So, I just came back because I realized something big, but itās also very important.
Do not be mean.Ā Be direct, but respectful. Confrontation can be necessary, butĀ avoid personal attacksĀ or hate-filled comments.Ā Do not punish or force anyone out of the fandom.
Sometimes people needĀ space to reflect and grow. Change doesnāt happen overnight, and itās important to allow others the opportunity to understand their actions in their own time. If someone refuses to reflect on their actions, theyāll begin toĀ question why theyāre avoiding it, and that questioning can be a powerful driver of change. Those who continue to avoid self-awareness will face natural consequences, such asĀ a loss of trust and reputation.
But remember:Ā accountability is not about making others feel destroyed. Itās about helping them recognize the harm theyāve caused so they canĀ choose to do better.Ā Long-term change happens when people are given the space to make their own realizations. Iām not here to do that work for them. The choice must be theirs.
So please, do this as humanly as possible.Ā Iām returning because Iāve provided the tools for real change. It would deeply concern me if they were used in ways that cause harm.Ā Threatening others will not reflect well on you, even if they have bigoted views. Treat others with humanity, and you may find thatĀ humanity is what leads them to admit their own mistakes.
If someone cannot admit their own actions, thenĀ that is their issue to face, not yours to explain.
If you can extend this accountability to other fandoms, please do. We need more spaces that actively stand up for people of color and international viewers. If we keep this momentum going, the changes we begin with the Phandom might not be the only ones we affect. If other creators and their communities get involved in this kind of accountability system, others will likely follow suit. Change at the top will always be hard, and it might not happen overnight. But by giving them choices and holding them accountable for their actions, we can increase the chances of positive change, one step at a time.
If the response is positive and the creators show signs of willingness to engage, the situation can evolve naturally. But if the creators remain dismissive or continue harmful behaviour, then it might be appropriate to escalate the visibilityāthrough news outlets or other public platformsāto ensure the issue is addressed.
But please rememberāthis is about accountability, not condemnation. If this conversation ever gains more public attention, we canāt control how the media or others might interpret it. Thatās why itās important to make your intentions clear: youāre not calling for anyone to be punished or harassed. What weāve been trying to do is bring harmful patterns to light, so that those responsible can reflect, grow, and be held accountableānot by force, but through the natural consequences of their actions, such as losing trust and reputation.
