarwolf on my dash lol

[icedsodapop]

Just a heads up about Killers of the Flower Moon

Here Osage language consultant Christopher Cote speaking about this:

#killers of the flower moon #martin scorsese #films #native american #indigenous culture #osage #settler colonialism #anti native racism #historical revisionism #yeah same. i was a little unnerved that it was from the pov of the white criminals #and even made the guy played by dicaprio to be sympathetic #media criticism

[bg3-npc]

Extremely conflicted every time I see a response to the mistreatment of Wyll along the lines of "omg I didn't know this!?!"

Because like, I'm not about to scope out every blog that says this. I'm not about to see how deep they are in the game or if they're an outsider voicing support. However, one can assume if they're talking about BG3 related issues, they probably play and/or enjoy the game.

So seeing support and mutual anger is good! I'm glad you're now aware of these issues, hopefully you'll continue that awareness and continue to offer support! However.....

Why do so many of you have 0 knowledge of ANY of this? These issues become clear upon interacting with Wyll in any capacity. From just general approval, to romancing him, to playing his origin, all of this is obvious. Even more so when you interact with others along with Wyll. So for so many to have no idea about any of this, you have to have not interacted with Wyll at ALL.

For as important as Wyll should be to the story and game objective, you can easily play the entirety of it without Wyll. You have to be interested in him and be willing to initiate his story. Which means a majority of you just...haven't.

A majority of you have had no interest in the only black companion. You've had no desire to learn more about him, or have him in your party. While you can play without him, he is still vital to the story and you miss out on a lot by bypassing him. Yet many of you have been perfectly cool with that because of superficial reasons that are just excuses to be uncaring of a black protagonist.

Astarion doesn't matter to the story. Full stop. His story and quest is practically self contained and has nothing to do with the main objective. You lose nothing by not having him in your party. Yet so many of you have sought him out. Many of you have done little but interact with him alone. Many of you bought the game not because it appealed to you, but because Astarion was there. This shitty white dude with nothing to add to the game got you to spend money, but you're surprised to learn the single black protagonist has gotten fucked over?

I need all of you to be fucking for real with yourself. Think of something and someone besides yourself and consider why awful white men are the only people you're ever drawn towards.

#baldur's gate 3 #bg3 #astarion #astarion acunin #wyll ravengard #bg3 fandom critical #baldur's gate 3 critical #larian critical #I'm just so tired #and it's all so plain as day #just admit you have biased preferences #based in racism #and do better in the future #that's literally all you gotta do #fucking christ #mine

[spacebeyonce]

on today's episode of 'praying on ao3's downfall', racism has to stay on the site to prevent censorship, but if you put 'proship dni' in the tags that's harassment and we're wiping your fic.

#ao3 critical #I hate white fandom so much it's unreal #fandom racism

[hippityhoppityyourenowmyproperty]

Vivzie, you cannot write Alastor, a mixed black person who was alive during segregation, as an explicit, evil slaver and expect that to be anything near good representation for poc.

Alastor petting his head and remarking on how "fluffy" it is and saying that Husk is his pet, plus Husk being voiced by an actual black person while Alastor isn't is just further implying this.

#hazbin hotel #hazbin hotel critical #hazbin hotel criticism #hazbin alastor #hazbin husk #husk #alastor #tw racism #tw slavery #vivzipop's A plus writing choices #vivziepop #tone deaf #anti vivziepop

[samaspic31]

"Fandom is just for fun/escapism" means there's no quality threshold to meet to be allowed to contribute, and it is generally a space to share a common love for something rather than spend time hating.

It does NOT mean "everyone gets to publicly say, write and draw absolutely anything and be free from criticism, nothing can possibly have ties to real life harmful ideas and reinforce them, nothing should be taken seriously, everyone turns their brain off and analyzing fan content is pointless", especially since that attitude will automatically allow bigoted content to flourish and will push marginalized people out of fan spaces, or at the very least make those spaces hostile and put them in a position where they have to argue with the bigots empowered by that attitude. If it’s escapism, then make it an escapism that’s accessible to most people, which means being mindful of the consequences of the content put out, or else you’re just creating more spaces minorities are excluded from

#havvingg been in the sw fandomone of the biggest ways bigotry snakes in fanworks #is by people closing their eyes annd pretending it's not important to think critically #Sam speaks #*having * fandom one #fandom is for everyone #this goes for #fandom racism #fandom misogyny #and homophobia #like you can have fun without turning brainless #doing gender roles 2.0 on gay men isn’t progressive sorryyyyyy

[sweetmage]

Did y'all see this? 🙃 I highly recommend checking the comments on this tweet for more info, but to summarize the presenter decided to take fan questions instead of letting Theo tell his story about how he landed the role as Wyll. Because they were "short on time".

