Part of me would try opening a dialog with said commentator to gain an insight in to how a person of that group thinks/reacts to the world around him/her. I'd probably also do something similar with another person I know of that socio-grouping who hasn't felt the need to say anything to help determine how valid the vocal-person's points are.
But, after all, it is a piece of your work. And while you're looking to have it appeal to as broad a base as possible, there'll always be someone who has to nitpick.
To be clear, this hasn't happened with my work just yet. But I would fall into the "fantasy race based on visual elements" category.
I have read recent posts of people who scream "Racist" "Insensitive" at the above type comments. Even to the point that they will write whole "articles" that are submitted to genre websites/blogs about the various deals. These go so far as to call out white/caucasion/European people who may cosplay in garb that comes from a visibly different culture.
Well...if it goes in to that territory, then the vocal person better widen his/her aim from just you to the entirety of fandom...including the fat hairy men that cosplay as Sailor Moon.
But you point out the problem in that approach. If you don't put in the stereotyped scenarios the complainer expects to see - they claim you're white washing reality and just claiming diversity by proxy. However if you put it in they're claiming you're racist for focusing on the negatives.
The problem is not in you. Offense is in the ear of the beholder.
I totally get that. However, they apparently make it their mission to loudly beat their chest in various fora concerning the above issues. Just something I'm trying to avoid. Since those sites were the places I was thinking of getting feedback from. *sigh*
This is where the optimist side of my cynnical optimist side comes from. You just have to trust that the greater tide of humanity will see through those efforts for what they are, even if they are silent on it. Even in the absence of other posts, the presence of someone saying something doesn't mean others will necessarily believe it.
If relative assuredity is needed surveys might be helpful. They're used very commonly in business, not just for customer satisfaction, but to get a pulse of what the great silent hordes are thinking. Write a few questions a few ways, get someone to doublecheck that you're not biasing or leading the witness, and throw it out there. You may find that the vast majority of people like the way your characters are presented - or you may find that what really bothers them is something else.
The issue I have, is that most of these people don't create anything creative of their own. They mine other people's work to use in a bullying tactic. It really seems to be little more than "Look at me! Look at me!"
Also if they're disruptive, and you can apply it fairly to all, but specifically to them, there is always the ban stick. Just because you're willing to have open-mic night in the theater you create doesn't mean one audience member can monopolize all the time.
Exactly. My usual response to the "damned if you do damned if you don't" people is: Thank you for your input. I will take your comments into consideration. At this time I would like to hear from more individuals so I may alter my piece to encorporate a broader view.
That is, unless you are, again, picking on glowing white women with no writing skill who are their first cat shy of becoming the neighborhood cat lady. Then I just say that particular individual is in the right to hack anybody down.
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But, after all, it is a piece of your work. And while you're looking to have it appeal to as broad a base as possible, there'll always be someone who has to nitpick.
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I have read recent posts of people who scream "Racist" "Insensitive" at the above type comments. Even to the point that they will write whole "articles" that are submitted to genre websites/blogs about the various deals.
These go so far as to call out white/caucasion/European people who may cosplay in garb that comes from a visibly different culture.
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Tim C.
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The character doesn't have any stereotyped mannerisms - You're just putting a [majority] person in X's clothes
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The problem is not in you.
Offense is in the ear of the beholder.
Tim C.
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If relative assuredity is needed surveys might be helpful. They're used very commonly in business, not just for customer satisfaction, but to get a pulse of what the great silent hordes are thinking. Write a few questions a few ways, get someone to doublecheck that you're not biasing or leading the witness, and throw it out there. You may find that the vast majority of people like the way your characters are presented - or you may find that what really bothers them is something else.
Tim C.
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(The comment has been removed)
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http://xkcd.com/386/
Also if they're disruptive, and you can apply it fairly to all, but specifically to them, there is always the ban stick. Just because you're willing to have open-mic night in the theater you create doesn't mean one audience member can monopolize all the time.
Tim C.
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Thank you for your input. I will take your comments into consideration. At this time I would like to hear from more individuals so I may alter my piece to encorporate a broader view.
That is, unless you are, again, picking on glowing white women with no writing skill who are their first cat shy of becoming the neighborhood cat lady. Then I just say that particular individual is in the right to hack anybody down.
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