Friendship is Magic: anti-stereotype

[Forlong 1,726]

Something I really appreciate about this show is the fact that they stray away from stereotypes. Three examples come to mind.

 

Rarity

She's the kind of character you expect to see in a show for little girls. Loves fashion, very pretty, and wants a stallion. However, this is treated with care. Her dress making is actually treated like a real job. A job that she loves, but a real job. And her desire for a stallion in her life is rarely brought up, but it is clearly there. She obviously doesn't want another Blueblood incident.

 

Zecara

Probably the best representation of an African in a cartoon (save the one in Phinious and Ferb). I mean REAL African--as in born and raised on the continent--none of that "motherland" stuff. The only thing that bugs me is the fact that she speaks in rhyme. What is up with that? Is that meant to represent rapping?

 

Native Buffaloes

When TV tries to represent Native Americans, I get a spoon ready to help me barf. They actually did a good job representing the problem in this show. None of the usual: "White people are horrible! DO YOU FEEL GUILTY ABOUT IT YET!?" Yes, the ponies invaded the buffalo's sacred trampling grounds, but they had good reason for choosing that spot. Sometimes there are no easy answers in life. I would have liked it better, if they had female buffaloes leading them. That is actually how Native American politics worked. The position of "chief" was made for the white man's benefit. Well, you can't have everything in life.

 

I wonder what race the sheep are meant to represent? Jews, maybe? But then, what does that say about Applejack?

Edited August 22, 2012 by Forlong

[Dr_Waveband 745]

Into the sheep, I think you're thinking too deep.

 

Otherwise, yes, it's delightfully stereotypeless.

 

Rhyming comes out better when you're drinking tar liquor. Apparently.

 

 

 

Edit: I think I'll get off the forums now. Someone cover for me.

Edited August 22, 2012 by Dr_Waveband

[TheFabulousPony 102]

Remembering it is a kids show... Hence why they made her speak in rhyme, for fun etc, I wouldn't want it any other way :3

good points nonetheless

[Ink 191]

Rhyming is commonly used to shroud mystery around characters. I strongly doubt it's a racy reference.

[QuantumDot 5]

Ever notice how magical spells are usually spoken in rhyme in popular culture? We've associated rhyme with mystery and magic, and Zecara is a magical, mysterious foreigner.

 

I highly doubt that a show so void of stereotypes would suddenly throw one in for a single character.

[Dusty Soul 2,614]

That is true... Most cartoons try to steer clear of the whole Native people vs. Settlers thing, but I honestly think they did it quite well. Also I agree that Zecora's character was put together really well.