Censorship and other thoughts

[bookaddict43]

Beware - serious ranting and/or rebellion ahead!

Some of this relates to my previous post and some to a post in a friends' journal. It also relates to something I believe in strongly as you may get from the italics :D

I work in a public library, fortunately in a place where no-one has ever seriously questioned the stuff I buy for the shelves. I've had one or two remarks about the witchcraft books or sex manuals, but nothing over-the-top or irrational.

I totally believe that people should be allowed to read/watch what they like. If it's the hopless Harlequin/Mills & Boon romance fiction I make fun of, Mein Kampf, the Black Lace erotic fiction, Jane Austen or Shakespeare; IT IS THERE CHOICE!!!!! And I have no right to stop them borrowing/reading/watching it.

The same applies to fan-fiction, vids or anything else really. The moment we start telling people what they can write or even like, we become opressors, even if it's only on our little corner of LJ.

Of course I believe too, that everyone is entitled to their own opinion. But when it actually promotes the idea, that another persons' ideas are unwelcome and irrelevant then that is wrong!! The people who jump on these bandwagons are also weird - have some ideas yourselves, read that is being criticised first! Then say something if you want...

So I'm saying (paraphrased from a comment in my friends' journal)

Who cares what they think?

I strongly believe that people can post what they like, when they like. We as grown-ups can read it or not. And think of it this way - the person must have read it to criticise it. I may not be a huge fan of Chuck/Sarah, Kaylee/Simon, Shepherd/Weir, but I reserve the right for people to write, read and enjoy it.

Also if anybody stops posting because of some ill-considered rants, you've played into the ranters hands and we'll be condemned to banal, canon, badly written fic!!!!!!!!! Don't do it - and don't be depressed *cuddles* and stand up for those of us who can think and act like individuals!! *rallying cry*

Traditional disclaimer: Of course I actually do like canon and reserve the right of folks to write badly written fiction too :)

Comments

[romanceguru.livejournal.com]

The moment we start telling people what they can write or even like, we become opressors, even if it's only on our little corner of LJ.

I ♥ you.

I really don’t understand the people on LJ that try and control what other people write. If you don’t like a ship, then don’t read it. Please don’t take that joy away from the person who writes/enjoys it. It obviously makes them happy, and it’s selfish and just plain mean to flame someone for their views. We all can’t like the same thing and should appreciate the things that make one another individual.

You are wise and just in your ranting. : )

[bookaddict43.livejournal.com]

I'm wise and just? *preens*

I don't understand it either. But many of us Jaylee writers deserted fireflyfans.net en masse, because of just such a thing.

We all can’t like the same thing and should appreciate the things that make one another individual. So true! *hugs*

[bugchicklv.livejournal.com]

That's why I never posted any more of my Rayne-fic there. What I did share never got any negative feedback, but I read enough forum posts to know we weren't welcome.

And God, I hate Mal/River with the passion of a thousand suns but I'd NEVER, EVER tell anyone else not to write it. Gah! The audacity of some people.

(And this is for Liz, right?)

[bookaddict43.livejournal.com]

Audacity is right! *nods*

And yes it is for Liz, I was annoyed on her behalf :D

[xx-squish-xx.livejournal.com]

I...am confused.

Not about your opinions. (go you!) But I dunno what sparked it? (other than your library post) Hope no one told you what you can and can't write. Perhaps you should pop onto gmail to fill me in... :)

[bookaddict43.livejournal.com]

I popped, but you were gone *pouts*. That doesn't sound right :D I'm home tomorrow though, if it doesn't flood, and you shall hear all.

Oh someone made comments about my Jaylee vid at YouTube. Clearly labelled Jaylee mind you.

But mostly it was someone on my flist who was discouraged from writing her story by the dickheaded comments of someone who hasn't got anything better to do...

[xx-squish-xx.livejournal.com]

Looked at the comment on your vid. Mostly I'd say it was by someone who hasn't ever heard of the concept of shipping before. Silly people. So, not the worst thing, even if it was annoying.

I can't find the other thing though, or was it deleted? Must haves the gossip!

[evilmaniclaugh.livejournal.com]

You're so sweet, hun and also very much right. I wish I was a strong confident person who doesn't give a damn but I'm not like that. I love con crit and am always more than happy to be set on the right track, but I don't deal with bitchiness. Seen too much of that before around lj parts.

I didn't realise how much such a minor thing had affected me until I tried to post last night and ended up shaking with nerves.

[bookaddict43.livejournal.com]

*hugs* I'm sorry you've been made to feel that way and it makes me mad. Hence my post :D

I do hope, one day to see the rest of that story and if not that one - something else? Firefly related perhaps? *enables*

Say No to Intimidation!

[mercsgoodgirl.livejournal.com]

Bless you for speaking out, Fran. All of us who write fan fiction do so from a heart-based place. We invest a great deal of thought, creativity and effort in our stories, regardless of the 'ship, fandom or even the skill with which we write. It takes courage to place such efforts before the critical public.

I have been stunned by the arrogance, biggotry and intimidation of posters on many fanfiction sites. Like any form of cruelty or social injustice, unless we actively speak out and oppose these behaviors, we become complicit in allowing them to flourish.

As individuals and as community, we have to stand up and speak out. Of course we each have our own preferences - favorite fandoms, pairings, scenarios. This is the wonderful blessing of creativity and imagination - that through it we have the opportunity to imagine whatever we wish, whatever we enjoy. None of it is right or wrong and none of it should be censored or bashed because certain individuals are uncomfortable with it.

There are pairing that I would never read because they simply do not appeal to me. Similarly, I know that many enthusiastic Firefly readers avoid my Jaylee stories because of my personally preferred pairing. Regardless, I firmly support their right to read or not read as they choose and my right to write and post as I choose.

What is not okay is bullying and intimidating someone whose preferences differ from your own.

[wildannuette.livejournal.com]

I have to agree with you. Everyone has loves/loathes, kinks/squirks, if things are labelled as suchwarnings are present- then anyone who clicks on and reads/sees/what have you, and then moans is a twat.

Kinda like order a pizza with chillis, with the huge warning-maybe hot hot-next to it, and then moaning half hour later that it was hot.

Personally flames like that encourage me to write more, but I am a spiteful bitch like that and it makes my muse happy to do something contrary.

I hate ellitists and I never understand shipping wars. what's the point? If it happens it happens, if it doesn't it doesn't-lets just play with canon and subtext :)