#racists in the fandom hate to see Michonne here

[mintsformich]

The following fact is controversial and may cause uncomfortability and irritation for some:

This is the BIG 3 of TWDU 👇👇👇

The archer, the samurai, and the ring leader.

[whateverisbeautiful]

Darksided Takes Seen On The Internet:

It became The Woke Dead after R&M got together 😑

I stopped watching and deleted TWD from my DVR after R&M became a couple because I don’t want my kids to see that (on a show with some of the most graphic gore and several interracial couples, Richonne is where they drew the line) 🤡

RJ isn't a legitimate son to Rick - and just an overwhelming amount of dismissive-at-best downright-racist-at-worst attitudes towards a child 😪

Taunting that we’ll only be getting about 240 minutes of R&M in their spin-off 🤣 (like sis, we would have been grateful for just a 5 min Richonne special during an AMC commercial break so 240 minutes is a blessing)

Rick had more chemistry with insert-any-non-Black-woman (ones I’ve heard: Lori’s corpse, Andrea, Jessie, Jadis) 🙄

Rick is going to move on with a new woman and start a family in the spin-off, including starting a romance with Jadis (the spinoff didn’t even have to air for set videos and pics to already debunk this) 🥱

Rick only got with Michonne romantically because she was alive and one of the few women available 🤮 (sooo darksided & wrong)

Rick’s best wife was Jessie (this nearly convinced me media literacy is completely dead) 🫠

Michonne is a bad mother who left her kids behind for some horny reason (as if she’s not a wife seeking to bring home the father of her children)

I can’t possibly have an anti-Black take because I think Michonne and her sword are "totally badazz" I just can’t fathom any aspect of the show that highlights her humanity, desirability, and womanhood (this is never helping one's case the way they think it is) 🤔

I don’t usually address the parts of this fandom that have consistently spoken so negatively about this TV couple. I’d rather focus on the positive that we get to celebrate in actuality. And I promise returning to being positive and unbothered is what I’ll do after this post, that who knows if anyone will read and who knows if I’ll keep posted for long. But there’s been a lot of degrading comments that go beyond just “opinion” or fair discussion lately so…I just had to respectfully vent. And it ain’t brief. Cuz if this blog has shown anything it’s that - Brief? I don’t know her lol.

Here’s the thing I’d want to say kindly to those that “just don’t buy Richonne” and go out of their way to be negative about the TV couple - You don’t have to like the pairing. Truly you don’t. You don’t have to see the (blazingly blatant) chemistry. Just know, you not seeing it doesn’t mean it’s not there.

And the issue isn't about you not being a fan of a TV couple or even voicing that Richonne isn't your thing. The real issue is whenever you spend time in your real life demeaning the pairing online with real-life implications of real-life racism and hatefulness.

Look, I hadn’t been expecting Rick and Michonne to get together romantically before they went canon. It wasn’t cuz I thought they didn’t have chemistry and it def wasn’t cuz I thought they were like siblings. (Ain’t nobody should be looking at their sibling the way they looked at each other lol.) Upon first watch, I just loved R&M’s dynamic and thought the bond and family they found with each other was really sweet and special and I had left it at that.

But when they got together romantically it immediately felt so right. It felt earned. It felt alive, authentic, utterly fitting, and beautiful.

And then shortly after when I went back and watched compilations of their pre-canon moments, I realized why it felt that way. It’s because it was all always right there. All that build-up was evident. All the desire. All the love. I wasn’t only seeing the pre-canon looks they shared and the attraction they felt because I now knew they’d be a couple. I was seeing it because that’s simply what it was. What it always was. Like from a media literacy standpoint, a romance is where Rick and Michonne's story was heading. It was me that missed it. And it would be weird for me to act like their love story wasn’t there just because I initially missed it. That’s on me.

How you feel about their love story doesn’t mean it wasn’t there. It doesn't mean their journey wasn’t well done. Some people just miss it because it wasn't heavy-handed and others just refuse to see it and we know why.

And if it’s just a silly TV show to you and you’re adamant that you don’t care about the couple or about anything, then do yourself and everyone a favor and don’t comment. Cuz people who actually don’t care and think it’s just a TV show aren’t taking any time out of their day to comment negatively about something that was made to be enjoyed. If you enjoy the couple, great. Revel in all their glory. If you don’t - ask yourself why it would at all be necessary to talk down on the pairing so harshly unless their union does bother you more than you care to admit and for reasons you refuse to say aloud. (But trust, the reasons behind why you spew vitriol toward the pairing are still so loud)

Whether you buy it or not, Richonne factually didn’t come out of nowhere. Their love isn’t an afterthought. It’s a patient and passionate slow-burn that wonderfully unfolded into an out-loud soulmate type of love from both of them equally. You don’t have to see it or like it. That’s okay. (Even tho I do feel pretty confident if you close your eyes and imagine Michonne looking like Lori or Jessie or even Andrea I think all of a sudden you’d read their scenes as more than platonic) But nothing will change that an epic love story is what Rick and Michonne’s journey literally is. Not just to “shippers,” but to people who receive actual paychecks as part of the show. Everyone involved with that show knows and values that Rick and Michonne have a grand love story. And the fact that a whole spinoff about their love story is on the way is proof that Rick and Michonne's love wasn’t just a part of TWD it was one of the elements at the very heart of TWD. Why keep fighting to survive if not for the love and family you build in that world?

