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[magnetic_pole]

There's an interesting discussion going on right now at happydork's journal, Why am I not writing the stories I say I want to read? I know, I know, we've discussed this a hundred times already: why does fandom decry the lack of women and characters of color in our fic* and then turn around and focus on the attractive young white men? But this is a thoughtful post, with some very interesting comments, particularly on the ways in which fandom reinforces the perception of white men as our common denominator. (Note to self: my own thoughts are here.) Thanks, Sophie, for pointing me in the direction of this discussion!

* I was about to type "fic and art and vids," but then it occurs to me--thinking purely anecdotally--that art might be less skewed toward the white dudes than fic or vids. Or not? Something to think about.

Comments

[magnetic_pole]

No, no, I've heard you on this issue before, Kelly, and I'm in agreement with you, on the whole. Folks like what they like, and they read and write what they read and write, and "ought" doesn't have much to do with it. But I also think that that spark of desire to read or write Harry/Draco, for example, is culturally developed and not a unquestioned "given" in the equation, and by talking about our habits and preferences and desires, we have the opportunity to change and expand fannish culture. It's an uphill battle; we start with genre shows or movies or books that tend not to question the social order very much (when they're not actively reinforcing power structures), and then we compound the problem by congregating around popular things and things we know others like. Part of the reason Harry/Draco is so popular may be an unquenchable, innate desire to watch two hot white dudes get it on (or whatever, not my cup of tea), but that's not the only reason for their popularity. To the extent that our lack of diversity comes from insecurity writing about women, minor characters, characters of color, or various characters who are perceived to raise "issues" in fic for whatever reason, talking can only help.

I'm not saying that Minerva/Hooch is ever going to rival Harry/Draco, but it can always be more popular than it is. Part of my desire to read and write that pairing is the joy of encountering other folks who read and write it, and that's one of the engines driving fandom.

That said, I tend not to enjoy explicit fic of any sort, or overt romance, really, and so I always feel like I'm missing out on some of underlying logic of fandom.

So, yes, I'm with you on the "ought," but I do think that fandom learns and grows (indeed, quite a few people seem to be here to explore their sexuality or talk about gender or identity politics) and we may need practice at coming up with themes and characters that actually help us develop in those directions. M.

[kelly_chambliss]

by talking about our habits and preferences and desires, we have the opportunity to change and expand fannish culture.

Oh, I definitely agree here. I don't want to come across as denying the value of these sorts of inquiries. I'm always the one insisting to my students -- "it's never 'just' entertainment; it's never 'just' that you 'happen' to like something; there's always something constructed or learned about such things."

But it seems to me sometime that in these sorts of discussions as the one linked to, some people (not all) are doing two things: they're analyzing, and they sometimes seem to be saying, "please tell me it's all right to write this/like this/want this." And to the latter, I think people should be assured that it's fine.

But yes, I agree that we're not dealing with "innate" desires here and that it's very important to question where those desires come from, how they are created, and how they function culturally. I really don't want to discourage discussion! I just don't want people to think that they need to feel guilty for what they enjoy reading. (Not to say, of course, that I think there are no potential problems with what people like -- I'm still a bit conflicted about that. . .)