MXTX Diaspora May
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Stub: This is a total braindump! Feel free to rearrange and sort things out. |
| Challenge | |
|---|---|
| Name: | MXTX Chinese Diaspora Event |
| Date(s): | |
| Moderator(s): | |
| Founder: | |
| Type: | |
| Fandom: | |
| URL: | AO3 parent collection, 2022- |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
MXTX Diaspora May is an annual challenge for English-speaking Chinese diaspora fans to write fanfiction based on cnovels by MXTX: The Scum Villain's Self-Saving System, Mo Dao Zu Shi, or Heaven Official's Blessing. It is run by by frostferox, dragongirlG, and jing.
Context and Origin
Mod Jing's 2023 reflections on Tumblr:
As some of you may know, MXTX Diaspora May was originally started by Frost in 2021 as a means of elevating Chinese diaspora creators in fandom. At the time the event was set up, the climate in fandom was truly a hostile one, with Chinese diaspora creators routinely facing discrimination and marginalization. Adding to that were a slew of vicious hate crimes against Asian diaspora people in real life.May is AAPI Heritage month in the US, and thus it was chosen as the posting month for the event. In other words, it was a time for us to come together, to heal, and above all, to let our voices be heard.
Since 2021, the scope of MXTX Diaspora May has evolved. Instead of solely focusing on MDZS, we now spotlight fanworks for all of MXTX’s novels. More importantly, MXTX Diaspora May has gone international in welcoming the participation of Chinese diaspora creators from not just the US, but all around the world (like me)![1]
Challenge History
2021
2022
2023
Mod reflections
At the time that Frost invited me to be a part of the mod team, I was honestly struggling to find a place in MDZS fandom. I was frequently spoken over, treated as an expendable resource for cultural information, and on the receiving end of comments that contained racist microaggressions (and sometimes, outright aggression). Dealing with these interactions was exhausting, as well as grappling with the constant feeling that I had no real right to be in the English-speaking fandom. I still feel like this, even today — works where I (subconsciously or otherwise) downplay my identity as a member of the Chinese diaspora are always substantially more well-received than works where I do not. In other words, as some commenters (helpfully) pointed out to me, it was exhausting and difficult to get into the stories I told and the viewpoints I presented, especially if they contained too many cultural markers and language code-switches.
Chinese diaspora are not a monolith, no matter what past fandom drama would have you believe. Events like MXTX Diaspora May or collections like Danmei Diaspora Creatives highlight the diversity of diaspora voices and experiences. When it comes to anti-racism, taking the time to listen, empathize with, and elevate these voices and experiences are a key part of the fight. And if you find your perspective shifting a little, maybe even in a discomfiting way, take a moment to sit with that and see how your biases or preconceived notions might be contributing to a broader pattern of thinking.
Related Links
- meta on race in fandom 1 (Race and Fandom)
- Danmei Diaspora Creatives collection (showcases work by Chinese diaspora creators across myriad danmei fandoms including MXTX; not affiliated with MXTX Diaspora May)
- Directory of MDZS fics and podfics by Chinese diaspora writers that are focused on the modern diaspora experience, compiled by G (not affiliated with MXTX Diaspora May). Direct google doc link.
References
- ^ a b MXTX Diaspora May 2023 is drawing to a close, so here are some personal reflections, Archived version, tumblr post by wrecklwj, 26 May 2023.
- ^ Some diaspora thoughts on MDZS fandom for the end of AAPI month, Archived version, tumblr post by dragongirlg-fics, 1 June 2023