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artist-issues · 2 months

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Hi! I've seen you comment a bit here and there about Pocahontas. This movie has had this quite messy reputation attached to it since it came out and hasn't been able to escape from it since then. Personally, I've always liked Pocahontas, but I do acknowledge that it has its glaring issues, especially when it comes to the context of what actually went down and Pocahontas's true story. I'm interested in reading your thoughts on the movie and what Disney could have done better regarding the whole "diversity" and historical accuracy thing. I genuinely believe Disney had the best of intentions when it came to the themes, message and depiction of Native American culture, but the execution unfortunately did not seem the most appropriate at times. What do you think?

I don’t know. I don’t have a settled opinion on Pocahontas. I will say I really enjoy it, and I think maybe the aesthetics of the movie are what appeal to me the most because it’s the one I want to have on in the background most often.

When you say “what Disney could’ve done better regarding the whole ‘diversity’ and historical accuracy thing” and “did not seem the most appropriate at times,” I don’t know if I understand what you mean. I don’t know if I understand what anyone means when they say that.

There are almost zero cold hard facts about the historical Pocahontas that EXPERTS agree on. Almost zero. So when people say “oh no, it wasn’t historically accurate,” it’s like, “no, of course it’s not. It’s a fairy tale based on a historical person that we know very little about to begin with.” Seems like what they’re mainly mad about is that Historical John Smith’s version of Historical Pocahontas saving him is the framework for the animated film, and we all generally agree that his version was fake. And people are mad about that?

But…why? If it’s already supposed to be a fairy tale loosely inspired by a historical person we know very little about…I mean, nobody is furious with the Robin Hood stories and going “how dare you misrepresent Robin of Lockersley, 1160, and King Richard I!!” Because we all know that they’re stories loosely based on—anyway. You get my point. Why would you have beef about a fairy tale being based loosely? Moving on.

You can say “because now generations of kids are growing up thinking that’s the real story of Pocahontas!! What an outrage!”

…All right, well, then you’re doing a terrible job teaching your kids discernment as a parent. When kids I’m responsible for watch a movie, I tell them “it’s a movie. It’s not real.” If it’s a movie about historical events, I tell them, “If you want to know more about the real story, let’s learn about the real story.” It’s not on Disney to teach your kids that a fairy tale is a fairy tale, it’s on you.

Anyway, you get it. Moving on.

Thing is, the Pocahontas movie’s message is “Love tries to understand, not to possess.” Great message. Especially good when applied to the problem of prejudice.

So then, they just shift the events, the character motivations, and the depictions around as needed, like they would any fairy tale in order to send that message in the best way. And because it is a fairy tale, not a documentary, great. Do it.

If Historical John Smith’s fake story makes that message more compelling, great. Use pieces of it. Why not? After all, they never claimed that this was the true, accurate history of colonization, the Anglo-Powhatan war, or John Smith’s interactions with Pocahontas. If they had made that claim, sure, let’s talk about historical accuracy. But they didn’t, so let’s not.

That’s all I had to say about the “historical inaccuracies” thing. Now let’s talk about “representation.”

What is it that people have an issue with here? Did they really want Disney to animate hundreds of Powhatan’s people dying of disease? Did they want Disney to animate heads getting chopped off and women getting raped? What’s the argument? That Disney should’ve made the colonists the clear and undeniable villains, the monsters of history, and the Native Americans 100% pure and innocent, wronged victims?

They’re not mad that Disney did a bad job representing Native Americans in a movie that was supposed to be a fairy tale. They’re mad that Disney didn’t represent Native Americans the way they would’ve.

Far as my eyes can see, people who call Pocahontas racist or misrepresentative just don’t want the story to be “Love tries to understand, not to possess.” They want the story to be “White colonists were unredeemable racist monsters and sub-human tyrants who deserved to rot in hell, while the Native American people were entirely innocent victims who did nothing wrong.’

The problem is that’s just not a true, or even helpful message for any movie to have. Sorry. The statement I just typed out up there in bold is not a true or helpful statement. And thank God the Pocahontas movie didn’t make it.

There’s nothing racist being said in the Pocahontas movie. There are depictions of the sin of racism in the Pocahontas movie. There is a difference. Characters in the Pocahontas movie talk and sing about each other as if the other people group is sub-human. That is a depiction of racism. But the message of the movie, and the way it treats Native Americans, is to treat them like human beings. Therefore, the message is not racist.

