There is no doubt in my mind that feminist principles are often enacted in fandom, related directly to the fact that it is a predominantly female space.
But to call it a “feminist space” is inaccurate I think, because that implies that what we do here on a day to day basis is related to feminism and/or all/most of the women involved in fandom are feminists. Which doesn’t ring very true to me, I’m afraid.
It’s not that an argument can’t be made that writing, reading and enjoying slash (for instance) is progressive, maybe even political in an abstract sense: the whole challenging gender norms argument, which btw, usually makes me roll my eyes a lot. It’s that if you ask your average fan why she likes slash the answer will invariably be “because it’s hot”. Yknow? Also, does the widespread disinterest/loathing of het fic in slash fandom make anyone else raise an eyebrow? Does excluding women entirely from our stories and art really have anything to do with feminism?
I agree with all the points you make below though.
My personal experience of it has shown me a place that tears down traditional limitations of who is qualified to speak and analyze and allows more women to exercise their intellects and voices.
…
And when I go to metafandom and read essays and discussions about fandom in which women predominate, I do find that more than interesting--I find it refreshing and empowering.
Absolutely. Fandom has made me think about these issues far more than I ever did before which is certainly a positive thing. I just don’t think that feminism being a *part* of fandom means that fandom is feminist.
(Man I suck at explaining myself. I hope I’m making sense!)
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zvi and
Re: (Here from metafandom)
Date: 2008-01-12 01:01 pm (UTC)But to call it a “feminist space” is inaccurate I think, because that implies that what we do here on a day to day basis is related to feminism and/or all/most of the women involved in fandom are feminists. Which doesn’t ring very true to me, I’m afraid.
It’s not that an argument can’t be made that writing, reading and enjoying slash (for instance) is progressive, maybe even political in an abstract sense: the whole challenging gender norms argument, which btw, usually makes me roll my eyes a lot. It’s that if you ask your average fan why she likes slash the answer will invariably be “because it’s hot”. Yknow? Also, does the widespread disinterest/loathing of het fic in slash fandom make anyone else raise an eyebrow? Does excluding women entirely from our stories and art really have anything to do with feminism?
I agree with all the points you make below though.
My personal experience of it has shown me a place that tears down traditional limitations of who is qualified to speak and analyze and allows more women to exercise their intellects and voices.
…
And when I go to metafandom and read essays and discussions about fandom in which women predominate, I do find that more than interesting--I find it refreshing and empowering.
Absolutely. Fandom has made me think about these issues far more than I ever did before which is certainly a positive thing. I just don’t think that feminism being a *part* of fandom means that fandom is feminist.
(Man I suck at explaining myself. I hope I’m making sense!)