Fitting in

The first thing that came to my mind honestly was its because your black. But I have noticed a rise in black otakus in the last 5+ years. Also! My other advice is to wear something on your head that says hey I'm an otaku hear me roar! Such as dog/cat ears or a messenger bag with C.C half naked in there. Just please don't cosplay as an Akatsuki member, if I had a dollar for everytime I saw a black person cosplaying as one... Don know why its so popular for black people to cosplay as Kisame...

^^ True I never thought alot of blacks were into this stuff, But after meeting some good friends, You'd be surprised how many blacks cosplay here. My buddy went with me to supercon dressed as hatsune miku. I saw another dressed as black rock shooter. Just have to socialize and let your presence be known. They might just be waiting for you to approach them.

You will find a group of friends that will like you for who you are. For me I am the most diverse guy around, my childhood best friend is gay and I support him. My good friend is a Jamaican who also enjoys Anime and Video Games alot. It maybe hard at first but be yourself, be nice to others, and eventually you will make some friends and fit in.

I've always wondered if I could "find someone" who was into otaku but seeing how exceptionally difficult it is for me to break ice whether it's race or general profile I think it might be better to stick with what I know works =/. Some good advice though in this thread.

Also another tip for finding friends. Try volunteering at cons. They'll usually assign you with at least one other person and you can meet new people who you do your shifts with. Plus you get a free badge and depending on which department they put you in, behind the scenes access. Also some cons provide food and/or crash space for free or cheap so that's another potential plus

Honestly, the easiest way to "fit in" at cons is to cosplay, even if it's something small like a tshirt with an anime on it. Though some people at conventions have big personalities, not everyone does, myself included. When I attend in street clothes, I get bizarre looks as if to say "What the hell is this girl doing here? Is she lost? Maybe someone should help her." Because to be honest? I look like a ditzy prep, who wandered into the convention... But the second I put on my cosplay, random people come over and treat me like I'm one of the crowd and ask me my thoughts on the latest manga chapter or episode. Or just ask to take a picture or what my take is on my character... I'm not sure why this happens, but it does. Just know that you're not alone in the situation!

You guys need to rememeber that alot of otakus and people into anime and cosplaying are looked down upon as well, so people tend to be suspicious and keep distances from people they think are their for "other" reasons. Sometimes their are those kinds of people that are up to no good, but as everyone has said show that you're part of them and know a thing or too like wearing a shirt related to a game or anime and people will take that as a sign.