As you know, I absolutely agree that there is race failure in BtVS, but I can't see applying that to Spike the character. It's in a line with the argument that he is misogynist because he kills slayers and they are women. Correlation does not imply causality, or so I learned in logic class. ;-)
That said, I have had really interesting convos that sprang from Spike's fight with Robin Wood. It's one of my favorite mini-arcs, because both of the antagonists are fully justified in feeling the way they do. (Also: the pretty! *thud*) For instance, Wood may see the coat as evidence of Spike flaunting the skin of his dead mother. Spike is unlikely to see it that way, and though he doubtless thinks of it as a trophy, like a prized weapon or a good warhorse or something. Probably armor is the most accurate parallel. I could go on (and on) about them - but it is around that that I've seen the most compelling race discussions in the fandom, especially vis a vis Spike.
Anyway, I hope you find the new year more rewarding for your endeavors!
Sorry for the delay (and hope you had a Happy New Year!).
Correlation does not imply causality
Agreed :)
Agreed about the coat--it's a prideful trophy to him. If she'd had a cool sword as opposed to a cool unisex/male leather duster, he probably would have taken that. Well, if he were into swords (which, I don't think he is. Weaponry is more Angel's thing).
And...have any links to these discussions? And are they still active?
I agree about not-racist Spike. Really, I think it would have been silly for the writers to go so far as to make those Slayers he killed white, just to avoid having him killing off minorities. There is a whole world of cultures out there for Slayers to be born into! I'm sure the writers could have handled race better in other areas of the show, but in this case, I'm glad we got to glimpse those parts of Slayer history
( ... )
I think that due to the fact that the Shadow Men are from her same time period and seem like regular humans, I'd say the First Slayer was one as well (pre-demon essence insertion).
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That said, I have had really interesting convos that sprang from Spike's fight with Robin Wood. It's one of my favorite mini-arcs, because both of the antagonists are fully justified in feeling the way they do. (Also: the pretty! *thud*) For instance, Wood may see the coat as evidence of Spike flaunting the skin of his dead mother. Spike is unlikely to see it that way, and though he doubtless thinks of it as a trophy, like a prized weapon or a good warhorse or something. Probably armor is the most accurate parallel. I could go on (and on) about them - but it is around that that I've seen the most compelling race discussions in the fandom, especially vis a vis Spike.
Anyway, I hope you find the new year more rewarding for your endeavors!
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Correlation does not imply causality
Agreed :)
Agreed about the coat--it's a prideful trophy to him. If she'd had a cool sword as opposed to a cool unisex/male leather duster, he probably would have taken that. Well, if he were into swords (which, I don't think he is. Weaponry is more Angel's thing).
And...have any links to these discussions? And are they still active?
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I think that due to the fact that the Shadow Men are from her same time period and seem like regular humans, I'd say the First Slayer was one as well (pre-demon essence insertion).
If you do find those convos, please link me ;)
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Big smooch,
Me
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