If your thing is talking about fandom but you don’t talk about race it’s like talking about society without talking about race: hideously incomplete in racist ways.
Like it’s INEVITABLY racist to not acknowledge the profound ways in which racism shapes every element of our society. It is just a way to brush aside the experiences of people of color, ESPECIALLY Black and Indigenous people of color, as not mattering. Not the “real” fannish experience. Oh, the REAL fannish experience is the one me and my friends had, not the one you and your friends had, because there are more of me and my friends and we have more societal power for reasons which don’t need exploring at this juncture.
Fucking suck it. Get used to the idea that fandom is a part of a society and therefore needs to address the same demons, and stop acting like you live in some kind of magical perfect Karenland where there are no Black people and there is no war in Ba Sing Se.
Whole lotta people think they’re virtuous for resisting a meaningful reckoning with the racist history and present of fandom. Great mental contortions there. Go sit in the Asshole Corner with Mitch McConnell.
“Actually the REAL bullies are the—“ it’s the racists. It’s always the racists. Shut your fucking face. If you ever feel compelled to suggest that there is meaningful reverse racism, go slam your hand in a refrigerator door a few dozen times.