Henry Jenkins wrote the article “Get a Life!” which talks about “Trekkies” who are people who become obsessed with certain TV shows or movies. The article calls these people “fanaticals” who in Jenkins eyes are misfits in society. I knew little about these people who become obsessed with such things as Star Wars and Harry Potter because, I unlike them do not become obsessed with these types of things. In the article Jenkins talked about these "trekkies" being viewed as mindless consumers but they are not actually mindless consumers. They know what they are doing and by doing this they are only helping their economy for such things as Star Wars and Harry potter.
Before really discussing it in class I feel like I was like everyone else; I thought these types of people were weird. After reading Jenkins article and talking about it in class I started to ask myself why I considered them so weird. Like we discussed in class, no I don’t think I would ever date anyone like that, we obviously are interested in different things, but that’s ok. Everyone is entitled to enjoy and like certain things. I myself love Michael Jackson, now I know I don’t love him to the point that some of these Trekkies love their Star Wars, but I listen to his songs on repeat and occasionally watch his performances on DVD’s. Does that give me some type of a classification or is it just accepted because Michael Jackson was loved many?
Jenkins also explained that grass roots came about when these fanatics decided to create their own things in society. I say props to people who can stand up for what they believe in and enjoy what they want to enjoy. Again I will refer to my love for the King of Pop. I get the comments from people telling me how he molested little boys and how gross that is, but I still continue to stand up for him. No one will be able to change my mind on him and I sort of think that’s how Trekkies feel. No matter how many people think they’re lame or classify them as “social misfits, brainless consumers,” and “desexualized” they will continue going to their conventions with their expensive costumes and enjoy every last minute of it. Who are we to stop them? Who are we to even comment on them? We don’t know them, probably because we won’t give them the time of day to get to know them, but why should we be able to call them desexualized? We don’t know their sex life. Who gives us, or Henry Jenkins the right to call them social misfits? What even is a social misfit? So what I’ve learned through Jenkins article and discussions in class is that these are people who enjoy being this way no matter who talks about them negatively, and you know what, that’s ok. Who am I to talk negatively about them when I get it from people regarding Michael? So not only have I learned a lot through class and Jenkins article on the subject but I have also learned a little bit more about myself.
I have placed a YouTube video of Michael Jackson singing one of his famous songs, Black or White. I think this song represents what I have argued here. So enjoy his performance and take a good listen to the lesson he is trying to teach through the lyrics.
And always remember, it’s ok to like what you want, and it’s ok to stand up for what you believe in, no matter who or what is telling you that you shouldn’t.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUBVixV1H0s
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