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Okay, so now that I& #39;ve had a little time to sit with Netflix& #39;s #ShadowandBone 
https://abs.twimg.com/hashflags... draggable="false" alt="">, I& #39;d like to talk about the way the writers used TV Alina& #39;s Shu Han identity in the story and world.
These opinions are my personal feelings and I may feel differently after repeat viewings.
These opinions are my personal feelings and I may feel differently after repeat viewings.
First off, we& #39;re never given substantial info as to why the Shu Han are an enemy to Ravka.
To me, it felt like we& #39;re told way more about the conflict with West Ravka wanting to separate and become an independent nation. We also have a handful of scenes that explore this conflict.
But we& #39;re never given background on the Shu Han and instead we& #39;re left with several instances where Alina is the target of hate speech and general yet targeted racism/discrimination. Her entire identity is basically whittled down to her being mixed race.
It& #39;s mentioned her mother was Shu Han, which also doesn& #39;t sit well with me because it feels like it& #39;s always the mom in stories who is "different" and I don& #39;t like the implication that the mother/woman is at fault for causing the Otherness of a protagonist.
Despite having other characters who come from typically marginalized backgrounds/identities, Alina is largely the only one who is faced with discrimination on screen.
There are a few instances of anti-Suli sentiments, and this is also never fully explored. I know we only have 8 episodes and hopefully more seasons to dig into this world, but currently all these moments of hatred feel more hurtful to viewers than anything else.
It& #39;s also interesting that Mal doesn& #39;t face any racism or hatred despite him also being mixed race. The writers/showrunner have made it clear that Mal and Alina& #39;s connection is heavily founded on them both being mixed race.
If he& #39;s able to escape racism and prejudice because he& #39;s a man, then that& #39;s never explored or identified. Sexism doesn& #39;t come into play.
