Toxic Standoms Need To End
Should Artists Be Accountable For Not Doing Enough To Stop A Rabid Fanbase?
--
You’ll know them at a glance from their social media profile. Their profile pic is their favorite artist, their feed is full of more pictures of their fave. But interspersed throughout this sickeningly obsessive collage that is less homage and more stalky, is comments, posts, tweets attacking. Who are they attacking? Anyone who dares utter a critical word against their favorite artist.
Admiration Can Have A Positive Impact
There is nothing wrong with being a fan of any celebrity. After all, when we have someone we admire, we can draw from that inspiration to be the best version of ourselves. We can pursue our dreams, being kinder more caring individuals all because of favorite celebrity motivated us to move beyond our selfish selves.
We see this positive outcome all the time with many celebrity interviews. At some point they reference an actor, singer, writer, etc. who, unbeknowst to said celebrity, becomes the catalyst for them to push through whatever hardship they experience. There are plenty of people who are not famous who also harness that spark to move past roadblocks, they just do not get interviews. Standoms are different because their obsession does not motivate them to do good, but brings out their most violent, toxic, vile behavior all behind the safety of internet anonymity.
Kpop Standoms Are Some of The Worst
Be it Blinks, Army, or any other, fandoms in the world of K-pop (Korean pop music that should be called just pop) are some of the most virulently offensive fandoms out there. This behavior is starkly seen when the target of their ire is from a particular marginalized group: Black people. But not to worry they have a litany of ableist, sexist, racist, transphobic, etc. style insults for others as well.
Tragically enough, if you criticize their toxicity, they put you “in your place” by proving your point. They pile on without repercussions on social media, like Twitter…
