During the pandemic, we were all starved for content so I’m not going to make apologies for this:
I watched Agents of SHIELD. It was decent enough to slog through.
As the series progressed, I saw that one of the main stars was half Chinese and they used her heritage as part of the plot. As an Asian, I am so used to these things being handled poorly. It’s always some shit of “ancient Chinese secret” or Buddist bullshit.
But it was actually…compelling. There was depth and substance on how they handled it.
For the first time, I felt like I was seen.
Representation matters in so many ways because it helps normalize diversity. Something that the alt-right have a huge problem with apparently.
Representation matters in so many ways because it helps normalize diversity.
Normalization is so important. Unfortunately, humans need to be shown how to treat people who are different. Even though the answer is mostly “just treat them like a person”
We also often need to be shown “this group isn’t trying to hurt you, most are just trying to get by and they have full internal experiences just like you.” Growing up people like me were typically depicted in media as predators or dead sex workers and in addition to the shame and fear it taught me, it also resulted in some people having to learn to see me as just a person and member of their community with no ill will towards them.
This is so true. Humans are naturally very group based creatures, and it’s very hard to break that instinct - which is typically why starting young is so important. Tolerance has to be taught, while clan behaviour is innate. Always fighting an uphill battle
Reminds me of the story of when Nichelle Nichols was planning to quit Star Trek because Uhura’s role was so small, but Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. urged her not to, because it was so important that non-white people be represented on TV even if the roles were small. He was right. Seeing yourself reflected in media matters a lot, especially for marginalized groups!
Might I ask how they handled it well? I haven’t seen the show, nor do I intend to, but I’d like to know what sets it apart from the generic mystification and exoticism. I know that it’s bullshit, but that’s not worth much without understanding how it’s bullshit, if that makes sense?
I’ve seen enough of these shows that I expect season one to be the best written, season two to have the best budget, and an entirely new cast season 3 before they’re canceled during sweeps
I know how some people will dismiss Heated Rivalry but honestly some of the most thoughtful Asian/autistic representation I have seen on television. The pressure of being the “model minority” and just being a POC in a white dominated field, and the way that the main character’s (not discussed, but canon) autism is handled so thoughtfully by the actor. The character genuinely means so much to me.
During the pandemic, we were all starved for content so I’m not going to make apologies for this:
I watched Agents of SHIELD. It was decent enough to slog through.
As the series progressed, I saw that one of the main stars was half Chinese and they used her heritage as part of the plot. As an Asian, I am so used to these things being handled poorly. It’s always some shit of “ancient Chinese secret” or Buddist bullshit.
But it was actually…compelling. There was depth and substance on how they handled it.
For the first time, I felt like I was seen.
Representation matters in so many ways because it helps normalize diversity. Something that the alt-right have a huge problem with apparently.
Yes, this
Normalization is so important. Unfortunately, humans need to be shown how to treat people who are different. Even though the answer is mostly “just treat them like a person”
We also often need to be shown “this group isn’t trying to hurt you, most are just trying to get by and they have full internal experiences just like you.” Growing up people like me were typically depicted in media as predators or dead sex workers and in addition to the shame and fear it taught me, it also resulted in some people having to learn to see me as just a person and member of their community with no ill will towards them.
This is so true. Humans are naturally very group based creatures, and it’s very hard to break that instinct - which is typically why starting young is so important. Tolerance has to be taught, while clan behaviour is innate. Always fighting an uphill battle
And it’s important to note that your “clan” includes the kinds of people you were around as kids.
Not only that, but it just makes for better, more compelling stories. And a much better variety of the types of stories.
What, you haven’t seen this guy enough yet?
Reminds me of the story of when Nichelle Nichols was planning to quit Star Trek because Uhura’s role was so small, but Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. urged her not to, because it was so important that non-white people be represented on TV even if the roles were small. He was right. Seeing yourself reflected in media matters a lot, especially for marginalized groups!
Might I ask how they handled it well? I haven’t seen the show, nor do I intend to, but I’d like to know what sets it apart from the generic mystification and exoticism. I know that it’s bullshit, but that’s not worth much without understanding how it’s bullshit, if that makes sense?
AoS got good after they didnt have to link to the movies anymore since they were basically being locked out anyway.
What season was that? It scratched a bit of a Whedon/Chris Carter itch, but it wore out its charm eventually. When does it start getting good?
I liked it starting at season 1, but I think its great starting with season 2. Season 4 is incredible.
I’ve seen enough of these shows that I expect season one to be the best written, season two to have the best budget, and an entirely new cast season 3 before they’re canceled during sweeps
I know how some people will dismiss Heated Rivalry but honestly some of the most thoughtful Asian/autistic representation I have seen on television. The pressure of being the “model minority” and just being a POC in a white dominated field, and the way that the main character’s (not discussed, but canon) autism is handled so thoughtfully by the actor. The character genuinely means so much to me.