November 25, 2008

TWILIGHT AND RACE

I had to take time to link this great piece on the role of POC's in the Twilight books and movie.

The moneymakers are getting it wrong, as usual.
Posted by Ms☆Go (dcmoviegirl) at Tuesday, November 25, 2008
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5 comments:

Dennis R. Upkins said...

By no means am I Twilight or Stephanie Meyer fan and I owe neither the franchise or its creator any loyalty.

I hate to play Devil's Advocate here but is it possible that Meyer is catching unfair scrutiny from some critics because she's Mormon and an easy target?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that the issues pointed out aren't legit but at the same time reducing minorities to token roles is nothing new, and I don't see how she's worse than other creators who make all-white casts and either exclude minorities or reduce them to minor secondary roles.

Hell look at Gossip Girl. The token black and Asian chicks serve as Blair Waldorf's hand maidens.

On television a quick way to know if a show has jumped the shark and is on the verge of cancellation is when a minority character appears on a show which features an all-white cast: The OC, 90210, Friends and legions of others have been guilty of this.

21 and other movies have committed greater sins of white-washing and racism in portrayal of minorities (or lack thereof) and most people didn't blink an eye.

I'm not saying Twilight isn't guilty of this or they're justified (because they aren't) but this is par for the course for movies in general. And no I'm not saying it shouldn't be changed because it should. I don't know there are other movies out there that have blatantly been worse (again 21) and it hasn't fallen under as much scrutiny. If that makes any sense.

As far as Lautner being cast in the movie, at least they gave the role to a POC because in most movies a key role like that would've gone to someone of the caucasian persuasion.

9:28 AM
Ms☆Go said...

@Dennis

I'm not about wrongs being defended by comparing to other wrongs.

It doesn't magically make it less because it's not a competition.

THEY ARE ALL WRONG. Period.

As for unfair scrutiny on Meyer, no one in the mainstream media has made a peep about it.

Also, her religion has no bearing on her stupid.

Lautner did not find out that his great-great-grand-aunt's best friend had Indian in them, until he was cast in the movie, as an Indian.

And his being surprised that people are, well just like other people?? You be the judge.

So, there you go.

11:37 PM
Dennis R. Upkins said...

I hear what you're saying and I'm not disagreeing. Cause you're right, all wrong is wrong.

I guess what I'm saying is that this is part of a much bigger epidemic--a failed and ignorant mindset--that needs to be addressed.

And until we address that failed mindset that minorities are acceptable in villainous/minor/disposable/supporting roles, we're going to see examples like this in Twilight and other media.

But of course I'm preaching to the choir on this.

8:04 AM
Rob said...

Thanks for linking to my site. You can read all my Twilight postings at Quileute Werewolves in Twilight.

FYI, I didn't learn Meyer was a Mormon until well into my investigation. So that didn't affect my thinking until the later postings.

As you probably know, I focus on movies and other entertainment products with Indians in them. I'm sure there are greater offenders than movies such as Twilight, but other people are covering them. I concentrate on an area where few people are working, which I hope makes my work more valuable.

3:53 AM
Ms☆Go said...

@Rob

My pleasure. :)

6:25 PM

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