See here.
[Ghost cites The Politics of Otaku, saying] [I am] prepared to suggest that the word otaku enter the english dictionaries the same way sushi and karate have. [Essentially, "otaku" is a tricky word.]
It seems to me that what marks the otaku is the social castigation. It’s a double standard – cultural specifics don’t travel: India’s caste system is limited to India, not America. …I obviously feel enriched, having made new friends. The relationship at any point never became between Japanese person and a weeaboo. It was really just guys hanging out, with me doing my best Alicia impression.”
While I have no problems relating to myself as an otaku, it isn’t what defines the totality of my identity. I don’t hide what shows I like and what fictional characters I enjoy, but people somehow don’t relate to me merely as the sum of my hobby.
[Ghost poses five questions for us]
- Do you refer to yourself as an otaku? Why/Why not?
- If you don’t does it really mean you aren’t one?
- If/when you go (have gone) to Japan, what would your trip be like?
- Do you know people who refer to themselves as otaku, but watches far less anime and does far fewer anime/manga related activities than you? How do you feel about them?
- Do you know people who don’t refer to themselves as otaku, but watches just as much if not more anime than you or does more anime/manga related activities than you? How do you feel about them?
What You Should Get Out of This
Ghost implicitly states that we shouldn’t get needlessly caught up in the politics of derogatory classifications like “otaku”, but, rather, simply enjoy and share our hobbies with other people as people.