HP, encyclopedias, etc.

[rivkat]

If my major factual premise is wrong, please let me know. It might have been discussed already -- I admit I haven't explored every thread. But as I understand it, the Daily Deviant prompt was selected from an encyclopedia "of sex-themed words." It seems unlikely to me that the definition therein included sex between humans and "magical creatures." So the policy of the community is not "we won't alter prompts." Rather, it's something like "We will only alter prompts in ways that make them more relevant/interesting to HP."

A few reactions, if I'm right:

1. That's an uglier policy to defend than "no changes."

2. Race isn't relevant to HP? I believe Blaise Zabini and his mom would like to have a word with you. On the other hand, changing the prompt to read this way sure is proving interesting.

3. This is the invisibility of white privilege. Exceptions and alterations made to accommodate default-white interests are neutral and unnoticed; exceptions and alterations to accommodate others' interests are special pleading.

ETA: I'm very glad to read that the mods have apologized and changed their position. Having been called on racial cluelessness myself, I know it's painful and that denial and rejection are in many ways easier than changing.

Comments

[skywardprodigal.livejournal.com]

I'm very glad to read that the mods have apologized and changed their position. Having been called on racial cluelessness myself, I know it's painful and that denial and rejection are in many ways easier than changing.

I'm still grateful that you and your cowriter changed the story.

[rivkat.livejournal.com]

I am too.

[skywardprodigal.livejournal.com]

I'll come across your posts on this topic, and I'll think that I'm glad I shared my concerns. Though sometimes I'm dismayed at how heated those exchanges were. I think it's why when the 'watch your tone/how dare you' exchanges pop up, I wonder if that sort of exchange is to be expected when unexamined biases come up against outspoken/offended people.

I wonder if I hurt things by being so angry and candid in my anger, you know? In other words, I don't bear grudges. I wonder though, do you?

[rivkat.livejournal.com]

For what it's worth, I don't bear grudges -- I agree that the topic is almost always going to make the tone, whatever it is, fraught with danger; I don't think I'm in a position to bear grudges anyway; and I learned a lot, though it took a while to settle in. Pain is ordinary on all sides of these discussions, but that doesn't make it equivalent.

[skywardprodigal.livejournal.com]

I'm glad to know this.

Pain is ordinary on all sides of these discussions, but that doesn't make it equivalent.

I'll be remembering this. Thank you. Particularly the last part. Thank you again, though. :)