Just wrapped up this past weekend, FAN EXPO Dallas 2024 solidified its place as the biggest nerd, with a twist of pop, culture event in Texas.The three-day extravaganza, held at Dallas’s downtown Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, offered a smorgasbord of attractions for fans of all ages and interests, touting interactive exhibits, gaming tournaments, and family-friendly stage shows. The event truly embodied the spirit of nerd and pop culture, bringing together fans from all walks of life to celebrate their shared passions.
This year’s FAN EXPO boasted an impressive lineup of celebrity guests, including genre veterans like William Shatner (Star Trek) and David Tennant (Doctor Who), alongside rising stars like Caleb McLaughlin and Gaten Matarazzo (Stranger Things). Fans flocked to get autographs, photos, and cherished memories with their favorite actors.
But, FAN EXPO wasn’t just about meeting celebrities. The event offered a treasure trove of activities for attendees. Comic enthusiasts browsed through booths overflowing with rare finds and new releases, while aspiring artists honed their skills at the Creator Academy workshops. Plus, the cosplay scene was in full force, with attendees showcasing their elaborate costumes inspired by everything from anime to video games.
Blerds Unite: FAN EXPO 2024 Celebrated Black Nerd Culture
Still, more interesting was the expo’s diversity, drawing in participants from all over Texas to share with other Black fans in what has become known as “Black Nerd culture”. Black Nerd culture, or “Blerd” culture as it’s often called, is a vibrant tapestry woven from a love of all things nerdy – comics, sci-fi, fantasy, gaming, technology, and more – with a deeply rooted Black identity. But for many Black nerds, navigating mainstream nerd spaces historically meant feeling like an outsider. The characters they loved often lacked diversity, and the stereotype of the “cool Black kid” left little room for embracing their intellectual pursuits.
The term “Blerd” emerged in the early 2000s, offering a label that resonated with Black nerds. It signaled a space where being Black and being a nerd were not seen as mutually exclusive. This newfound identity came with a sense of belonging. Online forums, podcasts like those by Blerd, and conventions specifically for Black nerds began to flourish. Here, Black geeks could celebrate their passions, discuss representation in media, and create content that reflected their unique experiences.
Still, Blerd culture isn’t just about consuming content; it’s about creating it. FAN EXPO 2024 showcased a plethora of Black writers, animators and actors, all carving out their own spaces to craft and tell stories with Black heroes and heroines saving the day. These Black artists are reimagining classic characters and designing their own fantastical worlds while Black coders are building innovative games and apps to house these worlds.
From cosplay to anime, Blerd culture has become a safe space wanting to explore the larger nerd culture. For instance, the Black cosplay subculture is a vibrant and dynamic space within the larger cosplay community where Black cosplayers come together to celebrate their love of fiction and characters, while also navigating the unique challenges and triumphs of being a person of color in the world of cosplay.
“We cos[play] heavy, especially on the West coast, so this is really cool”, said a Fan Expo attendee there with several friends. Black cosplayers could be seen sprinkled through the expo, pushing boundaries and creating stunning portrayals of characters who may not have traditionally been seen as Black. From DC Comics’ Storm and Harley Quinn to Marvel’s Spiderman. Their outfits challenged the idea that characters need to look a certain way, and in doing so, injected a much-needed dose of diversity into the space.
Black cosplay culture is about more than just costumes. It’s about celebrating Black creativity, building a strong community, and challenging the status quo. Despite the progress, Black fans still face challenges in the culture as there is still a lack of representation and some in the cosplay community still gatekeep certain characters.
Meanwhile, Black anime fans have always been a vibrant part of the anime fandom. From the earliest days of Aaron McGruder’s Boondocks to Samuel L. Jackson’s Afro Samurai, anime has offered themes of overcoming adversity, perseverance, and strong friendships, which resonate deeply with the Black experience. Many Black characters, though not always plentiful, stand out for their power and coolness (think characters like Michiko Malandro from Michiko & Hatchin or Ogun Montgomery from Fire Force).
However, the lack of consistent Black representation has also been a point of discussion. Black fans have had to navigate a world where their experiences weren’t always reflected on screen. Still, this hasn’t stopped Black creativity from flourishing. Black artists like AJ Moore, who showcased his work at the FAN EXPO, makes it a point to reflect experiences that are real to him. “We have to be here, because who else can tell our stories”, said AJ when asked about a piece of artwork depicting Michael Jackson in different phases of life. “I did this piece with both Micahels, the new one and the old one,” speaking to Jackson’s different skin tones throughout his life, a constant culturally relevant topic amongst Black Americans.
Black fandom is a testament to the power of finding community and representation in unexpected places. Black creators are pushing boundaries and ensuring that Black voices are heard within the culture. As the industry becomes more global and diverse, Blerd culture has undoubtedly continued to grow and influence the stories we see in print and on screen. In fact, in today’s ever changing world, Blerd culture and anime in particular are beginning to serve as a space for creative activism.
Blerd Culture As Activism
Quiet as it’s kept, politics and fandom have a fascinatingly intertwined relationship – informing and making statements as creators use their art to reflect the times. In the case of anime, the genre has explored social issues like war, poverty, and discrimination. Works like “Attack on Titan” grapple with the consequences of war, while “Psycho-Pass” tackles themes of social control and mental health. Anime has also been used to influence the historical and political climate as creators might also use fictional settings to explore real-world political issues. “Code Geass” uses a masked vigilante to comment on rebellion and authoritarianism.
The rise of anime’s Black audience means creators might consider international political and cultural sensitivities when crafting stories. Power struggles, governmental corruption, and social unrest are already common themes in anime while characters can embody political ideologies, with their actions sparking discussions about leadership, justice, and revolution.
For Blerds and Black creators, anime is being used to inspire critical thought and start conversations while cosplay and the overall nerd culture offers a space to explore and exercise passions. Blerd culture is a testament to the power of embracing your individuality. It’s about rejecting stereotypes and carving out a space where Black nerds can be their authentic selves. As the movement continues to grow, we can expect to see even more groundbreaking creativity and a future where Black nerds are not just seen, but celebrated.