About Fandom Discourse

The full title of this post was actually going to be ‘About Fandom Discourse and Why I Try To Avoid It’. So while I’ve cut that down for the graphic and header, I will basically only be talking about fandom discourse as it pertains to arguments with people primarily on Tumblr which is the platform I am most active on. Specifically discourse in the fandoms I’m a little more active in.

The biggest thing I’ve noticed about fandom discourse is that many times – most of the time – people rarely argue in good faith. When I say people, I mean those people who will jump on (usually correctly tagged) posts and start spouting reasons why the original poster is wrong and/or morally bankrupt for their viewpoints. This has been my experience especially in the Star Wars fandom. Bad faith readings are so common among the fandom that there are those that will badmouth bloggers for not subscribing to those readings. I am not here to waste my time and energy trying to debate with someone who has no desire to actually listen to the canon I’m pointing out, to the point of view I have, and learn. Who merely wants to gaslight or sealion someone else, changing the goal posts as and when they want to in order to tear down someone else’s point.

It is almost never a fair and level playing field.

There are so many ways these bad faith actors will twist the definitions of words to make it seem as if people are being ableist or racist or some sort of -ist for not agreeing with their point of view. It begins to feel like performative activism. It only matters when they say it matters. When it comes to actually not being racist or ableist or any other -ist towards the real life people behind the computer screens, they suddenly don’t care. I’ve been on the receiving end of a few rather interesting ‘debates’ and had a few anonymous mentions – shoutout to the time someone told me to shut up about being Asian when talking about the Asian influences in the Jedi Order (I’m paraphrasing, I don’t remember their exact words) – and it’s never fun. Though I will admit I’ve gone from getting upset to being angry and/or amused. Sometimes both at the same time.

Even so, when I disagree with someone’s point, I refuse to send hate or messages to yell at them for it. I’d much rather vagueblog about it or rant (without tagging the other person) online or to friends.

Fandom discourse has become a way for people to try and gain social cred, a way for them to show how progressive they are without actually putting in any real effort. For them to spout things about being an ally or talk about racism and representation in media, and then turn around and saying something so tone deaf to other fans. They hardly ever see the cognitive dissonance and hypocrisy in their behaviour.

Of course there are those that talk the talk and walk the walk – who talk about anti-racism and actually work to actively be more anti-racist. Those are the people who are still constantly trying to reach out and educate others.

I say this as someone who is still constantly re-evaluating her own biases – it is a lifelong journey, and it is much better to keep quiet and listen to others and absorb and learn.

Constantly I see these bad faith and defensive arguments bringing up a “fandom darling” on posts that were positive about other characters. Constantly I see derailment when people want to talk about things they enjoy or discuss (canonical) villains from fans who empathise strongly with the villains that wind up being accusatory. It has happened in older fandoms I’ve been in, and it happens now with the fandom I’m most active in.

It is exhausting, and while I have managed to stay on the fringes of it, I’ve run out of patience for these bad faith actors and use the block button freely. I do not have to interact with one for me to block them – and I honestly urge others to do the same.

Discourse – when happening in good faith – can be a way to grow. But more and more I see it only happening in bad faith, and that is when I say to people who are still trying to engage to just block. For your own sanity, step away. These bad faith actors are not going to change their mind and are only trying to dupe you so they can make themselves look like the victim.