Kotaku recently posted cosplay images they have taken from Colossal Con, featuring some amazing cosplayers. I noticed the images make their rounds on Facebook by either those featured in the set or from others just expressing there love for the cosplayers. As I scrolled through these images I do what I always do and read some of the comments as many of my friends have been featured in these sets and I like to see what people are saying about their hard work. What I soon read struck a nerve. The comment section which normally will be filled with its occasional troll (after all this is the internet) was filled with irrational hate and incredibly racist remarks being made towards one of the cosplayers.

Devin Panda, who did a Borderlands styled Bowser, modeling alongside my friend, Helena Steele, who also did a Borderlands styled Princess Peach, was called a “Field N*****.” Although Kotaku deleted the comments, the damage was done.

In addition to that, earlier this week another friend of mine, Victory Cosplay, who had recently done D.Va, received many racist remarks such as “Black D.Va, N.Ga,” or even saying “Nice Winston Cosplay” (Winston is the Gorilla character in the game).

But racism is not the only thing we find in this industry and this art form. I have also noticed and alarming amount of body shaming that is done, not only by trolls, but also by other cosplayers themselves. Calling some of the cosplayers too skinny, anorexic. You also get the other side of the coin where they are called disgusting, or fat or, my least favorite, “This person has no right to wear that.” So I ask, why is this still a thing? Why? Why is this still a thing?

We are nerds. We are the outcast group. We are the people who sat alone at the weird group table in high school. So, why when we should be surround by others who have been called names, made fun of, or hurt by someone at some point in our time, do feel the need to hurt others? What right does anyone have? Now, I know that we all have been guilty of doing something that could be considered hurtful, but maybe we should think before we speak, especially in such a public forum as this.

In our time, when there are more multiracial people in our country every year, the fact that some still refer to people in such a racist manner is disgusting. Quite frankly, it is absurd that such slurs are being thrown around. Maybe this was common in the 1800’s & early 1900’s but its 2016; times have changed. Both of these cosplayers did a phenomenal job on their costumes, as did all of them.

In addition to that, no one knows where people’s feelings and emotions truly are anymore. So many people suffer and deal with internal struggles and really could use a positive moment or a positive statement. To hurt people like this is to build hate and create more hate. When you wonder why people act out, think to yourself, maybe they just had enough.

I leave you with this fun fact, in case no one told you this. When you are on the internet and you see something you might not like or disagree with, you can move along; you don’t need to hurt someone with your words. I promise you will be okay not saying something negative.

* Sincerely, Spectra