Tag: Dealers’ Room

René

On January 5, 2011

Dealers’ Room Director

I have volunteered at conventions for over fifteen years. I was president of the USS Chesapeake (a chapter of Starfleet International) in Richmond for eight years, now I’m second in command. The Chesapeake is a non-profit charity organization that supports Ronald McDonald House, the Battered Women’s Shelter, and other charities in the Richmond area.

“Bigotry and racism are among the deadliest social ills plaguing the world today. But, unlike a team of costumed super-villains, they can’t be halted with a punch in the snoot, or a zap from a ray gun. The only way to destroy them is to expose them — to reveal them for the insidious evils they really are.” – Stan Lee, 1968

The world is hurting right now; but POC, black people in particular, have been hurting for hundreds of years, and we have been silent for too long.

Here at RavenCon, we would like to make it clear that we fully support and believe that #BlackLivesMatter. There is no room for racism in the world, in fandom, or among our own community of convention supporters, staff, and guests. We believe that we must all #saytheirnames and seek justice for those whose voices have been forced silent.

We will not tolerate racists or those who seek to silence the heart of fandom, and we are taking this moment to affirm and state it clearly for all to see. We have made mistakes in the past and are working to learn from them so we do better going forward. If any previous attendees, guests, or staff have feedback for us on this, please send a message to info@ravencon.com.

“We don’t leave here and stop, you know, we don’t leave here and stop. This is longevity. Some of you are artists, some of you are bankers, some of you are lawyers, some of you own shops/stores. You are important. Your individual power, your individual right, is very, very important. We can all join together to make this a better world.” – John Boyega, 2020