I’ve been keeping mostly quiet about what’s happening in the Zutara fandom lately because I’m White and I know I have to listen to what Shippers of Colour haven been saying. Recently, I’ve had nothing to add to the conversation. So I shut up and listened.
That’s what I thought was the best. But now people are being bullied, insulted and called slurs.
I can’t keep quiet anymore.
This has got to stop. Fellow White Shippers, I don’t care if you’re uncomfortable about this whole debate about Katara’s representation by the fandom. I know I was, and I’ve been analyzing/checking my behaviours accordingly, but this isn’t about me.
And this isn’t about you. Yeah, you, that person sending anon threats and insults. If you’re attacking people over ANYTHING AT ALL (don’t try to defend yourself by saying “it’s not that deep” or that “Zuko and Katara are just fictional characters”) you’re just a bully. You’re nothing but a bully.
This isn’t about you or me. This is about those who have been hurt and are being actively hurt by fandom racism. Shippers of Colour asked us White Shippers to shut up, listen, and change/check our behaviours to make ZK Tumblr safer. And what do they get in return? The complete opposite.
Racism against White People does not exist. And we have to stop making this conversation about us.
Do better, Zutara fandom.
(And please, if you think I crossed over any line by writing this or if things aren’t phrased appropriately, tell me. I’ll delete or edit this post as necessary.)
