Reflection and Analysis

AtLA - Mixed Ethnicity is Non-White! (2/11/20)

Wow.

Certain Avatar: Last Airbender fans are absolute brats.

I currently came across a thread regarding the live action series – no, I'm not going to link to it let alone mention the name. In this thread, people were complaining about how the Netflix series will likely cast Asians in the role, but they'll likely be half-Asian in a manner where the audience can tell they're "white passing", but their actual definitely not full Asian.

My first thought was – man, these people must not be Asian, what with there comparisons to how this would be like casting Black Panther with actors of mixed ethnicity.

And then I realized everyone on the thread was actually of African decent which leaves me absolutely fuming, yet this explains the other comments about how they'll be sadly disappointed that there aren't any black people cast for the live action, because you know, Katara would be the likely choice which would in turn mean her actual culture would be erased.

Takes a deep breath.

This is not like Black Panther which takes place in Africa and the characters look African. We're talking about a made-up country which is obviously influenced by Asian culture, yet the characters don't necessarily look like they're full blood Asian. Some look like they're of mixed ethnicity, but this is the exact problem I have with the whole racebending movement.

It was all about not being Asian enough, not about casting white people in non-white roles. As I've written in other articles, the only person who was actually not white was Jackson Rathbone. It wasn't about having an all Asian cast, the exception being the Water tribe. It was about casting pale skinned Asians and ignoring those with dark skin and those who aren't Asian enough.

Those of mixed ethnicity are still a part of their ethnic culture!

I guess this shouldn't be surprising to me given the fact certain blacks are prejudiced against those who are of a black-white mixed ethnicity because they're either white passing or they act too white to be black.

Seriously, don't talk to me about diversity when you leave out a part of your own ethnic group simply because they're of mixed heritage and their whiteness makes them a part of the white privilege which holds the non-white people back. They're still not white!

Note - Not all people of African decent are this way. Doesn't change the fact those of mixed-ethnicity do get prejudiced against - labeled as white when they are still non-white. I bet they wouldn't throw a fit regarding a certain character who appears during season three if he were Afro-Asian just like his character appears to be.