And like, you're gonna cut off one of the main speakers for some fan questions? If you're out of time then let him speak for the rest of that time, are you serious?? Intentionally targeted or not this feels rancid. The dismissal and exclusion of black characters and entertainers is an ongoing problem in general and is pretty damn rampant in this fandom as is. Awful :(

#wyll ravengard #bg3 #baldur's gate 3 #theo solomon #bg3 fandom critical #fandom racism #justice for wyll

[razumdars]

Imagine if Cazador was introduced mid Act 1, and throughout the rest of the game repeatedly toyed with and tormented Astarion. Imagine if he consistently used his powers to control, manipulate, and torture Astarion throughout the game while dangling the prospect of his freedom above him like a carrot. Imagine if you weren't even able to kill Cazador and he just randomly hung out in your camp right next to Astarion for the entirety of Act 3. Imagine if the game devs just made repeated jokes about how hot and fuckable Cazador was and insisted that Astarion MUST secretly want to fuck his abuser. That would suck, right? It would be pretty scummy actually, wouldn't it?

Why is it ok when it's done with Wyll's abuser then? Why is the white man's abuser treated with an appropriate amount of weight, but the black man's abuser is reduced to the "sexy demon lady" that Wyll should be "grateful" is treating him like a dog? Can you imagine if people said that about Astarion and Cazador? There would be riots if someone even jokingly suggested Astarion should be grateful for being dominated by Cazador.

Please offer the black character the same modicum of decency you're offering the white characters.

#sophie.txt #baldur's gate #bg3 #wyll ravengard #fandom racism #larian critical #shouting into the void at this point #feels like every week we've gotta be like 'please dont be weird about the one black character' #and every time either the fandom or larian themselves fail #anyways. PLEASE be normal about the one black companion

[leikeliscomet]

“But We Love Martha Jones!” - The Doctor Who Fandom’s Selective Memory of Racism

Be aware that this article contains explicit examples of anti-black racism and misogynoir.

**Contents** Intro 1. Everybody Hates Martha 2. Utopia-ish 3. Martha vs Bill 4. Martha Triumphant?

Intro

To say being a Martha Jones fan from 2007-2017 was hard would be an understatement. The fandom claimed she was too clingy. Too jealous of Rose. Too bitter. Too bad a companion. For as long as I can remember, Martha Jones wasn’t just an unpopular companion - she was THE unpopular companion. So this recent increase in “my issues with [insert companion of colour here] isn’t about race. Everybody loved Martha Jones!” has me raising an eyebrow. Freema Agyeman as part of Ofcom’s Diversity In Broadcasting Event answered a question on her time as Doctor Who’s first Black companion. She describes her time as “good and bad”. She handled the criticism of Martha as a character “but the racism… yeah, yeah couldn’t rationalise that” as she pauses in the video. In the silence we get a clear answer - Freema Agyeman did not have an easy time as Doctor Who’s first Black companion. So when I see comments about how much she was loved, or how no one knew what Freema was going through when speaking out about the racism she experienced, or “My sus posts about Ryan & Yaz aren’t racist! I loved Martha!” I, and many other Black/mixed Black fans and other fans of colour have bad tastes in our mouths. We remember the real history of how Martha Jones was treated - and her history wasn’t a kind one.

Chapter 1 ->

#martha jones #freema agyeman #doctor who #new who #doctor who fandom #doctor who analysis #dr who fandom #dw fandom #fandom racism #rtd era #rtd critical #fandom analysis #fandom history #fandom colourism #black representation #rtd #rtd1 #fandom antiblackness #antiblackness #colourism