Podcast Summary
Celebrating Black creativity and magic online: The internet, despite its dangers, offers opportunities for unity and community, as seen through the #BlackFaeDay hashtag and events like PAX East.
The internet, while it can be a dark and dangerous place, is also a source of unity, magic, and community. On the anniversary of a tragic hate crime, the world witnessed the power of the internet to bring people together through the hashtag #BlackFaeDay. This day celebrates the imagination and creativity of Black people, encouraging them to embrace their magical side and connect with each other. Finding these magical moments in the real world can be challenging, but places like PAX East, a video game convention in Boston, can be a good starting point. Black fairies, a mythical creature inspired by this day, represent the joy and wonder that can be found in embracing one's identity and enjoying the magic of the world around us. So whether it's through social media or in-person events, the internet provides endless opportunities to find connection and community, even in the darkest of times.
Celebrating Black Fae Day: A Modern-Day Fairy Event for Representation: Quincy Walters and Jasmine LaFleur initiated Black Fae Day, a social media trend promoting self-expression and representation for people of color in fantasy.
Quincy Walters, inspired by Jasmine LaFleur's Twitter post, embraced the concept of Black Fae Day, a modern-day fairy event aimed at creating representation in fantasy for people of color. This day, which took place on the 2nd Saturday of May, was a way for individuals to express their magical and whimsical selves, despite not seeing much representation in traditional fairy lore. Jasmine, who identified as a Black Fae herself, had felt the lack of representation growing up and wanted to change that. Her tweet sparked a trend on social media, leading many to participate and celebrate their own unique fairy identities. This event serves as a reminder of the importance of representation and self-expression, especially in areas where it may be lacking.
From a simple tweet to viral trend and coronation: Building a community and shining a light on underrepresented narratives can lead to unexpected opportunities and influence. Use your platform responsibly to educate and enchant.
The power of social media and community building can lead to unexpected opportunities and influence. Jasmine, an influencer in the black fantasy community, discovered this firsthand when a simple tweet led to a viral trend and her eventual coronation as Empress Halcyon Crow. This wasn't a "hashtags to riches" fairy tale, but rather a story of building a community and shining a light on underrepresented narratives. With great influence comes great responsibility, and Jasmine used her platform to educate and enchant people about the global stories of mythical creatures and fantastical beings from various cultures. The Internet can be a place where wishes come true, regardless of follower count, and there are countless online communities waiting to be discovered. It's a reminder that anyone can make a difference by speaking up about what they're passionate about.
Challenging assumptions in fantasy communities: Assumptions about people's interests can exclude and discriminate, creating a need for inclusive environments where everyone feels valued.
Assumptions should not be made about people's interests or experiences based on their appearance. Jasmine, a black woman with a passion for fantasy, felt excluded from medieval festivals due to assumptions that black people aren't interested in medieval history. This led to a lack of representation and unwelcome feelings in these communities. Discrimination, both overt and subtle, was a persistent issue, with some vendors and attendees warning Jasmine not to attend on certain days. Online, Jasmine and Carlos found a community of like-minded black fantasy fans, leading to the creation of Black Fae Day in 2021. This event provided a safe space for black individuals to express their love for fantasy and connect with others. It's essential to challenge assumptions and create inclusive environments where everyone feels welcome and valued. The BBC, as a provider of information and inspiration, reminds us that the best stories make us think and challenge our perspectives.
The power of storytelling and community in unexpected places: Creating safe spaces allows people to express joy and enjoyment, especially for underrepresented groups like Black people in fantasy communities.
The power of storytelling and community can bring people together and provide a sense of inclusiveness and joy, especially in unexpected places. This was highlighted in the discussion about Shopify, a global commerce platform that simplifies the process of switching businesses and provides the same features and tools as leading brands. In the world of fantasy, the Beyond All Repair podcast explores the importance of inclusivity and creating safe spaces for black people, allowing them to express joy and enjoyment without feeling the need to represent a larger cause. The Boston Fantasy and Video Game Convention's Black Fay Day is an example of this, providing a day for black fairies and elves to relax and be carefree. The ability to lose oneself in fantasy can be a privilege, and for many Black people, the opportunity to do so was often denied or cut short as children due to the need to grow up quickly. These stories remind us of the importance of creating spaces where everyone can be themselves and find joy in their passions.
Tragedy Strikes at Black Fae Day Despite Celebration of Identity: Though communities like Black Fae Day offer joy and escape, hate and violence persist. Representation in fantasy remains contentious, but research shows diversity enriches stories.
Despite the joy and magic brought by communities like Black Fae Day, where people of color can celebrate their identity and escape the harsh realities of the world, hate and violence continue to exist. The second annual Black Fae Day in 2022 was met with tragedy when a shooting occurred at another event, while a white man broadcasted a livestream of himself murdering Black people in a grocery store. These incidents underscore the need for safe spaces where Black people can find solace and fantasy. However, even in fantasy worlds, Black representation remains a contentious issue. When Black characters are introduced into classic stories, there is often backlash from those who see it as a departure from the original lore. Despite this, research suggests that diversity in stories is not a new phenomenon, but rather a long-overdue representation of the world's true diversity. Ultimately, the fight for representation and inclusion continues, both in reality and in fantasy.
Creating safe spaces for marginalized groups through storytelling and community building online: The internet allows underrepresented groups to share stories, traditions and create inclusive spaces, inspiring real-life connections and challenging historical exclusion in storytelling.
The power of storytelling and community building, especially in the digital age, can create safe spaces and foster a sense of belonging for marginalized groups. The discussion highlighted the example of Jasmine, who started the #BlackFayDay hashtag and created an online community for black fantasy fans, which then inspired other communities like Enchanted Asian Day. This demonstrates how the Internet can serve as a platform for underrepresented groups to share their stories and traditions, and even bring them into real life. The conversation also touched upon the historical context of how black stories have been edited or modified to make them more palatable to certain audiences. Ultimately, the importance of representation and the creation of inclusive spaces for all individuals to express themselves and connect with others is a powerful reminder of the transformative potential of storytelling and community building.
Finding Magic and Connection in the Digital World: Despite the darkness, we can discover meaningful human connections and experiences in the digital realm, as explored in the 'Endless Thread' podcast.
Heaven, much like the internet, is not just a place of darkness but also a place of magic and connection with others. This was a recurring theme in the podcast "Endless Thread," produced by WBUR in Boston. The hosts explored stories of people finding community and magic on the internet, despite the darkness that can also exist online. They emphasized the importance of human connection and the ability to find meaning and joy in the digital world. The podcast was co-hosted by Ben Brock Johnson, the reporter Quincy Walters, and Amari Sivertson. It was sound designed by Emily Jankowski. If you have a magical story of your own to share, consider reaching out to the Endless Thread team at wbur.org. Overall, the podcast reminds us that even in the face of darkness, we can find magic and connection with others, both online and offline.
