glockgal: AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER

NO KILL I (

glockgal) wrote,
@ 2008-12-17 06:52:00

Entry tags:

avatar, avatar: the last airbender, the last airbender

AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER
PUBLICITY
I'm serious guys - you really should write some emails to the press links listed here, because the more I think about the email I sent, the more lame my email sounds, hurr hurrr.

Make the cause sound good! The public needs to know! Help me out? I believe you can do it.

(And while you're in the letter-writing mood, aang_aint_white!)
-------------------------------

WHY THIS IS A GOOD FIGHT
Anyway, I'm crying a bit.. If you still think I'm overreacting to all of this, then read the following quote:

First --
ciderpress posts here:

During our early Christmas dinner this weekend, the oldest of the nephews, who is 13, brought up the subject of the incredibly white child actors that had been picked for the film version. The three of them were confused and disappointed but unable to articulate exactly why. Then the youngest, all of 7 years old, asked me whether this meant that he couldn't be Aang when he played Avatar with his friends from now on.

Then --
One of the most sensible You Tube appeals I've ever heard.

--Also a YouTube Avatar Audition of What could have been - Aang audition
"

--- And the casting call for Aang. White or other? Well, now I know what category I fall into.

Finally --
An interesting story on how Disney's Maddy in 'The Frog Princess' became Tiana in 'The Princess and the Frog'.

I am making no commentary about the Disney uproar because I'd rather focus on the casting of Avatar; I'd appreciate if you didn't in my journal either. However, I'm pointing this story out because I'm really delighted to see that with enough outcry and a bit of help from the public media, even an ~~evil corporation like~~ Disney can attempt racial awareness. Even Disney! So anytime anyone tries to tell you "Uhhh so what, it won' make a difference, shu'up" etc, first disclaimer the story, then cite this example of normal people making change to Hollywood. I mean. DISNEY. IT CHANGED.
--------------------------

POLITICAL CORRECTNESS
So I've heard the term 'politically correct' used a lot, and mostly it's used in a negative, mocking, irritated way. Similar to how the term 'feminist' also - for a large majority of people - implies negative connotations about women. It's really sad that both terms have become mired in such resentful, defensive, bitter politics, since both ideals were bent on promoting equality and understanding between people. Crimeny.

Well then! If 'PC' gives you such an ugly, resistant backlash because perhaps you feel too badass/edgy/non-conformist to be 'PC' (AKA humourless pansy), then try subscribing to 'awareness' and 'cultural sensitivity'. Many people loathe being seen as 'politically correct'; maybe it'll be better to be seen as 'aware'?

Awareness is a good thing. Embrace your awareness!
---------------------------

MEME
And finally, because given my recent posts, I find this meme hilarious --
... PLAYED BY ...Personality or race - you decide! Bonus points if you can find a actor who is capable of possessing both! (Hey Parminder Nagra!!! Anyone chooses Ashwarya Rai, I will LMAO).

(46 comments) - (Post a new comment)

lunarennui
2008-12-17 03:35 pm UTC (link)

oh MAN. he actually thought he couldn't be aang anymore?

okay, this has gone farther than i thought it would, and i've watched the vids. (caucasian or any other ethnicity? why'd they mention caucasian first?) (that second vid...they MISSED OUT on having that kid?!? WHY?!?)

i can't just watch this happen anymore. i've gone past irritated-but-hesitant to appalled. for one thing, i'd never actually seen the faces of the kids cast before. and what

ciderpress posted...that broke my fucking heart.

i'm white, and i never know what terms are okay at the moment, so if i've used PC and offended by doing so, i didn't mean to. all i know is that a) i'm clumsy but have good intentions and b) you win. i'm beyond pissed off at this point. i'm physically hurting.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

glockgal
2008-12-17 03:42 pm UTC (link)

*chokes up more* This makes me so happy, this comment here, I just. I mean it broke my heart too, I nearly fell apart reading

ciderpress' account at work. I'm so happy to know that regardless of knowledge of the show or colour of skin, people can see that this movie casting is just not right.

Oh nooo, I was reading the whole 'PC' used in sarcasm mostly around various news blogs. It was quite depressing; I think because I don't use the term so much in my little Vancouver-bubble (can't speak for all of Canada), it doesn't seem as mired in angry lameness as apparently it does for many Americans?

