if you think that you're strong enough
Something I've been meaning to post about for awhile now: the Avatar: The Last Airbender movie casting. I know I mentioned it awhile back, when I first heard the news, but I think it could use some elaboration.
If you've never watched Avatar, I highly recommend it. It's not only one of the best cartoons I've ever seen: it's some of the best television I've watched, period. It has a large cast of well-developed characters; notably, a sizeable number of kickass female characters, who are "kickass" in more ways than just "they are hot and punch people." (I mean, female characters with character.) It has a gripping plot, completely fantastic worldbuilding, it's both hilarious and serious, doesn't talk down to the kids who are its intended audience, and is certainly complex enough to hold adult interest. (It also has several adorable canon het couples, and plenty of slash and femslash potential.) Oh yeah, and it's a fantasy world more or less entirely based on Asian cultures (the way so many of the high fantasy worlds I grew up were based on England/western Europe).
Frankly, this is the kind of show, the kind of storytelling, that we desperately need more of.
So of course, for the live-action Hollywood adaptation, white kids have been cast to play the heroes. All of them. (One of those kids has been heard to comment that he'll "need to get a tan.") More recently, they've cast actors of color in all the major villain roles.
I can't say my expectations for a Hollywood version of this brilliant show were ever exactly high, but this is truly abominable. It's so blatant, I . . . honestly, it's hard to find words. It inspires a visceral, sick-to-my-stomach kind of anger.
For much more thorough information and actual, you know, eloquence, check out this website. The site was established by fans who have been working their asses off to raise awareness and bring their concerns right to the studio, and it has all kinds of resources and suggestions about how to help. Speaking of which!
Even if you're not an Avatar fan, I hope you'll consider signing this petition in protest of the whitewashing. This isn't an issue of fannish entitlement, this is racism in action; and while I don't usually put much stock in online petitions, I doubt it can hurt. (Particularly since it's meant to be delivered physically; these people are dedicated, they'll get it done.) It's so easy to do, too.
If you've never watched Avatar, I highly recommend it. It's not only one of the best cartoons I've ever seen: it's some of the best television I've watched, period. It has a large cast of well-developed characters; notably, a sizeable number of kickass female characters, who are "kickass" in more ways than just "they are hot and punch people." (I mean, female characters with character.) It has a gripping plot, completely fantastic worldbuilding, it's both hilarious and serious, doesn't talk down to the kids who are its intended audience, and is certainly complex enough to hold adult interest. (It also has several adorable canon het couples, and plenty of slash and femslash potential.) Oh yeah, and it's a fantasy world more or less entirely based on Asian cultures (the way so many of the high fantasy worlds I grew up were based on England/western Europe).
Frankly, this is the kind of show, the kind of storytelling, that we desperately need more of.
So of course, for the live-action Hollywood adaptation, white kids have been cast to play the heroes. All of them. (One of those kids has been heard to comment that he'll "need to get a tan.") More recently, they've cast actors of color in all the major villain roles.
I can't say my expectations for a Hollywood version of this brilliant show were ever exactly high, but this is truly abominable. It's so blatant, I . . . honestly, it's hard to find words. It inspires a visceral, sick-to-my-stomach kind of anger.
For much more thorough information and actual, you know, eloquence, check out this website. The site was established by fans who have been working their asses off to raise awareness and bring their concerns right to the studio, and it has all kinds of resources and suggestions about how to help. Speaking of which!
Even if you're not an Avatar fan, I hope you'll consider signing this petition in protest of the whitewashing. This isn't an issue of fannish entitlement, this is racism in action; and while I don't usually put much stock in online petitions, I doubt it can hurt. (Particularly since it's meant to be delivered physically; these people are dedicated, they'll get it done.) It's so easy to do, too.