Let me be very, very clear on this point:

[perpetual_motion]

A lack of something in fandom--specifically written fandom--does not necessarily mean a prevalence of something bad in the fandom.

A lack of femslash does not mean sexism.
A lack of interracial couples does not mean racism.
A lack of writing older couples does not mean ageism.

All of these are things which can be discussed on a case-by-case basis, but saying a fandom is racist because there's not enough slash about two characters--in particular to this case, Shawn and Gus from "Psych"--is really fucking stupid. And following that up by implying I'm a racist because I don't ship them because I really and truly love their relationship as FRIENDS is also really fucking stupid. I ship Henry/Lassiter, Henry/Gus, and Shawn/Lassiter. There's a distinct lack of the first two in fandom. Do I claim ageism or racism? No. I accept the fact that other people see the characters differently than I do and accept it.

Look, fandom is, and always will be, a smaller composite of culture as a whole. There are dickheads and douche bags and racist fuckers and homophobes and every kind of asshole you can meet walking down the street. I'm not denying this in the least. There are conversations that can easily be had about all kinds of -isms in fandom and what they mean, but if you jump straight to the most dickheaded conclusion and then try to tell me my valid reason is an excuse, you're just an asshole.

Comments

[lucia-tanaka.livejournal.com]

But the only reason I like Shawn/Lassiter is because I'm a racist! It has noting to do with my deep-set love of FoeYay! Don't you understaaaand?

[perpet-fic.livejournal.com]

I can't believe I even let myself get sucked into the "discussion". F!S has never been known for its staid and carefully constructed conversations. But I saw it, and it just really irked me. I'm tired of the idea that if you don't do something in fandom, you're racist, sexist, ageist, classist, or have a ridiculous standard of beauty.

[nix-xon.livejournal.com]

How incredibly lame. How dare you not like the same thing as every one else?!

You must be shunned for your opinions.

CONFORM TO THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE.

[perpet-fic.livejournal.com]

It just served to remind me why I don't comment on F!S. Because every time I try, it turns from the beginnings of a discussion to a group of people going, "Nu-uh!" And I was getting accused of not "liking" Shawn/Gus, which I NEVER said or implied [the pairing does nothing for me, but it does not offend me, you know?], and that by not writing it, I was obviously a closet racist.

[nix-xon.livejournal.com]

Well, obviously.

Yes, I'm really not a fan of F!S either. The whole place is just one big wank fest after another.

[perpet-fic.livejournal.com]

It's fun to read, but I tend to forget that unless a comment is either in complete agreement or complete disagreement, the whole thing routinely drops into a clutsterfuck.