In terms of who is good and who is bad, who is right and who is wrong, the movie very clearly shows that the Native American characters did not start the violence. The Native American characters did not want war. The Native American characters were willing to be friendly and willing to defend their land and each other. The Native American characters were the first to try and make peace with the colonist characters. And they were all (Kocoum included) entirely human characters. They were even the good-guy-coded characters, in the movie’s conflict. All of the Native American side characters are noticeably smarter, kinder, drawn more carefully, and are more heroic than the white characters. (When Thomas is thrown overboard the other white side characters leave him behind. In contrast, when Namonteck is shot the other Native American side characters rescue him immediately and fall back.) And, not a caricature among them. Meanwhile, Wiggins, Ben, and Lion are all drawn with exaggerated characteristics. The heroine is Pocahontas the Character, not John Smith the Character. So what is the issue you have?

What people think is racist is the “idealization” of a Native American woman falling in love—or, as they like to say now—“committing herself to a white colonist.” But that’s like…a gross oversimplification of the movie. John Smith (the character) committed himself right back to her, nobody wants to talk about that? Also, they low key didn’t commit themselves to each other at all costs—he tries to, at the end of the movie, stay with her or have her come with him, and she won’t leave her home and her people?? So what’s the argument?

Not to mention, why is anyone even upset that the character Pocahontas falls in love with a white colonist character? Are you saying that this sort of thing would never happen? That a young woman who’s people are embattled with and mistreated by invaders would never find one invader who comes to an understanding with her, and then they fall in love? You’re mad because that would never happen? Incorrect. It happened all the time in history. It happens all the time in other stories you love, like West Side Story.

Who the heck cares if it didn’t happen exactly that way (even though maybe it did) with the historical Pocahontas? We already established that this wasn’t supposed to be a historically accurate retelling, it was supposed to be a loosely-based fairy tale. And the message “Love tries to understand, not to possess,” works perfectly with a fairy tale where the girl from one side of a racially-charged hate war understands and falls in love with a guy from the other side.

I mean people who talk about Pocahontas, the historical figure, with reverence and respect, all usually agree on one thing: she did help maintain some kind of peace between colonists and Native Americans. Whether or not you think the colonists should’ve even been there in the first place is beside the point—sorry, but it is; they were there, now let’s deal with the reality.

So when Disney makes a movie where the goal is to tell the message “Love tries to understand, not to possess,” and they have to be true to the universally-agreed-upon “Pocahontas probably helped bring some peace…” in their fairy tale…why on earth do you have a problem with Pocahontas the Character falling in love as a reason for bringing about that peace?

It’s because you don’t find “falling in love” to be anything other than demeaning for a woman. And it’s because you don’t want John Smith, or any white colonist character, to be depicted as human. You want them all to be unredeemable racist monsters.

The goal is no longer to have movies that say what Pocahontas said. We don’t want movies where there’s messy racism, but then it ends with attempts at peace and understanding. We want movies where there’s entirely one-sided racism, and then revenge for that racism. That’s what we want. We want endless apologies and zero forgiveness.

And for better or worse, Pocahontas is not a movie about endless apologies and zero forgiveness.

IN CONCLUSION: 1. None of the “you” statements were directed at you, idiosyncraticrednebula. 🫡

2. Anyone who wants to teach me where I’m wrong is welcome to, but you have to show your work, and you have to be consistent, you can’t just say “lol imagine thinking Pocahontas isn’t racist. You are the problem.” and then block me. 🙄 all right, well, you can, but all you’ll get out of it is an echo chamber.

3. If you want me to talk about the art, the storytelling, the quality of the movie outside of all this (and it should be outside of all this, because this was a fairy tale, not a historically accurate documentary) it’ll have to be in a different ask, and I’m happy to.

4. Should Disney have made it more clear that this was a fairy tale, a stylized story based only loosely on historical events? …Yeah. Definitely should’ve done a Prince of Egypt-style title card or something. But they didn’t—so now show me why it’s racist or misrepresentative.

