My theory is that Natasha has clothing items from everybody in Shield that she thinks matters. It's less of a sign of dating and more of a signal that you're worth her making a display of dominance. It lets other people know not to mess with you, and lets you know that she can get ANYWHERE, and take ANYTHING away from you.
So, I know that Fox has decided to downplay Magneto’s Jewishness in the X-Men films - as in, no character has actually used the word “Jewish”, and they mostly stick to mentioning that Erik survived the Holocaust. And that’s all well and good I guess, but, with the High Holidays just around the corner, I invite you to consider:
Erik trying to remember his mother’s brisket recipe and eating his mistakes
Erik muttering “Oy gevalt” when he’s annoyed, which is often
Old Man Erik writing grumpy two-star Yelp reviews asking why every damn item in every damn restaurant has to have bacon in it these days
Erik never going to temple except to sit in the back during Yom Kippur services, not participating, not doing anything, just hoping that being in an atmosphere of repentance means something
Old Man Erik calling Kitty Pryde a mensch, because even if it is a traditionally masculine word, she’s still such a mensch
How much money I, personally, would pay to see Erik Lehnsherr look Charles Xavier in the eye and say, “May you be inscribed for a blessing in the Book of Life, old friend.”
This is so infuriating? Like do you really think war and smart phones cant exist in the same country at the same time without cancellation? Those phones (not even “expensive smartphones”) are probably all the connection they have with family. And that a phone = rich, and that their having a phone erases their status as refugees?
I got a smartphone brand new for $20, it’s not great and pretty far behind compared to the new phones but it was cheap.
My friend in Columbia was able to buy a similar one for about $12.
And also there is the fact that you can actually be middle class or even rich and end up as a refugee!
Let’s say your town floods and you can only grab what you can fit in a single backpack of course you are going to take your damn phone! ESPECIALLY when your entire family is split up cause the evacuation happened out of nowhere and you want to be able to find them again.
Racist white people seem to think cell phones cost $5 million dollars and nobody but tech billionaires and other whites should own them.
also let’s not forget that many of the immigrants were in a financially stable situation before shit happened. imagine if a war started in your country right now and you had to flee it. wouldn’t you take your phone with you? it’s the easiest way for these people to keep in touch with their families back home too. don’t be so judgemental. whether immigrants should have cellphones or not shouldn’t be a matter of debate. maybe we should care a little bit more about providing these people with resources so that they can satisfy their basic human needs.
All of this, every single comment
Never mind that there are charities that will put cellphones in people’s hands because they’re so essential. Never mind that how are you supposed to watch the news for updates on your own damn legal status? Never mind how are you supposed to map out the train system in a country you’ve probably never been to before, and if you have, it hasn’t been under this stressful of circumstances. Never mind that you need to find shelter tonight so you need to Google. Never mind that you need to keep in contact with members of your family and make sure everyone’s still alive and safe and not sick. Never mind that you need to set an alarm so you’re sure not to miss the next train, or take your medication, or get to an aid station for food at the appointed time. Never mind that you need to be able to contact aid organizations. Never mind that you need to be able to use translation apps. Never mind that you need to be able to look up symptoms on the internet because even if you could afford a doctor, where is there one unless you happen to be on the same train as a doctor fleeing their home? Never mind that when you fled your home with whatever you could carry with you, a cellphone and charger was one of the simplest, most versatile, most essential pieces of equipment you could lay hands on. Even if you left so quickly that you never even went home to pack a bag, you probably already had this piece of essential modern-day hardware with you.
I’ve seen so many mean-spirited comments, and my only response has been: honestly, if you were going about your day and suddenly had to flee the country with no notice, what would you be carrying with you? What makes you think these refugees are any different?
In my bag every day I have my phone and an extra power source, because my phone is how I do everything including tracking my medications. So, yeah, of course I’d have it if I had to flee the country, along with a fucking backup battery, and if you catch me when I have my full bag with me, then I’ve got my tablet too, like you said. It’s…
… it’s the same part of the brain that gets reaaaaally angry when poor people buy genuinely healthy food, or slightly indulgent food, or a frozen pizza, with food stamps, because they’re not in sackcloth and ashes.
