Would a pony defend a human from discrimination of other ponies?

[InvaderShy 18]

If we imagine an environment where ponies cohabit with a few humans (maybe 3 or 5), the idea of discrimination may or not pass through our minds. Therefore, some ponies could feel the impulse of discriminate these humans using awkward nicknames or using another type of derision; and I say this because every society has its own defects (even the Equestrian society, and we can see it in certain episodes). 

 

So, despite the fear of ponies toward humans, is it possible that some ponies try to defend the humans? What pony you'd imagine defending them? What kind of arguments would they use for defending them?

 

Also, what pony you consider could be in the side of the discriminators?

[Champion RD92 8,658]

I think some of the more reasonable ponies, like Twilight Sparkle, would defend humans from discrimination. Actually, I think Twilight would be very fascinated by humans and want to learn everything about them and befriend them perhaps.

[Armchair Adventurer 211]

I think much like with humans it would be different for every individual. I don't think we can generalize pony kind much like I don't think we can generalize humanity.

Edited October 30, 2013 by Armchair Adventurer

[DND 2,355]

Huh, interesting topic...

 

I think It'd be the humans most likely to actually discriminate anyone. Is seems that ponies are a lot less harsh about it. (duh) As I can see ponies like Twilight wanting to examine us, I think if anything we'd dissect them first... if we were to live with magical pastel ponies... I mean, honestly... humans are afraid of things they don;t understand. And if we encounter the power the have... we'd be pretty afraid... even envious.

 

As for ponies, they'd mostly likely be afraid... not so discriminatory. They'd be afraid of contact with upright creatures, since naturally, four legged creatures such as the Jaguar compared to the Chimp walking upright at times, is afraid of the large appearances and strangeness of gaining balance on two limbs. They'd be reasonable and want to study us too, as well as helping the factor that most of each species speaks the same language, but very wary. 

[00Pony 286]

I guess it really depends on the pony's experiences with the human. If they've seen that the human is actually genuinely nice, and not so different, if just another species, I imagine they might defend them. As much as I'd love to imagine AJ would defend a human like that, I think she may actually be one of the ones to be afraid of them at first, if her reaction to Zecora was any indication. 

Fluttershy may be a bit timid at first, being Fluttershy, but being the Element of Kindness as well, I'm pretty sure she wouldn't be averted to them for long.

 

Considering Twi's opinion towards Zecora initially, I feel like she would be her rational self and actually try to get to know the human rather than instantly become afraid of them, and through doing so, end up being one of the ones to defend a human, even against her own friends, and possibly win them over...

 

dangit now I have fic ideas.

[Shanks 10,816]

It would depend on the pony in question, as we have seen in Bridle Gossip many of the ponies are superstitious and cowardly and capable of racism but there are of course some that are a bit more rational and tolerant as well. Applebloom treated Zecora like she would have any pony and Twilight did at least at first.

[Scootalove 10,689]

It really depends on the pony, since we've seen in Bridle Gossip how discrimination is played out towards one another. Twilight would probably defend the human, and try to learn more about it.

[Winona the Dog 1,984]

In general, I don't see the ponies defending humans at all. Sure, there would be a select few like Twilight, Fluttershy and Lyra but I feel they would discriminate us due to our appearance and lifestyle.

[FNGRpony 658]

well, would flutter shy consider us animals?  I would so ^^.  I think it would be kinda humiliating "wait a minute why are you bring me co co and telling me to keep calm?  SOB she thinks i'm an animal!" 

 

I mean she puts up with angel and discord, she would likely at least give humans a shot
PInkie would be 50/50.

she might go bridal gossip on you.  I don't think she learned a damn thing in that episode.  She also might put you in the friend zone,

that's a good thing (i think).

Twilight i'd say 70 percent to defend 30 just cause i could see her getting warn down in her conviction combined with how terrible humans are to begin with.

Lyria, well do you gotta ask?

Dr hooves couldn't be seen sympathizing because it would blow his cover.
I think Apple jack is xenophobic so not likely to help.

Are humans being picked on for looking stupid or different i could see derpy being sympathetic?

I would totally see the CMC helping.

Not sure about rainbow or rarity.  they seem kinda band waggonie.

[Malinter 3,064]

I also think there actual size might factor in a little here. If a humans are big (some even claiming Big Mac would only be slightly taller than your knee) I'd imagine they would think a human could defend itself better than any help they could offer (besides OP magic power xD).

[Denim&Venöm 19,047]

Given the variety of intelligent creatures ponies interact with, from Minotaur to Dragons, they probably wouldn't discriminate too much. Most likely we humans, being the only intelligent creatures that we know of, would be first to rag on the ponies. Given Ponies higher ethical and compassion standards, in the event of some of them being bullies, one would probably take a stand.  

 

Rainbow Dash would be first, seeing as how she defended Fluttershy in Cutie Mark Chronicles, followed by Twilight who would think such things as unreasonable. Pinkie Pie would be next up to try and defuse the situation since she did try to defend Rarity from Fluttershy, speaking of which, she would probably be too timid and avoid confrontation. Rarity would see herself as beyond such petty squabbles and wouldn't get involved, and Applejack I'm pretty split on. She doesn't seem the type to throw insults, it appears that with her upbringing she would know better,  but she also seems the type not to adjust well to new things and would probably hold humans with some suspicion. 

[KonceptKarma 20]

I think it would be fairly similar to how they handled encountering Zecora. At first they seemed really frightened of her, and it was only until they were convinced that she was not a threat that they opened up to her. So you can see how something as outlandish as a human would terrorize them, considering that Zecora was a zebra, not as different to the ponies as a human would be.

[Shanks 10,816]

I also think there actual size might factor in a little here. If a humans are big (some even claiming Big Mac would only be slightly taller than your knee) I'd imagine they would think a human could defend itself better than any help they could offer (besides OP magic power xD).

I don't think the size difference is quite that drastic your average adult pony is estimated to be around 4 feet tall which is shorter than most adult humans but not quite that drastic and Big Macintosh is often estimated to be around 5 feet tall. Even if that was the case though discrimination isn't always in the form of physical violence, even spewing simple slurs can be very harmful.

[Ianpiersonjdavis 513]

Lyra, yes.

 

Applebloom, Twilight, and Zecora maybe.

 

Everyone else I find highly unlikely thanks to their attitude in Bridle Gossip.

 

And I think that the more they'd learn about us, the further their disposition would become.