(no subject)

[neadods]

I have the racism and Doctor Who essay written out longhand ready for type up, and it's just so fucking depressing that I'm really wondering if being part of this project is worth the toll on me. Is this cosmically worth it? Would anyone learn or change their minds?

Comments

[beledibabe.livejournal.com]

Would anyone learn or change their minds?

I don't know, but you will have spoken out, which as we've seen from recent examples is critical. Silence, for whatever reason, implies consent.

[neadods.livejournal.com]

I spoke out the first time, and now I feel that revisiting the issue is a lot like revisiting the BatB war... and for most of the same reasons.

On the other hand, when I first wrote "Mickey, Martha" etc, we hadn't even had Rosita fail and Mels-the-immediately-replaced.

[tamnonlinear.livejournal.com]

I think that worrying that it won't be worth saying unless it changes someone's mind is the wrong goal; people change their own minds. Speaking out just gives them a better data set for reaching their own conclusions, and that is very much worth doing. Do what you can. If nothing else, I'd like to read it.

You've already made a difference- I've been rewatching New Who recently, and with a much more critical eye, after some of the things you've pointed out. I'd like to know more.

[penfold-x.livejournal.com]

What she said.

I don't think you're going to convince people who aren't open to hearing you, but average viewers who may not have considered the facts as you present them? They might start considering the issue because you brought it up. And I find it really helpful to write out an argument, in order to get my thoughts organized in my own head. In my experience, it's very helpful if I later want to engage in a conversation on the topic with people who are at curious or open to hearing my thoughts.

[ziggychaos.livejournal.com]

What penfold_x said.

[neadods.livejournal.com]

If nothing else, I'd like to read it

Wanna be on the beta list?

[tamnonlinear.livejournal.com]

I would be honoured.

[mtgat]

The original posts you made helped me put words around the things that had been bothering me for a while. People get better one by one.

[neadods.livejournal.com]

I just... it's just like revisiting a fan war. Which, in retrospect, is exactly what it is.

[persiflage-1.livejournal.com]

Saying nothing definitely won't help anyone to learn or change their minds.

[neadods.livejournal.com]

Point. Especially as I know someone who has doubtless lept to the chance to air her opinions on Why Everyone Else Is Wrong.

[persiflage-1.livejournal.com]

Oh well, you always get at least one of those.

[neadods.livejournal.com]

And in this case, the person is a known quantity.

[persiflage-1.livejournal.com]

*rolls eyes*

Probably

[tacnukesoul.livejournal.com]

While the ability to be swayed by argument is much in doubt, a well reasoned, sourced argument, will be a help to someone. While the odds are long, the only way to succeed is to play.

Also, those of a mind to be illuminated might use it was the first step in a reassessment.

Even planting a flag and showing that there are other viewpoints might afflict the comfortable - rarely a bad thing.

Re: Probably

[neadods.livejournal.com]

Point.

[dameruth.livejournal.com]

I would say it's always *cosmically* worth it to do things that are unpleasant but valuable. Only individuals, though, can decide if the personal cost is something they can stand to pay.

It sounds like you're through the worst of it, writing-wise, and I think it's worth remembering that, if people aren't given the materials/information/viewpoints they need to learn or change their minds, they never will -- but sometimes a word or thought *can* strike someone the right way to change their lives. You can never say it *will* do so, but at least you've opened the doorway . . .

[neadods.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure I am through the worst of it; I keep wrestling with a lot of the phrasing. Although I could just slap it down and leave it to the betas to decide.

[dameruth.livejournal.com]

True nuff. Let the betas do their job and earn their keep. It's what they're there for . . . :)

[drho.livejournal.com]

Being a part of that project is not worth a personal toll on you. You're more important than the book.

Also, no amount of information will persuade someone who doesn't care about changing their behavior and there are other resources for anyone who does. Don't put pressure on yourself to redeem or convince anyone.

[neadods.livejournal.com]

This is how I've been feeling as I force myself to relive some rather unpleasant times. The majority of the potential audience, though, seems to think otherwise. :/

[drho.livejournal.com]

I support whatever choice you make, but I don't think that you should put pressure on yourself. You don't need to take on the weight of redeeming anyone, let alone trying to counterbalance potential wankers who might be involved.

It's up to you to decide what's best for you, but my advice is to only contribute if you feel you have something to express and that this project is the way you want to distribute it. Not participating does not mean you've been silent (you have a journal that people read) or that you've let anyone down. You are real. We can only guess about the possible audience.

[lizbee.livejournal.com]

I think it would make my world, personally, a better place if there were people other than the usual suspect publishing about race in DW.

[neadods.livejournal.com]

There is that. I have to admit, my first reaction was "I want in or We Know Who will be the only voice."

But ye gods, is it depressing to rehash all this again. And then to add Rosita from the Next Doctor and Mels "I exist to become a crazy white woman."

[dameruth.livejournal.com]

Although the silver lining with Mels is that Teh Moff DID canonize the possibility of regeneration crossing racial lines . . . I sincerely hope that gets built on in a positive way with Doctor #12.

[neadods.livejournal.com]

I'm rather assuming that 12 is now guaranteed to be Patterson Joseph.

[dameruth.livejournal.com]

We can hope!

(Or Chiwetel Ejiofor, speakin' as a fan of both Serenity and Kinky Boots . . . ) ;)

[redpanda13.livejournal.com]

I'm imagining people reading your words and saying, "Wow, I never looked at it that way, but she's right-- this is wrong and it ought to be changed."

And even, "Maybe I should look at some other things differently too...."

[neadods.livejournal.com]

I'd like to think that...

As it is, I'm either 3000 words too short for an academic essay or 1000 words too long for a personal one. Am going to take a fresh look tomorrow, but am probably going to go for personal, because finding 3000 more words and I will give up. Or spork my eyes out.

[chelseagirl.livejournal.com]

Well, I'd been looking forward to reading it and have been thinking it sounded like a valuable contribution.

If there's anything I can do from my end as a person who writes much more on the academic end of the spectrum, just ask.

[chelseagirl.livejournal.com]

(Much more than the fannish one, I meant . . . I mean, that's the world I primarily inhabit . . . oh, you know. ;-) )

[neadods.livejournal.com]

I know what you mean. :)

Draft is 2000 words. Have decided to do the 1k "personal reminisce" rather than make myself even more miserable to find another 3k for academia. Although what's supposed to be academic, I don't know. Throw inthe word "post colonial"?

[chelseagirl.livejournal.com]

That would be looking at critics/theorists who've written about those issues, but the personal reminiscence seems also a useful approach to the project.

I'm really surprised nobody's written about this before (in an academic context); there's a lot there.

[starmalachite.livejournal.com]

Late to the party, but FWIW, you will at least have "documented the atrocities." That alone can make a difference in the long run. Mapping the swamp certainly earns you a rest before attempting to drain it, at the very least. And if someone else volunteers in the meantime, that's another person on your team.