It’s the classist expectation of someone who isn’t believed to be well-to-do not being “permitted” to have technology. I ran into this a lot when I was extremely poor when my bio son was an infant. We kept cellphones because they were not much more expensive than a land line and made us safer. Oh, but I got LOOKS.
It’s the same sort of mindset that looks into the shopping carts of people on food stamps. (There is a very large racial component there, too, so let’s not set that aside, as the reaction would not be the same if these were white evacuees by and large, but not purely one. It’s an ugly, ugly intersection in which you can’t be poor unless you’re the right kind of poor, in which you’re not disabled unless you look it, etc.)
The mindset that the poor and dispossessed must not only suffer but BE SEEN to suffer, and be seen to suffer in the way the viewer believes to be correct, is so bizarre, and so gross.
Went to a comic shop today and was asked if I’m wearing this shirt because I like Image Comics or because I like attention.
…pardon me while I burn everything.
Okay, time for more coherent anger.
Look at the OP. Now, look at your bookshelf. Now, back to the OP. If you’ve read A Red-Rose Chain, you may remember a girl named Susie reading Atomic Robo in a comic book store (the writer and artist of Atomic Robo sure noticed). Look at the OP’s name. This is someone whose love of comics is so firmly established that I wrote her into a book reading one. Which is a very unique “this person likes comics” validation.
But even apart from that…
I have known dudes and dude-presenting non-binary folks who wore superhero shirts, not because they liked comics, but because it was “expected” if they wanted to fit in. While I once got asked if the Saga shirt I was trying to buy for my best friend was a good idea, since it was fitted (best friend has boobs) and thus my boyfriend wouldn’t like it. Not “wouldn’t like it on me.” Wouldn’t like wearing it. I know one girl who quietly returned her gorgeous Black Widow dress to Torrid, because two nerd boys cornered her in the comic book store saying it proved she was horny. Why else would we wear the things we love, if not to get laid?
There is nothing wrong with wanting attention. But sweet Great Pumpkin, not everything a woman does is about getting attention. Sometimes we just want to be allowed to wear a fucking shirt.
i wish men understood that when women are talking about feminism and rape culture and shit, it’s not just a political conversation. it’s not about being a “social justice warrior” or whatever. it’s about our actual lives being shaped by misogyny since childhood, and the daily reality of living in fear of violence. this isn’t a fucking game or philosophical debate. this is our fucking lives.
this post is picking up like 100 notes per minute its outta control
Being a social justice warrior is a skill you learn in self-defense. Isn’t that what we’re always taught? That we should defend ourselves?
Apparently only when that defense is convenient, when it’s against the stranger in the alleyway and not the bastard in the boardroom.
Re: the Gawker article: Am currently listening to Save the Life of My Child "A patrol car passing by Halted to a stop Said officer MacDougal in dismay “The force can’t do a decent job ‘Cause the kids got no respect For the law today” (and blah blah blah)" https://youtu.be/diNi6F4usCM
me: *is having a hard time*
me: wow i really want to reach out to my friends for support
my brain: wrong that is manipulative and 100% not allowed you can never do that
wanting wonder woman to be muscular is not body policing oh my GOD
dc cast gal gadot and gal gadot didn’t bulk up because of SEXISM and because of shitty outdated association of muscle with masculinity. serena williams gets shit for being “built like a man” because of that SAME attitude. she hulk is consistently drawn with skinny lean arms and big boobs despite being a fucking HULK because of that SAME attitude.
wonder woman is a symbol of strength. she comes from a society of warriors. she is known for her combat skills as much as for her lasso and she deserves to be portrayed on the big screen with a body accurate to her character. if chris evans showed up to the iconic scene where he stumbles out with the super soldier serum with an average, slightly flabby gut, no real muscles to speak of, people would be angry. and yet there’s nothing wrong with a flabby gut or having no muscles- it’s just not accurate to the character. just like there’s nothing wrong with being skinny like gal gadot. in any other context, i would not give a flying fuck. but she’s wonder woman. she has to look the part.
we deserve muscular wonder womans and captain marvels on the screen (that’s right, marvel, please cast someone body accurate for carol danvers please) so that pop culture and media can start chipping away at the notion that muscles and physical strength are meant for men, not women. it’s an antiquated idea that needs to go and the best place to start would be with one of the most iconic women in pop culture.
