# Now Episode II is racist??? Give your head a shake people!!!!! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 19, 2002, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-episode-ii-is-racist-give-your-head-a-shake-people/109816 "2002-05-19T14:20:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Kwyjibo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/59ef9b/32.png) [@Kwyjibo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kwyjibo)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2002, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-episode-ii-is-racist-give-your-head-a-shake-people/109816/1 "2002-05-19T14:20:53Z")
[This says it alll…](http://detnews.com/2002/entertainment/0205/18/d01-492788.htm) Some people just have nothing better to do with their time I guess… ---
**Author:** ![pldennison](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9fc29f/32.png) [@pldennison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pldennison)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2002, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-episode-ii-is-racist-give-your-head-a-shake-people/109816/2 "2002-05-19T14:35:30Z")
Yeah, I saw this, too. And it’s just as stupid as the “controversy,” equally media-manufactured, about Episode I. I mean, sure, Temuera Morrison and Daniel Logan are both from New Zealand and are of Maori descent, and both speak with noticeable New Zealand accents (as do the clone troopers). Who cares about that? What’s important is that they **looked** Latino! That’s what’s **really** important! You don’t think that maybe – just maybe – some of these people (like, say Martina Guzman, who made the “Latino” comment) might be seeing innocuous things through their own reality filters? Nah, couldn’t be. I mean, if Martina Guzman thinks that the Maori look Latino, and [Michael Atkinson in the Village Voice](http://www.villagevoice.com/issues/0220/atkinson.php) thinks they look “Asian-featured” . . . maybe they’re just inclined to see racism no matter where they look. (I suppose Maori are Asian in the way that Egyptians are black, maybe, but that’s pushing it.) I noticed that none of the new alien races in the movie have any noticeable accents at all, as if Lucas was saying, “I dare you to find any so-called racism this time.” And they did anyway. Of course, since the Geonosians talked with a language that included clicks and hoots, I suppose they’re supposed to be Kalahari tribesmen. Can we get a bigger :rolleyes: smiley? ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2002, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-episode-ii-is-racist-give-your-head-a-shake-people/109816/3 "2002-05-19T14:39:48Z")
Um, okay. It’s a MOVIE, for chrissakes! These “academics” are engaging in a rather heated session of mental masturbation. The people on this panel are projecting themselves onto these characters, and for no other reason than to have something to be angry about. Dissecting George Lucas’s psyche for hidden biases in an obviously fictional movie is a pointless exercise in knee-jerk political correctness. Robin ---
**Author:** ![Hamadryad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6de8d8/32.png) [@Hamadryad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamadryad)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2002, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-episode-ii-is-racist-give-your-head-a-shake-people/109816/4 "2002-05-19T14:40:31Z")
“Maori? But if he’s swarthy, he MUST be Mexican! Or middle-eastern!” And **Lucas** is supposed to be the prejudiced one? I agree that a far larger :rolleyes: is needed. ---
**Author:** ![SpaceDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spacedog/32/9932_2.png) [@SpaceDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpaceDog)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2002, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-episode-ii-is-racist-give-your-head-a-shake-people/109816/5 "2002-05-19T14:41:03Z")
Oh for fucks sake, racism in Star Wars, witchcraft in Harry Potter, witchcraft _and_ racism in Lord of the Rings (IIRC). Some people really have nothing better to do with their time. If Lucas had populated the universe with white americans people would’ve complained that it’s not diverse enough. Any major film nowadays produces this sort of nonsense, people keep seeing hidden agendas in everything. I eagerly await someone accusing SpiderMan of something devious. Once again words fail me, if these people focused their ‘all-seeing’ eye on something important maybe they’d make a difference in the world. SD ---
**Author:** ![waterj2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/858c86/32.png) [@waterj2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/waterj2)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2002, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-episode-ii-is-racist-give-your-head-a-shake-people/109816/6 "2002-05-19T14:53:44Z")
Dear God these people are just stupid. > [@](#): > > Knowles at [aintitcool.com](http://aintitcool.com) keeps emphasizing on the fact that Temeura Morrison, the actor who plays Jango, is Maori. > When asked how audiences are supposed to know that, he says, “How can you tell? You stay for the end credits. Is his name ‘Raul Julia?’ No.” “How can you tell that Jango Fett isn’t Latino?” Oh, I don’t know, maybe by the New Zealand accent. I find it interesting that the article quotes several members of their hypersensitive eight-member panel on the one side, with only one film critic and a Lucasfilm spokesperson to present the side of rational people. Purely a manufactured controversy, which will be ignored when it turns out that no one really cares. ---
