Something I've noticed in fandom is that when a Black person comes out to talk about the racism they've experienced or are experiencing, most of the time they're told to block and move on and keep creating to spite the haters. I don't necessarily disagree with this sentiment, I'm all for curating your online space, but I rarely, if ever, see people really call out the people being racist? They get some push back like a callout post or two, but a majority of the time it blows over and they're usually still active and, often, more popular than before.
I'm sure no one ever says to block and keep going to be malicious, and maybe this is me being a bit jaded, but having been on the receiving end of fandom racism and its particular brand of awfulness, being told to "just keep creating" felt so...dismissive? I felt traumatized and hurt and sad and angry, I didn't feel like going back to drawing fanart.
It felt unfair that I had to live with this experience and process it and go back to posting while they still get to be out there being racist with little to no repercussions. It feels unfair seeing other Black creators talk about their similar experiences and having that response be "so sorry that happened, but please keep making art/fics/etc for us!" from nonblack people.
And, again, I don't necessarily think it's coming from a bad place. I just wish nonblack people were more mindful of how this effects us and would put more of that energy into not only making a safer space for Black people, but making it an unwelcome place for racists. Do I think that'll happen? No, because as long as someone can draw or write something white people like, they can get away with anything. But I can hope.
You are not alone in this experience, and I'm sorry that you had to have it at all.
I feel the same way, fr. I'm jaded to it, but not enough for it to not cause resentment. It burns me deep inside that there are people who are or have been openly antiblack, to me and in general (fandom and non), and they get to continue on like shits okay and they're "so cool".
You'll see posts from "supportive allies" saying "oh don't stop creating, you're welcome here! I like Black people!" But they're nowhere in sight when it's time to actually defend you from the racism that makes you want to leave 😐. No one's willing to give up their comfort, to give up the shield of the status quo to actually be an ally. "Tumblr's for entertainment" yeah and apparently a lot of people are entertained by racism 😅
Like... 👀👀👀 So you were all talk lol. You want me to stay and feel valued because I create and you're entertained, not because you actually value me as a human. It's a avocado! Thaaaaaanks. I always say it's the thought that counts but the action that delivers. Nobody knows that you "aren't racist" in your head or through empty words. We make that judgment based off your actions.
And a lot of people's actions speak of complicity, unfortunately. It's easier to tell you as the victim to block and move on than it is to take that next step and say "damn, I guess I can't be such and such's friend anymore". It's easier to deny outright that something is racist (because if that thing is racist, and they like it, then- EGADS-) then to realize that "hey, I need to be more open to engaging with this in a more inclusive way". Fandoms not a vacuum, unfortunately.
It's an ongoing battle. What's the meme- "I'm doing my part!"
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