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siiddestroya · 2 years

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Swiss Army Man

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notsoblackandwhite101 · 11 days

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I love your fic. So glad to read new chapter. I also love your worldbuilding. Especially family trees. Honestly, I'm dying to know more about Demelza and David. How did she became kinda snotty yet caring, and whether Dylan knew his grandpa, if I remember correctly Dylan might have taken after him when it comes to scifi

I'm glad your enjoying the story!

I can't quiet remember if the boys were born before David passed. If any were, I'd say he likely passed away when Dylan (And possibly Dawkins) were very young. Too young to understand death or its ramifications. However everything he has left behind has had a huge effect on them to this day! His study is full of science and history books. As well as his telescope and some nerd memorabilia here and there! Even if he was gone before they were born his memory has had a lasting impact!

As for Demelza, its a sort of Nature and Nurture situation. A lot of it has to do with who raised her and how. Her parents were a big influences, but so were her Uncle Radcliff and Aunt Dot.

Her mum, Orie (Oreo), is really instrumental. Orie grew up in a poor family and had, what I like to call, terminal eldest daughter syndrome. Not terminal in that it will kill you, but in that it will kill your relationships. Orie's parents were the lowest rung on the social ladder. Both working hard at menial jobs for long hours and very little pay. Her parents were happy though, loving each other and their children. It was just that Orie (Oreo) was the eldest, so when her parents were at work, she was raising her siblings. Unlike Dolly and Dylan years later, she had NO time off because her parents took NO time off. She also started caring for them when she was very young. She was basically parenthesized against her will with zero ability to punish them. Her siblings always acted up when she was caring for them, but became angels when her parents were home, with her parents downplaying the misbehavior they didn't see when Orie complained about it. Orie always had issues with her parents because of this and a few other things. (Including her birth name Oreo, which got her picked on a lot.) So as soon as she turned 18 she left, and hardly talk to any of her family again.

However that childhood made Orie dream of a Cinderella life. Where she'd marry well and never have to cook or clean. Never have to care for a flock of screaming children, with a nice big house. Not to say she'd marry for money alone. She just knew what she wanted. Patch certainly didn't match many of these prerequisites. He wasn't rich, just well off. He didn't have a huge house, he lived in a nice one with his sick parents. He had to do some cooking and cleaning, but it wasn't alot. However he did save her life and was very kind to her. (They met during an air raid and had to take shelter in a doorway together.) At first Orie just volunteered to help him with his block captain work, but they got to now each other, fell in love and married.

It wasn't a fairytale marriage, but it worked very well! Patch was passive and indecisive, but kind. Orie knew what she wanted and wasn't afraid to get it, even if she was a little rough around the edges. They worked together very well, even if it was Patch saying 'Yes dear.' most of the time. When the subject of children came up however, Orie was not interested... at first. She spent her childhood and teenage years raising her siblings, she didn't want to do it all over again as an adult. She was finally enjoying life for dogs sake! However as time went on, Patch's siblings had children.

Orie supposed Little Dipper and Domino were cute... Plus now that she was an adult they actually listen to her. Not to mention Patch was so good with them... hmmm...

Eventually she pulled Patch aside and agreed to have ONE child. Patch was over the moon, he just wanted one anyway! They ended up have Demelza and Patch loved her to bits! Orie went through a weird phase after Demelza was born where she didn't really ... love her baby? Not that she hated Demelza, it was just she didn't feel this instant love that she expected? (This is called the baby blues and its actually really common for many mothers!) After a week though the feelings came and Orie started to bond with Demelza!

Orie was content to let Patch do most of the emotional rearing for Demelza. She took over schooling, manners and other things. She had a pretty good life... but Demelza's could be even better. She was the one who pushed her daughter to climb the social ladder. Not wanting her to be stuck with tons of kids and house work when Demelza grew up. That mixed well with Uncle Radcliff, who had just moved back into the house after a stress stroke. Uncle Radlciff owned a factory and mingled with the upper crust a lot. (He and Orie got along swimmingly, both being a bit cold and grumpy, if well meaning.) Demelza looked up to Uncle Radcliff, whatever he and mum said was gospel just about. This also coincided with Aunt Dot moving in after her husband died suddenly. She was a bit like Patch, a push over and soft spoken. However unlike her three siblings she didn't work. So she took over cooking and cleaning, much to Orie's delight. (Orie got along best with Dot and Radcliff of all of Patch's siblings. Not that she argued with any of them much.) Dot wanted children but never had any, so she enjoyed helping to raise Demelza, which did help soften her demeanor greatly.