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

lunarennui
2008-12-17 03:56 pm UTC (link)

i think the angry lameness comes from things like politicomedy, and people who are pissed off that it's okay for rappers to say nigger but if a person somewhere nearish white says it, it's horrible. it's become such a huge deal that it's collapsing on itself. if you're rude, you're an ass; if you're careful, you're a twat; many people finally respond by just making fun of the whole concept. that, and the government has been bending over backwards to make up new terminology, which is ludicrous in itself.

myself? i just try to say what i think is most polite and say a lot of 'i'm sorry, what would you prefer'. at this point, 'white' is feeling like a bad word to me...so is 'caucasian'. so clearly i don't have ANY concept of what's socially acceptable. not that i ever did, the people in my hometown beat up the beaners, fags and freaks pretty much equally. yes, i know how horrible that sounds. yes, it is actually true, and yes, it was that barbaric. no, i never have used those terms...but i'm used to hearing them. being 'politically correct' is almost a balm after my childhood, even with all the mockery.

you see, nearly everyone that matters to me is sensitive about their ancestry, their gender, their subculture...and after watching people be hurt simply because other people want to put a label on them, i do not like labels. i've given in, yes, i'm goth, i'm white, and i feel dirty because those labels make me something that i might sort of match but ISN'T ME. and i don't want to do that to someone else, ever.

pleh, another tangent on a big issue. i'm sorry.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

glockgal
2008-12-17 04:07 pm UTC (link)

Lemme get one thing clear - white is not a bad word. I'm not about making peopel feel guilty or cowed; I am angry because of the way society has developed, and what is considered societal norms and social construct. I'm not angry at any particular race or creed (except perhaps my own, when they play the fool, lol).

Take this example - a woman can rant about men without being a raging lesbonazi-man-hatrrr, right? Really, the woman is ranting about society and its pressure on women. And she should be proud to have a voice (and often times, this isn't the case). It's the same thing for race.

Yeah the labelling thing is one of those issues I love having lively debates with people face-to-face; I'm sad we can't like, go out of coffee and yap! Because I have a long list of pros and cons for having labels, lol. And it's a fun debate that gets nowhere really except spending time in good company. In a nutshell: I like labels, but also I don't. ;D

Edited at 2008-12-17 04:09 pm UTC

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

lunarennui
2008-12-17 04:13 pm UTC (link)

this is exactly the sort of thing that i'd like to talk to you about in person too, over coffee or a good dinner with excellent wine. talk, not argue. ah, how i love me a good bitchfest/discussion.

it does make me sad that i have to be ashamed or embarrassed by the general assumptions made over the labels that i have finally accepted. because part of me wants to be proud! i mean, i'm scottish! i'm PROUD of being scottish! i like it! and yeah, i'm goth...but that makes me iffish, because so many people are mallwhore goths, or snobgoths, or... and yet that there's a subculture makes for so much opportunity for discussion! even if i don't fit in any bit of it, really. i've always got bits hanging out.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

	glockgal 2008-12-17 07:29 pm UTC (link)
	Be proud! Pride in oneself is not synonymous with disdain for someone else! AHAHA mallwhore goths, oh yes. Well, they've been wiped out here and replaced by emos, scenesters and hipsters, but I do remember the mallgoths fondly! ;D (Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

lunarennui
2008-12-17 07:47 pm UTC (link)

to clarify, i have NEVER been a mallwhore, scenester, hipster, babybat, or pretty much anything except sort of possibly for about a year a clubwhore. meaning i went once or twice a week.

pretty much, i wear what i like and it happens to be mostly goth. it's really stupid...do you know, the only people who have never made fun of me for being so pale that you can see the veins in my FACE are goths? i can't help it that my skin is transparent, or that i'm thin with huge eyes and dark circles and veins all over. i've actually thought i was pretty ugly for most of my life, until people started asking how i got so pale. me: *stare*

and it doesn't matter that i'm pale. i don't fit in american or european society, either. i don't even fit in goth society, because i refuse to 'be Goth'. i'm just ME, i wear black and sometimes green and i'm shy and scared, can't that be enough? i don't put on makeup and i don't spend $40/mo on my nails and two hours a night on my hair...so i'm not goth. except when people see me they recoil like i am. i went next door to give my neighbor a loaf of nutella-stuffed challah with roasted hazelnuts, and her friend was cat-sitting...she always looks at me like i'm a stinking piece of meat covered in maggots, but i handed her the bread and asked her to please give it to connie, as an early xmas present? she looked at me with her habitual 'oh you are shit, stay away and don't taint me' look and then looked down at the bread with shock and stared at me and said 'you *BAKE*?!?!?' me: ...um...yes? anyway, please give that to connie when she gets home, and i don't think she'd mind if you had some? sorry...anyway...i've got to go?'

