What Makes a Fandom?

   

Recently, I've been thinking of what makes a fandom a fandom.  Just last week, a story broke about a girl being harassed by fans of Steven Universe, and things have gone to pot afterwards, with people proclaiming that show as having "the worst fandom." (Out of respect for you dear readers, I link the story here, and I will be referencing it, but it is not a story for the weak of heart. Tread carefully.)
     Fandoms are generally defined as simply people who are together, being fans of one thing and is seen as a community.  Yet, I do think that a fandom that pushes a young lady to attempt suicide is something that ultimately should not stand.  Especially one a fandom that embraces so much diversity as Steven Universe.

     So what is a fandom? If we just say that it's a thing that many people are fans of that brings them together, that's one thing but could we really say that people like this are part of a fandom?

     But I have to say this, as much as a personal thing as it is just an observation. Fandoms can suck when you're in them and you end up getting pinned by people as the bad guy.  The wonderful thing about fandoms is how they bring people together, but they can also lend themselves to losing yourself in the crowd.  It's easy to look at things, and feel like you belong so much that just, whatever isn't there, has to go.

     Looking ast what happened to that SU fan, I have to say that, the rabid unity is something that should be looked at with a bit of concern.  I know that people are blaming the "Social Justice Warrior" crowd for what happened, for harassing that young lady to the point where she made an attempt on her life.  But let's face it, that's part of the internet.  People will always disagree to the limits of their sensibilities, and this is just a part of a fandom which strictly adhered to a certain view. No different from a Potter fan shaming another for fan fiction that ruins or goes against their favorite ship.

     We're a fandom, but part of the magic is making people feel included.  Attacking people in your own fandom is just against that on so many reasons. Yes, there are bound to be disagreements over which character is best. How their representation was handled. Fanfiction and film. Everyone's bound to have their own opinion on the thing that makes you, and them happy.  So fandom should never be used to bash your fellow fans, for not interpreting things the same way as you.  They are wonderful things, and in truth, the fandom as it exists, even if it is not your part of the fandom, it should only serve to expand horizons. The view may not be pleasant, but it's there.

     So what is a fandom-more accurately-what should a fandom be?  Fandoms should be unifying points. We shouldn't all fight over the things we love. Yes, we love them in different ways. There's bound to be the Potter fan that hates the films that loves the books.

     There are others that may only care for the films. In all things, Fandoms will always have their divisions and disagreements, but ultimately, they should always draw us closer together, and give a bright eyed response, to every tatoo of the Deathly Hallows, to every utterance of "bigger on the inside," and every time someone sees a t-shirt from any show. It's a secret handshake, and one we should treasure.

On a personal note, I'll end with this. I nearly left the fandom for Potter/Pottermore. For a lot of reasons, but to be honest, a fair amount of them made me think of this girl. It sucks to be on the recieving end of that sort of abuse for so long, especially when you were only doing what you loved. Not everyone's right, and not everyone's wrong, but to abuse the dreamers is terrible, becuase those fans are potentially the next creators, leaders, writers, and should be allowed to grow through kindness, rather than curtailed with cruelty.