blackfandom

[blackfandom]

My recent thread on Bluesky might get me in a lot of trouble with certain people but honestly at this point idgaf. The glock that is the block button is locked n loaded.

Full thread for people who can't see it under the cut. My bluesky is only accessible to people with a bluesky account.

Possible spelling mistakes from the og thread are corrected here. Not all, but I'll try.

I wanted to rant about politics and fandom real quick so if you're one of those "Politics don't belong in fandom" and "Fandom isn't activism" people I actually do recommend you read this thread because while this is addressed to multiple types of people, this is specfically for you.

Politics and fandom have been intertwined for the longest. From the media we consume to the fanfics and fanart we make. Politics in fandom isn't new, let alone something that only came up a few years ago. Half if not all of the media we consume has political messaging, even if not explicitly stated

(Yes, even your favorite or your kid's favorite children's show/comics has some political messaging. It's not new. It's been done before. Way before.)

And on the terms of "fandom isn't activism," while I do agree that fandom in itself isn't activism, I see hypocrisy with saying this. Mainly because most of the people I see saying this include fandom in their activism regardless.

I've seen people who say "fandom isn't activism" and are or align most of their views with "proshippers" (a group of people who have considered themselves anti-harrassment and anti-censorship, in contrast to their "antishipper" counterpart.) and every time I do, I could just smell the hypocrisy.

Claiming that "fandom isn't activism" while aligning yourself with a group of people who have inputted their political views in fandom, even co-opting some political terms to include fandom related matters is... something... truly something...

It's also why have I problems with people who say "ACAB includes fandom police" because this term originated from that same crowd. It's not progressive or cute. Especially if you are saying this but are or doing nothing about POC being attacked in fandom for pointing out racism in fandom and such.

Back to the topic of "politics don't belong in fandom," art, and writing have always been political. Quite literally. It's not a new practice that has come up because "the woke" wants it to be. It has existed since humans have figured out how to write and draw.

It has been used to send messages. It has been used to share commentary. It has been used been used to spread propaganda. It has been used to express political stances. It has been used in many, many other ways. Once again, art and writing has always been political, and that is never gonna change.

However, once again on the topic of "fandom isn't activism" I have something I wish to address. There is an issue of people treating political discussions as fandom discourse and people treating fandom discourse as political discussions.

People who parade and equate labels that came from fandom related discourse to political stances will be the same ones to treat actual political discussions (racism in fandom (ESPECIALLY), queerphobia in fandom, etc.) as "annoying fandom discourse." As a black, queer, multi-fandom artist, it hurts.

While, as of now, I myself have not been a victim of this, I have heard some cases from my fellow POC queers about stuff like this. I have even seen if for myself via screenshots, tumblr asks answers by POC I follow or see, etc. It's not pleasant. Sometimes, we are ignored. Other times, dismissed.

It's so much worse when people try to take discussions of racism OUTSIDE of fandom and try to include fandom discourse or try to silence us when it is about fandom. I have seen it multiple times, specfically on tumblr, which seems to be a breeding ground for that, from what I've seen.

Surprisingly, for some, this has mostly been coming from the "proship" crowd, in least from what I've seen for far. I'm sure that some of you "proshippers" will see this and try to explain me that "antishippers" do this too, which I'm not gonna deny, but there's more to this than just "ignoring."

Someone who I consider one of the biggest advocates against racism in fandom, who also happens to be an incest-shipper, who can fall under "proshipper" in many's eyes, has documented how some will claim that you're an "anti-shipper" for multiple reasons. It's not just harassment and censorship.

Here are the links to one of her articles about this. There are more besides her addressing this, but she is the only one I truly know about. Please share links if you know any.

She herself, despite sharing the same views as many "proshippers" has found herself wearing the "antishipper" label that was slapped onto her by other "proshippers" who seem believe that speaking up against racism and consuming media critically is "antishipper" behavior. The sad irony.

I myself do believe that harassment and censorship is bad, but there are multiple reasons why I don't align myself proshippers let alone call myself one. Some of my views do align with antishippers, like I think glorifying certain things in fiction are bad, but it's not just that.

