Nerd /nərd/INFORMALnoun1.a person who is extremely enthusiastic and knowledgeable about a particular subject, especially one of specialist or niche interest. Synonym: BLERD, GEEK.
Y’all, the nerds are on a mission- but not the ones from that beloved 80’s cult classic.
This new generation of nerds are here to end discrimination and remind us that nerd culture has always been for everyone.
Nerd culture, encompassing comic books, video games, sci-fi, fantasy, and anime, has long been celebrated as a refuge for those who feel like outsiders. Yet, despite its purported inclusivity, this community often exhibits gatekeeping behaviors that marginalize Black, women, and queer fans and creators. Moments after her viral “Mamushi” cosplay post, Megan Thee Stallion fans quickly created and shared their own Mamushi -mashups to push back on the “clout chasing” claims made against the mange loving megastar. Squads of geeks went into a reddit rage upon hearing Ubisoft’s announcement that Yasuke, was to be the main player character, in their Assassin’s Creed Shadows game. Critics cried out in dismay when Marvel & DC comics revealed that Iceman & Jonathan Kent were LGBT characters, insisting the legacy of these characters were now tarnished. Women-led Marvel movies and tv shows received sharp criticism. Critics took to their keyboards, sharing graphs, charts and skewed math equations predicting the steaming and box office downfalls of these MCU productions. Why are women, queer and Black folk being subjected to know-it-all geeks, whose apoplectic “ACHTUALLY…” herald yet another gatekeeping moment? Popular opinion leads one to believe that this resistance often stems from a narrow view of authenticity, where certain fans believe that only white, male-dominated stories are worth telling and those who don’t fit the (stereo)type have never REALLY belonged to or contributed to nerd culture.
Well…ACHTUALLY…
Before becoming a chart-topping rap star, Megan Thee Stallion became famous in high school for speaking out against the banning of the school’s Nerd Day, by declaring that the ban was a “discrimination against nerds everywhere”. Despite the criticism, her influence has helped normalize the presence of Black women in spaces traditionally dominated by white and Asian men. Her unapologetic embrace of anime serves as a beacon for other fans who might feel excluded, showing that nerd culture can be a space for everyone, regardless of race or gender. Take that, fanboys. But hey, let’s not put it all on them because sometimes…just sometimes, the phone call comes from inside the house. Some LGBTQ+ fans felt betrayed by Rowling’s comments, arguing that her stance on rans women undermined the inclusive and diverse messages that the Harry Potter series had promoted. This internal conflict created a divide among fans, including those who felt that their own identities were being invalidated by the author’s views. Women and POC, expressed criticism over how Marvel/Disney’s SHE-HULK series addressed feminist issues and the portrayal of She-Hulk’s character. Critics argued that the series often resorted to stereotypes and failed to provide a nuanced portrayal of the challenges faced by women in the legal profession and the superhero world. Muslim & South Asian viewers felt that Ms. Marvel presented a sanitized version of Kamala Khan’s cultural background and superhero story, which they believed was influenced by the desire to appeal to a broad audience rather than remaining true to the character’s origins.
The most virulent critics arguing that a Black samurai did not fit their traditional image of feudal Japan were Black. Among their laundry list of complaints was that the game’s portrayal of Yasuke strayed from historical facts, either by embellishing or altering his story for the sake of the game’s narrative. Many accused Ubisoft of the use of Yasuke’s image and story was more about ticking a diversity box rather than a genuine effort to tell his story respectfully and accurately. As it turns out, Yasuke, a national folk hero, is to Japan what Davey Crockett is to some Texans. Ubisoft had the foresight to support Blerds who continue elevating the gaming, and comic book industries.
Black nerds have been around since the 50’s when the word itself became pop culture slang yet, Black creatives typically found mainstream success by developing characters, content that spoke to cultures and people that didn’t look like their own. In the 90’s, Black creatives began combining their love of all things nerdy with another rapidly growing subculture called hip-hop. In 1993, Milestone Media, founded in 1993 by Dwayne McDuffie, Denys Cowan, Michael Davis, and Derek T. Dingle was created to provide a platform for African American and other minority comic book creators and characters, addressing the lack of diversity in the comic book industry. Blerd brothers, Guy Sims and Dawud Anyabwile created the iconic BROTHERMAN comic series which inspired many notable creatives from Afua Richardson to Kid Cudi. To combat gatekeeping, nerds began creating content and spaces where many marginalized voices can thrive like Black Fae Day, Black Comic book Day festival, to DreamCon, Blerdcon and Atlantic Comic Con, and others provide platforms for underrepresented groups to celebrate their fandom. These events not only offer visibility but also build diverse communities where everyone feels visible.
Diversity broadens the appeal and relevance of nerd culture but also challenges and dismantles longstanding stereotypes and gatekeeping behaviors. The rise in nerd culture reflects a significant societal shift where once niche interests such as comic books, video games, and science fiction have become mainstream. This transformation is largely driven by the pervasive influence of the internet and social media, which have democratized access to content and fostered diverse communities. As a result, geek culture is no longer confined to the fringes but celebrated in popular media, conventions, and mainstream entertainment. This shift underscores a broader cultural embrace of individuality and the breaking down of traditional social barriers, allowing for a more inclusive and vibrant expression of identity and creativity. Ultimately, it fosters a more vibrant, creative, and equitable space for all enthusiasts, encouraging innovation and cultural growth. Nerd subculture, known for embracing diversity, technology, gaming and comic books is too expansive for gates and gatekeeping. Let’s keep living our best nerd life. by highlighting the contributions of marginalized groups to nerd culture.
