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Crossposts: http://astridv.livejournal.com/353374.html

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At least a dozen times in the past few weeks I came across the tired argument that "female characters are all so crappily written and the male ones are always so much better developed and interesting and that's why they get all the attention." I really wish these people could just own up to preferring guy characters, instead of defending their preferences by dissing the women in the same breath.

In light of this, I updated my collage No Interesting Female Characters My Ass with Sophie Devereaux, Parker, and Black Widow. Been meaning to do that for ages. Fuck you, fandom, these chicks are awesome.

(This is not a discussion post so if anyone feels compelled to drop in and make a case why any of them don't meet some criteria for awesome: keep it out of my journal. I had that discussion, at length; I won't any more.)

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Ah, how is that idea still around?

Dude, I know! That's why I don't engage in this discussion any more. Because it's fucking pointless, is what it is. For every person whose mind you maybe change a tiny little bit, 10 new ones come in.

Or maybe I should just stop reading fandomsecrets. ;)

I really wish these people could just own up to preferring guy characters, instead of defending their preferences by dissing the women in the same breath.
Word. I mean, pretty much all my favorite characters are guys, but it is not because female characters are worse or have less potential. Personally I blame early exposure to patriarchy or something.

Yeah, probably you should not read fandomsecrets. Not hanging out in the comms associated with my old slash fandoms was a really smart move. But I miss that interaction a bit.

Total agreement.

I've been pleasantly surprised by how the Marvel Movieverse fandom has embraced Darcy Lewis. But maybe she's 'safe' because she's not a canon love interest for any of the guys.

I mean, pretty much all my favorite characters are guys, but it is not because female characters are worse or have less potential.

May that view become more widespread...

I *love* what Avengers fandom is doing with Darcy. I don't know if it's because she's 'safe' or if it's a sign that times are a-changing after all. I'm guessing, a bit of both. In any case, I'm enjoying the heck out of it. Last night I was reading a Darcy story which ended on a great scene with Darcy, Natasha and Clint having a heart-to-heart. Alas, it's a WIP and the author is busy with school... so now I'm left with a hankering for more of that. I have to find myself a recs list or somesuch.

Maybe eventually people will realize that when it comes to sexism (as with other oppressions) the key to do better is controlling the own voluntary actions about which you can do something fairly easily rather than trying (and failing) to control the own involuntary thoughts (like character preferences), that are really hard to change, and then attempt to escape the uncomfortable internal dissonance of falling short of the own ideal by arguing the own sexism away to deny it.

I mean, as you say, writing apologia-meta denigrating female characters is a sexist action that would be easy to control and to stop, whereas changing the own sexist, idiosyncratic character preferences is not as simple.

So, SO much Parker love! And Sophie, too! After the 2 part finale I was full of nothing but awesome feels for both. And of course, Black Widow. So, so amazing.

I really loved the art theft episode with Sophie, Nate and Sterling! (The ending was so perfect.) I thought the one before with the virus was fine, but my absolute favorite this season was Parker's Rear Window episode.

It's so great when you watch the earlies eps and see how far she has come; and the character development was organic, it wasn't rushed, it makes sense.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrr.

This from fandom, which has no problem taking a male character who had maybe 80 seconds of screentime, developing an entire fanon backstory and life for him and writing shit-tons of fic about him.

But the problem is the creators of the shows/movies/whatever are not writing the female characters well enough.

YEAH RIGHT.

*headdesk*

To unattainable standards! (but only for the ladies, obvsl.) *toasts*

Yes! They are amazing! :D
It's ridiculous how somehow badly written male characters are a challenge, but imperfectly written female characters are a lost cause.

I really wish these people could just own up to preferring guy characters, instead of defending their preferences by dissing the women in the same breath.

This. I love your collage too! I hadn't seen it before.

Yeah. I just love how, like, Loki fandom right this moment are going through canon with a strong magnifying glass, looking for any kind of "proof" that will allow the most favorable reading of the character--which is the exact, total, 180degree polar opposite of the way SGA fandom at large approached the character of Jennifer Keller. It's just... what the fuck, man.

Thanks. :)

I am so damn tired of that same ridiculous excuse.

which is the exact, total, 180degree polar opposite of the way SGA fandom at large approached the character of Jennifer Keller.

I would start ranting, but I would never stop. FANDOM.

I'm almost proud that I kept it in this long until I said something. Is that restraint or what! :P

That is impressive! Basically any post I make that mentions her I feel the need to point out that I like her so that I don't get people slagging on her in my journal. So I do get how hard it is to keep in.

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