Comments on: Redefining “Public” Education: Reflections from GeekGirlCon, Seattle, October 11-12 http://blog.commarts.wisc.edu/2014/10/23/redefining-public-education-reflections-from-geekgirlcon-seattle-october-11-12/ Responses to Media and Culture Fri, 12 Feb 2016 19:35:04 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.7.5 By: Allison McCracken http://blog.commarts.wisc.edu/2014/10/23/redefining-public-education-reflections-from-geekgirlcon-seattle-october-11-12/comment-page-1/#comment-438031 Mon, 27 Oct 2014 01:20:10 +0000 http://blog.commarts.wisc.edu/?p=24837#comment-438031 Hi Nina!

Thanks so much for your comment. I’m glad our piece resonated with your own work in these areas. I agree that the cosplay community has been at the forefront of developing strategies to combat harassment and organize safe spaces; “cosplay is not consent” is a great campaign that I see as beginning to have an effect on larger, more mixed cons, and it is perhaps one of the most visible ways that feminist fan communities have taken the lead in addressing important social concerns. And I agree that we will continue to see the proliferation of these strategies, which are truly inspiring and constitutive of a “4th wave” of feminism. I look forward to reading your work!

]]> By: Nina Huntemann http://blog.commarts.wisc.edu/2014/10/23/redefining-public-education-reflections-from-geekgirlcon-seattle-october-11-12/comment-page-1/#comment-437910 Thu, 23 Oct 2014 20:29:02 +0000 http://blog.commarts.wisc.edu/?p=24837#comment-437910 Thank you Allison and Jen for highlighting these “girl-focused” cons on Antenna. Public education is great term for framing an important outcome of these events. My research about cosplay communities reflects much of what you describe above. In addition to the maker skills, DIY workshops and queer and feminist media criticism panels, I have seen organized and unplanned talks/events/hackathons at cons about dealing with and combating harassment, both harassment experienced at cons and online abuse. With the relentless persistence of gamergate, I see those strategies being applied and shared among a larger community of fans.

]]>