#fandom reform

Invisible Resistance Blueprint: For the Ones Who Still Want to Fight

Part 1: The Resistance Framework

1. Stay Hidden, Stay Safe

Use anonymous or secondary accounts for all activism.

Never connect activism accounts to your real identity.

Avoid direct engagement with known harassers from your main.

2. Quiet Recruitment

Post subtle signals: “If you want to protect this space but don’t feel safe doing it alone, contact me anonymously.”

Use DMs or anon asks to build a trusted team.

Vet new members by reviewing their past behavior to minimize risk.

3. Equip the Team

Privately share key strategies:

How to fact-check misinformation and racism

How to call out without escalating

How to document harm safely

Rotate roles (research, responders, support, etc.) to avoid burnout.

4. Fight Without Fire

Stay calm, clear, and consistent.

Don’t let aggressors twist your words or tone. Use apps like ChatGPT to control your tone

Make resistance steady, informed, and impossible to ignore.

5. Expand Quietly

Recruit one at a time—go deep, not viral.

Build off-platform havens (e.g., private Discords, shared notes) for strategy and healing.

6. No Credit Needed

Focus on impact, not recognition.

Let the weight of your quiet work make it harder for bigotry to survive.

Part 2: Building Safer Fandom Spaces

1. Create Dual Spaces: Fun & Resistance

Supportive Fandom Hub: Fun, safe, and inclusive for those aligned with anti-racist values.

Resistance Channels: Separate spaces for coordination, call-outs, and education.

Let people choose what they’re ready for. Both are necessary.

2. Use Blocklists and Safety Tools

Share blocklists of known harmful users (privately or opt-in).

Encourage collective protection by removing their visibility.

Keep emotional safety a priority, especially for marginalized fans.

3. Visibility vs. Anonymity

Anonymity protects individuals.

Visibility pressures the system.

Let allies act quietly. Let messages be loud. Bigots don’t get to hide behind neutrality anymore.

4. Let the Fandom Split, If It Must

Don’t fear division.

Some communities only heal by outgrowing harm.

If bigots leave, let them. What’s left can rebuild better.

Part 3: Reforming from the Inside – The “Safe Start” Pathway

A plan for helping harmful individuals grow and stay accountable.

Step 1: Education

Encourage them to take short, trusted anti-racism courses:

Cornell Racial Allyship Training (2 hours)

FutureLearn – Anti-Racism & Human Rights (1 hr/week, 3 weeks)

UBC Anti-Racism Awareness (self-paced)

OpenLearn – Race & Ethnicity Hub (ongoing access)

Step 2: Accountability System

Structure the healing process:

Apologize Publicly -Use clear, respectful language. Provide scripts if needed.

Complete Education -Reflect on the course and apply it to fandom behavior.

Engage with the Community

Assign roles (support others, create content, moderate).

Monitor growth closely with support from POC allies.

Ongoing Support

Regular check-ins and a peer network to prevent relapse.

Keep those overseeing the system supported too.

Part 4: Shifting the Culture

Step 3: Awareness Campaigns

Create shareable graphics/posts: “International viewers face discrimination here every year.”

Normalize anti-racism support as fandom culture.

Step 4: Update Guidelines

Add anti-racism values to community rules.

Clearly state expectations and consequences.

Step 5: Engage Influencers

Reach out to leaders (even Dan & Phil).

Offer them help, resources, and opportunities to support publicly.

Part 5: Sustaining Momentum

1. Recognize Positive Contributors

Shoutouts or digital badges for completed training or helpful roles.

2. Collect Feedback

Ask the community what’s working and what’s not. Adjust accordingly.

3. Centralize Resources

Host a blog, site, or Discord with all your strategies, courses, and safety tools in one place.

Reminder: This isn’t just about the people who’ve caused harm. Don’t let their names be the center of the story.

But if any of my (ex)friends are reading this and genuinely want to support change—here’s what I ask:

Take one of the anti-racism courses (linked in the post), and do it with one of the resistance members as your witness. Then come back and show your support with their guidance and close monitoring. You can do good. And you can do harm. I trust that you’ll choose the right thing.