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

[slodwick.livejournal.com]

RE #1: YES. I had the same thought, as I found it very hard to believe they found the definition in the encyclopedia with "magical creatures" included.

uglier policy

[mustangsally78.livejournal.com]

what's ugly is the artwork and the stories.

Yuk.

I'm all for pushing the envelope and being provocative with ideas and language, but I don't think this stuff is good enough to defend their ideas!

Besides, I feel a stirring in the TOS for this one.

[coffeeandink.livejournal.com]

1&3) *headdesk* Thank you for pointing that out -- I missed that implication.

[rivkat.livejournal.com]

I'd love to be wrong. But it sure seems like the prompt was altered already.

[morgandawn.livejournal.com]

after much pondering, I;ve decided that if the prompt was being used (forget how it was intended to be used) to focus on mugggle-human relationships (and the horror that some characters in the HP universe might feel over that type of pairing) = accurate.

Inter-species sex might better fall under bestiality - which has its own negative connotations and would most likely upset readers for different reasons (house elves are *not* animals, you...you...slavist!!)

So putting sensitivity and racial awareness aside (which are big things to try to shove aside even for arguments sake) - "I do not think the word means what you think it means." is right on point here.

[very-improbable.livejournal.com]

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.

WORD.

[ballyharnon.livejournal.com]

"I do not think the word means what you think it means."

RIGHT FUCKING ON.

[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. :)