For any fandom, really.

[mrv3000]

I commented with this link elsewhere, but I think it needs its own post.

How To Be a Fan of Problematic Things

Because too often I think there's a knee-jerk reaction when someone points out something problematic with something we like: that of feeling the need to completely dismiss the other person. There's a sort of mindset of "If there's something wrong with something I like, then that means I am a horrible, horrible person! And I'm not!" I know I've done that before - it's easy to do.

(P.S. Dual-action unrelated GIP.)

Comments

[nandamai]

You know, obviously, I'm thinking about Irene this week, but where I've found this article most helpful is with the Little House books. A lot of people REALLY RAGEFULLY DESPISE them for their racism and sexism, and I understand why. But I will never not adore the Ingalls, and that's okay, too.

ION, I've decided that not being a Who fan is a very big advantage in being a Sherlock fan.

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

I've never even thought about Little House like that, but then it's been YEARS since I've seen the show and even longer than I read the books.

And Who fans have baggage, man. BAGGAGE.

[nandamai]

I still reread them every year or so. They lived on Indian land, is the big problem.

As for the baggage, becoming a fan of Torchwood and then Sherlock has destroyed any interest I did have in Doctor Who. I enjoyed the first half of this series (sorry! ;)) but I'm staying far away from the second half. You people are NUTS.

ETA: Wait, wait! I should have used this icon! Or not, because LJ refused to change it. Whatever. You don't watch the show in question anyway.

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

What? Icon? Stop confusing me!

[nandamai]

I tried to use this one -- assuming LJ actually gets the right icon this time -- but apparently changing the icon when editing a comment no longer works. It's Community's DW parody.

ETA: And it still wouldn't let me use anything but my default! Oh, LJ.

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

Weird. I keep seeing the same icon for you. One of some kid staring at something.

[elirrina.livejournal.com]

Totally unrelated, but this icon will always make me laugh - LOL those innocent little adipose babies watching Torchwood. Are they fans? Do they not know what they're in for? Why are their parents allowing this?

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

Adipose parents are the worst ever! XD

[janetmaca.livejournal.com]

That was an interesting read... maybe I'll read it when I'm not so headache-y and get something more from it. :)

Also all my posts are GIPs.

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

*pets you carefully*

[janetmaca.livejournal.com]

Thank you. *nuzzles into the petting*

[rosa-acicularis.livejournal.com]

That is an excellent link. Thanks for sharing!

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

Glad to pass it along!

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

Isn't it? :)

[unfolded73.livejournal.com]

That was an excellent read! I think I'll repost it at my journal.

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

It's definitely worth passing around! :)

[spikewriter]

An excellent essay. I'd love to take the paragraph about not badgering people who don't want to engage with something and tattoo it on a acquaintance's forehead the next time he decides he needs to change my mind about Sucker Punch. He keeps not getting the hint I don't want to engage (and when someone describes something as "misogynistic crap", they're not being coy), and keeps pushing.

But that's very much fandom, isn't it? So often, it's a zero sum game. What we love is perfect and we're clearly enlightened for like it, or we find it crap for multiple sins and reflects badly on anyone who does enjoy it.

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

Ugh. I've never heard of Sucker Punch before, but it doesn't sound like something I'd be interested in. Bleh.

And sadly it is often all or nothing. Never any middle ground for some reason.

[orange-crushed.livejournal.com]

I so love that you're sharing this. It's pretty perfect for so many of my fandoms right now. Because honestly, almost all media is problematic. But I can't live in a cave, and neither am I willing to watch with blinders and pretend everything's fine all the time. Opening dialogues feels like the most productive route.

Thanks for the link.

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

It was really nice to read this since right now Sherlock is giving me problems. But it's just plain good reasoning for any fandom. Should almost be required reading for online fandoming.