9 seasons of watching Rick Grimes and they’re ending the main character’s arc with an epic love story between him and the greatest love of his life for a reason. Because no matter who likes or dislikes it, sees the chemistry, or doesn’t - regardless of it all, the characters of Rick and Michonne deeply love each other, need each other, and desire each other. And they have for a long long time. Fans of them are not reveling in an opinion or speculation that R&M’s story is a romance. We’re appreciating the story that was and is literally being told.

Their love story is fiction. Their love story is also a fact and no opinion changes that. And anyone who is willing to just step back, turn off biases, and watch what is literally happening on screen - in the words of Michonne…you’ll see :)

Oh and if you don’t - you don’t. No sweat. Like what you like. Dislike what you dislike. Just keep it respectful and know that the opinion you’re entitled to doesn’t change the facts. So back to reality & positivity, I go. 😌

[gingerylangylang1979]

About the Carmy x Sydney Ship and Race... Cause I’m Tired of Talking About It

This ramble is in response to the ask I sort of lazily answered here. 

I get what Anonymous is referring to, I made a whole post about it, but I think my answer may come as a shock to many. After thinking more on a series of interesting posts regarding the ship lately that were very race focused and a bigger assessment of my own posts and what I see coming from all sides, I think everybody needs to take a deep breath and CHILL.

Yes, fandom can be extremely racist regarding Black women and BWWM ships. I know this. I’ve been a fan of several shows featuring both and have witnessed the bias and resultant shenanigans that ensue just because a Black woman is onscreen. We always get less grace, we are always the subject of intense scrutiny about our looks especially the darker we are, we have historically been marginalized and sidelined as the trusty side-kick, asexual, masculinized, made the default lesbian, made the butt of jokes. I recently had to stop watching a show and stop following an Instagram account because of both’s outdated reliance on punchlines based on stereotypes delivered by the white stars. We seem to have come far but we have a long way to go. 

Sydney is receiving the same treatment I’ve seen  with other Black female characters. I always go back to Michonne on TWD as a touchstone because that was the ugliest I saw fans get about a Black woman, especially one shipped with a white man, especially when the ship went canon. We only have one season so far. I haven't seen the anti-Sydney sentiments get as bad as the anti-Michonne sentiments but I have seen some really disgusting takes that I predict will get worse as seasons progress. Sydney gets a special flavor of scorn and dismissal that I see solely reserved for Black women. 

That said, and I may make some enemies saying this, everyone who doesn’t want Sydney with Carmy isn’t racist. I think there are often conclusions that because the ship is BWWM every anti is a racist or has unconscious bias. The misogynoir weaponized against Sydney can exist and be acknowledged without making the knee jerk defense that it’s all race-based dissent against the ship. I would say a good percentage is but I have no way to quantify. I don’t know these people, I can’t read minds. Some opinions and motivations are obviously coming from a bad faith perspective but sometimes so are the categorizations assigned to any dissent. Some people just aren’t going to like the ship and it may or may not have anything to do with race. 

I don’t watch Ted Lasso but I did watch the X-Files until I didn’t. Both shows historically have fandoms with anti-ship wars. All parties involved are white. I’m not trying to “what about” this but I think we have to have some perspective. Some people are just never going to want romance on a show, some people are just not going to want a non-platonic relationship between co-workers, some people are just not going to see what you see, some people are just not going to be fond of the pairing you think is only natural. Does that dismiss those that may be hiding behind those opinions? No. But assuming that is always the case is not healthy.

The truth that Sydney is the new hated Black woman on the block and not all dissent about her with Carmy is racist can both be true at the same time. And assessing that every anti is racist doesn’t serve the ship. Point it out where it exists but don’t make assumptions. I saw a recent post on another platform that basically just blatantly accused everyone against the ship as being racist or biased and while I get a lot of the points it just came across as bad faith and out of touch. I even backed up some of the points but the OP didn’t seem to get why the thread devolved into the chaos it did. Bad faith only makes one look foolish. 

I think I’m coming into a place of my Black womanhood where yes I’m tired of the shenanigans but I’m also tired of focusing the anger on all corners of my life. I’m not saying I never want to talk about it, I’m not saying it won’t inherently manifest in spaces that should be safe, I'm just saying I’m deciding more and more where it belongs and how I react to things colors my experience.

