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Dances with Discrimination: On “Avatar,” Racism, Misogyny, and Disabled Prejudice
White Man, Blue Man: Jake Sully in his avatar-form
James Cameron’s “Avatar” is quickly shaping up to be this season’s smash hit. In it’s opening weekend, the cinematic, 3-D experience and so-called environmental parable has already raked in $77 million at the box office, and like the human forces determined to terrorize the planet Pandora, it’s showing no signs of stopping.
(Warning, Spoilers Ahead )
But “Avatar” is more than a humans-in-outer-space epic. It’s a vividly rehashed conflict between colonial humans versus the noble Na’vi, an amalgamation of Africans, Indians and pagans, resting on the very incapable shoulders of one paralyzed Marine who effortlessly betrays both sides during the course of the film. And while sci-fi fans and Cameronphiles alike have praised the cinematic power and special effects wizardry, more pointed critical interpretations are reflecting on the social implications of what “Avatar” says to the general public.
