Cringe is Dead: A Fool's Perspective
(AKA I need to write and feel the need to bring my inner child out)
A lot has been labeled as cringe, the classics being self-inserts, and for a long time, I never let myself indulge in the art that is self-inserts. I have made them. But including myself in the story of my favorite shows and movies was never something I crossed the barrier of for fear of being labeled as cringe and cast out as an outcast among the fandom community.
But as I've grown older, I've realized I've pushed down all my 'cringe' wants and let them manifest into my inner child desires. Like, okay sure, I would like to ship myself with a character I like (multiple times), and yes I've wanted to make fanfiction with myself as a main character. But the reason I never did is because of that fear. And I don't like that fear. It brings out anxieties that just make fandom culture toxic. Now you don't have to agree with me (I'm really just venting), but I hope you agree no one should be outed in a fandom for their interests. Of course, there are problematic types (ones that I don't have to name and don't want to), which shouldn't be encouraged. But we as a community agree there are dos and don'ts of the fandoms.
But the self-insert doesn't have to be one. Yet it's made to be one.
But honestly, it's like saying making too many ocs is bad. Is it? No. It's called being creative and inventive. I've made dozens of Animaniacs ocs and they only encourage me to create and write.
The idea that cringe will always be around is heartbreaking, but we have to realize calling something cringe is the same thing as outing a person for their interests. I could even be called cringe for saying this, but I would like to make a self-insert. Who doesn't want to be their favorite show? Their favorite movies? Books!
Cringe culture is just another excuse to out people. We become bullies by encouraging cringe culture. So why not cancel the cringe culture? Why not make it cringe to be in cringe culture?
I don't know who will listen to this, but I just want our fandom communities to be safer. And to be honest, from my side of Tumblr, I see plenty of good folks. But what kills me is the people who encourage cringe culture.
So what if I am cringe? Cringe is just another excuse to bully. And I will not encourage it. I want to be free to be a part of a fandom without someone ridiculing me for my interests. Cringe is dead and dead I hope it stays. We need more diversity in our fandoms, it's where the best ideas come from.
Fanfiction is meant to be self-indulgent. Fanart is meant to be fun. So why can't I be both? I don't have to hide. If you don't like it, move on. If you feel the need to hate, I'll ignore you. If you want to call me cringe, then go right ahead, because I'll be as cringey as I want to be and you can't stop it.
Cringe is dead. So let's keep cringe culture dead.
janainaart
kaledo-art
stormborns
gummygunk
blakekathryn
snowghoul
ellievsbear
yousharknotpass