People were all worked up when Sarah Connor, the waitress in Terminator 1
became Sarah Connor the warrior in Terminator 2:
But it made sense for the character. And once the movie came out, people agreed that it made sense.
But that was twenty-some years ago. Why are we still having this conversation?
Wonder Woman isn’t suppose to look like a Bond Girl.
She is suppose to look like a warrior who has spent her whole life using swords, spears, axes, and whatever else. Her hands and feet should look strong and calloused. Every part of her should be ripped.
Wonder Woman isn’t a super model.
I would almost pity the frail ego of the male population our media continues to pander too…but all I feel is anger at their continued effort to make women feel they can only exist to entertain men.
I have a problem with people saying that wanting a muscular Wonder Woman is body policing. It’s akin to white people screaming “reverse racism” when people complain about whitewashing.
Albinwonderland pulled the “Body Policing” card in her praise of Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman, and my hackles were instantly raised. Everything from TV, to magazines, to comics, tell us that to be worth something we have to be skinny with big tits. So demanding an “abnormal” body type for Wonder Woman is in fact NOT body policing, it’s about representation.
It’s like the complaints about how “mannish” and “ugly” the new Ghostbusters are. It’s also why the average age of female love interests are significantly lower than their male counterparts.
THIS
It’s not ‘Body policing’ to want for us to actually get to see bigger women, muscular women, women who aren’t petite size zero’s with big boobs ALL THE TIME
No one is saying that there’s anything wrong with women looking a certain way we’re simply asking for DIVERSITY of body types…
So I'm reading Aquarius, and all I'm seeing is Autistic, Autistic, Definitely Autistic, so now I'm wondering if the time of year you gestate in is a determining factor. Somebody's got to be collecting stats on this somewhere, right?
- Extremely motivated, like having a list of things to get done at work
-Optimistic people
-Impatient/impulsive
-Spontaneous
-go with the flow
- Typically Extroverted, but enjoys time alone too
- On the negative they can be very selfish and compulsive
-Blunt, the tell it like it is and are not shy from the truth
- They are very charismatic
Aries children are often more like their fathers than their mothers, when they are girls, Aries usually grow up as the “tomboy” Aries children love to be noticed for having a brain! They need respect from peers and elders.
Aries have a drive to get what they want, and they will always go after it. This is good because it keeps them balanced.
Taurus:
- Romantic/sensual
- Artistic, innovative and creative, they are easily inspired by people and environments that they are around a lot.
-Sentimental, to the point of hoarding.
-Self-indulgent particularly with money and food.
-Affectionate, the ultimate cuddle buddies <3
- Slow to rely on people, but once they do, they do so heavily.
- They are patient and methodical in their work as well as in others’ work, this makes them great manager-types
- On a negative side they are very self-critical and suffer anxiety because of this.
In childhood Taurus children spend a lot of time alone, and they are usually pretty happy this way. They often dream of having families and living in beautiful places. They have a habit of thinking that they are always in the way.
Taurus can be power hungry and need to watch it sometimes with unconscious manipulative behaviors.
Gemini:
- Quick- minded and creative they are the ultimate story tellers, and great at improv.
- Dramatic and usually outgoing, they love concerts and a lot of Gemini folks love to swim.
- They are curious and tend to look and act younger than they are.
- The most likely sign to have anxiety.
- Charming and Charismatic, they get themselves thrown into leadership positions, even though it is not usually what they want.
- They are open-minded
- They are also typically good with money.
In childhood, Gemini tend to get along with everyone (except that ONE person, if you know what I mean) They are the trouble maker kid who just got a little too excited to jump in on the action. They are clever and likely to pull pranks.
Gemini are one of the most exciting signs to be around and have as a friend.
