Slang dictionary
problematic fave
or your fave is problematic
What does problematic fave mean?
A problematic fave is a character or person who鈥檚 done or said offensive (i.e. problematic) things. Your fave is problematic is a phrase that usually accompanies a cited list of these offensive things. The term is used exclusively in discussions about fandom, celebrities, and media.
Where does problematic fave come from?
Fave is a shortened version of favorite. In the context of problematic faves, a problematic person is one who鈥檚 said or done things that might be considered sexist, racist, or otherwise offensive to a group of individuals. Taken together, a problematic fave is a well-liked person who has done some things or has held some views that are considered offensive by others. The phrase was first used on social media, mostly in discussions of pop culture figures.
The phrase your fave is problematic was largely popularized by a Tumblr blog of the same name, launched on March 17, 2013. The blog features lengthy posts, containing cited examples of a given celebrity鈥檚 problematic behavior. The blog鈥檚 first post was about comedian Louis C.K., wherein the moderators outlined offensive routines he performed, which included anti-Semitic jokes and the use of slurs. The phrase became quite popular on Tumblr, as Tumblr has a reputation for being an online space for discourse on social issues.
Examples of problematic fave
Who uses problematic fave?
The phrase problematic fave encourages fans of a person to critically consider that person鈥檚 words and actions. On the blog, 鈥淵our fave is problematic,鈥� each entry begins in this way: 鈥淵our fave is problematic: [person鈥檚 name].鈥� This format spreads knowledge of these actions and encourages critical discussion of their issues.
Outside of its original, serious context, the phrase your fave is problematic is also used as a joke to contrast with the serious, and sometimes cutthroat, blogosphere. Bloggers might create lists about their favorite fictional character and title it 鈥淵our fave is problematic: [character鈥檚 name].鈥� The list itself then proceeds to include innocuous, or even positive characteristics or actions, such as 鈥渉air too poofy,鈥� 鈥渢otal goddess,鈥� or 鈥渟eems suspiciously too perfect.鈥�
Even well-known feminists like Amy Poehler and Tina Fey have been called problematic for their jokes and actions. Naming someone a problematic fave is not a permanent condemnation; it鈥檚 a call to do better. People call their favorite actors and characters their problematic faves as a way to acknowledge that the individual has done wrong in the past, but that they still like them despite that.
The expression problematic fave spawned its direct opposite unproblematic fave or non-problematic fave. An unproblematic fave is a person who hasn鈥檛 publically made offensive comments.
Note
This is not meant to be a formal definition of problematic fave like most terms we define on 亚洲网紅露点, but is rather an informal word summary that hopefully touches upon the key aspects of the meaning and usage of problematic fave that will help our users expand their word mastery.