Fandom and Harassment

Fandom and Harassment

Aug 18

By now, I’m sure you’ve read John Debillo’s essay on sexual harassment at the San Diego Comic-Con. If you haven’t yet read it, click on over and give it a look.

I think it’s important to note that a “zero-tolerance” statement in Comic-Con materials on harassment is more than just a deterrent; it’s a declaration that the space is absolutely intended as a safe place for people of all genders, races and creeds to enjoy a relaxing weekend of being themselves without fear of lechery, discrimination, or assault. That’s an important statement to make and it should absolutely be made. There’s no question.

Let’s also not forget that these incidents of harassment (and countless others–it’s remarkable how many examples spring to mind if you just spend a few minutes thinking back on your experiences at conventions, comic shops, and other geek gathering places) are just the most tangible expressions of the underlying sexism and chauvinism that has churned throughout fandom for decades, fandoms of all stripes and in all places. You can draw a line from an Ed Benes splash page featuring Wonder Woman’s ass to the commonplace “models” hired in skimpy costumes to parade around booths, and then to those twisted individuals who feel entirely comfortable violating a woman just because she’s at a convention, and…um…a woman, I guess?

Casual objectification of women is part of the heart of this problem, and as long as it is part of the heart of mainstream comics, this culture is poorer for it. I’m not saying Power Girl’s cleavage is why these women were assaulted, but if we all shrug and say such images are a-okay, then it’s just a matter of degrees.