What I put in the "Why are you cancelling your subscription?" box on Marvel.com

[sev]

I canceled my Marvel.com subscription today. They asked why, and this is what I told them:

Tom Breevort has been publicly declaring his lack of support for social justice. He's described the role he's played in marginalizing characters of color in the comic book world & reaffirmed his intention to continue this, claiming he can't support social justice and entertain at the same time. I do not feel comfortable supporting this behavior. This is especially frustrating given that in the past Breevoort has displayed more awareness of issues around racial disparity. I'm unimpressed by his claims that because Marvel heroes have traditionally been 90% white that he somehow has an obligation to propagate that disparity. In the end, if Marvel claims no responsibility to publish comics that look like my world, I have no responsibility to give you my subscription money. (the following articles describe what's been going on in this arena recently: http://colorlines.com/archives/2011/05/for_comics_industry_laser_vision_still_more_believable_than_dark_skin.html and http://www.theroot.com/buzz/comic-industry-rep-market-won-t-support-black-comic-book-characters)

I'll be back only if Breevort apologizes as publicly as he's been evangelizing the whiteness of the superhero world.

After sending this, I read an interview with Marvel's new Editor-in-Chief in which he says, "it has to come organically. It’s not something you can force." Which sounds like weasel-words to me, ones that say, "even though this problem occurred because people fought for their right to discriminate, we won't fight for your right to be represented."

Fuck that noise. How about, "It has to come organically, from people who really believe it's the right thing to do"? Along with a commitment to fire the assholes who are standing in the way.

Comments

[macabre0.livejournal.com]

Well said. I admire you so much for being the kind of woman who puts her money where her mouth is and really stands up for things like this. It is always inspirational to me to read your writings here. Thank you for sharing!

[firecat]

GAAH. "It has to come organically" is a fancy way of saying "icky poo."