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Description
Because 'tis better to laugh, than to weep.

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My first reaction to the casting list was mild annoyance.

Then I read the reactions of my fellow Avatards, the minority fans who found a touchstone in this series.

I am not the black girl who rejoiced to find--for the first time--a relatable animated heroine of a race similar to her own. I am not the minority parent who will have to explain to his children why their heroes don't look like them anymore.

But I can still be frustrated, disgusted, and infuriated on their behalf--and on my own behalf, at the realization that this choice was made "for" me and people like me, white fans who love this show for its diversity and yet are expected to avoid the movie if it displays the same quality.

(I'm leaving Shyamalan off the hook for now--directors often don't have much say in casting, and his brown daughters' love for Katara was what got him interested in the first place. I assume he's as crushed as we are by this.)

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For the record, yes, there is something you can do. The casting call ain't over till the Cabbage Man sings.

To folks with something to say--let's keep the comments on this as mature and sensible as you awesome people always do in this little gallery of mine. Peace, y'all.

Description
Because 'tis better to laugh, than to weep.

--------------------------------------

My first reaction to the casting list was mild annoyance.

Then I read the reactions of my fellow Avatards, the minority fans who found a touchstone in this series.

I am not the black girl who rejoiced to find--for the first time--a relatable animated heroine of a race similar to her own. I am not the minority parent who will have to explain to his children why their heroes don't look like them anymore.

But I can still be frustrated, disgusted, and infuriated on their behalf--and on my own behalf, at the realization that this choice was made "for" me and people like me, white fans who love this show for its diversity and yet are expected to avoid the movie if it displays the same quality.

(I'm leaving Shyamalan off the hook for now--directors often don't have much say in casting, and his brown daughters' love for Katara was what got him interested in the first place. I assume he's as crushed as we are by this.)

--------------------------------------

For the record, yes, there is something you can do. The casting call ain't over till the Cabbage Man sings.

To folks with something to say--let's keep the comments on this as mature and sensible as you awesome people always do in this little gallery of mine. Peace, y'all.