So, as of late I’ve been seeing more and more discourse centered around this beautiful baby. And I wanted to jump in, because we all know I love talking about race.
As a black woman, I always saw Helion as black. He was described as dark skinned, and when one uses those words, they are to be interpreted as black. I dont know how that is in other communities, but in my opinion (traditionally, commonly, usually) it means black. In every reference that I can think of, whenever you see ‘dark skinned’ it’s used to describe a black person. Therefore, many people are to interpret that Helion is black. I have NEVER heard dark skinned used to describe a brown person. Thats why you say, brown skinned. They are two different things, but I really dont expect people outside of those communities to know that (even tho you fucking should). SJM should make herself more clear so shit like this doesnt happen.
If we look into the culture that the Day Court is seen to be representing, it would be Egypt. Commonly, when you think of Egypt, you dont think of black people. However, in Egyptian times, there were many cultures and races mixed in. Not only that, but Upper Egypt, and Lower Egypt, were similar yes, but also very different. Lower Egypt has darker skinned people, aka, the Nubians. They were in fact, Egyptian Pharaohs. Therefore, if we are to take SJM by her vague description of the Day Court, it can be either more arabian features assigned to Helion, or Sudanese (for Nubia - Lower Egypt - is present day Sudan).
(Lower Egypt, Nubian Pharaoh, and serious hottie, Taharqa)
(Upper Egypt, King Tut - apparently he didnt look like this, but you see the sculptural differences)
That makes Helion EXTREMELY tricky to pinpoint. As he was described, being Dark skinned, I assign him with being Nubian. But knowing the background of egypt, I cant seriously say that he is not arabic. So, bringing @charliebowater into this, i cant say that shes wrong. She did her job. As an artist, I understand that she went with what her client (SJM) asked for. It doesnt make Charlie wrong. And it doenst make SJM wrong (In THIS situation. Others are debatable. I can go into many other things but I wont).
One thing that is ABSOLUTELY NOT OKAY, is to WHITE WASH, Helion. Drawing him with white features, as MANY OF YOU ARTISTS ON THIS PLATFORM HAVE DONE, IS NOT OKAY. I DONT CARE ABOUT YOUR INTERPRETATION OF THE CHARACTER. THIS CHARACTER IS /CLEARLY/ A PERSON OF COLOR AND SHOULD BE TREATED AS SUCH. DARKENING THE SKIN OF YOUR PAINTING OR DRAWING, TO SUIT THE CHARACTER, IS NOT MAKING HIM A PERSON OF COLOR. THATS ERASURE AND YOU TRYING TO COVER YOUR ASS. Not to fucking mention it makes them look ashy as fuck so just dont.
Now, if some of yall know, Im pretty outspoken in this fandom. Many of yall came after my ass because I said Rhys isnt fucking white (because hes not, and I’m not discussing that further, yall give me a headache). I am VERY hard when it comes to race in SJM’s work. But this I cant in good conscience say is completely wrong. The Egyptians were broad and nothing was canonically confirmed. Unfortunately.
I will continue to say Helion is black. But you’re not wrong calling him brown. Just fucking show him as actually being brown or black, and for gods sake stop darkening skin on your white boys to make them a poc character. It looks stupid.
germansingergirl
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romaincrisis
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