And perhaps it's time I talked about a related experience because it exemplifies how whiteness in fandom/fan studies undermines critical voices.
Because it's deeply damaging pattern that I'm only now finding the courage to name. And I know it will probably be dismissed by most.
But I'm laying it out as it might help another junior POC scholar deal with similar situations.
As anyone knows, this is a very precarious time for anyone, but particularly if you're a POC scholar (from the Global South) in a historically white-centric field AND you're talking about racism.
I didn't mince words abt Francezka not being "just a fan" but rather someone who'd been a key part of the AO3/OTW and had broad support from many (white) BNF's. This is all public info.
The scholar (politely and with many caveats) told me, essentially, that I might be reading the meta wrong!?
F was their friend! They were just brash! etc!
However, thinking back, I'm frankly horrified that they thought that this was an appropriate email to write!
Luckily, I had a support structure to help me stand firm. But the fact is, it could EASILY have made me second guess myself.
NOT! OK!
Where someone tells me my work is admirable in public, but my editor tells me later that the same person came up to them in private (at the same event) and told them that my research is sloppy and essentializing.
This is what almost every piece I've published has gone through.
But I KNOW that the same thing is happening to other POC scholars w/less support and they think that smth must be wrong with their work.
So I just want to say no, it is NOT YOU. Please know that. /end