Does it matter if biased people hate my ship? In the grand scheme of things nothing I say or present is going to change minds. The only thing that will change that is if they keep watching and start to see what I see. I can’t force that, I can’t diatribe my way to that, I can’t argue that. All the arguing and anger does is upset me who has bigger fish to fry. I can’t expect fandom and media to satisfy my needs for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the way I want. It’s just a bunch of broken people, just as broken as I am, expressing opinions and creating without personally thinking about me at all. I have to make the change I want, not expect it from others. 

Maybe because I gave up judgment for Lent (hardest Lent ever) I’m just trying to reevaluate my expectations of others. It’s a struggle, I fail at it daily. But I know the place I need that struggle the least is on the internet with strangers. 

So yes, the BWWM ship controversy can be exhausting but I’m not going to let it be. I’ll continue to engage in discussions that touch on those things but I’m not going to just sit over here seething at every anti-post and ruminating about racism. Sorry. 

[cyborgqueenkelly]

Yes, antis; hating Carol means you're problematic.

This is me speaking up about how carylers have been treated. If you don't want to hear about it, don't read. No need to message me anonymously to tell me not to rant. After everything I've been through in this fandom, I will NOT entertain demands to censor myself.

Read on if you're still here....

The nice thing about Tumblr is there doesn't seem to be as much of the problematic tokenization of serious problems such as racism and ableism as there is on Twitter. I will never understand how people don't see these behaviors as ableist or racist. As a disabled woman, it infuriates me to see people do this with ableism, as I've had people tokenize me before in front of my face, and it was so dehumanizing. Sadly so much of this has been used to attack carylers, because that's just what people do now. And much of Daryl shipping, if it's not caryl, is just based on hatred of Carol.

People are allowed to dislike characters. Not liking Carol doesn't make you a bad person. HATING Carol, however, is NOT okay. People are well aware of the necessary representation she provides, and whether they will admit it or not, deep down that's the very reason they hate her. They might not even realize it themselves, but that's how it is. I am a survivor of a lifetime of familial abuse. And I am a living reminder of how much hatred there is for women who escape abuse. I've experienced overwhelming hatred not just from family members, but from people who don't like to be burdened with the uncomfortable knowledge that adult women are abused, it's not always that easy to escape, and we don't deserve the blame for it. Hell, I remember how much hatred there was toward Rihanna when the world found out that Chris Brown had abused her.

Hating Carol DOES make one a problematic person, and that is EXACTLY why those same people will happily ignore the very real racism in the fandom toward characters like Michonne, and invent racism among Carol fans where it doesn't exist. They're problematic, they know it, and so they need to point fingers toward the ones who have their number. Don't forget; these are the same folks who push horribly ableist narratives regarding Connie and Kelly, and have the nerve to say that Carol fans are ableist toward Connie (but never Kelly, right?), when the ONLY ableism I've seen is from d-cons and it's RAMPANT. Their entire ship is based on an ableist narrative and on shouting down disabled people who point it out. And don't even get me started on how these folks routinely go after ONLY black women's jobs if they let on that they like Carol or ship Caryl. It's only ever black women that they go after, and it's sickening.

Go on, antis. Share this with your ableist friends and call me stupid and brain dead like you did last time. The truth is that you think I'm stupid because you're too simple minded to grasp anything anyone says to you in an attempt to educate you. That's why you laugh when anyone posts more than 3 sentences. You dont have the brain power to get through anything that actually makes sense.

[andy-clutterbuck]

"No one who loves Rick put him with Jessie" What do you mean by that? I know that Jessie is not the most likable character on the TWD, but everyone especially Rick fans should give her a credit, because she was the one that helped him to finally let go of Lori and move on. She was kind of the stage to Rick to love again (the bridge to Michonne), and probably I'm the only one who still thinks that Lori is his love.And maybe that anon read only the comics that's why he asked you about that three.

I meant that I don’t believe anyone who truly wants what’s BEST for Rick would choose Jessie above all other people as his partner in life. The only context we have for them being together was when Rick was PTSD-ing all over the place. 97% of the interactions included Rick acting eerily unlike himself or acting as if the lights were on but nobody was home mentally. I’m not out here playing the AU game, “Well what if they met-” because that’s full of “What If”s that aren’t concrete. Which also brings me to the fact that she mocked one child’s abuse and left the other to hang out with a bunch of ants while he looked like he was having a near mental breakdown. Not the kind of person I want anywhere near Rick’s children. I can’t even fathom how she’d help him with Carl’s death.... They tried to force the badass angle with her killing the Wolf but it was a hard sell. I can not imagine her becoming someone who could be by Rick’s side in all things. I can’t imagine her laughing with him on a couch AND kicking ass by his side on the battlefield. That’s the kind of person he needs, especially in this world, someone who is with him every step of the way and understands him without things having to be verbalized, and someone who can 1000% hold their own.