**Author:** ![Menocchio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de053/32.png) [@Menocchio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Menocchio)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2002, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-episode-ii-is-racist-give-your-head-a-shake-people/109816/7 "2002-05-19T14:59:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SpaceDog \* > If Lucas had populated the universe with white americans people would’ve complained that it’s not diverse enough. \*\* He did and they did. The original trilogy had one (count 'em) notable human character of color (Lando Carlassian). I’ve heard several accusations of racism based along those lines (most of them firmly tongue-in-cheek, however). So, the second time around, there’s several prominent minority parts. The Fetts (Maori), Mace Windu (Black), Captain Panaka (Amidala’s bodyguard from Ep. I, also Black), and Amidala’s new bodyguard (Also Pacific Islander, or so I’ve heard). I’ve heard Samuel L. Jackson gush about the new diversity in interviews more than once. Of course, if these characters are less than utterly noble, competent and shining leaders, then they must be crypto-racist messages, right? The same goes for his non-human characters. I mean, since Jar Jar was stupid, and spoke with what kind of sounded like a mock psuedo Caribbean accent, then Lucas _must_ be saying that all Blacks are stupid. The poor bastard just can’t win. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2002, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-episode-ii-is-racist-give-your-head-a-shake-people/109816/8 "2002-05-19T15:01:45Z")
Anyone here think that the last episode played on racial/ethnic stereotypes, just a little? I think so. Having not seen this newest issue, I can’t say whether or not it’s the same-o same-o, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it is. ---
**Author:** ![Kwyjibo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/59ef9b/32.png) [@Kwyjibo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kwyjibo)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2002, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-episode-ii-is-racist-give-your-head-a-shake-people/109816/9 "2002-05-19T15:03:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by monstro \* > \*\*Anyone here think that the last episode played on racial/ethnic stereotypes, just a little? > > I think so. \*\* Really…please explain… (Here is comes…) ---
**Author:** ![robertliguori](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/46a35a/32.png) [@robertliguori](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robertliguori)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2002, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-episode-ii-is-racist-give-your-head-a-shake-people/109816/10 "2002-05-19T15:04:15Z")
I, for one, found the portrayl of Yoda as green and wrinkled hideously racist. ---
**Author:** ![Kwyjibo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/59ef9b/32.png) [@Kwyjibo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kwyjibo)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2002, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-episode-ii-is-racist-give-your-head-a-shake-people/109816/11 "2002-05-19T15:06:19Z")
[This](http://www.stardestroyer.net/Empire/Essays/Racism.html) should hopefully set somethings straight for you \*\*monstro \*\*… ---
**Author:** ![fluiddruid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@fluiddruid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fluiddruid)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2002, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-episode-ii-is-racist-give-your-head-a-shake-people/109816/12 "2002-05-19T15:09:47Z")
> [@](#): > > If the planet name “Kamino” caught some Latinos’ attention, three Arab-Americans on The News’ panel seized on the fact that Jango’s son calls him “Baba.” “I frankly think the bounty hunter is Arab,” says college counselor Imad Nouri of Royal Oak. These people are on crack. Do they even know anything about Star Wars? Boba Fett is a character in the original trilogy, and his face (as far as I know) was never seen nor was his race implied. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2002, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-episode-ii-is-racist-give-your-head-a-shake-people/109816/13 "2002-05-19T15:22:48Z")
> [@](#): > > (Here is comes…) Here is comes indeed. I’m not saying the dumb-ass movie was racist, just that it played on stereotypes. I would be the first to say that stereotypes are not inherently evil. But denying that they are often present in science fiction–and that many of the characters in _Phantom Menance_ aren’t strikingly similar to certain stereotypes–is ludicrous. And that’s all I have to say about that. ---
