Toxic fandom is inescapable these days. Far too often, it seems to be wrapped up in sexism or racism or both, with predominantly male fans trolling female stars of film (Star Wars, first Daisy Riddley, now Kelly Marie Tran) or TV (Stranger Things) franchises as well as any female writers on a beloved animated show (Rick & Morty).
Blame Jordan Peterson. Blame Trump. Blame the anonymity of the internet. Blame the social distancing of social media. Blame the polarization of, well, just about everything these days. Blame the general breakdown of society.
Blame whatever you want, but the truth is some fans are assholes. They just are. They’ve always existed; they’re just more empowered and emboldened these days.
So, what do we do about it? What do we do when Millie Bobby Brown has to delete her Twitter because some dicks made her the center of an anti-gay meme? How do you rally around Kelly Marie Tran when she departs Instagram after far too many months of abuse? What’s the proper response when Leslie Jones is targeted by hackers just because she happened to star in a new Ghostbusters movie?
Jones has some thoughts, telling TheWrap yesterday:
“Now, going back, if I could go back, I probably would’ve made a statement and then just ignored the rest of it, because to be honest, it’s nothing but dogs barking at a parade. The parade does not stop for dogs that are barking. They just continue to march. That is a getting-through-it-moment, because what’s so f—ed up on the other side is that it changes over on the other side so fast. What I’m realizing about Twitter and Instagram and all that stuff, everyone is going to have their opinion, and since we’ve given them a platform to do it, they’re going to express it whether it’s right or wrong.”
Her advice for Tran: “To me, I’m a scrapper. I’m going to always fight,” Jones said. “What I can tell her is first of all, reach out to her people, reach out to Twitter, reach out to Instagram, and make sure they start protecting her. Because that’s what I did. That was one of the first things I did was hit Twitter like, ‘Hey, I’m not supposed to be getting harassed on your site. This is not supposed to be happening.’”
Absolutely: we need to ally together and shout as loud as we can that this is not acceptable. A difference of opinion is one thing. Same goes for an open and honest debate where two sides reach wildly differing conclusions. But don’t go harassing someone online and wrap yourself in the “I’m just a fan offering an honest critique” flag.
Thankfully, some of the people in charge just aren’t having it anymore.
Per polygon:
Some very aggressive Battlefield fans are upset that the game includes women, or has a woman on the cover. The general situation is that some gamers are upset about women existing, which is a pretty common event in gaming, but this time the anger is aimed at Battlefield 5.
What’s notable is the response of some members of the creative team behind the game.
“Battlefield V is a lot about the unseen, the untold, the unplayed,” EA chief creative officer Patrick Soderlund told Gamasutra. “The common perception is that there were no women in World War II. There were a ton of women who both fought in World War II and partook in the war.”
He goes on to state that the development team pushed for women to be included in the game — that his daughter doesn’t understand why people are upset, that both men and women want to play as women and that’s just the way gaming is these days — before he gets to the real point.
“And we don’t take any flak,” Soderlund stated. “We stand up for the cause, because I think those people who don’t understand it, well, you have two choices: either accept it or don’t buy the game. I’m fine with either or. It’s just not ok.”
Rian Johnson
John Boyega
Mark Hamill
Dan Harmon
Per polygon:
Dan Harmon, co-creator of Rick and Morty, has made his distaste for the same sort of vocally horrible fan known. Somehow the toxic Rick and Morty fans also tend to attack women involved with the show. It’s weird how that keeps happening, huh?
“I’ve made no bones about the fact that I loathe these people,” Harmon told Entertainment Weekly in a story about the show’s women being harassed. “It fucking sucks. And the only thing I can say is if you’re lucky enough to make a show that is really good that people like, that means some bad people are going to like it too.”
This might not seem like much, but it’s often said that a country takes on the moral tone set by its leader. That can apply to fandom as well, and the leaders are inevitably the content creators responsible for making the things we’re supposed to love. If more of them are out there signaling their disgust and disapproval of toxic fandom it might merely enflame the trolls or lead to boycott attempts, but at least it will set the tone that this shit isn’t okay.
We Minored in Film 
You said it best Kk. Some fans are arse holes. The internet have allowed these Holes to flourish as everyone has an opinion on everything now and the professionals know when to stop while others have issues they are hiding behind the topic of the day.
“professionals know when to stop while others have issues they are hiding behind the topic of the day.”
Couldn’t have put it better myself.
This needed to be said. It needs to be shouted. I will admit I wasn’t a fan of Rose’s character in TLJ, but I’m not going to harass the actress over a script she had no hand in writing. Actors and actresses need to stand together to get the point across that this kind of stuff won’t stand anymore. Well written article!
“I will admit I wasn’t a fan of Rose’s character in TLJ, but I’m not going to harass the actress over a script she had no hand in writing.”
Exactly. You want to argue that Rose is a Mary Sue or whatever? Fine. Let’s have that argument. Just feel conflicted about her being introduced as the surprise complication in the potential Rey-Finn romance? Cool. Let’s talk about it. Have some other problem with her character or the somewhat pointlessness of her storyline with Finn? Fair point. From a blockbuster, perspective, Last Jedi is a thrill-ride. From a screenwriting, though, yeah, it has some problems. But don’t go freakin’ harassing Tran online. It should be understood, but apparently, it isn’t: we need to remember to operate on the don’t-be-an-asshole rule.
“Well written article!”
Thanks!
I agree. I didn’t mind the character Rose until she stupidly crashed a high speed vehicle into another high speed vehicle to prevent a high speed collision.I also think the character Finn should have died because he isn’t developing into anything interesting.
However, I don’t wish their actors or Ahmed Best any ill-will.
Makes me almost wish the internet would force everyone to display their full real names on every comment made. A lot of this crap would suddenly disappear.
Very true erm.. Richenbaum Fotchenstein
How perceptive.
Just for the record, Kelly Konda is my real name. Know that wasn’t really the point or referenced by anyone. Just trying to get back to being friends.
Friends til the end
Lol. I was pointing out the irony. Peace and love everyone.
Aww. We all know Kelly is a girl’s name unless you are champion surfer Kelly Slater. 😉
There’s always going to be arseholes in every part of society. I’m not sure what the solution is these days. I’m sure back in the day, people would try to beat some sense into the village Trumps.
Yesterday, there was an annual convention on. The first time I went to that convention some idiots wanted a photo of themselves looking tough by holding a plastic knife at an Imperial Stormtrooper’s throat. It was my unconsenting throat. What a bunch of dicks.