I don’t need to give her credit for anything. She died and was never mentioned again. She died and the show jumped ahead weeks and Rick finally looked like the dude I knew. There’s a scene in the comics where he talks about her after her death and visits her grave iirc and they didn’t even include that. Carol did visit Sam’s grave though. That tells me everything I need to know in regards to her “importance.” She was a poorly acted, poorly written plot device. Forced doesn’t even begin to cover it, like we were supposed to believe that the guy who clocked Aaron, tied him up, and was convinced that Aaron was trying to poison his child with applesauce would then let some random stranger into his home while he was alone and let them stand behind him with a pair of scissors? Lol okay, Gimple. She existed because Gimple had an erection for the comics that has lasted way longer than 4 hours but he refused to see medical attention for it.

Sorry, no, I don’t buy that that was a comic related ask. I have never been known as a comics related blog thus anyone asking me about the comics would specify and always has. If that was a genuine question there would have been a hell of a lot more context to it, and for the record I don’t hate Lori nor do I warp canon and act like she and Rick didn’t love each other. That person took Rick’s late wife, a chick he kissed once in a dank garage, and a woman who was barely even his friend ??? but his character was with in the comics and asked me which I thought was the ideal partner for him. All of said women also happen to be very dead and very white. BUT they oh so ~*conveniently*~ ignored MIchonne, the black woman who is ALIVE and actually currently in a relationship with him, a woman whom he just verbally professed his love for. It 1000% looks like erasure and racist fuckery. I know because I’ve been heavily involved in this fandom since before S3 and thus have witnessed every ounce of bullshit in this arena. Throwing every damn woman at Rick as long as she isn’t Michonne regardless of whether is makes any sense. Bonus points if she’s white!!! Lilly, Paula, Random White Lady From A Random Casting Call, Any White Woman Vaguely In His Age Bracket Who Was Cast Regardless Of What Her Role Is. “OMG SHE’S GOING TO BE THE NEW ANDREA.” I’ve seen this song and dance 85 million times.

[im-a-goddamn-cat]

Normally I don't get involved with fandom drama (sorry, that's probably not the right word for this but idk what else to use) but I saw the replies/comments on this and just wanted to say something: Both sides here are correct; not everyone against Annie and Negan's relationship is racist but also there is some racism in the way that some people have reacted to it. I do disagree with the way anon worded it as not EVERYONE who disagrees with the relationship is racist/because of racism but I have seen some racist comments in response to them just like I've seen in response to Rick/Michonne and Carol/Ezekiel sometimes so there is no denying that racism does play a part sometimes. Personally, I'm neutral on their relationship; I do like Annie and I think she and Negan are sweet together from what we've seen but I also hate that they just threw her in without any sort of backstory or build-up to her or their relationship, so I can see how some people would be fully against it in that aspect. Would people accept it more if Annie was white? Possibly, sadly it wouldn't surprise me if so. I would feel the same either way and so would some other people and some would still be fully for or against it but I know that there are also those out there who, whether unintentially or not, would react more positively if she was white.

But basically, the tldr of what I'm trying to say is, both sides of this argument are correct; some of the hate for Annie and Negan's relationship is indeed because of racism, but also, not everyone who is against it is because of racism/racist reasons.

I'm still convinced anyone that hates Negan with Annie is racist. If Annie was a young white girl, they would be going crazy for the relationship. This fandom has had a lot of issues with racism. Michonne & Rick, Ezekiel & Carol, Annie & Negan.

[siancore]

TWD Salty Ask: 19,22,23,26,27

Thank you, @emilymcdaniels!

19. What is the one thing you hate most about your fandom?

Other fans! I know, I know; but I am being salty here LOL I love my corner of the fandom and my fellow shippers, but overall, other fans (and general viewers) are shite. Need proof? Go on FB and see the awful shit they spew. Racist, sexist, homophobic little dick wanks.  

22. Popular character you hate?

Negan. I despise him. *staring at him and bobbing my head to a beat* I hope it’s five degrees hotter for your ass in Hell; Broke DC villain bastard, you worse than trash. I hope when Rick get a chance he murder your ass, so you burn in Hell ‘till you turn white ash.I wish you nothing but pain and bad health; I hope luck run away from you and wealth. No honor in life, no honor in death; Fuck you Negan; you should kill yourself.

23. Unpopular character you love?

Arat from the Sanctuary. I know, she’s on the wrong team and she killed Olivia, but she’s bloody interesting. I want to know more about her instead of having to watch a full episode explaining that Eugene can’t effing sleep *gags* Oh, and Elizabeth Ludlow is hot!

