#fandomcolourofmyskin

[naruhearts]

Interested about racism in SPN fandom?

Hi all :D 

Ah, okay, I don’t know why I waited so long to do this -- life got in the way for a bit -- but last week I had some time, and well, I’m kind of nervous in presenting it! Here we go.

With the help of many wonderful people, I finally got the courage to set up the blog fandomcolourofmyskin (FCS).

We live in worrying turbulent times. Anti-equality rhetoric, hate speech, and devaluing discourses are becoming increasingly normalized. To me, it’s no longer extremist politics but skewed morality threatening to smother the humanity of certain individuals/groups (e.g. ethnic minorities such as myself) whom modern White society historically (currently) deems abhorrent and out of place. FCS wants to change that. 

It’s indeed very difficult to discuss in fandom spaces, but it’s absolutely necessary if we want to induce such change. And it’s also important to remember that fandom is one of the major mediums through which social justice can either manifest or rot. It’s an extension of society and, by proxy, dominant discourse. 

Calling out has no place on our blog. Education and empowerment are our main goals. I hope you can join us in shifting fandom – and ultimately, society – towards justice across all socio-cultural strata!

-Mon <3

@castielslostwings @thetwistedwillow @coinofstone @dusky-gold

P.s. I’m sorry color is spelled in the Canadian way lol

About fandomcolourofmyskin:

The Supernatural (CW [c] 2005) fandom, despite its well-conceived and incredibly inclusive efforts to establish diversity, still lacks POC voices that can contribute meaningful and illuminating views towards:

A. fanwork creation B. fandom discussion and meta C. the white narrative lens of Supernatural production (crew, writers, cast etc) D. and more

This blog was originally founded by naruhearts (Monika) as a grassroots advocacy tool to push POC representation and encourage integration of POC perspectives into Supernatural fandom culture and discourse. With thetwistedwillow, coinofstone (Jen), dusky-gold, and castielslostwings‘s valued co-authoring of fandomcolourofmyskin (FCS), they hope to:

i. hold open and honest key discussions and racially respectable debates within Supernatural production and fandom spaces as they pertain to POC communities

ii. introduce awareness of fundamental POC issues – including issues within the intersectional umbrella of gender, social class, religion, and sexual orientation – that still remain unaddressed by predominantly white and affluent Supernatural BTS (Behind-the-Scenes) production and fandom spaces

iii. combat persistent white supremacy, white privilege, and racism underpinning Supernatural fandom dimensions

iv. highlight the intersectional and race-based need for social justice across the larger arena of fandom (not limited to Supernatural)

v. foster intersectionally/culturally sensitive fandom etiquette and ethics

[fandomcolourofmyskin]

[fandomcolourofmyskin]

BuckLemming & Cultural Appropriation Part I

by @naruhearts

|| 10 November 2018 ||

Well, I titled this ‘Part I’ because 14x07 hasn’t debuted yet, but I will elaborate on/revisit it and write more once it does air. LOTS of thanks to @elizabethrobertajones for sending me the summary: 

Supernatural Spoilers: “Unhuman Nature”

CARPE DIEM – Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Castiel (Misha Collins) track down a Shaman (guest star Dimitri Vantis), who may be able to help a friend. Nick (Mark Pellegrino) continues to spiral down a dark path as he looks for answers surrounding the deaths of his wife and son. Jack (Alexander Calvert) turns to Dean (Jensen Ackles) for help enjoying the human experience. John Showalter directed the episode written by Eugenie Ross-Leming & Brad Buckner (#1407). Original airdate 11/29/2018. x

- - - -

Shamanism, an ancient cultural religious practice/religion, has its roots in (and is endemic to) ethnic communities across the globe: Indigenous (Indigenous North Americans, Indigenous Australians, and the like), African, and Asian tribes. 

As a POC, I immediately felt irate, because a quick ‘Dimitri Vantis’ Google search showed me that he was, unsurprisingly, a White actor—one example of: A. predominantly white Supernatural production not bothering to hire POC (which would have rectified the racist lens the Shaman storyline potentially poses as well as appropriately represented Shamanism’s ethnic origins; we also still need to see its full context relative to TFW/other characters) and B. the show disregarding the problematic racial connotations that a White Shaman holds (due to, once again, extreme POC underrepresentation within Supernatural writing and production spaces and the fact that European culture does not encompass Shamanism). Looking at 14x07′s summary, the episode premise, then, may depict stolen white-constructed Shamanism and its practices. If this ends up being the case, then BL are drawing another blatantly culturally appropriative, non-respectable and racist 14x07 side narrative. What is this, BL, making a Greatest Racist Hits documentary? I’m not looking forward to witnessing it, and I hope we can openly address its severity post-episode.

Shamanism and tribal mythology/history in my home country: https://www.aswangproject.com/filipino-shaman/

[fandomcolourofmyskin]

✊🏿

In celebration of Black History Month, I’d love to compile some key articles/story links for Black History education!

Of course, Black History must always be heard, studied, and discussed, but unfortunately a lot of white noise blocks consistent access; Black History Month boosts visibility, especially across social media.

Feel free to share your own experiences and stories (academic or personal) if you’re a black/black-identifying person! Our inbox will be open for collection!

Let’s talk, cherish, appreciate, and empower!

