“If you have to have someone who looks like you in the media in order for you to relate then maybe you’re the one who’s racist"
“children don’t see/care about race"
“Color doesn’t matter! It’s about the actor/story!”
“there are bigger issues to talk about than representation”
“they whitewashed because they need to make a profit and attract their target audience”
“historical accuracy”
“It’s a European fairytale/story so of course the characters will be white!”
“whitewashing isn’t real”
In case anyone’s wondering about the Earthsea thing?
I’ve read the books. Most of the cast should have been brown; Vetch (who, in the books, was Sparrowhawk’s student mentor and close friend who happened to be a fat dude rather than being the pudgy comic relief) should have been black. In the sorry excuse for a miniseries? Everyone except Ogion (and there are probably nasty implications to the one black dude being cast as the Wise Mentor™ figure) is white. (Also of note: the cast being that white was against Le Guin’s wishes.)
The moral of this story, of course, is that white fans feel entitled to every role except a few stereotypical ones…but will jump to all sorts of bizarre conclusions in order to avoid examining or even admitting that. (To paraphrase another of Le Guin’s works: head on backwards.)
Thank you for this! This issue of Representaion Matters is probably going to have to be argued with each and every generation of White people, who are used to having media pander to their wants and wishes.
Ursula K. Le Guin (may she rest in peace) was so disgusted (link) by the whitewashing of Earthsea, among other issues, that she vowed never to allow any other screen adaptations of her work except with her active involvement. She knew that this meant, in practice, that she would never get another call from Hollywood (link). That’s how you know where the media industry’s priorities lie, that they would forego adapting the works of a beloved author rather than respect the diversity she represented in her works.
Don’t do it. She is 12 going through something that is very hard. She should not have to deal with adults prying into something that is already very hard and upsetting for her. I feel like this should go without saying but people have already done it on Twitter and on Instagram (seriously whoever put “have fun with two Christmas’s” fuck you. You’re an asshole). Millie is a child. Just because this is in the public eye does not give you permission to ask her questions, make fun of her, or otherwise be a dickhead to her. Leave her alone. This already is going to hurt enough for her.
As a side note honestly don’t pry at all. To anyone! This is a personal matter and what we were given should be enough. We are fans not close friends or family. Geoff and Griffons personal life is not something that they should feel forced to share. Be respectful and kind and give them their privacy. Its already hard don’t make it any harder.
At this time they all need our support. Be respectful. Don’t be an asshole.
EDIT: Some of the replies I have been reading have been making some really great points. Such as, don’t bring up the divorce to Millie unless she makes it clear she wants to talk about it. Let her deal with it on her own terms. Words of encouragement mean well but she has a good support system to help her and that shouldn’t be us unless she asks. Support Geoff and Griffon through their content! Generally just use your brain. (Thank you everyone who has been adding on to this)
The name is China/Squirrel. I am 28 years old. From Chicago, IL. I am who I am. Wrestling Addicted. Love meeting new people. Anything and everything that is on my blog is what I'm into/interested in/enjoy/like/love.