I also love, and would die for, Nabila from the Kingdom. Plus Nadine Marissa is fuckin’ gorgeous! I would watch an entire episode of Nabila pottering around the garden wearing the hell out of those overalls *sighs* while the rest of the episode she would be kicking the shit out of random Saviors *sighs dreamily*

26. Most shippable character?

Rick Grimes AKA Ricky Dicky Doo Dah Grimes AKA Michonne’s Man. Mainly because Andy Lincoln and his A+ eye-fucking has so much chemistry with a lot of other actors. Honestly, if Morgan or Father Gabriel were played by White Guys™ those ships would be a thing. Why aren’t they a thing, again? Morgan and Rick have a history together; ‘Clear’ is a Richonne-heavy episode, but Rick and Morgan had some really compelling scenes, too. Rick literally went to rescue Father G like a damsel in distress; Father G stared into his eyes and said, “I believe in you.”  Where’s there fanfiction, damn it? Everyone out here creating content for Rick x Some Other White Guy, but we can’t get a Rick x Morgan fluffy one-shot?

27. Least shippable character?

Daryl. He is too emotionally immature.

SEND ME A SALTY ASK

[pussymagicuniverse]

Celebrating Black Female Characters in Horror Television

February is here and what does that mean? It’s Black History Month! But hey, every month is BHM when you’re black. Trust me. So I’ve decided to celebrate black women in Horror. More specifically, black female characters in notable Horror shows. From The Walking Dead all the way to The Vampire Diaries.

Even when a show ends or a character’s journey ends – their Black Girl Magic never really dies, no matter what anyone wants to say, which is why celebrating these characters isn’t fruitless. They have a place in Horror as a genre and that will always hold importance. At least to me.

Please be wary of spoilers (character deaths or otherwise) if you’re binge watching any of these shows or plan to.

•

1. Michonne (The Walking Dead)

Weapons in the apocalypse usually come in the form of guns or various styled knives. But who can say their fave wields a katana like no other? Nobody, unless their personal fave is Michonne. And what a treat it is to have a character like her exist.  

Michonne (played by the talented Danai Gurira) has been part of the show since “Walk with Me” (3x03). She’s first presented as someone who takes no one’s shit (that still rings true) and is loyal to those closest to her. Which, in the beginning, she doesn’t have many people. From the start, it was obvious she wouldn’t be a forgettable character. And the same can be said about Danai’s acting. Michonne has carried on as an intense character, same as the comic version of her.  

Even with the show experiencing many ups and down, she still continues to be one of my favorites that I cling to. One thing I adore about her as a black character is how multi-faceted she is. Black women showing vulnerability rather than clinging to the ‘strong black woman’ trope, is the type of representation that’s needed. Especially in the state of our own world.

Currently in the show there’s been much change and Michonne is juggling A LOT. Such as Rick Grimes “death,” new losses, leadership, motherhood, new enemies and no shortage of other apocalyptic complications. Aside from all the stress she endures, she remains the same bad ass she has always been.

2. Sasha Williams (The Walking Dead)

Every apocalypse needs someone who takes many risks and Sasha was one of those characters. She was played by Sonequa Martin-Green and was an original character (versus being apart of the comics as well) since late season 3. Sasha wasn’t afraid to speak her mind or do what she felt was needed for the group or herself. Her bravery even in the face of danger is/was admirable.

There were moments where I wanted much better for her character. Or even had a sense of irritation towards some of her decisions. But when her time was up in the apocalypse – I hated it. Her send off wasn’t a blindside, though it still wasn’t something I hoped for, evidently I accepted it. Sonequa played Sasha well and thankfully we were able to see her one last time recently.

3. Bonnie Bennett (The Vampire Diaries)

No one can convince me that Bonnie Bennett (played by Kat Graham) was dealt a good hand. Her character was the subject of much mistreatment and there was no surprise why. No shock is had when a black woman is the token best friend, subject to violence by or because of white characters, used as a plot device, or any other bullshit.

Bonnie/Kat Graham was subject to A LOT of racist nonsense from the fandom as well. This also isn’t a shock that fandoms can be quite vile to people of color. And she isn’t the first or last to experience this. It’s part of what needs to change in terms of the writing of characters of color. Especially black characters of color (why there needs to be diverse writing teams).

 Despite her mistreatment from the writers and such, Kat played Bonnie with passion. She was the one black witch who showed just how powerful she was. That in itself should spark a fire in real life black witches. She showed you don’t have to take shit from enemies to those closest to you.

4. Kendra Young (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

Even though Buffy is very much a feminist show (don’t even argue with this), there was always a lacking with women of color. Once Kendra comes along in What’s My Line, Part One (2x09), it’s a bit of a shock to the system. Bianca Lawson (who still hasn’t aged a damn lick) played her and if you set aside the poor Jamaican accent - she gave us something to run with.

Her character wasn’t emotional but was focused on her slayer duties. One could say she wasn’t a strong character but we didn’t see much of her. That is part of my problem with her character. None of that is Bianca’s fault but it still irks me to think of. Kendra stood tall and was the complete opposite of Buffy, which would have made for an interesting dynamic if she had been long term.

