#melqs

[melissaanelli]

RE: Demonizing thin people. Do you honestly think that in our thin-centric culture upheld in every way possible, we need to worry about the hurt feelings of thin people? I'm anti body shaming, but "demonizing" thin people will not result in the very real discrimination we face legally, professionally, medically, and so on, they will remain afforded much privilege-I know you mean well but that just reeks of the same type of "reverse racism" white people cry about.

I get that, and I actually agree, but there’s a difference between demonizing and not upholding privilege. Demonizing is never justified. Pointing out thin privilege? Have at. That’s fair. But do it without demonizing.

[melissaanelli]

Women rule the world (I include you in that too).

I am a woman, so that is an accurate set! And I agree. :)

[melissaanelli]

The bigger they are, the harder they fall.

Oh look, my aphorism loser is back.

But here’s why I like answering this person: it is very easy to expose the simplicity of mind. There’s an inherent flaw with the premise of this statement: the falling is assumed.

Good people who do good things, and surround themselves with good people, and work on bettering themselves, and understand complexity, and don’t expect perfection from themselves or others, and have good intentions, and work hard, and enjoy the world, and try to improve that world a little, and commit themselves to their lives in positive and gracious ways…

…those people don’t tend to fall.

Those people. They tend to fly.

And when they stumble? 

They bounce.

May all of us learn to be one of those people - and especially may cowardly Q&A person figure out how to be one too.

[melissaanelli]

hello! i just wanted to say that harry and hermione could absolutely have been nonwhite! there have been lots of fan artists who have reimagined the characters as nonwhite. i, personally, have adopted the headcanon that harry is biracial — indian on his father's side and white on his mother's. and that hermione is black. i'm sure there are plenty of other characters that could be reimagined too!

Totally. And I’ve seen them, and they’re kind of amazing. I’m sure they COULD have, I think my question was more like...let’s think about what could have happened had they been portrayed that way. Whether it’s possible, that much I’m there with you on.

[geekyconblr]

We love GeekyCon! What are some tips on introducing people to new fandoms and creating a space for different fandoms to congregate?

HI GEEK AND SUNDRY I AM SO EXCITED TO SEE YOU HERE!! We love you guys. So much. 

I also love this question and think it is such an important one. (This is why it's going to be my last answer for now!)

There are so many things we can say about what's important to remember in creating a convention or sharing our passions. I could bore you all to tears with why we put one program on against another, or why we say no to a certain guest's appearance, or all the little micro decisions that go into creating the geeky world we try and breathe into existence each year.

But I think for the purpose of this answer, the most important thing is attitude. The energy and attitude you bring to any geeky activity will flow right into what you do and how you do it. Wiping away the negativity from the enterprise sounds like new-agey touchey-feely mumbo jumbo but I am 100% positive that it is crucial to geekery and fandom, and taking it in a good direction. Because we are here to ENJOY ourselves, the passion and the excitement is the whole point.*

So, for instance, when introducing someone to a new fandom? Check the entitlement over having been a fan longer. Forget what you know and remember there was a time you didn't know it. Stop measuring "how big" of a fan you are and be excited you're about to have a new friend in your fandom.

And in real-world spaces: first, make them safe. Have NO TOLERANCE for harassment. Worry about how inclusive, how feminist, how positive, how fun, how exciting, they are. 

What it comes down to for us is this: if the attitude is right in the creation, it will flow into the recipe. And we think anyone should be able to walk into a new fandom and feel ready to explore it, the same way anyone should be able to walk into a convention and feel safe and among friends.

*Remind yourself how lucky you are to be alive right now. #hamilton #yeahnohate #dontthrowawayourshot

[geekyconblr]

Harry, Ron, and Hermione each get to be the above the title star of a Broadway musical. Which do you cast them in?

MY WHOLE STAFF IS DEBATING THIS CURRENTLY AND I WILL UPDATE THIS ANSWER.

OK, I’m kicking this one to them:

Hermione: Elphaba, WICKED (courtesy the magical sdornhelm)Candace Rim says, "The green skin is like being like Muggle-born. And all she wants to do is learn."

Harry: Princeton, AVENUE Q "He kind of just wanders in and is like, 'Hi! I'm new here! And everyone's like, 'ooh, there's a lot of stuff waiting for you.'" - Sierra Fox

Ron: Mark Cohen, RENT"A bystander who's important to the whole thing. It's all I'm saying." Taekia Blackwell

More staff comments:"Ron in Deathly Hallows as the understudy who is so important but always secretly hopes the main character breaks his leg." - Abby Larus

"I'm just mad because I keep trying to think about secondary roles who Ron could be and that MAKES ME MAD. RON IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THAT." - Sierra

"The Logo for the show would definitely not contain a sans serif font on an arch, or a star." - Jordan Edwards 

[geekyconblr]

What are your thoughts on Harry Potter and the Cursed Child?

BRING IT, J.K. ROWLING. BRING IT. I WANT ALL THE BACKSTORY AND PRE STORY AND POST STORY AND ALL THE STORY POSSIBLE.

[geekyconblr]

Will BroadwayCon have anything relating to those of us who love Broadway and are considering working in the industry but not in an onstage or backstage capacity? Such as theatrical journalism, production offices, PR firms, etc...?

Oh yes. So yes.