Furries are breaking through. Obama and the Oscars like you. Now you’re on a federal stamp.
by Patch O'Furr
Ruddy Ducks, by Jennifer Miller – stamp contest winning art.
What’s next – a fursuit campaign for president? I’m half-joking… but these are real events recently:
- Obama invited a Furry to hang out at the White House.
- Fursuiters are featured in an Oscar-nominated movie.
And this week:
From Dronon on Flayrah:
Congrats to the artist we know as Nambroth for winning the U.S. Federal Duck Stamp contest!
Edit: Embarrassing correction! Title was changed from “postage stamp” to “federal stamp”. Duck Stamps aren’t for postage. (They’re a collectible, hunting license, entrance pass, and fund raiser.) Rushing to respond to news meant I didn’t read deeply. Still, it’s major recognition for a Furry artist. “The only juried art competition run by the U.S. government” – “sold in post offices across the country”; “goes directly to purchase or lease wetland habitat for protection in the National Wildlife Refuge System… one of the most successful conservation programs ever initiated.”
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What a great time to be Furry. But actually, our awesomeness isn’t unprecedented…
Blech. Obama needs REAL furries next Easter.
Margaret Cho and Andrew WK are down with us! (Yay – she faved my tweet.)
The mayor of Pittsburgh has officially proclaimed July 5th, 2014, Anthrocon Day! How freaking cool is that?!? pic.twitter.com/2mNwpqo37a
— Novaris (@NovarisHusky) July 5, 2014
In my article – “Is this the year furries gain respect?” I asked if the general public was lightening up on judgemental attitudes of yesteryear. You can take these accomplishments to make an enthusiastic “Yes!” … with qualifications. It’s not so much an overt embrace, as backstage influence and talent:
- The Duck Stamp isn’t furry art. It’s wildlife art by a talent who is “one of us”.
- Obama didn’t invite furries. He recognized one of us representing the Maker movement.
- The Oscars didn’t approve a furry movie, (not a Hollywood product, either). It’s a weird foreign art-house thing, that has important contributions from Furries invited to work with the movie director. (Actually, it’s a very good movie and you should see it.)
When I posted a link to “Marvel looking to capture the Furry market?” – That’s a half-joking headline too. Obviously a tiny niche of thousands isn’t a base for mass media. There isn’t a test market of Furaffinity users.
BUT… small niches of devoted fans and creators work like tastemakers and trendsetters.
Bottom line: your fan activities are still a well-kept secret. It’s a subculture, but a very legitimate one – to it’s members.
Is there a reason to be anything more than a secret passed among friends? Is there anything good about being a trend?
My article about “Pseudo-furry” music videos and trends asked if it was bad to have “interplay” of influences. I think the attention and crossover has plenty of positive effects. It invites fans through gateways. Everyone is welcome here – that’s not a bad trend! But as long as there are outside barriers (like taste, judgement, or stigma) insulating our thing from wider acceptance, it will stay based on passion and creativity for it’s own sake.
Don’t worry about weirdness or too much acceptance. Keep doing your thing… be yourselves… let furriness reign.