Her death in Becoming, Part One (2x21) due to Drusilla slitting her throat is… shitty, to say the least. So celebrating what little we got to see of her is still decent acknowledgement.

5. Marie Laveau (American Horror Story)

How exciting is it when strong and powerful black characters are based on real life people? Pretty damn exciting. Marie Laveau, who is played by the great Angela Bassett, grips tight to the title of “Voodoo Queen of New Orleans.” Her character was first introduced in American Horror Story: Coven as a prominent character. The way she’s depicted in the show has been subject to criticism. It’s mainly due to how she’s villainized and that’s definitely fair.

Though, with Angela Bassett, you’re not going to get a half assed performance. She remained consistent in her portrayal of Marie Laveau. From the first moment you see her you know she’s not one to mess with. She does meet her demise by the end of the season, but the writers manage to bring her back briefly in American Horror Story: Apocalypse. Unfortunately, the disappointment sets in once they kill her off once more. Despite that Marie’s iconic lines, overall presence, and literal Black Girl Magic make her a special character. Forgetting her is impossible if you loved her in the first place.

6. Keelin Mikaelson (The Originals)

The Originals had a fair amount of diversity and there was never much failing with characters of color. In the season 4 premiere Keelin was introduced as a werewolf/ER doctor. Her first episode on the show wasn’t actually the best for her, given the events that took place and how her life was being threatened. But she remained interesting enough for me to want to see more, more specifically in terms of her relationship with Freya Mikaelson.

The relatively problematic start to Keelin and Freya’s relationship is easy to point out. Though eventually their relationship shifts into something else. And by the 7th episode of the season they kiss. Unfortunately, Keelin remained a recurring character ‘til the end of the series. But her importance didn’t dissipate regardless of her appearances. At least not when it pertained to Freya and that was enough for me. Even just having a black queer woman being on the show was enough.

By the end of the show she and Freya got married and moved ahead with their lives. It completely swerved away from the typical ending for queer women (one or both dying). And that to me is something even more so to celebrate.

Vanessa Maki is a queer writer, artist & other things. She’s full of black girl magic & has no apologies for that. Her work has appeared in various places like Really System & others. She is also forthcoming in a variety of places. She’s founder/EIC of rose quartz magazine & is involved in other literary spaces as well. Follow her twitter & visit her site.

[fandomshatepeopleofcolor]

I was pointed to ya’ll by a friend and told this was a safe space to vent about racism in fandoms. I’m a twd fan and Ive been holding myself back for more than a year now but I’m just so done with it all. I hate to say it cause I even used to ship it but the caryl shippers have just turned so ugly and I’m just so tired of them acting like victims when the racism shows. 

Like back in s5 when a lot of us who love Michonne or shipped her with Rick were getting a lot of hate from racists hiding behind Jessick and Jessie a bunch of carylers got up in our tags tone policing us telling us we were hating on Jessie and needed to back off shaming domestic violence.

I was shocked cause I remember a lot of us coming forward in their defense when the bethyl shippers invaded their asks and tags and sent them hate. We got why they were defending themselves and we never used the fact Beth formerly attempted suicide as some kind of got'cha card to silence them. 

But some of them were posting these white feminist shame posts about how our posts just wanting Jessick to end, or the shitty way jessick was being handled, or how people were using that character as an excuse to be racist af and how even the actress playing jessie was fanning the fandom hate were all just us being petty and haters and victim blaming.

They basically played right into the white female fragility bs while ignoring the fact that we weren’t victim blaming and we had receipts of quality meta explaining why we weren’t feeling how tbtb were handling things. This when they never bothered to come into our tags to help us with the racism or to defend Michonne as a leading lady who was getting disrespect no matter how many times we came through for them in the past.

It seemed we were only allies as long as we were their mules but the moment we started talking about Michonne getting more respect they came in with the wait your turn, don’t pit women against women, bs white feminism is always good for. And the few carylers that did step up and point it out they put on a block list and had shippers of color in their group come out and tell them they can’t be white feminists cause some of them were poc as if poc can’t perpetuate white feminism to.

This all snowballed when richonne was confirmed canon with carylers saying they’d hate if their ship happened where Carol got “sloppy seconds” like a few awkward kisses with Jessie somehow made our ship less pure.

The Rick hate skyrocketed again and it became convenient to say they didn’t hate richonne but Michonne deserved better when they never bothered to contribute meta to our ship or defend Michonne before suddenly blocking Richonne blogs or people who posted gif sets wasn’t them being racist or bitter about our ship being canon it was just them being “good feminists” who felt Michonne didn’t need Rick.

