Robert Downey Jr. wearing a Bruce Lee shirt, May 28th 2012.
Toph’s blindness was one of the most excellently handled aspects of AtLA because it wasn’t treated like a disability. So often in shows (and especially children’s animation) disabled characters are limited to apperances in “very special episodes” where the main characters have to learn a lesson that these people are capable “in spite of” their handicaps, like that episode of Kim Possible wherein Kim constantly stumbles over herself around Felix. This approach is often just as insulting as making them the butt of jokes, because it’s patronizing and it limits the amount of roles disabled characters are allowed to have.
Avatar challenged that stereotype with Teo, and then sent a giant middle finger its way by introducing Toph. She’s turned what would otherwise be a disability into an advantage, and she’s not afraid to crack jokes about it. She functions well enough that the other characters often forget that she is blind, but at the same time it’s an integral part of her bending and allows her to be the greatest earthbender ever. It sends a powerful message that having a physical disability does not make you less of a person, and often affords you a unique perspective that the so-called “normal” people never get to experience.
One of the many reasons I love this show.
The subject of this debate is whether AIs are “people-” whether they possess the same degree of personhood as humans, and whether that entitles them to the same rights.
You have heard all the arguments for and against the consciousness, intelligence, free will, and cognition of artificial…
Instantly reminded me of the KELOID trailer.
Relia Threepwood, A Mighty Pirate: codalion: stfusexists: Review of Mars Needs Moms dammitjean:... »
Those are the small issues. Here’s the big issue: Mars Needs Moms is an incredibly anti-gay film. That’s not a joke. Seriously. Let me explain…The reason Mars actually needs moms is…
Oh god I could tell it was going to be terrible just by the trailer being horrifically 1950sish preachy scifi (oh god i almost wrote syfy) but I guess I just assumed “ya know most kids shows these days are pretty up to date socially, I mean acceptably anyway, so maybe the title is “Mars Needs Moms” just because it is catchier than “mars needs parental figures” rather that it being a horribly offensive film” BUT OH I GUESS I WAS INCORRECT.
I wonder what would get this approved? The last time I read/saw something that warped and out of date was when we were watching some old Doris Day movie on TCM that had a “Oopsie I guess I just want to be a good housewife instead of doing work!” type plot and even my grandma was like DAMN, THAT’S MESSED UP.
