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cimoreneThe story where gypsies are actually magical creatures with strange powers who MATE FOR LIFE was mentioned in passing in a post on fandom wank last year here (thanks to ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
kyuuketsukirui for reminding me), but the post is mainly about a public blow-up that occurred thanks to an equally appalling story about Native Americans (who apparently also mate for life - I guess in Mediocre Harry Potter Fandom Slushpile Land, all non-caucasian/white/whatever races really are animals!). Apparently whatever happened about the gypsy story happened in a locked post, and it isn't summarised. In fact, the post doesn't make clear that gypsies are creatures who mate for life in the story, which is why I didn't remember it in the first place, no doubt.
If you look at the post, though, you'll see that quite a lot of back-and-forth went on about the other story, which had essentially the same issue (plus many other offensive stereotypes in a horrifying sort of Accidentally Pick Up One, Get Ten or Twenty For Free deal). So... either (a) a lot of people are so completely clueless as to be incapable of grasping why OTHER RACES = ANIMALS is offensive even after it's been explained repeatedly, or (b) a small but vocal minority are. Either way, it's pretty nauseating, in that can't-look-away way. I mean, you know that people who are this clueless exist, but it's hard to wrap your brain around it, so you tend to be surprised/revolted/despairing anew every time you run into them.
kyuuketsukirui for reminding me), but the post is mainly about a public blow-up that occurred thanks to an equally appalling story about Native Americans (who apparently also mate for life - I guess in Mediocre Harry Potter Fandom Slushpile Land, all non-caucasian/white/whatever races really are animals!). Apparently whatever happened about the gypsy story happened in a locked post, and it isn't summarised. In fact, the post doesn't make clear that gypsies are creatures who mate for life in the story, which is why I didn't remember it in the first place, no doubt. If you look at the post, though, you'll see that quite a lot of back-and-forth went on about the other story, which had essentially the same issue (plus many other offensive stereotypes in a horrifying sort of Accidentally Pick Up One, Get Ten or Twenty For Free deal). So... either (a) a lot of people are so completely clueless as to be incapable of grasping why OTHER RACES = ANIMALS is offensive even after it's been explained repeatedly, or (b) a small but vocal minority are. Either way, it's pretty nauseating, in that can't-look-away way. I mean, you know that people who are this clueless exist, but it's hard to wrap your brain around it, so you tend to be surprised/revolted/despairing anew every time you run into them.
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(no subject)
Date: 8 Jun 2008 05:37 pm (UTC)um -- whut? animals mate for life? Don't tell that to *them*.
Even animals that are said to "mate for life" do so pretty much the way humans "mate for life" -- in other words, "sorta". And, "well, it depends on what you mean by 'for life'".
*Humans* mate for life. (sometimes.)
(no subject)
Date: 8 Jun 2008 05:41 pm (UTC)But I wanted to use 'animals' because magical creatures are animals in many cases, though they may (or sometimes) have human intelligence. I chose the word to highlight/condense the heart of the problem: the alienation and dehumanisation which is an intrinsic part of these stories, even though in most cases the author's intent had more to do with exciting exoticism.
(no subject)
Date: 8 Jun 2008 05:47 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 8 Jun 2008 06:02 pm (UTC)Because that WOULD be pretty cool...
I did think it an odd coincidence that I ran into this bit of badfic right after that post you made. Offensive badfic - now eerily apropos!
(no subject)
Date: 8 Jun 2008 06:13 pm (UTC)Oh, I'm sure I could if I wanted to ;) Although any Magikal Dance I do will probably be less like a flamenco and more like a beached whale ;)
(no subject)
Date: 8 Jun 2008 07:39 pm (UTC)