On reactions to female characters

[hsapiens]

Saw this linked in rydra_wong's LJ and found that it resonated with me. Thus, I'm passing it on:

From fabu's discussion of fans and female characters:

No one is saying that you must like every single female character or you're a bad fan/bad feminist. However, if you *habitually* find yourself criticizing female characters for behavior you admire in male characters/dismissing female characters as boring (even though you spend hours developing walk-on male characters into well-rounded characters for your stories)/accusing female characters of being "Mary Sues" for having skills that you accept unquestioningly in the men, perhaps you might want to think about the bigger picture.

~~**~~

And in other news: When it's a relief to get to the refuge of work, that's a bad way to start the day. Luckily, this day hasn't gotten any worse. :)

Comments

[la-directora.livejournal.com]

As you know, I'm not even remotlely into any kind of fandom or fanfic or most any other noun with "fan" as the first three letters. But what you quoted here really resonated with me. I think it would be a good policy if applied to REAL WOMEN and not just female characters.

[tejas.livejournal.com]

There's a concept.

[hsapiens.livejournal.com]

I have two responses here:

1. WORD. One of the reasons the responses to female characters matters to me is because we reflect our Real World thoughts and prejudices in it and that, ultimately, is what I truly care about.

2. You know I'm going to ding you on the fan thing, right? I mean, if you're not built that way, it's cool but I wouldn't dismiss all fandom because it's not a traditionally valued means of expression. Hell, romance novels aren't, either, but I am inordinately fond of Pride & Prejudice. Fandom has its share of batshit crazies but it also is a vibrant community of women discussing deep issues and critiquing texts and it's fascinating from that stand point. It can be an expression of female sexuality and desire in a forum that defies control by men and society (although this issue is about internalized messages from society). In this modern era, popular culture is our campfire and it's how many women frame our discussions and our stories. Like ethnography, it's often more illuminating of those who observe than those who are observed. It's a fascinating phenom anthropologically. Also? I love that it's essentially a female space. Not because men are excluded -- far from it -- but women are more likely to gravitate to it for whatever reasons. It's a world largely built by women to reflect us and I just think that's all kinds of crazy cool.

[la-directora.livejournal.com]

I am not dismissing fandom because it isn't something that interests me any more than I would dismiss any other perfectly valid pasttime/interest just because it doesn't happen to interest me. Believe me, immlass and I have had this conversation. :) For whatever reason, I have a very large number of friends who are fans of RPG and fanfic type things, and it just doesn't do anything for me. But I would never dismiss it. Everyone is entitled to their own varying interests.

[hsapiens.livejournal.com]

If it isn't your cuppa, it isn't your cuppa. I wasn't certain, given your singling out "fan" as being something you wanted no part of if it was a shorthand reference or if it had deeper meaning.

I'd hate to see you pass up something that is a lot of fun to watch and, at times, participate in, but if you aren't built that way, then nothing is going to make you suddenly decide it's a very appealing thing. I'm not an RPGer and I don't get video games or even most computer games so I grok the concept of "just not your thing."

[la-directora.livejournal.com]

Nope, definitely just a "not my cuppa". Which is why I said, "not remotely interested in," and not, "not remotely respectful of." HUGE difference. :)

I suspect my lack of interest in fandom has similar reasoning as my lack of interest in roleplaying. There is a degree to which playing characters and examining stories is my JOB. I take it very seriously, and don't see it as something to do for play. I suppose it's much like someone who spends all day at a computer, and gets home and wants to do something else for relaxation. Or something.