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Diversity and Representation in Media

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A thread for discussing representation and diversity in all kinds of media. This covers creators and casting decisions as well as characters and in-universe discussions.

Historical works and decisions are in-scope as well, not just recent news.

Please put any spoilers behind tags and clearly state which work(s) they apply to.

    Original OP 
For discussing any racial, gender, and orientation misdoings happening across various movies and the film industry today.

This week, producer Ross Putnam started a Twitter account called "femscriptintros", where he puts up examples of how women are introduced in the screenplays he's read. And nearly all of sound like terrible porn or are too concerned with emphasizing said lady is beautiful despite whatever traits she may have. Here's a Take Two podcast made today where he talks about it.


(Edited April 19 2024 to add mod pinned post)

Edited by Mrph1 on Apr 19th 2024 at 11:45:51 AM

Luminosity Since: Jun, 2012 Relationship Status: Lovey-Dovey
#14976: Apr 13th 2018 at 3:27:15 PM

Unless you can somehow cast an actual Tamarian, I too don't see how she's "miscast".

Hodor2 Since: Jan, 2015
#14977: Apr 13th 2018 at 3:28:35 PM

Ever since the castings were announced, I've seen accusations of her being "miscast" as. Starfire, and I haven't seen evidence that "miscast" isn't just functioning as a euphemism for "black".

Which is not to say that the costumes don't look awful, because they obviously do. At least assuming that photo is representative, which maybe it isn't.

For what it's worth, while I've never heard of the actress and so can't comment on her acting either way, from pictures of her, I would have thought that she would visually be a good fit. So I wouldn't blame her for the questionable costuming.

Also, I have to figure/hope this isn't actually accurate because it's not at all unusual to have a Green-Skinned Space Babe (orangish in this case) on a tv show, so I can't imagine that this is it. Ditto with Beast Boy.

edited 13th Apr '18 3:36:08 PM by Hodor2

AdricDePsycho Rock on, Gold Dust Woman from Never Going Back Again Since: Oct, 2014 Relationship Status: [TOP SECRET]
Rock on, Gold Dust Woman
#14978: Apr 13th 2018 at 3:32:40 PM

The problem is it’s a beloved nerd property.

And nerd culture can go fuck right off. "Beloved nerd property" means jack fucking shit.

Have you any dreams you'd like to sell?
Draghinazzo (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: I get a feeling so complicated...
#14979: Apr 13th 2018 at 3:32:52 PM

Ever since the castings were announced, I've seen accusations of her being "miscast" as. Starfire, and I haven't seen evidence that "miscast" isn't just functioning as a euphemism for "black".

Basically. I mean, she's going to be a Green-Skinned Space Babe in the final product anyways so her being played by a black actress should not be a problem. It makes about as much sense as complaining about Zoe Saldana being cast as Gamora.

edited 13th Apr '18 3:33:32 PM by Draghinazzo

Hodor2 Since: Jan, 2015
#14980: Apr 13th 2018 at 3:37:13 PM

Yeah. Edited my post to that effect. I mean it would be pretty bad if she and Beast Boy don't have technicolored skin in the show, but I have to assume that they will.

Edit- @Adric- Yep. That's used way too much as a defense to the most toxic behavior. In fact, although nerds can be shitty in non-sexist and/or racist contexts, I don't think I've ever heard the beloved franchise defense used in a situation not involving sexist/racist abuse toward cast members.

edited 13th Apr '18 3:39:06 PM by Hodor2

Luminosity Since: Jun, 2012 Relationship Status: Lovey-Dovey
#14981: Apr 13th 2018 at 3:40:35 PM

It's nerd culture. It always has harrassment, even if the nerds are right.(which in this case they aren't, but I'm saying even if they were, they'd still be utter shits about it).

