why fandom is not an ethnic group, by Rhi.

Before I do my other post of the AUGH WHITE PEOPLE varietal, I've got something else to say that shouldn't get in the way of that. It's on the topic of fandom as an ethnic group, because this really pissed me-the-cultural-studies-geek off.

Please note that this is my take on this, and I'm not a sociologist. In fact, a sociologist would be able to tell you far more clearly why this is wrong. I am also working from a place of pure pedantry for a reason, so that I don't have to go deconstruct and deal with stupid questions and lots of BUT THIS. I personally understand the difference between ethnic group and subculture. It's just not easy to put into words.

Which is a shame, because then I could tell people more specifically how this is wrong.

Please also note that I am a very firm believer in the idea of fandom as subculture overall; I'm inclined to think a lot of things are subcultures or subsets of culture. However, some people think it may not even be a subculture...and then it's even MORE not an ethnic group, ffs.

I'm assuming that the 'fandom is an ethnic group in the broadest sense' comes from the OED definition, emphasis mine:

2.a. Pertaining to race; peculiar to a race or nation; ethnological. Also, pertaining to or having common racial, cultural, religious, or linguistic characteristics, esp. designating a racial or other group within a larger system; hence (U.S. colloq.), foreign, exotic.

I can sort of see where, in reading that, someone would make the call that fandom has cultural and linguistic characteristics in common and is therefore an ethnic group. However, this would be incorrect for several reasons:

- The definition is vague on purpose, to be inclusive of various groups that do not always stem from race or nation alone but from a very long tradition with very definitive cultural aspects (e.g. Judaism).

- Therefore, ethnic identity comes out of one's birth or adoption into a sociopolitically distinct and long-standing culture.

- We are already existing within cultures. In fact, we are all already existing in one or more ethnic groups, but we were born or adopted into them.

- Even if your parents were fans, I am not sure what sociopolitically distinct culture comes out of liking to read fanfic about two dudes going at it or dress up as Harry Potter.

- I really don't know.

- No, it's not a diaspora, because we're all already settled within cultures anyway, and we are not bloody DISPLACED, particularly due to sociocultural disenfranchisement, at least not as fans. (If you are a member of a diaspora anyway, not to negate your identity--that is what it is, it has nothing to do with fandom.)

- You're not born into fandom. Sorry. It's also not really that old a phenomenon, nor is it distinct. Fandom is not a culture, but a subculture. Why? Fandom comes out of and is in response to several existing aspects of highly varied cultures, which is basically the definition of subculture. Period. It's not even response to culture overall, per se, merely response to popular culture and/or media.

- As essential as it may seem, being a fan is a choice. It is a privileged position for all of us, regardless of our other privilege. We're privileged to be in the right time and place, with the access and technology that we have, and the societal standards that allow this kind of interaction.

- And that doesn't even get into nationality, genetics, and all sorts of other things that play into ethnicity that have nil effect on fandom.

- Now, go take a look and tell me if any subcultures--goth, punk, BDSM, whatever--are on this list.

- Now you should understand the distinction between a subculture and an ethnic group.

- Furthermore, to claim that fandom is an ethnic group denigrates the identity politics that come into the concept of ethnicity, and the problems surrounding ethnic conflict worldwide.

- Don't make me come over there and explain this again.

The Privileged Fan's Primer To Not Fucking Up

This ended up just coming out, because I am so fed up that I cannot stand back any longer and not say something. If it goes under the radar, I will be sad, but so be it. Also, when I start sitting down and writing stuff, it ends up being stuff other people have said well before, so this is chock full of links.

Disclaimer: Some places I come from a place of privilege and some places I don't, fyi (and as I said earlier, we all have some privilege if we're reading this). I also think the points here are applicable without much problem on a worldwide scale, but if anything is particularly US/UK-centric, I apologise.

------

It's hard to decide if there's a point of most importance, but I think this is it:
Privileged people must learn to be uncomfortable, or no one will get anywhere.
Being comfortable usually means you're riding on privilege. The dominant paradigm's made things easy for you, and you're milking that for all that it's worth, at the expense of other people. If you have to ask 'why should I make myself uncomfortable just to ease up on someone's pain', then GTFO.

Carrying on:

- As I touched on earlier today, fandom is not a unique and beautiful snowflake. It is subject to the same discussion and criticism as anything else. In fact, its transformative and commentary aspects make it actually MORE valid for criticism, not less. Just because it is often pretendy funtime does not make it exempt from analytical thought. (Even in academia; that ship sailed long ago and it is called pop culture studies.)
More on this: the BS 'silencing' narrative and fanfic's relevance (thoracopagus)

- I have seen this so many places, but it's worth saying again and again and again, in hopes that maybe it'll get through to people. No one is saying Do Not Write What You Are Not. Instead, as a writer or a participant in community discussion, you must be prepared. Educate yourself first, learn the salient issues, and consider possible problem points, before you speak.
More on this: why the J2 Racefail story was disenfranchising, and how to write about things: think first (reddwarfer)

( this carries on beyond the cut, and it's nothing new to some of my readers, but hey. )