Fandom

The internet can be considered many things; a tool, an educator, a time killer, a mode of inter-tainment (haha), but I think a lot of people forget that ultimately the internet supports the creation of a community. It has created a global sphere, wherein people are able to talk to others across the world, in different cities, time zones or continents. It’s a connector, and I think that a lot of people forget just how important of a connection it fosters.

Historically, people have looked to belong apart of communities; it’s why people formed tribes, it’s one of the reasons religion was such an important facet, it’s why now people flock to it in order to connect with other people. This public sphere has emerged out of the creation of the World Wide Web, and many have found a small piece of it that they like to call home.

Many people have nestled into their own little corner of the internet, and have been able to find a community that they find themselves welcomed and supported in. In case you haven’t clued in yet, I’m referring specifically to fandoms on the internet.

I feel like one of the major parts of many people’s lives on the internet is how they engage with their interests and hobbies. Some are more invested than others, immersing themselves into the culture and subcultures created by those in the fandom.

Fandoms are living, breathing organisms, each as complex as any other subculture. Contrary to that observation, they labelled as something only for “obsessive teenagers”, or more specifically, ‘obsessive teenage girls’, thus dismissing their complexity and the power they wield.

I’d like to argue that very few times in a person’s life are they as confused and as lonely as they are when they are a teenager. Everyone is just looking for a place to belong where they can be supported and liked; real life is not always somewhere people can find solace. This is where the internet comes in, offering those who have interests in various different television shows, movies, video games, etc, a place where they can be accepted and flourish in an environment that fosters and encourages their interests. I found my place as a sad, dramatic fifteen-year-old in the Pretty Little Liars fandom on Tumblr, and my eyes were opened.

I found myself in a community that loved, loathed, and felt the same things that I did. Most were around the same age, anywhere from about 14-23 years of age. We all came together the same night every week to watch the same show, and then discuss. My love of writing was fostered as I wrote fanfiction about my favourite characters, and my opinions were challenged as I debated other fans about their opinions or their favourite ‘ships’.

It’s going to sound really dorky, but for the first time, I found myself at home and happy. Truly, becoming a part of a fandom helped shape me into the person I am today. (That doesn’t mean I don’t regret the insane amount of merchandise I purchased or plastering “Future Mrs. Fitz” all over social media. We all have some regrets, but hey, at least mine were worth it.)

However, all happiness comes at a price. A cheesy quote for context,perhaps:

People heavily involved in fandom get ridiculed and made fun of, or ostracized from their peers for being weird. It happens to the best of us, especially in high school. I found once in university, everyone starts embracing their ‘weird’.

The only issue is that it’s not just peers who criticize, it’s the mainstream media as well. Take Directioners (Fans of One Direction) for example. They are consistently portrayed as over obsessive teenage girls who drool over a boyband. While this assessment may be true in many cases, it overlooks the sense of community, the creation of art, writing, and other mediums of creative expression. It puts fandom in a uniquely female box, writing it off as something bad and to be ridiculed.

I mean, has anyone seen sports fans?

Fandoms can do incredible things, especially considering they are a place where so many people who feel ostracized can come together.

(SPECIAL UPDATE: Just looked for photo evidence of my “Future Mrs. Fitz” doodling while procrastining, which I know an old friend put online. Thankfully, the image has been lost on the image host. I may now rest well knowing future employers will not see my shameful past.)

Anyways.

A great example of a fandom coming together is the “Clexa” fandom, (Fans of the ship Clarke and Lexa on the show The 100) which was outraged after spoiler: Lexa being killed off randomly. This enraged the large amount of both heterosexual and LGBTQ* fans as the trope of a lesbian woman being killed off for dramatic effect once again came to fruition. In reaction, the angry group of largely queer people came together and raised over $15,000 for the Trevor Project, and released their rage upon the internet.

It caused mainstream media to examine how lesbian women are being treated in television, and for once the topic got some attention by major entertainment news sources.

All of that happened as a result of a group of people being bound together in a common community, bonded by the love for a television show and a couple of kick-ass characters. It makes you think about how much power these written off ‘obsessed teenagers’ really hold.

I have no question for you this week, however feel free to comment about anything in regards to my blog post or any of your personal experience with fandom, I’d love to hear it. Until next time!

#Fandom