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It appears a few people have found problems with my tweets regarding Noelle's actions. Allow me to explain in further detail.
During a livestream, Noelle made a joke regarding Bow's brother Sow and how he 'works the field'. For context: Bow is African-American. So what seems to be the problem?
The joke in question has unfortunate implications regarding slavery and how African-Americans were treated in plantations and cornfields.
Now you might be saying: "Sow might just be a farmer! Are you saying blacks can't be farmers?"
Now you might be saying: "Sow might just be a farmer! Are you saying blacks can't be farmers?"
I'm not saying that at all. Anyone can be a farmer, and if that was what Noelle intended regarding her joke, it might've been more understandable. However, there are several factors against this notion.
1. There are very few POC working in the She-Ra cartoon show and none working on the writing team. This makes it harder for white people to relate to and understand the struggles minorities have undergone.
White people have never had the same struggles as POC, and so it is extremely difficult if not outright impossible for them to completely understand their situations.
The best way to combat this is to grow, learn from others, research and form our own conclusions.
The best way to combat this is to grow, learn from others, research and form our own conclusions.
2. This was not the only comment made on the stream that took notice. We also saw a man use the word dyke (a derogatory slur for lesbians) and some creepy things going on with Double Trouble.
Now from what I've read, the term 'dyke' was reclaimed by lesbians. Apparently the man in question was referring to a podcast called 'Desperate Housedykes'. While usually it would be offensive for a man to use this word, given the context, that can be forgiven.
(TW: Pedophilia)
Regarding Double Trouble: This is the end result of some horrible wording. It's spoken in a way that makes him come off as either a creep or worse, a pedophile.
Now thankfully, DT is not one of those but the wording was so bad it gave you this feeling.
Regarding Double Trouble: This is the end result of some horrible wording. It's spoken in a way that makes him come off as either a creep or worse, a pedophile.
Now thankfully, DT is not one of those but the wording was so bad it gave you this feeling.
The main issue I have is with Noelle's joke about Sow "tilling the fields" and it seems to be a problem with a lot of other fans.
On a final note, I must stress this. I don't know Noelle. In fact this was the first time I really paid attention to the show. It clearly has a dedicated fanbase and it's clear she knows her stuff.
If this was one mistake, then maybe we can chalk it up to her being ignorant but not necessarily racist. But if there are more cases of this (as I sadly fear might be), then we may have seen the mask come off.
Admittedly when I first heard of this, like some of you, I did not hear the whole story and I left out some important facts. I apologize for doing so. However, the points I raised earlier stand. What she did was unacceptable and she needs to be held accountable.
To finish this thread, I have found a Tumblr post that does a much better job than I ever could explaining why Noelle's joke is so problematic: http://azzylon.tumblr.com/post/627597633984380929/