Ship-discourse is stupid in itself, but the main problem is that co-opting of political terms and movements that have been used to help my brothers and sister, and overshadowing them because of that. It's one of the reason why I avoid self-proclaimed "proshippers" now-a-days

I don't consider myself a "neutral" in ship-discourse, as once again I align myself with "antishippers," but it has become tiring how fandom discourse seems more important to some people than POC + Queers within fandom spaces. Terms worse than "stupid" could be used to describe this.

People act like ship-discourse ruined fandom, but fandom has had issues for years. Racism, Queerphobia, Ableism. You name it, it was probably there before 2016. Fandom was rotten before ship-discourse was even considered a thing. It may have gotten worse, but fandom was never the best thing ever.

I personally think it's time for us to admit that fandom was never that great, especially for POC. Yes, "Fandom Olds" I am staring directly at you. No amount of "fandom etiquette" and "we need to bring back (fandom related thing)" is going to change how fandom is now. It will always have issues.

In fact, if people truly want "fandom to be fun again," here are my suggestions.

1) Stop treating fandom discourse labels like political stances.

2) Stop treating fandom discourse like politics.

3) Stop treating political discussions in fandom like fandom discourse.

4) Stop treating POC badly when they speak about racism in fandom. Listen to them instead.

5) Stop co-opting serious political movements as a way of getting the upper-hand in fandom discourse.

6) Stop being an asshole to POC in fandom in general.

There are many ways that fandom could be "fun again," but I think we should start where it hurts the most: Racism, Queerphobia, and overall bigotry in fandom spaces, starting with listening to POC for once.

Additionally notes:

1) Anybody that comes onto this thread to tell me some "Erm actually, you're a (WHATEVER THE FUCK)" will be blocked on sight. You can say what you want about me for this, but I will say you missed the point of the entire thread if that is your response to anything I say here.

You are welcome to disagree with anything I have said here. You are welcome to express any arguments. I may respond to it if I believe your argument is in good faith, but I recommend you block me if the only thing you came here to do is to throw some label on me. Block me instead, people.

2) Shit like this is why I started @blackfandom.bsky.social / blackfandom.tumblr.com. It was so POC, specfically black people in fandom, could have a voice and discuss issues of racism without the fear of being dismissed or ignored, Something that has become more common, unfortnately.

3) (This is specfically about the person that I mentioned.) Please note that this does not mean I like this person, because I HEAVILY dislike incest. I do however, respect that fact that they they are using their voice to speak about the rampant racism in fandom, even speaking up against people they they would align with but hate them because they do.

And to the "proshippers" and people who align themselves with such people who have treated this person badly: Judging by the basic definition of what an "antishipper" is to you people, this person doesn't count.

Neither does all the other "proshippers" you've techically wrongful labeled as "antis" for speaking up about racism or consuming media critically (and encouraging that.)

Also, reminder: "Antishippers" are not the sole reason why fandom has gotten so bad, as you people often claim. You have also added onto this problem. You truly have.

[blackfandom]

How it feels being a black nerdcore fan and then suddenly remembering with one of your fellow nerdcore fans tried using a JT Music song as a way of saying "Not all rap is filled with violence and whatever the fuck else" (It was a conversation about antiblackness and how people treat rap/hip-hop compared to other genres of music) (JT Music is a duo of two white people)

[blackfandom]

Someone who I consider to be one of the biggest advocates against racism in fandom once made a point about how a lot of "fandom etiquette" talks don't really include any discussion about how one shouldn't be pieces of shit to people who discuss racism in fandom and I honestly think about that a lot.

[blackfandom]

Shout out to all the women of colour that played classically feminine/girly romantic interests to White male leads and got accused of being "boring" by viewers who would rather pair the dude up with any random White lady or man in the background.

[blackfandom]

I gotta be real, we can't keep saying "wow how is the website so racist that's sad" and keep not changing our behaviors to actively address that 😅 we can't all be shocked, appalled, and "not racist", yet the overall environment is the way it is. Our actions are not reflecting our (supposed) beliefs!

