WEEK 8: STEREOTYPES

Stereotypes in comics

Stereotypes have been a way for people to overgeneralize a category of people. It creates a perceived assumption of a person. When portrayed in comics, animation or games, I think it solidifies those assumptions even though when addressed in person its inaccurate. In some cases, people utilize these outlets to learn about these people which can be more effective to believe rather than getting to know the individual. They may relate to some of the stereotypes but that might just be cultural or a coincidence. Not everyone is the same.

My experience with stereotypes in comics and animation was somewhat of a way for me to learn about my own culture. This led me to try to emulate some of those stereotypes when I was growing up. I’m part Filipino, Chamorro, and 1/8 Japanese with a mix of Indo Chinese. When I was learning about cultures growing up I questioned my parents what is my culture. They would tell me I’m actually Pacific Islander and even though we live on the mainland they brought that culture with us. Fiestas with the family, BBQ, customary greetings to the family which meant hugging and kissing the cheek of every family member. On the other hand, at school, I felt I needed to take on some of the pre-perceived Asian ideal my friends and classmates had on me since they would see my international lunches and deemed I was smart because I was Asian. On the contrary, I had to work very hard to keep up with my grades to keep up with this image I was creating. I struggled and was stubborn from letting go of my “smart” status. In some ways, the smart, good at math Asian stereotype helped motivate me to study but I knew that not every Asian is good at math. Ie. Me. I just had a good father who was willing to teach me even when I struggled.

Stereotypes in March

There weren’t any stereotypes in “March”. The work, stories and people shown in “March” didn’t read like a generalization of a group but an observation of what a group of people believed and tried to do. I felt drawn to their cause and John Lewis’ experience through this time. Nate Powell’s use of inking with the use of dark backgrounds in certain pages and the shading of the environment and people helped emphasize the impact of these events. 

It felt similar to “Blankets” as if I'm living in their experience. I felt the intensity and unfairness that happened in these events. For example, it took a long time to get to the point where the sit-ins started but I think that also contributed to understanding John Lewis’s point of view. He had to wait until college when he found his “way out.” To have gone through that during college, I don't know if I could withstand the beatings and stress.