Toxic Fandoms: The Dark Side of Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Comic Book Culture
In a galaxy not so far away, toxic fandom rears its ugly head once again, this time targeting actors of color in the “Star Wars” universe. Jodie Turner-Smith, who plays Mother Aniseya in the upcoming series “The Acolyte,” has called out Disney for their lack of support in the face of racist online attacks against her on-screen daughter, Amandla Stenberg.
Turner-Smith expressed her frustration with the entertainment giant in an interview with Glamour UK, stating, “They’ve got to stop doing this thing where they don’t say anything when people are getting dog-piled on the internet with racism and bullshit. It’s just not fair to not say anything. It’s really unfair.”
The actress emphasized the importance of the people financially invested in these franchises taking a stand against toxic behavior, urging them to make it clear that such actions are not representative of true fandom. She believes that speaking out against racism and misogyny in online attacks could ultimately be more lucrative for studios, as people of color, especially Black individuals, make up a significant portion of buying power.
Toxic fandom is not a new phenomenon, with examples like the backlash against Michael Keaton’s casting as Batman serving as a reminder of fans’ resistance to change. However, Turner-Smith’s call for accountability and support from studios highlights the need for a shift in the way these online attacks are addressed within the entertainment industry.
As fans eagerly await the next installment in the “Star Wars” universe, it’s clear that the force is strong with those who stand up against toxic behavior and support diversity and inclusion in fandom.