LOCAL FEATURE o s P THANK YOU TIF VON BATSY TAKES A PICTURE WITH A FAN DURING FAN EXPO DENVER 2021. CREDIT: ADRIAN MICHAEL TIF VON BATSY TAKES A PICTURE WITH HER DAUGHTER AND HUSBAND DURING FAN EXPO DENVER 2021. CREDIT: ADRIAN MICHAEL WE LOVE OUR PINTS FIGHTING POVERTY FUNDRAISER SPONSORS AND PARTICIPANTS! TIF VON BATSY TALKES TO FANS ABOUT THE CHARACTER SHE’S PLAYING AS DURING FAN EXPO DENVER 2021. CREDIT: ADRIAN MICHAEL TIF VON BATSY TAKES A SELFIE WITH A FAN DURING FAN EXPO DENVER 2021. CREDIT: ADRIAN MICHAEL lips and dark skin — characteristics reminiscent of Sambo during the Jim Crow era. “We just want to have equal ground,” said von Batsy “Some people think they can only be this or that because that’s who they think they have to be. There need to be more people who branch out and be different and are not scared to step outside of comfort zone.” The character von Batsy plays is happy, positive & friendly. She chose it because, according to her, she enjoys dressing up as characters that she likes and associates with. She also likes helping people and walking around mingling as the character she’s portraying. Even with all the optimism and open-mindedness that von Batsy strives to exude, she acknowledges the challenges within the cosplay sphere. Von Batsy has run into people who find it offensive that she plays a character with a different skin tone. They tell her it’s not right to cosplay someone who isn’t Black. “I look at it this way: When cosplaying, you dress up because you relate to the character – it has nothing to do with skin color. You don’t need to imitate another person’s actual skin or race. The industry needs to be accepting of Black cosplayers who want to be any character they want. We’re not disrespecting the white character; we’re not putting on white skin. I don’t know how to get rid of that racist mindset.” Based on the trend toward more inclusion within the fandom space, it appears the industry is noticing and slowly starting to change. Recently, Miles Morales become the first Spider-Man of color, and Disney is going to release a live-action film of “The Little Mermaid,” with Ariel played by a Black actress. More white voice actors are stepping away from playing People of Color, and more studios are pushing for voice actors to be of the same ethnicity as the characters they’re portraying. “The majority of people hate that comic heroes are becoming Black,” said von Batsy, “but it shouldn’t matter. We need more diverse characters. People have to speak up and do the right thing — hire people for what they can do and not just to be a token.” Von Batsy believes it’s important not only for herself but for others to be seen dressing up as different people. “It’s a level of empowerment. I like positivity, and I have a belief that people should ask ‘Why can’t we do this?’ I want people to know they’re going to look awesome, and they need to hear and see more encouragement like this.” Von Batsy has discovered her purpose in cosplaying, and she encourages others to find a way to find their own. “Be confident,” von Batsy said. “People will tell you things not to do, and you have to have resolve and confidence. Do things that matter the most to you!” ■ December 2021 DENVER VOICE 9 n fighting Pints poverty a fundraiser r 2 C 0 2 i 1 - n u b r a w l e p
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