Did you read what he was responding to in the slightest?
Yes, I did. And I read his responses to make sure I wasn't mis-interpreting them.
And you are twisting this in all the wrong ways.
Am I? I don't find the "struggle for representation" to be anything more than a manufactured issue that small minds create and then embrace to explain away their own bigotry.
But I have had cousins, and other young children that I know who like to see media that reflects themselves who ask me "Why don't any of these characters look or talk like us?".
I call political farce.
The only time my daughter has ever brought up race was because she was instructed to do so. It's people TEACHING her she is different, like you, who thereby teach her to notice the differences. Furthermore, your statement proves it's the most superficial differences that are being taught. "Why don't they look or talk like us?" is a simple answer.
They don't look like you because they are not you, and they don't talk like you because of <insert story about your history>. Teaching a child that they are either special, due to this, or neglected by societal representation due to this, is not only shallow minded, but is simply a logical and bigoted fallacy.
My father took us to see The book of life and the smile and pure joy on his face that a film about Sanchez's made it to the screen was just sheer joy. I even wrote a post about that
here. No one is saying you can't admire a hero for what they are. Just that there need to be more hero's with all kinds of looks and area's to choose from.
I wholly appreciate your experience with your father (I did read your blog post on it, well written, btw, and thanks for the link), however, I do not agree with your conclusion in the slightest.
This movie is an example of the type of movies that SHOULD be made, not because of some idealistic "representation" mantra, but because they are compelling stories with good production values which pay homage to the culture and people they represent. And, as a result, it's a great movie. One that once I saw the previews for, I was excited to go see, and my daughter thoroughly enjoyed.
I still count it among one of the under-rated films of last year because...well, the polar opposite of it (a film that was NOT well researched and didn't have much in terms of plot...from Disney...called Frozen) took over much of the 2014 animated film focus.
The focus shouldn't be on "representation" nor should it be on "inclusion"...that's how you end up with "token characters". It should be on telling a good story with high production values. Period.
What you (and Radiator) seem to miss is that by constantly simplifying it, and making the false demand of "representation" and "inclusion" and "understanding", you are forcing the focus in the wrong direction.
Take, for example, ParaNorman. The only animated film to ever address openly (even if fleetingly) alternative sexual relationships (it's not made clear in the film). They handled it perfectly. It wasn't shoved down your throat, it wasn't overly preachy, and it wasn't "token".
It was a side-note in the story that in the end didn't mean much at all, and that's EXACTLY how these issues should be handled. They are NOT primary issues, and to assign them such importance merely begs for the true primary issue, that of story and character development, to be shoved to the side for the sake of seeming "politically correct".
Just this week star vs the forces of evil premiered and you know what happened when my little cousin juan saw it? He flipped out, he recorded it twice, he keep telling me how cool it was that marco and his family looked like ours.
See what I said above about superficial. Someone taught him that.
Representation is not some sort of liberal fantasy spun out by people who only see color, it has a very real effect on people and children.
It's certainly not "liberal" because it's not liberating. It is, however, a fantasy spun out by people who only see color, and it certainly does have a very real effect on people and children. On that, we agree.
Step back and don't you dare or anyone on this forum try and ever tell me representation doesn't matter in the long run.
"Representation", as you see it, doesn't matter in the long run.
Because it absolutely does.
No, it doesn't.
And had you read the comment radiator springs was responding with such sensitivity and class you would have avoided this long rant.
I already covered this.
The only sheer drivel is you trying to demean my experience and opinion, and clearly others on here as well.
I am not trying to demean you. I am trying to explain to you how the philosophy you have, I disagree with. Now, you can feel free to tell me to shove off and that you disagree with me. That is completely your right, and I respect that (and, whether you think it or not, I respect your RIGHT to have your opinion...I do not necessarily respect your opinion however).
Now if you don't care about how me or others feel about this fine, but keep it to yourself. Because the only thing you're going to accomplish is getting this thread locked.
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