i am worse than nothing, because i wear black and have a facial piercing.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

	glockgal 2008-12-17 07:54 pm UTC (link)
	Am I...am I saying things that only make you feel worse about yourself? It was my intention to not do that. I don't really know what to do now. :/ (Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

	lunarennui 2008-12-17 08:21 pm UTC (link)
	you're not. it's just another example of how i don't understand things. if i can't identify as anything at all, how can i refrain from stepping on lines that other people really do have? hugs you're being and always have been a sweetheart. have no fears. (Reply to this) (Parent)

lunarennui
2008-12-17 05:18 pm UTC (link)

also, can you save me from the pit of sticking my foot in my mouth while talking at old HP fen? because seriously, i seem to be incapable of saying anything at all without it being eaten between brain and fingers by demons and regurgitated into YOU'RE DOING IT WRONG, SQUARED.

the worst part of talking to people about racism is that even when you don't really see people as 'colored' in any sense until it's pointed out to you, you still end up making a total ass of yourself.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

piping up here

florence_craye
2008-12-17 07:23 pm UTC (link)

As a white woman trying to practice anti-racism on a daily basis, I've found that there's not much you can do to prevent sticking your foot in your mouth. You're going to do it. It's just part of being a white person raised to not think about race.

But the difference I've seen so far is how we react when told that what you said isn't acceptable... some people get defensive when told that and fly off the handle. When that happens to me, I think of it as criticism of the system of racism for these words, and not to take it so personally (which is really hard!). So acceptance that a faux pas has been made and a willingness to learn from it and take that knowledge into the world is always a good thing.

One of the books that opened my eyes was Beverly Daniel Tatum's "Why Are All The Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?": A Psychologist Explains the Development of Racial Identity. She deals mainly with black children and development of their identity, but her chapters on white people are also amazing. She also has a good chapter or two at the end about inclusion of more than the white/black binary the US has stuck to for so long. I know there are tons of other great books on the subject, but hers was down-to-earth (meaning: not academic) and made me think about whiteness in a new way.

Edited at 2008-12-17 07:24 pm UTC

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

	Re: piping up here lunarennui 2008-12-17 07:29 pm UTC (link)
	i really appreciate this post and the link. i have never been able to really understand racism in ANY form, so i tromp over all sorts of lines with no intention to do harm at all, and then get upset and sad trying to apologize for things i never meant to hurt and fix things i never meant to say. i am definitely adding this book to my 'no really, buy this' list. (Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

	Re: piping up here florence_craye 2008-12-18 03:32 pm UTC (link)
	No problem! I'm still learning, too. It's a life-long thing. I've found the book at several libraries, too. So you can also check you local library if cash is tight right now. :) (Reply to this) (Parent)

	Re: piping up here lunarennui 2008-12-17 07:32 pm UTC (link)
	you are another person that i would like to sit down with over coffee and talk to about this. i like to offend people much like i enjoy hurting kittens, but sitting down and discussing with someone who won't be angry but has an understanding that i don't, or at least is able and willing to talk instead of react, is a very desirable thing for me. (Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

Re: piping up here

bossymarmalade
2008-12-17 09:39 pm UTC (link)

I can tell that you're sincere about trying to understand; you must accept, though, that people *will* get angry or react in a way that might make you uncomfortable. Racial discrimination is an extraordinarily painful subject and if people get angry, it's because it's something they've dealt with their whole lives and *will be* dealing with their whole lives.

Nobody likes to feel that they've said something wrong and inadvertently hurt another person, I know. And I can imagine that being white and engaging in discussions about racism can make white people feel guilty and defensive. My advice is to try to really *listen* (or, read, technically *g*) to what PoC are saying and accept that this is their experience -- without feeling personally hurt or attacked by it.

It's not a particularly fun process, but it's an important one and I'm glad you're not shying away from making an effort!

elynross has a really excellent post about how to negotiate race-and-fandom talks when you're white, if you're interested -- that way you don't have to spend money on a book right away. *g*

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

Re: piping up here

lunarennui
2008-12-17 09:49 pm UTC (link)

i truly don't wish to anger or offend anyone, even if i do seem to eternally make an ass of myself. i know that the problem is not only that people are hypersensitive, but that i'm offending in ways that don't even occur to me, and i thank you again for the link!

if anyone trips over a way to never offend anyone, ever, i'd like to have a look at it. for now, i'll go read things.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

Re: piping up here

florence_craye
2008-12-18 03:39 pm UTC (link)

You can also keep an eye on anti-racism communities on lj, like

debunkingwhite (even without being a member, you can read old posts and learn a lot). On their profile and in their memories, they have great links for useful readings.

