OTW Guest Post: Jamie Broadnax
| Interviews by Fans | |
|---|---|
| Title: | OTW Guest Post: Jamie Broadnax |
| Interviewer: | |
| Interviewee: | Jamie Broadnax |
| Date(s): | October 4, 2014 |
| Medium: | online |
| Fandom(s): | |
| External Links: | OTW Guest Post: Jamie Broadnax, Archived version |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
OTW Guest Post: Jamie Broadnax is a 2014 interview with Jamie Broadnax.
It was done as part of a series. See OTW Guest Post.
Introduction
Today’s post is an interview with Jamie Broadnax, founder of Black Girl Nerds, an inclusive site for women who embrace geek/nerd culture. Jamie is the Digital Vice President at the She Thrives Network and has written for Afropunk and Madame Noire.[1]
Excerpts
You started Black Girl Nerds after googling the phrase in 2012 and finding 0 results. In the past years, though, nerd culture has continued to infiltrate the mainstream. In your experience, is the “nerd” world moving toward racial/ethnic and gender inclusivity? And is inclusivity the goal, or do you believe we should focus on creating our own nerd spaces rather than fighting to be allowed into established ones?
Excellent question. I would love racial/ethnic and gender inclusivity in nerd culture. It’s very important that we see ourselves in comic books, TV shows, tech industries, science conventions, and several other industries that tend to marginalize women of color. However, I’m not completely against creating your own nerd space. BGN was created because of the lack of representation within our subculture. I believe taking the initiative to create your own space is what helps foster growth in spaces that are less diverse. I also think it is important that there are safe spaces on the web where people can connect to a community of individuals that identify and relate to them. It is a form of empowerment that is a basic part of the human condition.
What do you think is the most important political/legal/philosophical issue in fandom right now?
Hmmm…that’s a toughie. I don’t necessarily associate fandoms with serious political or philosophical ideologies. However, one issue that comes to mind is the issue of race playing a factor in cosplay. Many cosplayers have chatted with me online and on my podcast about dealing with vitriol from non-Black cosplayers. My friend Chaka Cumberbatch, a well known Black female cosplayer, was questioned by white nerds as to why she was cosplaying as Sailor Moon.
The irony of this bitter criticism is, why are white girls cosplaying as an Japanese character?
Let that one simmer for a minute.
The Organization for Transformative Works is a fan-run nonprofit dedicated to preserving fanworks and advocating for fans. Do you believe that these goals are important? Do fans need advocates?
I love that concept! Absolutely fans needs advocates. I believe having a partner, team, group, or community that is willing to serve and help you makes us all better people. It helps us to grow, connect, and develop new innovative ideas and to overall just have fun with people who get you. It’s important, especially for nerds like us who are used to feeling isolated and excluded because many others didn’t share our same fandoms.