Cancer:
-Subjective, Cancers are very good at being an uninvolved third party during an argument.
- They are intuitive and are likely to be mediums and/or empaths.
-They are imaginative and are the writers of the Zodiac.
- They are patient and attentive while learning about new things.
- Cancers are the introverts that always find themselves in extroverted situations.
- On the negative side, Cancers can be manipulative, and vengeful, though this is usually only in their thoughts and not reflected in their actions.
- They are sensitive and think of themselves as “average.”
In childhood, Cancers are usually closer to their mothers and don’t always get along with their fathers. They are inquisitive children and question their parents’ decisions on everything, they act much older than they are. Cancer children often find it difficult to sleep.
Cancers are understanding in relationships, however, sometimes they expect too much from their lover.
Leo:
-Romantic, not in the same sensual way as the Taurus friends, but in the grand gesture, pebbles on the windows with a boombox outside kind of romantic.
- Leos are born to be social, but will often convince themselves that they aren’t. Leo’s tend to think that they are quieter than they are.
-Without even realizing it, Leo’s treat life as a sales pitch, and they have to sell you on themselves.
- They are very proud, and one of the most opinionated signs of the zodiac, they love to share their opinions and get into feisty debates, but hate actual arguments.
- Big-spenders.
- They are likely to be obsessive-compulsive, type A personalities.
- In a negative light, Leo’s can be complacent and deal with the hand life gave them instead of trying to change it for the better.
- Leo’s have a big, yet fragile ego.
In childhood, Leos are very demanding. they like things done a certain way, and are not the best at hiding these feelings. They tend to be very talented children with seemingly “normal” childhoods. They are often closer to their mother than their father.
Leo’s like to dress up and present themselves one day, then watch Netflix and wear sweats all day the next. They are complex and exciting signs.
Virgo:
- One of the most mysterious signs, they don’t often show their true emotions, even though they are one of the signs most likely to suffer from emotional disorders like depression or bipolar disorder.
- Hardworking, Virgos think that they can do anything that they work hard for, they like to impress people with the amount of work they do, unfortunately, Virgos often work hard instead of smart, doing a lot more work than they really needed to.
-The above being said, Virgos are incredibly intelligent. They are witty and charming.
- They like everything to be in a specific order and are often afraid of things being dirty.
- They like to debate and persuade others to think the way that they do.
- Virgos are people who often have a wide variety of interests.
In childhood, Virgos were introverts that had a lot expected from them. Virgos tend to grow up feeling unappreciated and underwhelmed with affection from their families and peers. I personally believe that this is what causes their want to keep things orderly.
Out of any of the signs, Virgos are the best teachers. If you need a study partner or a tutor, go to your Virgo friend! They just have a good way of explaining things so that it makes more sense.
Libra:
-As a whole, Libras are very attractive people. They draw others in with a sense of attractiveness both physically and spiritually.
- They are sociable, and likely to get along with everyone they meet. They are the ones that know literally everyone.
- Their downside is that they are incredibly indecisive, they are not right for a position of leadership.
- They are aggressive when it comes to things they care about, and one of those things is equality, so you may see a lot of Libras fighting for social equality.
- Team-workers.
- Libras typically feel like the “ugly-duckling” or the “odd one out” which is mostly in their own heads because they are a very likeable sign.
- Polite.
In childhood, Libras are slightly devious but highly independent. They are curious and like to learn many different skills. Unfortunately, most Libra children are blind to the many talents that they posses, quick learning being one of them.
Libras are surprisingly sexual people.
Scorpio:
Complex thinkers with big imaginations
-Practical, they get shit done
-Passionate, sometimes possessive
-Likely to have psychic inclinations
-On a negative side, they can be insensitive to others
- Intense feelers
-Although many are introverts, they are natural leaders
- They are self-destructive, their own worst enemies
- Typically they are really adventurous, they like to try new things (once they trust it of course, witch they are slow to do.)
-Indulgent in things like drugs, shopping, and food
- Stubborn
Scorpios often have a difficult childhood lacking in emotional support. They have to work harder to get things right than some other signs that get things a bit easier.
