Last Word on WorldCon
So, Ms. Lamplighter apologized here and on her LJ. And yes, there are things I could respond to in both places, but as you can see on the first link I’ve already made my decision on how to handle it. Why that road and not another? I have work to do. And I’m learning to prioritize. Things that could benefit me and the people I care about over things that will not is the order of the day.
In that vein it has been suggested to me that if I can get a working outline together and a synopsis I can shop Frenzy around a bit and see if anyone bites. Verb Noire needs to get the naming contest going for the first anthology as well as start dealing with the submissions for the second. And get cracking on cover art for the novel (Martin’s War) that’s being edited right now. Plus there’s a kid’s book I wrote that
I’ve been told (rather forcefully and by people who love me) that I need to figure out where this train that is my life is going so that I can drive it instead of letting it drag me along. Basically I am too busy to get bogged down in this mess right now. Mind you, I am not saying that you have to follow my lead when it comes to your response. I have already seen many people who are willing to wade in and keep fighting the good fight. I am in no way trying to devalue that effort, I am merely stating the reasons behind my approach.
Kudos. You gotta know when to walk away, but you definitely didn’t run.
I want to go to Con, badly, but when I see repeated #racefail, I think I should deal with the drama of my sorority conventions first, LOL. At least I’m surrounded by folks who look like me, even if I’m still the geek of the group; I’ll be loved.
You handled it with grace and courage, and it’s your call how to handle it and when to wash your hands of the whole situation. Bravo.
i read your response to LL’s apology/explanation, and i thought you handled it extremely graciously and even compassionately. And even though i don’t know you personally, as one woman of color to another I applaud you for moving on and taking care of you, your work, your family, YOUR life, which is what so many WOC never get to do, or even if they can, decide not to, and instead stay embroiled in bitter fights that just drain them of their precious life-energy. Much respect.
Just wanted to mention that this whole debacle finally motivated me to get off my butt and write something I’d planned to write for awhile, which is A Guide to Racism 101 for Clueless White People, Written by a Slightly Less Clueless White Person. (It was a thread in one of Arhylon’s posts that motivated me to write it.) I’ve been getting some really encouraging PMs and comments from people saying things like “I never thought about this stuff before, thanks for writing this” and that’s always a good thing. :) Of course there’s some wankery in the comments but I think we’ve done a reasonable job rebutting it. Anyway, just thought you might like to know. :)
All I can say is, I hope that new Chinese baby doesn’t turn out to be gay.
SA, if I’d been drinking something I would have sprayed the keyboard when I read your comment. :)