Friday, April 11, 2014

Size Matters

Weight Issues

Taboo #2



For cosplayers we use cosplay as a way to escape oppression and judgment that we usually get outside the convention wall. But lying right in front of us we see judgment even in our own kingdom. Not because we are doing anything wrong. Not because someone is ignorantly doing it. No, this is pure and unruly shaming because you weigh a certain size.

Now I know what you’re thinking. No one does that at conventions.

False.

It turns out lots of convention goers have been bullied at least once in their life, and this is by convention goers themselves. The sad thing about it is, these same people who are bullying convention goers watch, attend, and fan craze some of the same shows that the bullied watches. And most of the shows that convention goers cosplay are the most diverse and equal quality shows out there. For some, this is the reason why they like the shows in the first place.

But back to the topic at hand.

The situation with weight and cosplay has been at hand since the first costume contest at a convention. Because this actually caused the idea of judgment on costume for other cosplayer. The truth is, the judges are only judging the quality of the costume craft and how well you behave like the character you are cosplaying. Not if you and the character have the same weight.

    

From both sides of the scale too fat, too skinny, you can hear people saying this about cosplayers. Especially at conventions and meet ups. The fact that no one is doing anything about it is really the hard part of it all. I will  provide websites at the bottom of the page that actually have support groups to help con goers who have been bullied or are being bullied because of their physical features. 


If you have any stories about being bullied or know anyone who has been bullied in the cosplay community. Please feel free to comment below. 



References:

Tang, K.

How Not To Be A Geek Bully

 Tang, K. 2014. How Not To Be A Geek Bully. [online] Available at: http://www.buzzfeed.com/kevintang/how-not-to-be-a-geek-bully [Accessed: 16 Apr 2014].




Cosplayers-against-bullying.tumblr.com.

Anti Bullying In the Cosplay Community

Cosplayers-against-bullying.tumblr.com. 2014. Anti Bullying In the Cosplay Community. [online] Available at: http://cosplayers-against-bullying.tumblr.com/ [Accessed: 16 Apr 2014].

Facebook.

Cosplayers Against Bullying

Facebook. 2014. Cosplayers Against Bullying. [online] Available at: https://www.facebook.com/CosplayersAgainstBullying [Accessed: 16 Apr 2014].

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