They can be jealous lovers, but are totally capable of controlling those jealous urges, and usually do for the fear that they are being too clingy. (even if they aren’t)
Scorpios are really competitive, but they are not frigid and mean, but will do everything they can to win. They aren’t always the most cooperative sign.
Sagittarius:
-High-spirited and free, these friends like to learn and have their freedom whether it be in romance, adventure, or even just creativity.
- Loyal and trustworthy, Sagittarius may not always be there when you need them to be, but when you have their attention, you have their full attention.
- They are very giving people, they love seeing others happy.
- This sign has uncanny good luck. Where did it come from???
-They are charming and incredibly talented, they make good public speakers.
- Sagittarius are very independent and progressive, they typically have talents in art, music, acting, and social skills.
- Philosophy interests them and they like to come up with fresh ideas.
In childhood, these are the kids that asked “why?” about everything. They are curious, free thinkers with a sharp head on their shoulders. They retain information better than most other signs, with the exception of Capricorns. Music comes easy for Sagittarius children.
Sagittarius are likely to indulge in things like drugs, shopping, and food, and they have a sense of emptiness when they do.
Capricorns:
- Nothing describes a Capricorn like the word ambitious. This is the most hardworking, diligent sign. They know where they want to go, they know how to get there, and nothing can get in their way.
-Capricorns have a sturdy inner-self that guides them even when they think that they cannot go anymore.
- They are the most likely sign to suffer from depression.
- Contrary to what many think of Capricorns, they are one of the most full-of-life signs. They work hard, and they like to party just as hard. Capricorns love to entertain.
- They are very sexual people who have the needs of their lover at heart.
- On the negative, Capricorns can get stuck in routine easily, and they hate that about themselves.
-Capricorns are one of the most humorous and talented signs. They are introverts who know how to play the role of an extrovert, and they know how to do it well. They are very charismatic, others want to follow the Capricorn in the room, and Cappys need to keep this in mind and not manipulate others.
In childhood, Capricorns were often expected to live to a standard that was impossible, and that is how Capricorns learned how to achieve the impossible. Capricorn children have a difficult time connecting with others on an emotional level, and are often closer to their fathers than their mothers.
Capricorns are the go-to leaders in an emergency situation. Your wedding was cancelled? Call your Cap friend. Your mom is in the hospital? Call your Cap friend. Your house is on fire, you have a broken arm, and your dog needs to be picked up from the vet all at the same time? Call your Cap friend, they make the impossible, possible.
Aquarius:
- This is the quirky sign, they are full of cool ideas and unique interests.
- They are tense, always on the lookout for people trying to use or hurt them, they are often very lonely, and the most likely to be “only-children”
- They are curious and experimental, they love thinking of, and testing new ideas.
- While Aquarians are not very emotional and loving, they crave emotion and love. They try not to let anyone see it, and often will not admit it to themselves, but it is what they need and want deep down. They need someone that they can rely on that will accept them and their odd, independent ways.
- Even though Aquarians are a little on the strange side (in the best way :) they are the most courteous and polite sign, and are very honest, forthcoming people.
- They have a quick temper and they fear true intimacy (while still craving it)
- These are a proud group of individuals, when they are very talented at something, they know that they are, and they are proud of it. This is a very good quality, but good luck trying to get an Aquarius to apologize.
- Aquarians often have a difficult time figuring out what they want to do in life, but once they find it they are driven and will stop at nothing to see their dreams come true.
In childhood, Aquarians are lonely. They don’t get the attention that they need to thrive. They are typically cast-off by teachers and sometimes peers because they have unique interests. Aquarius children usually are closer to their fathers than their mothers because they are critical.
Aquarians are friendly and once they trust you, they are some of the most loyal friends that you can have. Once they care about you, they would do anything for you, whether it be meet you to talk at 3 am or do six back flips, Aquarians always find a way.
Pisces:
- Pisces do not like conflict, but are usually pretty self-confident, just not assertive.