So yeah, it was a HUGE mix of four parental figures in her life that caused this. Her friends also play a part in how snooty and uptight she can be. David used to be able to settle her, but he's no longer around...

Oh and fun fact! Demelza was named by her mother. Orie, as I said, was bullied a lot as a child because she was named after a ridiculous, American snack cookie. (Oreo) She insisted that her daughter have a refined, dignified name! So Demelza it was.

(God I love exploring generational trauma with characters!)

#demelza #Orie #Oreo #Patch #Radcliffe #Dot #David #not so black and white #NSBAW #101 dalmation street #question #asks #101 dalmatians

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federer7 · 1 year

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Mr. Radcliffe. Black Hill, Ballasalla, Isle of Man, 1972

Photography: Chris Killip

"Mr Radcliffe remained a bachelor all his life. When he was given a print of this photograph he folded it in four and put it in his pocket, but told the photographer he was glad to have it as he had lost his cat in the meantime to a traffic accident."

#Chris Killip #Radcliffe #Black Hill #Ballasalla #isle of man #1972

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anaki-boo · 4 days

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Daniel’s photoshoots are my endless sketch inspiration

#daniel radcliffe #hp #Radcliffe #Harry Potter #sketch #art #artwork #fan art #artist #sketchbook #digital art

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victoria-daydreams · 9 months

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I’m going to write the most niche fic involving Radcliffe and my oc during the Thanedd Ball and the subsequent coup

#the witcher #radcliffe #the witcher netflix #radcliffe the Witcher #the witcher fanfiction

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bks-blogs · 4 months

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Logan Radcliffe

Even after the first season of the show, we've never gotten any hints of Roger and Anitta's descendant ever appearing (Aside from the Radcliffe couple appearing in a photo as an Easter Egg in the episode "London, We Have a Problem") Of course, that doesn't stop 101DS fans like me from using our creative imagination of what he or she would look like! Here's a pic commissioned by StarBoltMLP (A.K.A. Lucy) of his OC, Logan Radcliffe. He's a young man, and the grandson of Roger and Anitta, and the adopted son of Delilah and Doug of the Dalmatian family. Following from his grandfather's blood, music is his specialty. He's developed a hobby of playing the first note that comes in his mind when strumming his favorite guitar when he's writing a new song. Logan has a very close relationship with his mother, Delilah and is willing to protect her at any cost even if he risks his own life to do so from life-endangering threats... Threats like a certain woman who has an unhealthy obsession with chemically enhanced makeup products and luscious white spotted fur for one measly furcoat. Logan Radcliffe belongs to StarBoltMLP (A.K.A. Lucy)

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moonlights-thoughts · 6 months

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Imagine Jax and Bugs Bunny meeting. . .

That’d be interesting

#the amazing digital circus #Radcliffe #tadc jax #bugs bunny #crossing over #moonlights thoughts

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harvardfineartslib · 1 year

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Today is National Hot Chocolate Day!

In the last two months, Fine Arts Library staff have braved the cold and made several outings to a local chocolatier.

As shown in this photo, our favorite spot to sit down with our hot beverages and enjoy conversation is the Sunken Garden in Radcliffe Yard. During the winter, the fountain is covered and there is not much vegetation to look at. But from early spring to late October, it is a fabulous oasis with blooming flowers and beautiful trees that provide nice shady seating areas.

There’s nothing like hot chocolate on a cold day to make people happy. Wherever you are, we hope you're enjoying a nice cup of hot chocolate today! And remember to visit the Sunken Garden if you’re in Harvard Square this coming spring or summer.

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nicknumber · 1 year

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Helen Constance White, from the Radcliffe 1917 yearbook. She became the first woman president of the American Association of University Professors, and a president of the American Association of University Women and University of Wisconsin Teachers' Union.

From Wikipedia: "White developed a reputation for frequently wearing purple clothes, a choice made for convenience. White referred to herself as 'the large woman in purple', and the English department grad students called her 'the Purple Goddess'."