Flashforward to s7 and I keep seeing these same people in the tags hating on Ezekiel cause some people think Carol and he may hook up soon. They justify it as “ABC shippers/anyone but carol” to say its fine to make gif sets where they’re hating on Ezekial as boring or full of bullshit and they ignore the fact that more ppl than haters of Carol or Caryl could ship carzekial or that some of us who are just fans of Ezekial don’t like going into the tags and seeing where they’ve posted rants and hate about how he’s full of shit for trying to be a leader and inspire his people. 

We have a black leading male who is interesting and trying to take care of his community. He gets to be a king and they’re mocking him and they feel its perfectly fine.

It was bad enough when they turned around and two faced us over jessick after we defended them against the Bethylers and they couldn’t even see our perspective despite having experienced some of the same from Bethylers but again here they are ignoring the fact they were all on our case about jessick when we had solid reasons and the receipts to show our meta was about something bigger than a ship.

While they’re off making gif sets claiming Carol is bored with Ezekial’s bullshit mocking a black man for no real reasons beyond the abc excuse. They know he’s not a problematic character and they just use what remains of the bethyl shippers to say they have a good reason for the hate when Ezekial has a lot of fans and some of us may ship Carzekial for legit reasons.

Like maybe we happen to like Carol and we like Ezekial. Maybe we’re not as big a fan of Daryl. So some of us just really like Carol and Ezekial better together and ship a different ship. They don’t even try to show respect or consideration in the fandom anymore they just claim they’re victims cause of the bethylers and that gives them some right to make petty hate posts we all have to deal with in the tags.

I just had to delete one of their gif sets when I thought it was just a nice gif set of Carol and Ezekial together. Nevermind how one of them once wrote fanfic of Daryl beating a black man to death (Morgan) in Carol’s honor cause of that fight between him and Carol. There just seems to be a history of that ship finding it very easy to use Carol as a reason to hate on black characters at this point tbh. 

I see carylers making those gifs about ezekial or posting about it when they were in the richonne tags lecturing us about jessick and I just sigh. I’m so tired of these white feminists and their double standards. And I’m tired of the same people who made posts about how richonne would be ruined for them cause of sloppy seconds now trying to compare richonne to caryl and say their ship can still happen even if Carol is with other men before Daryl.

Like the irony of that isn’t even funny or karmic cause they were turning their noses up before like Richonne was tainted and they were to good for it with the fake concern shit and now they’re pointing to our ship when it seems like Carol could have a thing with Tobin and Ezekial to say there’s still hope cause Richonne happened even after Jessick? gtfo

On another note these same people claiming to be all for lgbt use the abc argument to pretend its fine to post hate about daryl and jesus shippers cause they’re just fetishising m/m and I only bring this up cause my friend had one of them tell him, as a gay man, that they had every right to be nasty to desus shippers cause they had never personally seen anyone but abc shippers or fangirls who want to fetishise daryl and jesus ship it. 

I’m just so done with this fandom tbh. Carylers are doing the same shit the bethylers did before and they’re hiding behind white feminist sj to excuse it. That’s the only difference really. The bethylers were just more obvious in their ugly and the carylers try to be more sanctimonious about it. They’re like cats burying their shit but Ive been in the twd fandom long enough now I can smell it and I’m tired of the stink it leaves for the rest of us.

To the Carylers,

Just be honest already and stop with the pretenses. Its ok if carzekial happening worries you or if it doesn’t and you just wish that your ship were canon already but stop reaching for reasons to justify being petty and hating on ships that are different to caryl like carzekial or desus like you somehow have some sj reason or superior morals standing for it or somehow it makes you a victim your otp isn’t going the way you’d like just yet.

Not everyone who likes ships other than yours are out to get you or hate you but your attitude in the fandom the past few years is making a lot of us get tired of ya’ll. Just be real and say you’re feeling salty about things when they don’t work out the way you want. Its human. We all gotta vent sometimes. 

And we’ve all been there but the passive aggressive bs the thinly veiled racism the not so thinly veiled racism the double standards and all the petty bs bleeding over into other peoples ships or favorite character tags just makes you come off like the bethylers did and that’s not a good look. Try to take a step back and assess your behaviours and ask yourselves if your really in the right with some of this stuff you’ve been doing. 

submitted by smh

[siancore]

Are you getting hate Sian? I think it might be the same person who is harassing Ashley/Cake-by-thepound. It's getting ridiculous. I'm so sorry they are harassing you, too. You're always here minding your business and enjoying what you like. I can't believe people would bother sending you hateful messages. Block them all the way. They don't even deserve a post from you. They don't exist.

Hey. Thanks for the kind words!

I got that stupid review. They’re bothering Ash too? So, there’s an anti going around wasting their time by posting some asinine Guest review to a bunch of Richonne writers’ fics? It’s pathetic, really *sighs* Who else got one? They must’ve went through the Richonne fanfiction tag to see who updated recently; went to all of their profiles; opened up a Word document; typed out that comment; censored R!chonne (I’m still laughing at that); and copied and pasted, however many times. That’s a lot to go through!

