So, I had a wonderful time at OryCon, which was my first Con outside
of my usual "circle of influence", as it were. I mean, when I went to
FenCon, it was my first time at that Con, but I knew plenty of people
there. At OryCon, not so much, but that didn't matter. I enjoyed
myself on all my panels. If you saw me there, I hope you found me
charming and eloquent, or at least moderately competent. I do have a
tendency to keep talking to the point of blathering on.
Fortunately,
I was not aware of any harassment or bullying at OryCon. Of course, my
lack of awareness is hardly proof of it not happening, or not even
being reported.
Bullying, on an online level, has been an issue of late, of course, as evidenced and compiled in this post by Laura J. Mixon. This is the sort of contentious thing I tend not to dip my toes into, in no small part to it not having affected me. Yet.
So
here's the thing, at least from my point of view*: negative reviews,
especially and including ones pointing out problematic aspects with
regard to gender, race, sexuality, etc., are a necessary and valuable
thing. I know that personally I've made mistakes along those lines, and
done my best to learn from those mistakes, and will in all likelihood
continue to make more mistakes that I will hopefully learn from again.
Hopefully, my awareness will improve.
But part of that means I
need to be called on it. I honor and value that, and will strive to
listen do my best not to be all, "but you see..." or otherwise act
defensively. I'm certain that Thorn of Dentonhill has problems along those lines which I'll need to do better on in future books. Let me make it perfectly clear that I welcome having that dialogue so that I can learn and improve.
HOWEVER,
there is definitely a line between a harsh, even angry review of a
work, and angry, hate-filled vitriol aimed at the artist themselves, and
while some reviewers seem to think that line is fuzzy and easy to
cross, it's really quite clear. Attacking and bullying the person, even
someone whose work is systemically problematic, is not acceptable. I
don't care who you are, what "side" of things you are on, whether you've
faced actual or perceived marginalization for who you are or what your
beliefs are: No. Do not do this. Shred the work all to hell, but treat
the person behind it with something resembling decency.
It really is just that easy.
--
*-
Which is, of course, Full Privilege Bingo of White, Straight,
Presumed-Christian, College-Educated, Right-handed Male, so: apply as
large a grain of salt as you feel in necessary.
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