AdricDePsycho Rock on, Gold Dust Woman from Never Going Back Again Since: Oct, 2014 Relationship Status: [TOP SECRET]
Rock on, Gold Dust Woman
#14982: Apr 13th 2018 at 3:44:02 PM

Yep. That's used way too much as a defense to the most toxic behavior. In fact, although nerds can be shitty in non-sexist and/or racist contexts, I don't think I've ever heard the beloved franchise defense used in a situation not involving sexist/racist abuse toward cast members.

The same shit still gets used to attack Ghostbusters 2016 with accusations of Sony guilt tripping people or some stupid nonsensical shit. Like, yeah, I don't give a flying fuck about if misogynists are upset about rightly called out on their bullshit, Leslie Jones was harassed with racist bullshit by fucking Milo Yiannopolis and yet that gets either downplayed or turned into her being a "lolcow". I've outright seen suggestions that Sony bribed the goddamn critics.

Nerd culture is not beloved, nerd culture is toxic bullshit and can quite frankly die in a goddamn fire.

Have you any dreams you'd like to sell?
Beatman1 Since: Feb, 2014 Relationship Status: Gone fishin'
#14983: Apr 13th 2018 at 3:44:39 PM

[up][up]No, nerds are assholes who are about as territorial as wolves.

And we’re seeing it here.

edited 13th Apr '18 3:45:23 PM by Beatman1

AdricDePsycho Rock on, Gold Dust Woman from Never Going Back Again Since: Oct, 2014 Relationship Status: [TOP SECRET]
Rock on, Gold Dust Woman
#14984: Apr 13th 2018 at 3:45:44 PM

Quit downplaying the harassment and racism going on. It's fucking insulting to pretend the blatant racism going on is just being "territorial as wolves".

edited 13th Apr '18 3:46:44 PM by AdricDePsycho

Have you any dreams you'd like to sell?
Beatman1 Since: Feb, 2014 Relationship Status: Gone fishin'
#14985: Apr 13th 2018 at 3:48:55 PM

[up]Downplaying? What?

I’m saying no one gives a crap when an actress is in some drama about lawyers. Cast them as a comic book character and everyone loses their damn minds.

[down]Exactly. What they said is disgusting and no one is saying otherwise.

edited 13th Apr '18 3:50:43 PM by Beatman1

Luminosity Since: Jun, 2012 Relationship Status: Lovey-Dovey
#14986: Apr 13th 2018 at 3:49:07 PM

[up][up]No one here is downplaying it.

Stop interpeting everyone here in the worst possible light. "Territorial as wolves" is hardly a positive interpretation. Or one that denies the reality of the situation.

edited 13th Apr '18 3:49:23 PM by Luminosity

AdricDePsycho Rock on, Gold Dust Woman from Never Going Back Again Since: Oct, 2014 Relationship Status: [TOP SECRET]
Rock on, Gold Dust Woman
#14987: Apr 13th 2018 at 3:49:51 PM

Territorial as wolves sounded more like a compliment than anything.

Have you any dreams you'd like to sell?
Beatman1 Since: Feb, 2014 Relationship Status: Gone fishin'
#14989: Apr 13th 2018 at 3:51:19 PM

[up][up]Would you prefer if I used a less noble animal? Like a hyena?

AdricDePsycho Rock on, Gold Dust Woman from Never Going Back Again Since: Oct, 2014 Relationship Status: [TOP SECRET]
Rock on, Gold Dust Woman
#14990: Apr 13th 2018 at 3:51:43 PM

I didn't recall that even being in the sentence, but then I must have misread. I apologize. The sarcasm is uncalled for.

[up]

Nothing that's a mammal. The most accurate comparison would be a goddamn slug but that'd be an insult to slugs.

edited 13th Apr '18 3:52:24 PM by AdricDePsycho

Have you any dreams you'd like to sell?
KazuyaProta Shin Megami Tensei IV from A Industrial Farm Since: Jan, 2015 Relationship Status: [TOP SECRET]
Shin Megami Tensei IV
#14991: Apr 13th 2018 at 3:54:15 PM

[up] "Territorial as wolves" is hardly sarcasm and definitively not a compliment at all.

