Darkness=Black. By using the most common characteristic of something and incorporate it on a character that represents it, is the most logical thing to do. I don't think racism exists here. First, she was not feared or hated because of her dark skin, but more of what is the meaning behind it in which is she was bestowed upon the blessing of the king of Darkness. Second, the author has no obligations whatsoever to restrain his or herself and her writing to adjust whatever the public dictates. Third, mentioning the existence of racism in a story makes the author a racist? I do not understand, I still deny the existence of racism here, but if there is, it's obvious that the author will make the MC go through hardships but safe to say it will result in a happy ending. So in other words the story will go as, a racism victim, who will suffer but in the end will have a 'happy ever after', then that makes the author racist?!? Huh??
I agree. People seem to think only on the surface, and can only see "dark skin=bad", even though it's the meaning behind the color that is considered bad. If the mc had blue skin, no one reading this work would utter a peep about racism.
Not to mention, that Thime seems to have a misconception about racism in rl. It's, again, not about the color, but mainly about race. The skin color is just one of the indicators of different race. There are plenty of asians, or white passing latinos who have white skin, yet get discriminated because of their race. It's not always the skin color. In other words, the mc doesn't fit the bill. People hate her not because of her skin, but because she has that blessing. She is the same race as everyone else around her, so they clearly don't care about that.
Also, comparing her to mixed race people is faulty at best. As I said, she is of the same race - she is not mixed, she does not have a dark colored parent, all of her biological family is the same race as her. Racism is when you hate a race. You can't hate a single person, and none of the others in the same race and call it racism. That's not how it works.
Besides, it's bold of you to assume, that japanese people care about racism in general. They don't. They have their "japanese people" and "everyone else". They couldn't care less wether you are white, black, latino or something else, if you are not japanese, you are not one of them and that's that.
Two people gained my follow, you and milady1997
1. I said don’t deny it’s racist. Why are you commenting on my post with your flimsy excuses. If you want to make yourself feel better don’t drag me into it.
2. I didn’t just call the author racist. I said they also endorse a toxic mentality.
3. You only support my response that many homogeneous countries are in denial that racism exist in their country.
4.Colorism is a result of racism. Read some articles or something. I’m not obligated to educate you.
5. Your arguments are mainly points I’ve already debunked. I don’t have time for your justify racist work segments. Again, I’m not gonna teleport in your space to judge you.
Ur just to thick skulled jesus, why do people always have to complain that something is ether racist or sexist or just rude holy moly, the 2 people who commented literary debunked your message and actually made sense, you Olso made one of the textbook arguments of somebody who doesn't really know anything of what they are saying and just saying stuff they belive is right witch is saying go read a book/article or something, I mean come on, I chould just say the same thing as u and say that ur racist against this Asian person cuz you call them racist without even knowing who they are and what they are like
I could say the same to you.
"I said don't make it racist when it's not. Why are you commenting with your flimsy excuses. Your arguments are mainly points I've already debunked."
Your second and third point is just plain nonsense at this point.
I'm leaving this discussion. I already explained everything, read that again to understand my point which you seem to have completely missed.
Actually, this whole discussion made me remember an article I read, where in some museum you could try on a kimono, but people protested that it's "racism" and "cultural apropriation", and it got to the point where the museum stopped providing this feature, while the japanese people kept insisting that they don't mind, it's not racist, and that they are happy that people can try on a part of their culture. Talk about shooting yourself in the foot over a non-existent problem.
It makes me sad that promoting one's culture now a days is restricted due to the politics of 'feelings'. Trying on a kimono is not a cultural appropriation, many wants to try it not because they want to disrespect a certain culture but rather wants to learn about it and embrace it. Of course there are rules to be followed but people just wants to make an issue about just anything.
Some people think the comic is racist and some don’t.
Honestly the whole dark skin being associated with darkness alone is racist. I don’t know if it’s true, but to make her lighten up as a sort of character progression is hella racist, as well. I’ve seen people argue that it’s not due to her parents not being colored. Therefore, she is not a true colored person and it is not racist. BUT COLORED PEOPLE CAN HAVE WHITE PARENTS AND FAMILY. Many mixed people who look dark can experience racism despite having a white parent. Racism is about being judged by the color of your skin. Which the main character is experiencing.
“Okay, it’s just a manga. This is the setting. Racism isn’t a real concept there.”
Perhaps, but understand this, the author is a real person. The author made a conscious choice to include these dynamics in thier media. This is an idea and concept that they are spreading.
“Maybe, the author is unaware?”
They knew enough to choose a darker skin color. They knew enough to associate it with darkness and enough to have “cured” the MC of it. Please don’t say as a homogeneous country Japan does not have this issue. They have a whole “hafu” culture. Also, Miss Japan 2015 was dark skinned and voiced the prejudice she went through. Darker skin is considered less desirable, which is racist.
Anyway, the author has written another problematic piece about weight loss. So, forgive me if I am a bit more pragmatic about the intention and nature of the manga. If you wanna stop reading or continue it’s whatever. No one is gonna teleport in your home to judge you. Perhaps, you didn’t see it for what it is or don’t care. Again it’s a manga, not a big life choice, but don’t defend what it is. Especially, not to a reader who was disappointed or offended.
Maybe, later on it will redeem itself. Maybe it’s a commentary on racism instead. However, what I’ve read so far is definitely racist.