But that wasn’t even what I was talking about in my other post. This is what I was sent:

I blocked the sender, but this still needs to be exposed. It’s absolutely awful and I’m sorry that my followers may see this.

Too many times these hateful messages end up in our inboxes. It’s obviously in response to us celebrating AL and his praise of Michonne and of Richonne as a couple on TWD S7 Blu-ray.

It’s okay to not like a pairing, but to go this far is sickening. I don’t even want to engage with this person, which is why I blocked them.

Here’s something for those antis to think about: All of those times when you go out of your way to let everyone know you’re anti-Richonne, yet cry about possibly being labelled a racist, think about those of us who actually experience fandom racism and racism in real life. Think about how, when you get your arse dragged, you kick and scream and say people need to stop making everything about race, we get Anon messages like this.

I can’t even say I’m surprised anymore, being in fandom as long as I have. But this poor excuse for a person went out of their way to find a picture of AL’s child; used her name in this; brought his family into this; insulted his wife. And then said those horrible fucking, racist, disrespectful, hurtful things about DG.  

This is beyond disgusting. This person is obsessed with AL and needs help. They need to stay away from Andy’s family. They need to keep Danai’s name out of their mouth. They should just go away; no one wants them here. There should be no place for them here.

Thank you for reaching out to me.

[siancore]

I find it pretty sad at the comments about Michonne on the FB Walking Dead show for tomorrow's show. People calling her ugly, do you think this purely out dislike for the Richonne pairing, or the fact that she is dark skin black woman. I get everyone has different taste and everyone does not have to like Richonne. But why all the hate against the actress that plays her..I do not see any other actress in this show that is criticized the most because of her looks

It is disgusting and sad and there should be no place in fandom for racism. Make no mistake, it is because Danai is a dark skinned Black woman playing the character with whom the White male lead protagonist is in love with. I've been stanning Michonne for the longest time. The hate against her, and DG, is nothing new. Certain fans were happy so long as Michonne was seen as an emotionally stunted zombie killing machine. As soon as they saw what we Richonne shippers saw (and trust me, they fucking saw it) and that Michonne and Rick shared a different relationship to the others in TF, then the hate started.Michonne was cool when there was no possibility of her being paired romantically with their White favourite. She was okay when she was just seen as a weapon with a weapon, devoid of love and being loved. When Richonne as a ship gained traction because of how the writing was bringing them closer together, the racists showed up. Now, it is true that NOT shipping Richonne does not make a person racist, but when they can't give a reason as to WHY the pairing makes them 'uncomfortable' we know what type of shitty person we are dealing with. When they say Michonne, a beautiful dark skinned Black woman, is not attractive enough for, and let's be real here, an average White man like Rick, you know what kind of people you're dealing with. And you have to deal with it in a way that is good for you. There will be people in fandom who will say ignore them; there will be others who will help you drag them. You respond how YOU want to. The fact that racists feel comfortable spewing their hate in public forums is sickening. And any awful comments made about Michonne and her appearance are about Danai as well. When the character is receiving hate based on how they look, that is hate against the actor too and it is unacceptable.My advice? Ignoring fandom racism does not make it go away. We as fans need to call it out when we see it. Report the people making the comments; do what you can (and what you are comfortable with). Ultimately, FB is trash and I advise, for your own mental health, that you take a break from there. Leave comments of support and love for Danai, Michonne and Richonne and then come back here where you can celebrate our OTP in peace.Take care, Dear Anon. Come and join in the Richonne Positivity here. Go and tweet some love for Danai, Michonne and Richonne. Tell me what you love about our OTP. And remember, Richonne is canon and nothing, no matter how disgusting, these racist pieces of shit say is going to change that.Thanks! P.S. I am patiently waiting for those anti-Richonners who claimed to care about Michonne too much, which is why they don't ship Richonne. Where are they when she and DG need defending? Right. They're too busy with fake (and real) FB accounts calling Michonne and DG horrible names. Fuck. Them.

[snowycabinfever]

Y'all are funny, Of course people aren't racist if they don't ship Negan + Annie. I mean some prolly are of course but Annie is like this new girl from out of town like hey I'm gunna take the popular yall love and date him Mmkay? She's Bella from twilight and the bitches all hate her cuz she got that untouchable man. I'm a 29 year old black woman and I see this. Don't make it racist when it's not. Let's be honest no one and I mean no one wanted Rick with that Alexandria chick before he got with Michonne. We ALL wanted Richonne! And uh them Daryl fans are psychopaths when it comes to the chick who stole dog from him. I love this fandom and the writing because it's diverse. Please don't divide. I love us here. I love this universe with a passion.

I'm still convinced anyone that hates Negan with Annie is racist. If Annie was a young white girl, they would be going crazy for the relationship. This fandom has had a lot of issues with racism. Michonne & Rick, Ezekiel & Carol, Annie & Negan.