In the wake of BookCon’s scramble to offer a more diverse panel after internet backlash, a new movement has risen.
Plz Diversify Your Panels has a straightforward message: we’re sick of panels that consist solely of the privileged, while ignoring, intentionally or not, more diverse representation. Their mission statement is pretty clear:
Plz Diversify Your Panel seeks to create diverse, intersectional panels. We’ve chosen to accomplish this by organizing a list of people who will refuse to be on panels which do not include a diverse representation of people who have been marginalized for any reason — race, gender, sexual orientation, able-bodiedness, etc.
The Tumblr thus far consists of a list — names of people and organizations who are taking a stand and refusing to participate in a poorly or unevenly represented panel — the mission statement, and a number of FAQs. Those who sign the petition offer up small bios of themselves which are showcased on the blog. A few recognizable names are there already.
What do you think, folks? If you’re a panelist, will you sign the petition? Either way, this is a space to watch as con season continues.
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