#the same goes for those deflecting the issue onto bryke

[pessimistbynature]

Ok. still not comfy with posting. But I’m infuriated at the moment. And I feel like saying nothing is being apathetic or complaisant to the issues in fandom. Which as of late, are incredibly alarming. I’m not the kind of person to do that. On that note.

What in fuck's name is going on in the ZK fandom right now?? For a fandom that prides itself on its inclusivity and its ability to take in criticism and progress with it in mind, we're doing a deplorable job. I myself am a WOC, and have experienced the harm that comes with fetishization. It's terrifying, and dehumanizing, and disturbing, and makes you feel all kinds of disgusting. It’s a grave issue, and its being completely ignored here. And, in case it's not clear, fetishization directly feeds racism, in a most overt of ways too. It makes it easier, in a way, to continue perpetuating racial bias and objectification of POC. To disregard that would be asinine, and astonishingly ignorant. (If you're interested, Janice Asare wrote a fantastic article on it in Forbes.

I am not East Asian, so I cannot in good faith speak over those who are directly impacted by this Sh*rtless Zuk0 Sunday 'event'. (Though one thing is obvious, it's a blatant fetishization of a literal malnourished 16-year-old. It's weird.) To understand more about how fetishization and the purity culture that seemed to have sprouted in the fandom disproportionally affect POC in the context of this situation, you must go listen to East Asian creators. And listen with the intent to understand, not to rebuke or argue. (Yet remember, these people are not here to educate you, you must do that on your own.)

But here's what I can say: Stop using Women of Color as a diversity card if you're not going to listen to them. I'll reiterate. Stop using Women of Color as a diversity card you are going to ignore their (incredibly valid) criticisms. It has become very obvious that POC cannot mention anything without being torn apart for every word. It has come to the point where people no longer feel safe, and it's disgusting. Racism is still racism when it's hidden behind false words and insensitive posts. And that's not accounting for the outright racism loads of people I follow are experiencing. What happened here?? How did this shit get so immoral, so fast? And when will people (and by that, I mean white people) realize that when it comes to racism, the most crucial voice will always be that of those affected by it?? Learn to shut the fuck up, for all of our sanities.