(no subject)

[pikabot]

You know what I find really annoying? People who insert themselves into arguments and say WHY CAN'T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG!? as if the problem was that we had all just been looking for a fight, and not that there are irreconcilable differences at work!

Especially when the argument is over something that is both important and where it isn't just a matter of subjective opinion and in fact is something rather important. Like, say, that the whitewashing of a movie set in an undeniably Asian fantasy world is unacceptable.

It's one thing to ask people to be civil (although even that tends to be pretty fucking condescending), it's another to insist that OH WE SHOULD ALL STAND TOGETHER AND HOLD HANDS AND SING KUM BAH YA, NOT FIGHT YOU SILLY-BILLIES

WE HAVE TO STAND TOGETHER OR ELSE WE'LL DOOM THE FRANCHISE! DOOOOOM IT!!1

Blech.

Comments

[rabidline.livejournal.com]

Lemme guess. avatar_fans acting around?

[pikabot]

It's not actually on there, but it was linked from there.

[rabidline.livejournal.com]

*sighs*

[tobu-ishi.livejournal.com]

*sigh* I know this is a mindbending concept, guys, but:

A) This movie, by being what it is, is screwing the franchise over more than a few angry fans ever could. If we want good Avatar media in the future, we have to express our disapproval of this shot now.

B) Okay, brace yourselves. There are some things in this life...that are more important...than an animated franchise. Overcoming racism is one of them.

I would be very sad to see the Avatar franchise declared unfilmable. But I would be even sadder to see Paramount make millions off of a successful film series that disenfranchises PoC actors and plays hob with the message of the original show. Sorry, guys. This voice is already raised.

[lady-tigerfish.livejournal.com]

Oh but Tobu dear, why can't we (white people who get to see representations of ourselves on the big screen ALL THE TIME) just get along? <3

[kanthia.livejournal.com]

avatar_mom?

I found her post a little condescending. It was very 'omg, stop fighting gaiz, you're making me sad D:'

[pikabot]

Got it in one.

[lady-tigerfish.livejournal.com]

The thing is, "stop fighting gaiz" is an argument that works when you and your friend have a pointless squabble about who owes who five bucks from the last time you went out for a chili dog. "Stop fighting gaiz" is a pointless argument in the face of, oh, say, debates about race, representation, and racism. You know, arguments stemming from problems that have tangible effects on the daily lives of others.

And yes, you know what? The Avatar movie is a piece of media--but media reflects and affects the public consciousness. If there are no Asian or Inuit actors (or rather, one South Asian they threw in at the last minute and EXTRAS who are allowed to be Asian) in a big-screen version of a show that had a full cast of Asian and Inuit-derived characters? That's sending a message. Hollywood may not be steepling its fingers and going "how can we disenfranchise PoC today?" but racism is rarely that overt. I for my part am PLEASED to see how many Avatar fans have taken action against this shite; if everyone were shrugging it off and there was no discussion at all? Then I'd be worrying.

So yeah. Agreed on the condescension, and also the severe amount of not getting it.

[rebbe]

WE HAVE TO STAND TOGETHER OR ELSE WE'LL DOOM THE FRANCHISE! DOOOOOM IT!!1

...

I don't know whether to laugh or cry at the hilariousness of this statement.

[gabenut.livejournal.com]

I don't know why there's the need for calm. I've seen other fandoms where people get into big arguments over the silliest things, but the fandom was still in tact by the end of it. XD

Sorry if some found my post condescending

[avatar-mom.livejournal.com]

Perhaps my post should have focused more on the extremely negative name calling and how it's anti productive to both sides. I can see how some might have thought my post was an ill attempt at asking the fandom to take a 'time out'.

My reason for writing the post is because the negativity that has come from this issue has really saddened me, but that doesn't mean I don't firmly believe in the cause. On Avatarspirit.net in particular, the name calling has been horrible. How can any one side convey to the other to see their point of view when all that is being offered are words of hate.

Maybe I should have simply said, "think before you speak and represent your cause with dignity and intelligence above all." Not all fans of the show who support racebending initiatives are stooping to low levels, just a handful are. The same goes for the pro movie fans. In some instances that behavior is drowning out the eloquence and strength of some of the most passionate protesters.

I don't expect everyone to hold hands and walk off into the sunset. What I would like to see is the two sides backing off of one another so words are not wasted on stubborn ears and instead used to reach higher levels in the fight. :)

As for dooming the franchise...fans are indeed turning away from the series. Their interests in the movie are usually very mixed to begin with, but its their inability to go anywhere to discuss the original series and not have to dodge mines in order to do it. I get emails that say in so many words, "I'm done with this fandom."

I apologize if the opinion in my journal came off dramatic, it was not my intention. However, I really learned a lot from this journal and I hope my responding here hasn't annoyed anyone. I'm old school...I keep myself open to communication and apologize when appropriate.