DC Comics is dragged for misrepresenting 'Blerd' culture: 'Words mean things'
Holy ratio, Batman! DC Comics ignited a Twitter firestorm — not to be confused with Firestorm — when the publisher took to social media with a special announcement about its upcoming DC FanDome event. Scheduled for August 22, DC FanDome is billed as a 24-hour virtual convention for all things DC, from comics to TV shows to movies, like the upcoming Snyder Cut of Justice League. (Here’s hoping we also get a longer version of the Reynolds Cut of Green Lantern.)
On Twitter, DC announced that the FanDome would also feature another edition of Blerd & Boujee — an event they debuted at last year’s in-person Comic-Con in San Diego that celebrated Black comic book culture. But the announcement was greeted with a resounding lack of enthusiasm when fans followed a link featured in DC’s post that recapped the 2019 Blerd & Boujee boat party.
Blerd & Boujee is coming to #DCFanDome 💥 Here's a taste of what to expect based on last year's party: https://t.co/Oszz528pHU pic.twitter.com/S6CFbKQMm3
— DC (@DCComics) August 3, 2020
That post has since been deleted from DC’s official site, but screen grabs reveal what started the ruckus. In the article, the word “Blerd” was defined as referring to “diverse fans of color from Black, Latinx and Asian communities who are into gaming, tech, anime, comics, movies and TV.” As many on Twitter were quick to note, though, the term was initially coined by Black nerds for Black nerds. Specifically, it was referenced by Scrubs star and real-life Blerd Donald Faison on a 2006 episode of the long-running sitcom that’s often credited with popularizing the term. In recent years, events like the Washington, D.C.-based BlerdCon have placed an emphasis on celebrating Black nerds, while also being inclusive of people of color and minority groups.
Taken from @DCComics official blog. Who is responsible for this misinformation? BLERD is a portmanteau of the words BLACK and NERD. pic.twitter.com/Y3kOdGBRxH
— thenerdyweightlifter (@thenerdywl) August 4, 2020
“Blerd” means Black Nerd @DCComics
— Comedian Khairy (@OMGItsKhairy_) August 4, 2020
Also @DCComics. Blerd does not stand for "Blacks, Latinx, and Asians". It stands for Blacks only. https://t.co/73I4BbvEwz
— tyrese sanders (@tysandsnyc) August 3, 2020
Again, for the people in the back:
BLERD MEANS BLACK NERD. Words mean things, and you co-opting this language is lame and low key violent.— Queerly Femmetastic is BLACK ✊🏿 (@is_she_okay) August 4, 2020
How does BLERD which is literally a combo of Black + Nerd = this ? I mean if you want to get technical there are Black people with Asian and Latinx backgrounds but Blerd IS NOT an all encompassing word for all minorities. Do better @DCComics https://t.co/sMfVk8306J
— Chá Merri (@chacharmedgeek) August 4, 2020
Also Blerd refers to BLACK nerds but blerd events are open to all especially people of color. Don’t like the definition in the linked article.
— G.I. Joe Kung-Fu Grip (@chelsearedd_) August 3, 2020
The poster art from the 2019 party — drawn by Black illustrator Kyle Baker — was also heavily criticized, including by someone who was involved in the event.
Issa Blerd? BLERD!!? Blerd & Boujee?! 😭 This is giving very strong ‘we don’t know how to connect with our black audience but at least we’re trying’ vibes
— Jo-El (@riangrayson) August 4, 2020
Execution for sure but also the idea. It’s very blaxploitation. Look at the wording used on the flier. It’s overdone and cheesy. DC as an entity should have partnered with an actual blerd organization seeing as they aren’t one and maybe gotten a blerd DJ.
— G.I. Joe Kung-Fu Grip (@chelsearedd_) August 4, 2020
.......I was celebrating the art until I saw the caption and title LOL. Wow, I haven't seen this level of Blaxploitation in a while.
— random girl (@FlinxFanFtw) August 3, 2020
— Champ_009 (@Champion_009) August 4, 2020
On Twitter, journalist Karama Horne, who covers Blerd culture as the Blerdgurl, indicated that she consulted with the 2019 Blerd & Boujee organizers, but didn’t have a say in the poster art or the way DC defined the word.
For the record, it was not co-opted. DC reached out to and worked with several Blerd outlets, myself included, to help create the party at SDCC last year. We have also worked with the diversity reps to help with this virtual event this year. #DCFanDome
— theblerdgurl™️ (@theblerdgurl) August 4, 2020
Not for this artwork. (I had absolutely nothing to do with that). But I am hosting a panel during the event and several Blerd outlets were part of the live party that they had at SDCC last year.
— theblerdgurl™️ (@theblerdgurl) August 4, 2020
THAT is what I have a call in to DC about. That didn't come from any of us, and it should have. (We also would have pulled or created better artwork). I have to go prep for my show, but I promise when I will get more info I will hop back on here with it.
— theblerdgurl™️ (@theblerdgurl) August 4, 2020
In the wake of the social media outcry, DC Comics issued a retraction for misrepresenting the word “Blerd” while also announcing that the virtual experience would proceed as scheduled. But the mystery of why Cyborg appears to be doing the Carlton remains unexplained...
The word Blerd was misrepresented in our previous post. We’re proud of last year’s invite created by artist Kyle Baker, our 2019 boat party, & the women who put it together. We're excited to celebrate Blerd culture at the Blerd & Boujee virtual experience in DC FanDome on 8/22.
— DC (@DCComics) August 6, 2020
okay but why is cyborg doing the carlton dance pic.twitter.com/wX5FriEezu
— Sid (@qLxke_) August 6, 2020
DC FanDome launches on August 22
Read more from Yahoo Entertainment
