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

[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.