There is anger, of course, and it's justified anger. A big part of what I've learned is to listen, as

bossymarmalade said to do. Listen and accept that people of color know what they're talking about and know racism when they see it.

It's a hard and pretty much never-ending process, but well worth it. Yay!

(Reply to this) (Parent)

	Re: piping up here glockgal 2008-12-17 07:36 pm UTC (link)
	Marry me? It's legal here. XD That book is so something I want to read as well, this being the key: (meaning: not academic). YAY LAYMAN, THAT'S ME! (Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

	Re: piping up here florence_craye 2008-12-18 03:40 pm UTC (link)
	swoon OMG this is my happiest day! tee hee hee The book is great. It's probably at one of your local libraries, too. Yay for libraries! (Reply to this) (Parent)

	Re: piping up here pebblin 2008-12-18 11:38 pm UTC (link)
	That's an interesting title, that; it's how it was when I was in high school. I sat outside to 'taste the rainbow', as it were. (Reply to this) (Parent)

lunarennui
2008-12-17 03:42 pm UTC (link)

as a slight aside... 'the frog princess' is the name of the fable and always has been, and chambermaids being glorified has always been some part of fairytales. i'm not sure how many people even remember that frenchmen and -women were referred to as frogs anymore. so i'm a little confused on that one, though i do think the european nobleman thing MIGHT be pushing the issue...and yet, it's in new orleans, and what's wrong with a beautiful chambermaid falling in love with a european...who says he isn't italian, greek, hungarian, spanish... cinderella was a chambermaid and nobody is upset about that, snow white pretty much became one... augh.

can i just light myself on fire now?

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

glockgal
2008-12-17 03:47 pm UTC (link)

Yeah like I said - that battle has already been fought, and it's made Disney rethink things. So I'm not gonna debate the decisions because I'd much rather focus on Avatar; really, I'm just heartened to see that when it comes to public outrage, Disney can renege on potentially offensive tropes.

If they can do it, so can Paramount, dammit!

Edited at 2008-12-17 03:49 pm UTC

(Reply to this) (Parent)

	tammylee 2008-12-17 03:47 pm UTC (link)
	'Caucasian or other ethnicity' when they could have said of ANY ethnicity? PHAIL! So much fail it hurts. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	glockgal 2008-12-17 03:48 pm UTC (link)
	Y'know what I'm seeing more and more which makes this whole thing even worse? People making 'American' synonymous with 'Caucasian'. I JUST. I AM SO BAFFLED. ALL WHITE PEOPLE ARE NOT AMERICANS; ALL AMERICANS ARE NOT WHITE PEOPLE WTF WTF WTF WTF. (Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

	lunarennui 2008-12-17 03:57 pm UTC (link)
	cheers madly (Reply to this) (Parent)

	quinconcinnity 2008-12-18 02:01 am UTC (link)
	This. We are the most diverse country in the world..we need to accept that all those other Americans are, in fact, American. (Reply to this) (Parent)

	tallycola 2008-12-17 09:38 pm UTC (link)
	Because this way the agents of all the "any ethnicity" talents would get the message and know not to bother. Then they could easily say "nobody PoC auditioned!" WHY YES IT IS ALL A BIG CONSPIRACY. ;-) But seriously, nah, that's just one of the myriad ways racism works. (Reply to this) (Parent)

	chrismm 2008-12-17 03:51 pm UTC (link)
	nods Ciderpress's comment made me cry, too. And so did the audition video. How so awesome, kids? And how so stupid, world? (Reply to this) (Thread)

	glockgal 2008-12-17 03:57 pm UTC (link)
	I KNOW, RIGHT? The best part is the dismissal of the YouTube audition is "Oh, well he probably couldn't act" ...as well as the white kids? And yes, because a child's acting capability in apparently kiddie-cash-grab movies like this is OH SO ALL-IMPORTANT TO HOLLYWOOD, WTF. Edited at 2008-12-17 03:58 pm UTC (Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

	lunarennui 2008-12-17 03:59 pm UTC (link)
	the last possible hesitation i have is...i want to see noah ringer's audition. both martial arts and acting. and then i want to see him airbrushed to hell and back and with his head shaved. (Reply to this) (Parent)

	rotae 2008-12-17 04:35 pm UTC (link)
	I WROTE E-MAILS YAYYYYY!! I signed it, "Fumingly" LOLOLOL XDDD I felt it was very Zukoesque. LOL XDDDD But I was POLITELY fuming, so it was a good mix :D Oooooooooooh, MEME... AND DUDE. I totally drew season one Fail Face tonight because I had Avatar so on the brain, LOLOL XDDD I should scan that, actually... >.> XDDD TACKLES WUB <3 Peace, Rotae (Reply to this)

