racefail response

[jinian]

I haven't known what to say about all this. I am angry and miserable that my friends are being hurt, but that's not really the point. oyceter, in her high-octane awesomeness, has made a great post analyzing the problems at work that made it clear to me what I want to say.

I am not a part of most SF fandom. I've read the rasf* groups off and on, I certainly read piles of speculative fiction, and I used to really enjoy Making Light. However, I barely watch TV, I've never been to a con besides Wiscon, and I absolutely hate certain fannish social norms. I can't pretend my peripheral involvement has had much to do with privilege or prejudice. I am just some white chick who's never really been that interested in fandom. But at this point I need to make this clear:

The Racefail '09 is not okay with me.

As Oyce describes, the debate is being yanked aside by people who are at least partially immune to criticism. I don't know if it's there any more, but I remember TNH strongly implying that those she claimed as enemies had better not try to publish anything. People are squelched by such exercises of power. I don't understand how this is not obvious to some people. (I have to think that it's really not evident to them. Right? Because it is seriously fucked up.)

What to do? My customary "shut up and listen" strategy may need elaboration here. Pay attention to verb_noire and fight_derailing; donate when appropriate and possible. Continue to talk about race issues in person. Read more. Think more. Continue to support people doing work I value and continue not to support people and organizations doing the opposite. Post about stuff even when I know I'm not adequately eloquent or energetic.

Comments

[firecat]

Thanks for making this post.

[marzipan-pig.livejournal.com]

"Continue to talk about race issues in person."

That's my big contribution; I'm usually a pretty safe person for other white people to talk to, and I've more than once expressed to friends of color that many many white people have NEVER talked about some of this stuff before.

I did find out that a POC at work is a huge comics fan (and I was dorkily surprised by it, which I thought was funny) and I made him promise to tell me tomorrow what he thought of the Watchman movie! So, I guess now I can include 'encourage fannish interest in friends of color' in my strategy.

Part of what's been uncomfortable for me in all of this is that in some key demographic ways, none of these clueless people seem that different from me - it's easy to think everything is about People Like You if most people you know are People Like You.

[jinian.livejournal.com]

Hee, I love the encouragement of fannish interest.

You've deliberately sought personal contact with people who aren't like you, but it's true that such things are easier for you than for lots of people (for multiple reasons).

[lady-ganesh.livejournal.com]

Part of what's been uncomfortable for me in all of this is that in some key demographic ways, none of these clueless people seem that different from me - it's easy to think everything is about People Like You if most people you know are People Like You.

Yes. That's a hugely important part of this, I think.

Thanks for the post, jinian.

[supergee.livejournal.com]

TNH said she would remember those who had insulted her spouse. She did not make or imply that sort of threat because the publishing business does not work that way.

[jinian.livejournal.com]

Maybe it's because I work in academia (where there isn't supposed to be any bias based on who you know but in actuality it is enormous), but I just don't buy that. Is there really any situation in which "I will remember that you made me angry" is not some kind of threat? What's the motivation for saying it, then?

[supergee.livejournal.com]

I would interpret it as "I will be wary in any future dealings with you."

[jinian.livejournal.com]

It's possible that she meant that and merely phrased it very poorly, but I think well enough of her writing skills (even in serious upset, which clearly was the case) that I can't be sure.

(I looked it up: the sentence I found intimidating goes, "I suggest that you never seek to take credit under your real name for anything you've done or written under your LJ pseudonym, because it's unlikely that I will ever forget you or what you've done." TNH does say earlier in the same post that she will not take any kind of revenge, but when she then proceeds to sound like a mafia boss I think my interpretation is as well within reasonable bounds as yours is.)

[pir-anha.livejournal.com]

that sentence does not sound like "I will be wary in any future dealings with you". it sounds like a mafia boss, indeed. and i say that as somebody who likes TNH.

[supergee.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'd say both are reasonable.

[pir-anha.livejournal.com]

uh oh. i guess that some bomb went off in fannish circles about something relating to race. ok. do i really want to learn more about this?

[jinian.livejournal.com]

Possibly. Not sure where you are on emotional energy. There is a short summary here (http://rydra-wong.livejournal.com/155427.html) from rydra_wong, and of course copious screencaps and some really fine writing are available.

[pir-anha.livejournal.com]

*guh*. i caught the very end re. outing mely; that's got me pretty steamed all in itself. how dare the assholes? i don't care what preceded it, i can't think of anything she'd do that would deserve that. it's unconscionable.

thanks for the pointer. i'm not sure i have energy to get into the racefail part of it -- but yeah, i know i am damned privileged that i have a choice about that.

[lady-ganesh.livejournal.com]

The sad part of it is that the bare bones of things are pretty simple. Someone said 'writing characters of color is easy, here's how!' Someone else said 'but wait, your characters of color aren't always so great,' and for some reason Statement No. 2 was taken as a declaration of war. And everything else kind of spiraled out from there.

The good news if you do decide to dive in-- and it's okay to stay out-- you will meet a bunch of interesting, smart, funny writers who are tough as hell and people of enormous energy and integrity. It's why I'm glad I dove in.