I said I wouldn’t be back, but I couldn’t leave my fellow POC and international fans to burn out like I did. Here’s a blueprint—for those who still want to fight, and even for those who want to change.
Invisible Resistance Blueprint: For the Ones Who Still Want to Fight
Part 1: The Resistance Framework
1. Stay Hidden, Stay Safe
Use anonymous or secondary accounts for all activism.
Never connect activism accounts to your real identity.
Avoid direct engagement with known harassers from your main.
2. Quiet Recruitment
Post subtle signals: “If you want to protect this space but don’t feel safe doing it alone, contact me anonymously.”
Use DMs or anon asks to build a trusted team.
Vet new members by reviewing their past behavior to minimize risk.
3. Equip the Team
Privately share key strategies:
How to fact-check misinformation and racism
How to call out without escalating
How to document harm safely
Rotate roles (research, responders, support, etc.) to avoid burnout.
4. Fight Without Fire
Stay calm, clear, and consistent.
Don’t let aggressors twist your words or tone. Use apps like ChatGPT to control your tone
Make resistance steady, informed, and impossible to ignore.
5. Expand Quietly
Recruit one at a time—go deep, not viral.
Build off-platform havens (e.g., private Discords, shared notes) for strategy and healing.
6. No Credit Needed
Focus on impact, not recognition.
Let the weight of your quiet work make it harder for bigotry to survive.
Part 2: Building Safer Fandom Spaces
1. Create Dual Spaces: Fun & Resistance
Supportive Fandom Hub: Fun, safe, and inclusive for those aligned with anti-racist values.
Resistance Channels: Separate spaces for coordination, call-outs, and education.
Let people choose what they’re ready for. Both are necessary.
2. Use Blocklists and Safety Tools
Share blocklists of known harmful users (privately or opt-in).
Encourage collective protection by removing their visibility.
Keep emotional safety a priority, especially for marginalized fans.
3. Visibility vs. Anonymity
Anonymity protects individuals.
Visibility pressures the system.
Let allies act quietly. Let messages be loud. Bigots don’t get to hide behind neutrality anymore.
4. Let the Fandom Split, If It Must
Don’t fear division.
Some communities only heal by outgrowing harm.
If bigots leave, let them. What’s left can rebuild better.
Part 3: Reforming from the Inside – The “Safe Start” Pathway
A plan for helping harmful individuals grow and stay accountable.
Step 1: Education
Encourage them to take short, trusted anti-racism courses:
Cornell Racial Allyship Training (2 hours)
FutureLearn – Anti-Racism & Human Rights (1 hr/week, 3 weeks)
UBC Anti-Racism Awareness (self-paced)
OpenLearn – Race & Ethnicity Hub (ongoing access)
Step 2: Accountability System
Structure the healing process:
Apologize Publicly -Use clear, respectful language. Provide scripts if needed.
Complete Education -Reflect on the course and apply it to fandom behavior.
Engage with the Community
Assign roles (support others, create content, moderate).
Monitor growth closely with support from POC allies.
Ongoing Support
Regular check-ins and a peer network to prevent relapse.
Keep those overseeing the system supported too.
Part 4: Shifting the Culture
Step 3: Awareness Campaigns
Create shareable graphics/posts: “International viewers face discrimination here every year.”
Normalize anti-racism support as fandom culture.
Step 4: Update Guidelines
Add anti-racism values to community rules.
Clearly state expectations and consequences.
Step 5: Engage Influencers
Reach out to leaders (even Dan & Phil).
Offer them help, resources, and opportunities to support publicly.
Part 5: Sustaining Momentum
1. Recognize Positive Contributors
Shoutouts or digital badges for completed training or helpful roles.
2. Collect Feedback
Ask the community what’s working and what’s not. Adjust accordingly.
3. Centralize Resources
Host a blog, site, or Discord with all your strategies, courses, and safety tools in one place.
Reminder: This isn’t just about the people who’ve caused harm. Don’t let their names be the center of the story.
But if any of my (ex)friends are reading this and genuinely want to support change—here’s what I ask:
Take one of the anti-racism courses (linked in the post), and do it with one of the resistance members as your witness. Then come back and show your support with their guidance and close monitoring. You can do good. And you can do harm. I trust that you’ll choose the right thing.
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