Watch me destroying my country
AdricDePsycho Rock on, Gold Dust Woman from Never Going Back Again Since: Oct, 2014 Relationship Status: [TOP SECRET]
Rock on, Gold Dust Woman
#14992: Apr 13th 2018 at 3:55:16 PM

I misread the fucking post, I'm sorry, move on.

Have you any dreams you'd like to sell?
Luminosity Since: Jun, 2012 Relationship Status: Lovey-Dovey
#14993: Apr 13th 2018 at 3:55:38 PM

[up][up]No, she means my sarcasm.

For which I too apologize, that was rude.

edited 13th Apr '18 3:55:47 PM by Luminosity

RBluefish Since: Nov, 2013
#14994: Apr 13th 2018 at 3:55:43 PM

If we don't drop this whole...whatever this is and get back on topic like I've wanted the entire time, then the mods are probably going to have some words for us all.

"We'll take the next chance, and the next, until we win, or the chances are spent."
AdricDePsycho Rock on, Gold Dust Woman from Never Going Back Again Since: Oct, 2014 Relationship Status: [TOP SECRET]
Rock on, Gold Dust Woman
#14995: Apr 13th 2018 at 3:57:00 PM

Yes, move this into somewhere else and move on from this.

Also, Luminosity, thank you. I've had issues on here with being gendered properly, thank you for that, sincerely.

Have you any dreams you'd like to sell?
Beatman1 Since: Feb, 2014 Relationship Status: Gone fishin'
#14996: Apr 13th 2018 at 3:57:39 PM

Alright.

Nothing to really add on this one, but at least the actress isn’t letting it weigh her down.

Luminosity Since: Jun, 2012 Relationship Status: Lovey-Dovey
#14997: Apr 13th 2018 at 4:01:11 PM

If we don't drop this whole...whatever this is and get back on topic like I've wanted the entire time, then the mods are probably going to have some words for us all.

The sad thing is, even if we do come back to the topic, what would we say? I trust no one here is actually going to argue with "harrassment, racism, and racist harrassment are all bad".

Thing is, she's a black woman next to a long-living nerd property. Harrassment is inevitable and there's fuck all we can do about it. What would you have us say?

Maybe it's just me growing cynical about all of this.

Also, Luminosity, thank you. I've had issues on here with being gendered properly, thank you for that, sincerely.

You're welcome? I don't see it as a big deal... I just checked your page beforehand. Lots of people of different genders frequent here.

edited 13th Apr '18 4:01:22 PM by Luminosity

AdricDePsycho Rock on, Gold Dust Woman from Never Going Back Again Since: Oct, 2014 Relationship Status: [TOP SECRET]
Rock on, Gold Dust Woman
#14998: Apr 13th 2018 at 4:02:24 PM

It kind of is for me, but that's a long story.

Have you any dreams you'd like to sell?
RBluefish Since: Nov, 2013
#14999: Apr 13th 2018 at 4:17:02 PM

I think that there's a little bit more of a discussion to be had about racialized harassment in the entertainment industry than "it's bad and there's literally nothing we can ever do about it."

"We'll take the next chance, and the next, until we win, or the chances are spent."
Aleistar Since: Feb, 2018 Relationship Status: Hugging my pillow
#15000: Apr 13th 2018 at 4:58:46 PM

To move the thread beyond the Titans topic, this is a column arguing that representation in film "isn't enough" for minorities; the author specifically calls it "performative, and relevant for a short amount to time, it doesn't affect real change" and how they "don't rely on it for personal empowerment" personally.

My thoughts: Obviously representation by itself doesn't do anything... the key phrase being "by itself." It does obvious psychological good for a lot of people, and stories like Black Panther inspiring Afro-Brazilians to occupy traditionally white cultural spaces demonstrate how media can be a mobilizer for action.

[down] And apparently I get the No Prize for being post #15000. Yay me.

edited 13th Apr '18 5:21:44 PM by Aleistar


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