So @henryjenkins has posted a statement+apology.
I appreciate his clarity about the problems of the initial CFP, the validity of the critiques, and the casual racism and sexism in the response.
henryjenkins.org/blog/2020/8/30…
I appreciate his clarity about the problems of the initial CFP, the validity of the critiques, and the casual racism and sexism in the response.
henryjenkins.org/blog/2020/8/30…
I accept the apology (only for myself).
It will be a longer process to rebuild trust. I hope that he will continue to show via his actions that he's willing to do the necessary work that he's outlined in the post.
It will be a longer process to rebuild trust. I hope that he will continue to show via his actions that he's willing to do the necessary work that he's outlined in the post.
The other person involved, @DrWilliamProct1, has also reached out to me privately with an apology.
I acknowledge it, but I do not accept it because it continues to place the blame on Samira and myself for causing hurt and upset by our critiques.
I acknowledge it, but I do not accept it because it continues to place the blame on Samira and myself for causing hurt and upset by our critiques.
He also cites his autism as a reason for his responses. Again, this is not acceptable because autism does not make people commit racist actions as outlined in this thread
I am not closing the door on future growth but it is on Dr Proctor to do the hard work of understanding what happened and why it was unacceptable. I hope he does it.
Leaving this specific, individual action aside I need Fan Studies as a discipline to understand that these issues - badly planned "diversity" projects, tone policing critics, sidelining Black scholars, framing BIPOC scholars as unreasonable etc - are EMBEDDED into our spaces.
Someone said to me that "This keeps happening to you and it is unacceptable."
And yes, it does keep happening, BUT Fan Studies shows that it IS acceptable because nothing is done to actually put in systems of accountability.
Unless that happens we'll be back here next month.
And yes, it does keep happening, BUT Fan Studies shows that it IS acceptable because nothing is done to actually put in systems of accountability.
Unless that happens we'll be back here next month.
I am trying to write something longer but this has already wiped out 5 days when I should have been indexing my book. 😣😣
Which is of course an excellent illustration of how structural racism makes it harder for me to focus on my projects, meet deadlines etc.
Which is of course an excellent illustration of how structural racism makes it harder for me to focus on my projects, meet deadlines etc.
So if you think yourself an ally please think about what actual concrete measures you're going to take to ensure that ALL your spaces, whether in fandom or professionally, are actively anti-racist.
That's the work. /end
That's the work. /end
