Why was Jynx considered a racial stereotype???

enyce

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    I mean despite the fact it had a black face. Wich really wasnt black, I thought it was blue if you looked closely enough. But I dont get how it was considered one, I read about it on serebii.net. That an episode with Jynx was banned because of that.
     
    All I know is that 4Kids thought it looked like a stereotypical African American, and so they considered that racial and had to ban the episode with Jynx.

    In the newer games, if you notice, its not black anymore, its purple.
     
    Yeah, they changed the colour because of the racial stereotype.
     
    I figured that was why they changed it.
    It looks better purple... before, its color kinda blended with things, its more visable now that its purple...
     
    Just becuase it was black you cant just say its a stereotype. You have to have reason and detail. You cant just go "That Pokemons face its black, OMGZ its a stereotype". You have to give reasons. A lot of people dont see what you're talking about already. Wich is why it is important to give DETAIL and REASON
     
    I think it's because of it's skin and it's urge to sing alot is why.

    I first thought it's because when Brock was about to kiss her. Not exactly, but something like that.
     
    Some people believed it was a racial stereotype not only because of the original black color of its skin (and it was actually black at one point) but also because they took consideration of a lot of her other traits, including:

    1. Big lips. Way back when being racist was acceptable, African American men were usually depicted as comical-looking cartoon characters with large, white or (if color was available) pink lips.

    2. Her hip shaking. People thought she either parodied modern-day African American women or parodied the "voodoo priestess" stereotype because of the way the Pokedex said she moved.

    Note: Jynx is generally thought to be a parody of an African voodoo priestess for more than just her dance. I think her psychic abilities have something to do with it too, as does her name itself. (Jynx. Jinx. Voodoo. I'm sure we see the connection here.)

    Anyway, if you want to read more on the subject, Dogasu has an article with any other points I might've missed. I'm just going off the top of my head right now.
     
    I think the main reason it was banned was because of some angry soccer mom letter saying it was a stereotype, but I could be wrong.
     
    Chiru said:
    I think the main reason it was banned was because of some angry soccer mom letter saying it was a stereotype, but I could be wrong.

    Nah, it was an African American book writer.
     
    I see the point... But you can't go around saying everything is a stereotype.
     
    It makes me ashamed as an American to see people around me feeling weird because something was produced without the intention of racism but fostered those feelings anyway.

    I suggest everyone start reading up on a fad and the people that start it before you go off making your little criticisms.
     
    Black face is make-up that white people used to wear to make fun of black people. It looked like she was wearing black face, just like in the dbz cartoons every black person has black face on. It is very offensive if you really know where it comes from, I didn't go into detail, but I'm sure you can google it and find out.
     
    I just think that some people today read too much into things. I agree that racism is still a problem that all of us need to be aware of. But Jinx? I've just never seen the reason to make such a big stink about it. The whole fiasco with that woman who had an issue with it is done and over. I'm just confused as to why KidsWB, or 4kids, or whoever (it doesn't really matter), they decided to dub the conest episodes with Jynx, skip them, and then air them later. It's just... weird. Everyone thought they wouldn't show them because of Jynx, but then they did... so what was the point of skipping them? o.O

    The whole thing is just... meh.

    blastoise>you said:
    Black face is make-up that white people used to wear to make fun of black people.

    Wasn't it also used in very early movies when Caucasian actors would assume African American roles?
     
    enyce said:
    Just becuase it was black you cant just say its a stereotype. You have to have reason and detail. You cant just go "That Pokemons face its black, OMGZ its a stereotype". You have to give reasons. A lot of people dont see what you're talking about already. Wich is why it is important to give DETAIL and REASON

    Unfortunately, the world we live in today doesn't work like that. With the risk of being sued always in the background, companies have to watch their tails and usually cave to pressure from outside for the sake of not losing money.
     
    Actually, I think it was 4Kids themselves that thought that about Jynx, if I remember correctly. Blame it on them... oO
    Myself, I never thought Jynx resembled African Americans at all.... It never even crossed my mind...
     
    Drew said:
    Actually, I think it was 4Kids themselves that thought that about Jynx, if I remember correctly. Blame it on them... oO
    Myself, I never thought Jynx resembled African Americans at all.... It never even crossed my mind...

    Yes, but they made the adjustment in anticipation of an angry response. In the long run, $$ is always the underlying subject for corporations. Whether they recieved pressure from outside first or not is really a non-factor.
     
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