**Author:** ![LolaBaby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d2c977/32.png) [@LolaBaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LolaBaby)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2002, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-episode-ii-is-racist-give-your-head-a-shake-people/109816/14 "2002-05-19T15:23:20Z")
> [@](#): > > But even if Jango was meant to be taken as a Latino, others just don’t see a problem. > “At least we’re in the picture,” says Hollywood producer Michael Gonzalez with a laugh. > “I mean, what did we have before – Lt. Torres on Star Trek? It’s just a movie,” he says. “It’s just fun. And you’re going to hit a stereotype one way or another. At least we get some screen time.” I agree with this. I don’t particularly identify with the actor playing Jango as Asian. I haven’t seen the movie yet, so can anyone tell me if there are any Asians in AOTC? ( I don’t care about spoilers) I remember grousing to someone about the fact that there hasn’t been one Asian in the entire Star Wars franchise AFAIK. He then pointed out that there was one Asian X-wing pilot (extra) in either SW or TESB. Wow, BFD! :rolleyes: Poor George can’t win. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Kwyjibo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/59ef9b/32.png) [@Kwyjibo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kwyjibo)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2002, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-episode-ii-is-racist-give-your-head-a-shake-people/109816/15 "2002-05-19T15:27:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by monstro \* > \*\*I’m not saying the dumb-ass movie was racist, just that it played on stereotypes. \*\* To what stereotypes are you refering too? ---
**Author:** ![Kwyjibo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/59ef9b/32.png) [@Kwyjibo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kwyjibo)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2002, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-episode-ii-is-racist-give-your-head-a-shake-people/109816/16 "2002-05-19T15:31:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by LolaBaby \* > \*\* I haven’t seen the movie yet, so can anyone tell me if there are any Asians in AOTC? ( I don’t care about spoilers) \*\* If by ‘Asians’, you mean ‘South East Asians’, then yes, I believe there were. I don’t recall a prominant rolls being portrayed, but I believe there were a few background characters. (One of the Jedi’s maybe.) ---
**Author:** ![Maeglin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@Maeglin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maeglin)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2002, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-episode-ii-is-racist-give-your-head-a-shake-people/109816/17 "2002-05-19T15:35:45Z")
> [@](#): > > I would be the first to say that stereotypes are not inherently evil. But denying that they are often present in science fiction–and that many of the characters in _Phantom Menance_ aren’t strikingly similar to certain stereotypes–is ludicrous. There’s a powerful argument. Anything prefaced by “it is ludicrous to deny” sets off nine bullshit sirens. ---
**Author:** ![LolaBaby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d2c977/32.png) [@LolaBaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LolaBaby)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2002, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-episode-ii-is-racist-give-your-head-a-shake-people/109816/18 "2002-05-19T15:38:52Z")
Yes, I guess that’s what I meant…Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, etc. …and yeah, I also meant that, about not one single prominent role. That’s why I don’t know what they are bitching about, at least they (to some people) are being portrayed in a prominent role. That Kamino thing is ridiculous also. We could stretch it and say that was Asian also. ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2002, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-episode-ii-is-racist-give-your-head-a-shake-people/109816/19 "2002-05-19T15:47:16Z")
> [@](#): > > “He looked totally Latino,” says Martina Guzman, a Detroiter who’s managing a State House election campaign. > “And his kid,” says Wayne State history professor Jose Cuello, referring to the young Boba Fett, “looked even more Latino.” I’m sorry. I’m confused. Is _this_ the intellectual community we’re debating about? The ones who 1. say Lucas is racist 2. decide that Latinos “look” a certain way 3. can’t even tell when that “look” is completely off base. Well how’s this? Thanks to the clones, Episode II’s non-white actors out-numbered white actors 99999 to 1. ---
**Author:** ![apotheosis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ba8739/32.png) [@apotheosis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/apotheosis)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2002, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-episode-ii-is-racist-give-your-head-a-shake-people/109816/20 "2002-05-19T15:52:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by pldennison \* > \*\*Can we get a bigger :rolleyes: smiley? \*\* :mad: :mad: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :mad: :mad: :mad: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :mad: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :eek: :rolleyes: :eek: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :mad: :rolleyes: :mad: :rolleyes: :mad: :mad: :mad: :rolleyes: :mad: :mad: :mad: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :mad: :mad: [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-episode-ii-is-racist-give-your-head-a-shake-people/109816.md?page=2)