	akoyamiazaki 2008-12-17 04:38 pm UTC (link)
	I admit, ciderpress's story made some tears and broke my heart. Continuing the E-Journal e-mails... This one I found in the paper: culture@thejournal.canwest.com Godspeed. (Reply to this)

	yeloson 2008-12-17 04:56 pm UTC (link)
	maybe it'll be better to be seen as 'aware'? The PC backlash can best be summarized here: http://community.livejournal.com/sex_and_race/296541.html (Reply to this) (Thread)

	glockgal 2008-12-22 07:25 pm UTC (link)
	Holy geez, this is brilliant. I am adding this to my list of periphery links, because I certainly had a good, long, bitter laugh while reading this. Thanks for creating it, man. (Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

	yeloson 2008-12-22 07:28 pm UTC (link)
	Between my battles with BSG and roleplaying fandoms, it gave me wayyyyy too much inspiration. (Reply to this) (Parent)

	quietrevolution 2008-12-17 08:52 pm UTC (link)
	Hey, just wanted to show you this, out of all the venues I emailed Sci Fi/NBC were the first to reply: Lee, Patrick (NBC Universal) to me show details 4:51 AM (1 hour ago) Reply Thanks for this. We'll definitely look into it. :) Patrick Lee News Editor SCI FI Wire/SCI FI Magazine (Reply to this) (Thread)

	caterfree10 2008-12-21 04:11 pm UTC (link)
	Oh awesome! It's good to know we're getting new sources on top of this! :D (Reply to this) (Parent)

	glockgal 2008-12-22 07:26 pm UTC (link)
	YAY THEY POSTED AN ARTICLE, OMG DUDE THIS MAKES ME SO HAPPY XD XD XD (Reply to this) (Parent)

quinconcinnity
2008-12-18 01:54 am UTC (link)

I..oh, god. 'Caucasion or any other' D: They seriously turned down that awesome kid in favor of a white Aang?!?
Are there vids of the other characters auditions?

The Maddy/Tiana thing still makes me sad and angry every time I hear about it though..there are some lovely and wonderful Maddy's out there. Hearing one of my favorite girl's names maligned as a 'slave name' kinda makes me wanna smack someone.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

	glockgal 2008-12-22 07:27 pm UTC (link)
	That's the only audition thing I found, but I think I saw some more on You Tube - maybe do a search?? ISN'T IT SAD??? GYAAAH. (Reply to this) (Parent)

	glitterdemon 2008-12-18 06:56 am UTC (link)
	i'm sure you've been pointed here already, but just in case. i've been meaning to watch avatar for a while, and this whole thing made me remember that and give it a try. i'm now halfway through the third season. it's an excellent show and fucking tragic that they're treating it (and the PoC who love it) this way. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	glockgal 2008-12-22 07:28 pm UTC (link)
	Yeeeaaaarrr, it is so heartening to see this getting picked up by a few of the online biggies! OMG in S3 - the Ember Island Players episode...SO. GOOD. And so ironic given the fight we're battling right now! XD XD (Reply to this) (Parent)

	skywardprodigal 2008-12-19 07:02 pm UTC (link)
	This is a great roundup post. Awesome. I'm particularly grateful for the links to the youtube videos. That's just great. Over at ij, there's a comm for people (like us). I don't normally post pictures of kids because I'm often concerned about, well, putting up pictures of other people's kids. I thought you might dig it. Edited at 2008-12-20 03:25 am UTC (Reply to this) (Thread)

glockgal
2008-12-22 07:31 pm UTC (link)

Dude...it's making me cry. Thank you so much. I'll be posting this in my next LJ post because I just. So much beauty, and so poignant because I'm still - STILL - seeing people saying "Prove to me that there are non-white actors who can play these parts". GYAH.

Totally makes sense about not posting kids because YES. I agree and I love how you're aware of that! *loves* Thank you so much!

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

	skywardprodigal 2008-12-28 03:07 am UTC (link)
	Dude...it's making me cry. Awwwww! You're totally welcome. :D (Reply to this) (Parent)

maya231
2008-12-23 06:49 pm UTC (link)

I think the term "politically correct," at least in the U.S., is used negatively, particularly in the case of right-leaning political sorts dismissing the left-leaning sorts...(I'm not sure if the same negative origins are true of the word "feminist," though some people use that negatively as well). Personally, I try to avoid the PC term; I think it's offensive itself, when usually the practice is about people trying not to be offensive.

(Reply to this)

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