Nerds, Cosplay, and Comic Con: Hegemonic Masculinity at Popular Culture Conventions and Fandom

• In Event: 21061 - Section on Race, Gender, and Class Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (60 minute): Table 3: Media, Art, and Culture

Abstract

Popular culture conventions in the United States have recently gained considerable popularity. This growth is directly linked to the commercial success of various films and television series, particularly the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which has brought mainstream audiences that were once solely focused on comic books. This medium has historically been associated specifically with nerd culture. The rise of popular culture conventions has also led to increased participation in cosplay, an important performance where individuals wear costumes and play as various characters. This shift towards popular culture becoming part of the zeitgeist has opened new opportunities for nerd men, who were once perceived as holding a subordinate masculine status, to exert hegemonic masculinity at the expense of marginalized groups. Previous research has examined popular culture, cosplay, or nerds independently. However, this study aims to understand how all three elements are interconnected within hegemonic masculinity. Popular culture is not immune to discussions of diversity, equity, and inclusion, with some nerds actively opposing any advances toward progress. But what happens when these nerds are men of Color? How do they perceive the inclusion and treatment of women? Are there men who actively challenge the status quo and advocate for change? This research seeks to answer many of these questions through qualitative methods, drawing from ethnographic fieldwork conducted at over 25 different popular culture conventions (over 14 years) and 40 in-depth semi-structured interviews with nerd men of color. I argue that nerd men of Color find themselves in a precarious position. Because of their race, they occupy a marginalized masculine status; however, this masculinity is often leveraged in ways that work against their own self-interest. This manifests through the mistreatment of women and the active opposition to equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives while demanding improved racial representation.

Author

• Bernabe Rodriguez, University of California Riverside