#radcliffe #purple #women

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giraffeseatingcake · 2 years

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Sitting on the couch, bag on my lap, catnip I picked from my mom's garden inside. Watching Swiss Army Man, an already surreal and bizarre movie, in the pitch black, getting viciously attacked by catnip-hungry cats the entire time. Most surreal 2 hours of my life.

#mine #cats #swiss army man #daniel radcliffe #radcliffe #paul dano #catnip #movies

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sailors-fightinginthedancehall · 2 years

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Season 3, Episode 21!

Oh we're back in this place again. Goddammit I hate this place.

What on earth?

EVERYONE?! WHAT DO YOU MEAN?!

Well that was a very positive introduction thank you very much I'm feeling very positive

Mack has their kill switches this makes me sad :(

Wasn't designed for what? Have I forgotten where you're going or do I not know?

Oh so that's where they're going then!

Ah but they're not exactly flying when they're in water are they?

Oh. No. The water was just dramatic nevermind.

Oh Talbot's asking nicely!

Defence Logistics Division? They stole the last two words from SHIELD, sue them for copyright

Woah they've resorted to green screen now

"You bet" sounds very reassuring

Woo security feeds!

Fair enough May. Fair enough. Sometimes me too. Other times I'm like "woah that's a nice suit"

YES! GOOD JOB EVERYBODY!

Ooh someone's angry!

"Don't do those things" is such amazing pleading for mercy

Shit shit shit shit that's not good

Very hurtful.

Yeah how dare you Mack regifting is very rude! Especially to the person who gave them to you!

Yes because these Watchdogs with big heads know everything

It's going to be very inconvenient if you make a whole army of these things and call them all Ronald

Sorry not sorry is what Hive means

No you don't Daisy, mind control and brainwashing is different than going willingly

Oh wow "Lincoln you didn't make her happy" that's very rude

HE CAN CONTROL INHUMANS YOU BIG EEJIT GET OUT OF THERE LINCOLN

STOP MAKING ME SAD GUYS :(

Don't make it her bed but maybe like one thing if you think that will be helpful

You could do this the whole time Elena?

That looks worse than killing you honestly

Yes 👍

So who's that one, Ronald-Three?

Turtle Man - Mack's never going to live that down is he

So you've said, Hive. So you've said.

No. No. I don't want you to cross them off.

Or maybe I do. I don't know who them is, you see.

Elena's sarcasm is giving me life I love you Elena

HELL YEAH YOU DID!

Radcliffe is me, I did nothing but I'm like "yes! Good job!"

This makes me feel as if Talbot has betted on WrestleMania and severely regrets it

"I'm a victim :("

Talbot and his Mustache of Authority That's Almost As Scary As Hive™️

Yay Lincoln's in on the team!

Oh no Lincoln's not on the team!

Oh yay Lincoln's temporarily on the team!

So you went and listened to Hive? Lincoln, you know he's full of bullshit

Aw Daisy :(

HE FORGIVES HER :((((((((

You're going to make me cry. You're going to make me cry. Are you happy with what you've done.

Don't be pessimistic! You'll find a cure!

So romantic 🥰

It does look nice!

Simmons, you're VERY romantic.

Fitz you dirty minded man!

This necklace keeps going around the base and it makes me very uncomfortable

The Devil's just based off him, that's all!

Aristotle is probably more interesting than the Bible

The devil is capable of getting your number! Also that. Yeah. Fair point Mack. I'm just obsessed with Blood Brothers. My bad.

Wow I feel really stupid for making a Blood Brothers reference that was really poetic Mack

Oh shit you should RUN

No not O'Brien! :(

Shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit

A BIT?!

THAT'S MORE THAN A BIT, FITZ!

Oh where they going - oh of course.

He's back bitches

He wants a way in.

Oh no. He wants the ship.

Well that's not good. Not very good.

It's practically a non existent hope.

However Daisy is ready to possibly take the same treatment.

He can do it again Daisy GET OUT OF THERE GET THE FUCK OUT DAISY IT'S NOT SAFE DAISY!

DAISY BAD DAISY NO DAISY BAD!

#agents of s.h.i.e.l.d.#daisy johnson #Hive #Alfonso Mackenzie #Lincoln #O'Brien #Talbot #Radcliffe #Elena #melinda may

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