If silence means approval, then I need to say something.

[matt_doyle]

I'm not going to go in-depth explaining the ongoing mess that is RaceFail '09 in this post, because other people have done so far better than I could: there's a comprehensive listing of links at rydra_wong's journal; and it's very worth a read. Basically, RaceFail has been an ongoing, repeatedly-derailed discussion about race issues in science fiction and the science fiction fan community, in which a large number of white authors, editors, and publishers behave very badly.

And I tried to stay out of it, or at least to stay neutral. I knew, liked, and respected people on both sides who were being attacked, or who were being angry and defensive and, to my view, badly behaved. When I believed I saw someone misrepresenting the facts or mischaracterizing a participant, I was unable to make myself stay out, and so I've commented repeatedly in defense of people on both sides of the debate. Even when I felt that someone's behavior was bad, I tried to understand their reactions and their feelings, and I reminded myself that anger and rudeness in no way invalidate someone's argument. I'm not the best or most conscientious debater, and I don't know if I deserve to be called a white ally or an anti-racist, although I try, but every time I saw a tone argument used to dismiss the concerns raised by a POC, it became easier and easier to sympathize with one side of the debate, and harder and harder to identify with the defensive white people.

And I got quieter. I'm in the process of shutting down this blog, after all, and I was afraid that whatever I said would come out wrong, that the new writing blog I'm starting would be colored by a mistake here. But I don't want to play at playground politics and worry about who will like me for speaking my mind, and I keep seeing, on post after post, that one of the things that is hurting most is the silence of sci-fi fandom, the lack of outcry at the racism, the insensitivity, and the arrogant exercise of white privilege. I'm guilty as charged, and I'm sorry.

I do not approve of authors, editors, and the like being insular and self-congratulatory about their behavior when people tell them there's still a problem. I do not approve of the discussion being derailed again and again for the sake of some white person's hurt feelings. I emphatically do not approve of any attempts to sabotage or silence further discussion, and I do not approve of outing pseudonymous posters and pretending that doing so is a commitment to justice.

If I have helped the people who did these things, I am sorry. It's a very goddamned late point for me to get off the fence and say that, unequivocally, I am committed to any group discussion and action that dissects privilege and works against racism in the science fiction community (or ANY community). I will try to make my new journal a safe and equitable space for everyone, and hope to be called out if I fail. I recognize that it is no-one's else's job to educate me on the subject of racism, but I promise that if someone does criticize me for racist behavior, I will not let anyone else defend me, and I will never dismiss the concerns raised.

I haven't done so well lately. I will try to do better.

ETA: I appreciate the kind words people have been saying in the comment threads, but it feels as though it would be self-congratulatory of me to respond, and that's kind of the opposite of what I was going for here. But it also feels rude to say nothing, so: hi! I'm glad to meet you all.

Comments

[moondancerdrake.livejournal.com]

Well said.

[ithiliana.livejournal.com]

Here from Rydra's list--and complimenting you on this post. You're engaging in a hard process, and I admire you for it.

[beachlass.livejournal.com]

I will try to make my new journal a safe and equitable space for everyone, and hope to be called out if I fail. I recognize that it is no-one's else's job to educate me on the subject of racism, but I promise that if someone does criticize me for racist behavior, I will not let anyone else defend me, and I will never dismiss the concerns raised.

I haven't done so well lately. I will try to do better.

I feel like I should print that out and tape it to my laptop. And my bathroom mirror.

[daniidebrabant.livejournal.com]

*claps*

[popelizbet.livejournal.com]

Late is better than never, as I have noted in my own LJ as well. Thank you.

[stoneself.livejournal.com]

this is a balm

[tulina.livejournal.com]

Oh boy, Matt. I'm sorry. I've just got out of a similar kind of argument (about the right of Austen fanfiction writers to be asked for permission before publicly debating their stories) and it's MESSY. Abd it kind of follows you around after you log off, and at night, and as you clean up your bedroom, so on.

Racism is a very difficult subject, too, and different anti-racism approaches can be taken, and misunderstood from one culture to another. Ie., Spaniards have this "joking with stereotypes so you make them sound ludicrous" that might be interpreted as clear-as-day racist jokes.

Ie. "We're not mexicans, can't you see we don't wear sombreros?" = you are not making fun of Mexico in Spain, you are making fun of the stereotype.

This kind of approach has even caused international problems! But, you know, it works for us.

And I guess discussing racism is the last thing on earth you want to do now. o_O So. ♥

[mattador.livejournal.com]

♥

I think the discussions are important! The problem is when they're derailed, when people are too frightened or defensive to confront the notion that they may have accidentally done something racist, or may hold a racist belief.

But yes. If you'd rather talk about, say, a novel.... XD

[daedala.livejournal.com]

This is a great post.

I've seen your defense of the people I really dislike, and thought that they were well-reasoned and made in good faith (I thought they were wrong, but that is different; it took me a long time to realize some people weren't actually all that good).

I also see that you did speak up on the "malevolent little cunt" comment, and that is greatly appreciated as well.