I do think though without being- well, without being all "this is the worst thing ever, STOP IT IMMEDIATELY" - it is possible to explore what is done in fandom with an eye to understanding some of the mindsets, deep-set biases, and etc etc that exist in both fandom and society.
So to that extent, I'm comfortable with criticism that points out, say, when a/b/o is just used to resurrect sexist tropes (which by dint of context become both sexist and well, kind of homophobic) because I think that it's necessary to have those discussions for people to realize the line between kink and actually really regressive attitudes. I mean, look at a lot of old "romantic" tropes- many of them are straight up rape, but "she came around" or whatever, but they're not quite the same thing as rape fantasies because until there was enough discussion and criticism and rejection of rape as romance, there wasn't room to make the distinction, and thus it's arguable that a lot of people participating in that culture internalized those messages about rape (including 'she must have wanted it' etc) without ever recognizing them. Which is a totally different thing than going, "yes, this is rape, and as fantasy within a safe context, I enjoy it". IDK. I'm saying things poorly and probably beating the dead horse because I'm tired and I can't quite think straight.
no subject
Date: 2014-06-15 11:43 pm (UTC)So to that extent, I'm comfortable with criticism that points out, say, when a/b/o is just used to resurrect sexist tropes (which by dint of context become both sexist and well, kind of homophobic) because I think that it's necessary to have those discussions for people to realize the line between kink and actually really regressive attitudes. I mean, look at a lot of old "romantic" tropes- many of them are straight up rape, but "she came around" or whatever, but they're not quite the same thing as rape fantasies because until there was enough discussion and criticism and rejection of rape as romance, there wasn't room to make the distinction, and thus it's arguable that a lot of people participating in that culture internalized those messages about rape (including 'she must have wanted it' etc) without ever recognizing them. Which is a totally different thing than going, "yes, this is rape, and as fantasy within a safe context, I enjoy it". IDK. I'm saying things poorly and probably beating the dead horse because I'm tired and I can't quite think straight.