This is why I'm always telling y'all to gauge just how often and much antiblackness you're willing to tolerate. Because every time you don't speak up or act; every time you choose to bypass the opportunity to LEARN how to spot what is wrong-

Every time you see a piece of art or creation that leans into, has covert, or even overt antiblackness and you let it slide because "it's just for fun"-

Every time you aren't willing to tell your friends or peers "hey, that wasn't cool" when they say or share something you know is questionable, but you don't want to make the space "uncomfortable"-

Every time you choose not to support a Black creator or person speaking up on mistreatment (without further research) because "you're not racist but you don't like drama and they sound aggressive"-

Everybody bypassing the issue adds up. No, you don't have to fight every battle against racism, but a majority of you aren't trying to fight any (for reasons you should reflect upon!) So what's stopping racism from propagating? "Why are there weeds taking over my garden?" "Did you pick them?" "No I'm just saying I'm angry about them!" 😐

And when you aren't willing to vocally kick Nazis out the bar, what type of bar do you end up with? 👀

[blackfandom]

If POC speaking up about a fandom's racism issue offends you more than the racism itself, you need to think about that. You need to think about how POC fighting racism offends you more than the racism.

Racism in fandom spaces is actually insanely bad and if you ever try to downplay or avoid conversations about it because "fandom is supposed to be fun" then I'm not sorry to say this: You're adding on to the problem.

[blackfandom]

Racism in fandom spaces is actually insanely bad and if you ever try to downplay or avoid conversations about it because "fandom is supposed to be fun" then I'm not sorry to say this: You're adding on to the problem.

[blackfandom]

Hell, if I do enough research, I could make an entire video essay on why g1's representation of different cultures what never that great compared to g3, maybe even g2 as well. I have heard about people's issues with it OUTSIDE of the Jinafire shit.

Just saying playing cultural music when introducing a poc character isn't bad but when you overuse it for everything that character does (such as three seconds of screentime just to speak) it becomes somewhat of a problem and guess what? People are not "oversensitve" or "too woke" for thinking that.

[blackfandom]

Just saying playing cultural music when introducing a poc character isn't bad but when you overuse it for everything that character does (such as three seconds of screentime just to speak) it becomes somewhat of a problem and guess what? People are not "oversensitve" or "too woke" for thinking that.

[blackfandom]

"You're funny I'm buying you-" I hate you I hate you I hate you I hate you I hate you I hate you I hate you fuck you fuck you fuck you fuck you fuck you fuck you tomato tomato tomato tomato tomato tomato tomato tomato tomato fuck you.

[blackfandom]

Isn't it funny how overlooked and controversial "Racism doesn't belong in fandom" is?/hj

[blackfandom]

I just want all the black girls in the world to be happy

[blackfandom]

May as well post these here! I'm planning on getting my hair braided again and I've been testing out colors and accessories. I've narrowed it down, but still need to make a final decision about what I'm getting. I'll probably sleep on it for a few days and decide later once I've thought about it ❤️

If anyone likes these and wants their hair done the same way, I'd love to see it!!

[blackfandom]

BLUESKY UPDATE!!!

I made a block list on bluesky!

If you have a bluesky and you know someone who should be added to this list, please contact me. Make sure you follow the guidelines and provide a link to the account if you contact me on here.

Block List Bluesky

[blackfandom]

"Black Fatigue" and it's literally just black people having fun or celebrating an achievement

[blackfandom]

Okay I JUST realized I never posted these on here—- BUT BASICALLY, about a year and a half ago I started doing these experimental black hairstyle posts that were threads long on Twitter, to give artists a source of inspo for their black ocs whose hair they wanted to try something new with! There’s more to black hair than just the selected styles portrayed in media, and I thought it would be fun to show people how much texture, shape, fades, length, and style can be combined when drawing black hair—-cause it’s a kind of manipulation our hair can do irl! The OG posts were lost with the hacking of my original Twitter account (@/bagels_donuts) but I’ve since reuploaded the whole thread to my new Twitter (@/ItsDonutsFR)! I hope artists on tumblr find these useful, sorry it took me so long to post them here😭🙏🏾 I’ll upload them all in parts!

Part 1: Long masc hairstyles + playing with fades

[blackfandom]

quick linguistic history lesson. the term “woke” originates from african american communities to describe being “awake and aware” of the current sociopolitical climate. this term has been used since at least the 1930s. it wasnt until 2014 during the ferguson protests that the term entered the wider vernacular. mainly as a result of black twitter. and as is common with many things coined by the black community. it was repeated and commercialized to death to the point where now most people only using it mockingly. including people on the left. the point is. “woke” is not a bad word. the alt right wants it to be one.