Here’s a message from me to you, because it’s come up again, only this time on Facebook.  

The reason why I want to be positive as much as possible in regards to cosplay bashing is because there’s some great people out there who are actually afraid to cosplay because of crap like this. Cosplay is supposed to be fun, you shouldn’t be scared. You shouldn’t be scared to have fun. I’ve personally decided to stick with being positive, because that seems to encourage people more than me posting something and being upset, or even pissed off. I’m well aware of what I look like and that some people might not like it. That’s nothing new. 

That’s the thing that really kills me with this stuff. People who make bad comments think they’re the first, that they’re so clever with their “whale” remarks and pig pictures and whatnot. Sweetie, bullying isn’t new. I’m a kid from the 80s, o.k.? I am well aware that I was the fat geek girl, and let me tell you, being a fat, black, geek girl in Chicago in the 90s (my middle school and high school years) was not the norm. People still think that black geek girls are this rare thing when, honestly, we’re not. If it’s still a surprise to people now, can you imagine the 90s, when anime was still this new thing? When video games didn’t even have ESRB ratings yet? I was here when the Nintendo was first introduced. That’s how long I’ve been a geek. If you think boys poke girls for their geekiness now, you should’ve seen it back then. Combine that with being overweight and, yeah, easy target practice to some people.  

So I’ve been through this, and to be honest, I didn’t have nearly as much support back then as I do now with the geek community. Back then it was reversed, there were more “you’re weird” folks and you’d be lucky to find someone on your side. I had people on my side, but not NEARLY as much as I do now. Not even close. And when I think about that, and that person who is scared to cosplay the character they love because they think they’ll be harassed, all I want to do is be positive for them and for myself.  

Now, to be honest, there is a ping of pain when I get a negative remark.  It does get to me.  I don’t want to come off as someone who just isn’t effected by bullying, because it hurts.  Here’s what I realize, though.  I realize that I’m not that pudgy kid who people thought was weird for watching anime and wanting a Super Nintendo instead of Barbie dolls.  I’m 30, and these remarks have been made towards be many times before.  Before I had an amazing group of friends and followers who support me.  Before there were communities and groups that showcase plus sized people, and not in a way that’s strictly, “These people should lose weight.”  That still happens, but that’s not all we have now.  We have “fat is beautiful” groups.  We have “black is beautifuI” groups.  We have “geek girls are awesome” groups.  We have these things now.  

I survived the harsh comments before these things existed. Now, I want to own who I am, and inspire others  :)  Please remember that you aren’t alone and there are people out there who will love what you do.  

I love what you do <3