Cheers,

- Mon

I also want to share an enlightening Black History-relevant excerpt from White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo —

“I am not against Black History Month. But it should be celebrated in a way that doesn’t reinforce whiteness. For those who ask us why there is no White History Month, the answer illustrates how whiteness works. White history is implied in the absence of its acknowledgement; white history is the norm for history. Thus, our need to qualify that we are speaking about black history or women’s history suggests that these contributions lie outside the norm” (DiAngelo, 2018, p. 61-62)

[fandomcolourofmyskin]

I'm a PoC and I'm confused as to the "okayness" of the term "coloured". Is it a slur for any ethnic or racial groups of PoC? Can I use it to describe myself and / or other PoC?

Hi POC nonnie! :D

Here’s a few short excerpts briefly describing its origins:

Like “Oriental,” “colored” [in North America] harkens back to an era of exclusion, a time when Jim Crow was in full force, and blacks used water fountains marked “colored” and sat in the “colored” sections of buses, beaches, and restaurants. In short, the term stirs up painful memories. — Why You Should Avoid These Racial Terms, Thought Co. x

In the UK the term is, at best, seen as old fashioned and "something your gran might say". But it's also regarded as a highly offensive racial slur which recalls a time when casual racism was a part of everyday life. In the US, because of the country's recent era of racial segregation, it is among the most offensive words for describing a black person. “[It] was used to describe anybody who was not white, which may imply that to be white is 'normal' or default," says the charity Show Racism the Red Card. Historically, the word is associated with segregation, especially in the US, where black people were kept separate from white people - on public transport, or at drinking fountains which were described as "coloured-only" for example. — Warning: Why using the term 'coloured' is offensive, BBC News x

^^^ These underline why the specific term is a racial slur, especially relative to Black POC.

In modern society it’s racially appropriate for white people to refer to non-white persons and groups as “People of Colour” instead of “coloured”; white people lack the right to exercise authority over the term because, once again, they do not experience race-organized systemic marginalization nor have they been historically oppressed on the basis of their race and skin colour.

(BBC)

Now I can’t speak for the opinions of Black POC who do use “coloured” e.g. NAACP: National Association for the Advancement of Colored People est. 1909 — a major US civil rights organization dedicated to establish African American progression — and neither can I judge how they use the term to describe themselves, but by all means, go ahead. I personally believe we must move away from its usage altogether, in that the term defines POC as the -OTHER: the OUTSIDE of norms. It reminds us that whiteness is default.

Overall, “coloured” conveys horrific historical narratives entrenched in racism, and hearing the word uttered in person or articulated on social media by white people (white people I either know or who cross my path by happenstance) while I go about my day offends me and stimulates my uncomfortableness just the same.

[fandomcolourofmyskin]

Hey all, 

We want to thank you so much for supporting this blog and its mission!! Don’t worry - we aren’t going anywhere if you were wondering; mods are currently enjoying their Christmas break, so expect new material/discussions from us after the New Year!

We also continue to expand on our resources! And thank you to those who sent us inbox messages. We aim to respond as soon as we can <3 

Have a safe and joyful Merry Christmas!! Don’t forget to colour yourself in green and red ;) 

[fandomcolourofmyskin]

The Hate U Give

8 starred reviews ∙ Goodreads Choice Awards Best of the Best

FCS Book of the Week || -Mod @naruhearts

Genre: YA

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

- - - - -

The acclaimed, award-winning novel is now a major motion picture starring Amandla Stenberg, Russell Hornsby, Regina Hall, Anthony Mackie, Issa Rae, and Common.

8 starred reviews ∙ Goodreads Choice Awards Best of the Best ∙ William C. Morris Award Winner ∙ National Book Award Longlist ∙ Printz Honor Book ∙ Coretta Scott King Honor Book ∙ #1 New York Times Bestseller!

"Absolutely riveting!" —Jason Reynolds

"Stunning." —John Green

"This story is necessary. This story is important." —Kirkus (starred review)

"Heartbreakingly topical." —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"A marvel of verisimilitude." —Booklist (starred review)

"A powerful, in-your-face novel." —Horn Book (starred review)

Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter moves between two worlds: the poor neighborhood where she lives and the fancy suburban prep school she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer. Khalil was unarmed.

Soon afterward, his death is a national headline. Some are calling him a thug, maybe even a drug dealer and a gangbanger. Protesters are taking to the streets in Khalil’s name. Some cops and the local drug lord try to intimidate Starr and her family. What everyone wants to know is: what really went down that night? And the only person alive who can answer that is Starr.

But what Starr does—or does not—say could upend her community. It could also endanger her life.

And don't miss On the Come Up, Angie Thomas's powerful follow-up to The Hate U Give.

[fandomcolourofmyskin]

Hi! Sorry to bother you, but I just wanted to ask a question: I recently made a post on my SPN sideblog about some (I'd put racist, let's go with problematic) things SPN has done in the past and how GA seems to be unaware or ignore it (since it's very much a white audience.) It only brushed the surface of everything they've done, and I plan on making an addendum, but I was wondering if anyone would like to add an opinion to it? Cool if you don't, just wondering. <3

Hi @mariokartmair!! :D

Wow, sounds very brilliant (and like you’ve described, unfortunately yes, the GA [general Supernatural fandom culture] is predominantly white, hence there lies white ignorance/unawareness of such issues, and they often don’t take a closer look; our blog exists to try and resolve this phenomenon)

We’d love to check out what you’re doing, so feel free to DM me or any of the other mods! @dusky-gold and I are POC; @coinofstone, @thetwistedwillow and @castielslostwings are highly appreciated ally mods!

- Mod Monika (@naruhearts)