On the future of Humourtalia
Hi, everyone. The last time I left, I didn't say goodbye. So this time, I thought I owed you all at least that.
Humourtalia was one of the best worst impulse decisions of my life. I loved writing for you all, getting to know some of you, and hosting those amazing, whirlwind events. I will never forget things like The Ad Hominem Murder or The Bird's Nest Ball so long as I live. Though being in the Hetalia fandom had its ups and downs, this blog was, for me, one of its greatest ups.
However, though I am in a place where I can write again, my life has moved on. I am no longer a part of the Hetalia fandom--and no, this revival can't tempt me back--and I have other things to keep me occupied, writing or otherwise. Therefore, Humourtalia will not be returning.
In addition to this, having reviewed just a fraction of my posts with my rose-tinted Hetalia goggles removed, I am discomforted and even appalled by some of the 'jokes' I made. In wanting to stick to the canon characterisation, I parroted some harmful stereotypes. I made jokes that punched down; that were tone deaf, trivialising, in poor taste, even xenophobic or racist. I absolutely should have known better. Fortunately, I do now.
I won't delete the posts I'm referring to, because I do not want to whitewash this blog or my personal history in an attempt to appear morally pure. That helps no one. Acknowledging those posts, learning from them, and working to do better in any future writing is far more useful.
I also wish to clarify that in saying this, I am not saying you should not like Hetalia. It is problematic--moreso than most media, due to the facts it involves incredibly sensitive topics such as nationality, geopolitics, culture, and history, and often trips up in its representations of those things. But be aware of these problems and strive to do better in fandom content. Don't repeat my mistakes: think critically about whether portraying a certain country in a certain way would be appropriate. If you're unsure, Hetalia has fans across the globe, who belong to most of the countries it represents. Many are more than willing to help people represent their nation in a more sympathetic and sensitive way than canon might! Please listen to them and value the knowledge and insight they have to share.
To those of you still here, thank you. Thank you for the support and love and encouragement you gave me over the years, for the bits where I did get it right. I appreciate you so much, and the confidence you gave me to keep writing, to improve to the place I am now. In return, at the end of all this, the least I can hope is that--despite its flaws--this blog gave you just that little laugh, the titter, the chortle, that you needed to get through the day.
Signing off for the last time,
Your Admin
