DarkKnight
Sr Member
its sad we are even having this conversation, the SLW attitudes and PC weenies make it impossible to admire someone of a different race now
I agree that it's sad we're even having this conversation. It's disappointing that so many people still don't understand why this is a sensitive topic.
The reason why cosplayers of colour might get upset seeing a Caucasian person dressed as Black Panther is that white people have so many options when it comes to cosplay. The vast majority of characters in movies and on TV are still white. The number of characters of colour is comparatively very limited. And while many of you have said that everyone should be able to cosplay anyone they want (which I definitely agree with!) the reality is that as soon as a person of colour cosplays a white character, they get called the "black" or "Asian" version of that character, and are harassed and derided for it. A (hopefully) small but vocal number of fans seem to hold the view that a person of colour cosplaying a white character is "ruining" the character somehow.
So, when a white person cosplays as a character of colour, it can be seen as them trying to steal that character. Even if the person is doing it from a place of respect, unfortunately our history is riddled with white culture stealing/appropriating elements of other cultures and then discriminating against those cultures for doing the same thing. White people don't get harassed for cosplaying characters of colour in the same way that people of colour are harassed for cosplaying white characters. By all means, cosplay who you want, but be prepared for people to get upset, and understand where that reaction is coming from. It's not racism, it's the fact that there are so few characters of colour that when a white person chooses to cosplay as a character of colour, the reaction is often, "you have so many characters that look like you already, why do you have to take this one too?"
I have debated over and over if I should post this. I'm a woman, so I know that by expressing a different view, or by calling someone out, I'm opening myself up to retaliation, insults, and harassment. But this is important, and needs to be said.
Oh and lastly, please don't advocate violence against someone who's expressing their views, even if it's one you don't agree with or think is an insult. If you feel that someone has done or said something inappropriate, report it to con security.
It's disappointing that so many people still don't understand why this is a sensitive topic.
The reason why cosplayers of colour might get upset seeing a Caucasian person dressed as Black Panther is that white people have so many options when it comes to cosplay.
The vast majority of characters in movies and on TV are still white. The number of characters of colour is comparatively very limited.
And while many of you have said that everyone should be able to cosplay anyone they want (which I definitely agree with!) the reality is that as soon as a person of colour cosplays a white character, they get called the "black" or "Asian" version of that character, and are harassed and derided for it. A (hopefully) small but vocal number of fans seem to hold the view that a person of colour cosplaying a white character is "ruining" the character somehow.
So, when a white person cosplays as a character of colour, it can be seen as them trying to steal that character. Even if the person is doing it from a place of respect, unfortunately our history is riddled with white culture stealing/appropriating elements of other cultures and then discriminating against those cultures for doing the same thing. White people don't get harassed for cosplaying characters of colour in the same way that people of colour are harassed for cosplaying white characters. By all means, cosplay who you want, but be prepared for people to get upset, and understand where that reaction is coming from. It's not racism, it's the fact that there are so few characters of colour that when a white person chooses to cosplay as a character of colour, the reaction is often, "you have so many characters that look like you already, why do you have to take this one too?"
I'm not sure what bad experiences you've had in the past,but this is the NOW.And we're just talking.No retaliation,no insults,no harassment,nothing.Relax.I have debated over and over if I should post this. I'm a woman, so I know that by expressing a different view, or by calling someone out, I'm opening myself up to retaliation, insults, and harassment.
Oh and lastly, please don't advocate violence against someone who's expressing their views, even if it's one you don't agree with or think is an insult. If you feel that someone has done or said something inappropriate, report it to con security.
I feel like my message is getting lost/being misunderstood. I'm not saying things should be like this (i.e. people getting upset about what other people are choosing to cosplay). I'm saying this is the way it is, and like it or not we all live in this world, not some idealized version of how it should be. This means we have to deal with it how it is, not how it should be.
The vast majority of characters in movies and on TV are still white. The number of characters of colour is comparatively very limited.
... there are so few characters of colour that when a white person chooses to cosplay as a character of colour, the reaction is often, "you have so many characters that look like you already, why do you have to take this one too?"
...a person of colour cosplays a white character... harassed and derided...cosplayers of colour are harassed for their cosplay choices...
I'm a woman, so I know that by expressing a different view... I'm opening myself up to retaliation, insults...