- They are romantic, just like their Taurus friends, they appreciate simple sensuality and the comforts of home and good cooking.
- While it is true that this is an emotional sign, they are an elastic sign too. They are not weak, they bounce back from anything life could ever throw at them.
- Pisces are very artistic and have a great love of music.
- This is the sign that would rather stay home than go out, they are in love with quiet activities. Don’t mistake them though, they can party.
- This is the most nurturing and self-sacrificing sign, they will do and be everything needed for the people that they love.
-On the negative side of things, Pisces have to be careful, because they like to play the victim, but then wonder why no one thinks they are strong.
In childhood, Pisces tend to feel a sense of guilt because they can see their mothers, who they are close with, not being treated right by their fathers. Pisces children learn that it is ok to settle from their mothers.
Pisces is that friend that will listen to you talk about the same thing for hours on end while feeding you cookie dough. They are reliable and true friends.
“The American Academy of Pediatrics would like to correct false statements made during the Republican presidential debate last night regarding vaccines. Claims that vaccines are linked to autism, or are unsafe when administered according to the recommended schedule, have been disproven by a robust body of medical literature. It is dangerous to public health to suggest otherwise.
“There is no ‘alternative’ immunization schedule. Delaying vaccines only leaves a child at risk of disease for a longer period of time; it does not make vaccinating safer.
“Vaccines work, plain and simple. Vaccines are one of the safest, most effective and most important medical innovations of our time. Pediatricians partner with parents to provide what is best for their child, and what is best is for children to be fully vaccinated.”
As much as we poke fun at Republicans, it’s important to realize the immense harm in their statements/lies/fairy tales about almost everything they say and to not let what they say go unchecked. Especially when they have a national stage and the audience just gobbles it all up it’s Turkey Day.
mainstream media does not allow women the full spectrum of emotion. it does not allow women to wear practical clothing. it does not allow women to be muscular/tough/brooding/bitter/protective/fierce in the way men are allowed.
and it doesn’t allow men the full spectrum of emotion, either. it doesn’t allow men to take pride in personal ornamentation. it doesn’t allow men to be gentle/kind/supportive/affectionate/in need of rescuing.
no one is allowed to be truly human.
and I think we need to really acknowledge the way in which that fucks us all up.
This is so infuriating? Like do you really think war and smart phones cant exist in the same country at the same time without cancellation? Those phones (not even “expensive smartphones”) are probably all the connection they have with family. And that a phone = rich, and that their having a phone erases their status as refugees?
I got a smartphone brand new for $20, it’s not great and pretty far behind compared to the new phones but it was cheap.
My friend in Columbia was able to buy a similar one for about $12.
And also there is the fact that you can actually be middle class or even rich and end up as a refugee!
Let’s say your town floods and you can only grab what you can fit in a single backpack of course you are going to take your damn phone! ESPECIALLY when your entire family is split up cause the evacuation happened out of nowhere and you want to be able to find them again.
Racist white people seem to think cell phones cost $5 million dollars and nobody but tech billionaires and other whites should own them.
also let’s not forget that many of the immigrants were in a financially stable situation before shit happened. imagine if a war started in your country right now and you had to flee it. wouldn’t you take your phone with you? it’s the easiest way for these people to keep in touch with their families back home too. don’t be so judgemental. whether immigrants should have cellphones or not shouldn’t be a matter of debate. maybe we should care a little bit more about providing these people with resources so that they can satisfy their basic human needs.
Seriously, it surprises me that people still don’t get that “whitewashing” doesn’t just mean “taking a character of color and turning them white,” but also applies to “focusing disproportionately on the stories of white people,” “glossing over or altering parts of a story to make it more palatable or make white people look better,” and “treating ‘white’ as the default race”
The fact that Disney churns out film after film after film after film about white people with a maximum of one film per ethnicity that showcases a group other than white people is whitewashing.
The fact that the story of “Pocahontas” (not her real name) has been substantially altered so that some of the white people in that story don’t look like such villains, with John Smith younger and Pocahontas significantly older, as well as recounting a popular myth of her saving John Smith from near-execution (a story John Smith made up to make himself look brave, the real Pocahontas told him to stop telling and hated him for using her to make himself look good, and he started to spread like wildfire after she died because she could no longer object) is whitewashing.
