Back in 2008 or 9 the 1st Avatar movie was released. I saw it in 3D with my then boyfriend who was in the military and home for the holidays. It received a standing ovation with applause at the end…mind you… its a movie, not a live show. At that time I wasn’t familiar with the term “white savior”. I was dating a white guy and I attended a PWI (predominantly white institute) University. I lived in Pittsburgh and moved to Ohio for school. Things weren’t so clear to me with race and identity until late in life. The point is I wish I knew better then when seeing that movie.. and yet again I went to see the 2nd one on Xmas day this year. Knowing way more now… sadly the message of the film hasn’t changed… in fact its gotten worse…I’m not hear to tell any one not to see the film. I am here to challenge you to listen to those feelings and thoughts that pop up in your head when you see the images on the screen. Who is being centered? Who is being harmed? Why is this always the theme? What will you do to change it?
This is not a good movie… its long for no reason, continues to glorify murder and dying, stolen culture. Praises “Whiteness” and the “White Savoir” complex. Allows for harmful language and doesn’t give room for grief and loss. It’s giving very much Misogynoir… pushing women to be stronger and stand by their man… even when they are either caring for children, losing a child or losing their entire life and home. Super traumatic stuff.
This article from the Anti Racism newsletter and Refinery 29 explains it so much better then me.
https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/avatar-the-way-of-the-water-colonialism-indigenous-history
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