Horizontal vs vertical comparisons
Poor Jon is embroiled in the shipwar over at OG. *sigh* This reminded me of something I'd been thinking about when it comes to Martha - the different comparisons which the White fangirls make, and the Fangirls Of Colour make. Very broadly speaking, the White fangirls tend to compare Martha to Rose or Donna - to make comparisons within the series. Again very broadly speaking, the FOC tend to compare the handling of Martha with the handling of Black female characters in other shows and in popular culture generally.1
Now I've pointed out in the past that, romantically, the Doctor treats Martha and Rose about as well (or badly :-). I've also joked that many of the complaints about mistreatment of Martha can be equally applied to Captain Jack! But this is irrelevant when it comes to that broader view of the culture - which I think must derive from FOC's personal, day-to-day experience of the media.2
1. I suppose we could call these "horizontal" and "vertical" comparisons, or maybe "internal" and "external" - although I'll bet there's already a technical term for them in media theory or something.
2. Cf this to the constant trickle of insults from ads, music videos, etc etc, which can't be forgotten when judging a particular female character or image of women.
Now I've pointed out in the past that, romantically, the Doctor treats Martha and Rose about as well (or badly :-). I've also joked that many of the complaints about mistreatment of Martha can be equally applied to Captain Jack! But this is irrelevant when it comes to that broader view of the culture - which I think must derive from FOC's personal, day-to-day experience of the media.2
1. I suppose we could call these "horizontal" and "vertical" comparisons, or maybe "internal" and "external" - although I'll bet there's already a technical term for them in media theory or something.
2. Cf this to the constant trickle of insults from ads, music videos, etc etc, which can't be forgotten when judging a particular female character or image of women.