The fact that the characters on “How I Met Your Mother” are all white, and they supposedly live in New York City, but apparently associate exclusively with other white people (with the exception of Wayne Brady, who occasionally visits from out of town, and a recurring taxi driver) is whitewashing.
The fact that the Doctor has now been a white man a full twelve times in a row is whitewashing even though the character’s always been white, because the idea that there’s a character whose entire appearance can change in a matter of seconds, yet ends up white twelve times in a row by pure random chance, implies that white is a neutral default and other races are a deviation from that norm.
The fact that people get really angry at the suggestion that characters like Newt Scamander or Hermione Granger could be black because the books never explicitly say “they are black” is whitewashing.
Because that’s the thing. People often assume that when someone’s race isn’t explicitly specified, they’re white. People insist that Katniss Everdeen must be white because it is possible for them to rationalize that idea in their head. People think of white as “raceless” and every other color or ethnicity as “raced,” and that’s what we call “eurocentrism.”
And that’s the thing about whitewashing. It’s this idea that a “person” is white, and a “person of color” is black or asian or arab or latin@ or whatever they might be.
It’s why people call John Stewart the “Black Green Lantern” but just call Hal Jordan the “Green Lantern.” It’s why Miles Morales is called “Black Spider-man” but Peter Parker is just “Spider-man.” If you want to throw gender into the mix, it’s why Jennifer Walters is the “She-Hulk” but Bruce Banner isn’t the “He-Hulk.”
People think “character” is white and “character + black” is black. There is no default race. Community did a whole episode about how a truly raceless character would look something like this monstrosity:
[Image: A screen cap from Community of two men escorting a human figure dressed to look completely raceless.]
But there’s the tricky part: Once you stop thinking of white characters as “character” and start thinking of them as “character + white,” it becomes really overwhelming how many characters are white.
I mean, I know there’s a kerfuffle over Disney Princesses right now, so let’s look at the list of official Disney Princesses, shall we? That is, let’s look at the list and include everyone’s race, not just the princesses of color:
Snow White + White
Cinderella + White
Aurora + White
Ariel + White
Belle + White
Jasmine + Arab
Pocahontas + Native American
Mulan + Asian
Tiana + Black
Rapunzel + White
Merida + White Soon to be added:
Anna + White
Elsa + White
4 of those 13 women are women of color. All four of those women of color are different races than one another. At the moment, the number of white princesses is seven, but it’s about to go up to nine. All nine of those princesses are the same race as one another, despite a few of them being different nationalities, although most of them hail from Western Europe.
And a lot of people are saying “but they’re just accurately portraying the parts of the world those stories are set in!” First of all, the presence of a person of color has never been implausible in any part of the world, in any period of human history. Hell, a bunch of these movies were set after Shakespeare had born, lived, and died, but he still managed to write a play set centuries earlier featuring a black male lead in Italy.
Second, and most importantly, it’s not like they are being assigned a setting at random and have to accommodate it in their character designs. The people at Disney choose to set film after film after film in France and Germany and Denmark.
It’s not that those areas produce more or better fairy tales and folk tales than any of the other continents, it’s that the stories that come from those areas are the ones Disney considers universal.
In the eyes of Disney, there’s a Princess for Black little girls to look up to, a Princess for Native little girls to look up to, a Princess for Arab little girls to look up to, a Princess for Asian little girls to look up to, and nine princesses for all little girls to look up to. It’s no coincidence that in almost all promotional art featuring the “Princess Lineup,” Jasmine, Tiana, Mulan, and Pocahontas are all standing in the back, usually obscured by other white Princesses’ dresses, while the blonde lady brigade stands in the front.
And that is whitewashing.
might be an older post, but great information here. Please scroll back up and read if you didn’t, especially if you’ve never understood the concept of white-washing.
And side note: you can still enjoy media that white-washes while still calling it out on that fact, and creating an expectation that they should do better.
