That whole touchy racism thing.

[osaraba]

Please read bookshop's post about a fantasy book and why changing its cover is that sort of insidious institutionalized racism/bias that I hope people can work to become more aware of, and protest/counteract.

http://bookshop.livejournal.com/1056528.html

Oddly enough, it's almost exactly the same situation as what's going on with Avatar: The Last Airbender. Funny, that.

For a great post about the racism in Avatar, please read: http://splinterend.tumblr.com/post/749364670/facepainting

Comments

[morganwolf.livejournal.com]

I think the casting of the movie failed to do what it could and should have done, but I want to point out that the characters are not Asian. They are strongly Asian-influenced, but in the series I believe there is a definite racial vagueness given to the majority of the characters-- you can say there are no Aryan-looking types, and no dark-skinned African-looking types, but beyond that it's hard to say definitively that Aang is Asian, that Katara and Sokka are Inuit (they have dark skin, but medium brown hair and blue eyes), etc. The Avatar universe is not our universe, and racial distinctions can't be made the way they can here.

This is not to say I approve of this debacle. There's enough room for interpretation that they had a perfect opportunity to cast talented non-white actors and they blatantly ignored it. A:tLA's creators, Mike DiMartino and Brian Konietzko, have been very vocal about the series being, at least in part, a paean to their love of Asian culture, and it's clear the casting of the film completely bungled it. Shyamalan could have said, "I cast the actors I thought were best for the parts, end of story," and instead went on a long, embarrassing rant about how he determined the racial makeup of the four nations.

Maybe people whitewash their products thinking they won't sell because white America is discomfited by anything they consider unfamiliar or too exotic, but I think we pretty much buy what they give us.

[osaraba]

Truthfully, since I haven't seen the TV show I can't comment on the characters ethnic origins (although I'm reading everywhere, on both sides, that the culture is clearly an Asian one?), but the issue of the missed opportunity to cast unknown non-white actors over unknown white actors is a significant one in its own right.

One of my main concerns is seeing representation of non-whites in strong, positive roles -- there are too few, and it has a big impact that goes unrealized even by those it would affect most!

I do think it's a mix of marketing to a majority and consumers buying what is given to us without really thinking too hard about it. Which is unfortunate.

Thanks for your input!!

[firefox1490.livejournal.com]

The thing with Avatar that pisses me off the most is people were protesting it since DAY ONE of the casting and they STILL didn't change it. They just made excuses and crap. It wasn't a surprise people are mad.

On a side note to that though, somehow I doubt different casting would have saved Avatar from sucking as bad as I heard it did. So Either way IMO it doesn't matter.

In relation to the book cover thing, I hate HATE HATE when series get reprinted with new cover art. I think its ridiculous and stupid. I have never once heard a good reason why covers are changed. Again IMHO if the character is anyone of the non Caucasian persuasion its not that hard to find a cover model to match or just don't put a person on the cover end of story. If you dont think a of the non Caucasian persuasion on the cover will sell - which is bullshit - stick a symbol from the book on the cover and call it a day.

[osaraba]

On a side note to that though, somehow I doubt different casting would have saved Avatar from sucking as bad as I heard it did. So Either way IMO it doesn't matter.

The thing is that it does matter. Because one of the biggest unrealized issues is the representation of non-whites in strong, positive roles -- the result of which is the depiction of confidence and ability of non-whites to do anything they want -- that there are possibilities to dream of.

It's something I wasn't even aware of myself until very recently. But I think it makes a huge difference on us all as a society.

Because there are going to be SO MANY kids and adults who see this movie and like it, and even if they don't, the subconscious affect is great.

[mamaffy.livejournal.com]

Thanks for linking. I looked at this and I am shocked. This is so blunt and wrong, just offensive. I don't even know why they do it, a pity that they think they need to. More of a pity when marketing is right and it sells better. :(

[osaraba]

I agree! I know we can't get everyone to boycott the opening or agree not to support it, but I just hope that people are aware of the issues. Sometimes people need to be able to take baby steps, and if that's what it takes to change a person's outlook and awareness of the issue, then so be it!