Like, my issue with Velma is NOT about the diversity of the main character (and the main cast, by extension); I feel like this is a topic that should be addressed.
Are you guys familiar with the term "Sacrifical Trash" (coined by YouTuber Sarah Z)? It's when an average/mediocre piece of media is harshly criticized, but for the WRONG reasons.
Case In Point: Most people wrongfully accuse critics of homophobia when they trash-talk about Steven Universe, when the REAL reason why it's heavily criticized is for its subpar writing and animation, as well as shamelessly forgiving fascism.
While I acknowledge the importance of Steven Universe as an animation that inspires future showrunners to be more daring and inclusive in their works, I will NOT ignore the long-term damage of forgiving the Diamond Authority, and I WILL address them. Because that's how critics function. They function on NUANCE, meaning that there'll be both positive points and negative points.
But it seems that 90% of the internet doesn't know how critics are supposed to work. Most people nowadays are so impatient when consuming the news, and are also too thick-headed to listen to alternative versions of the story.
Like, Velma Dinkley being black and a lesbian is NOT the problem; the REAL problem is when you strip her away of her charming characteristics and make her all mean and bitchy for the sake of "sUbVeRsIvE cOmEdY". Absolutely DO NOT expect me to root for your black lesbian MC and the other characters if they're passive-aggressive and nasty all the time.
It IS possible to make a likable character who happens to be a minority, and The Owl House's Luz Noceda is proof of such an argument.
Luz is creative, bright, daring, energetic, and all-around friendly. Her biggest flaw is her recklessness, and the reason why her adventures begin is because she was in dire need of a reality check (and she does get one, but not through the conventional means of a summer camp). And she's latina and bisexual.
Do you know why Luz works? Because she is a CHARACTER, and characters must be FLESHED OUT, so a connection with the audience can be stablished. Her entire characterization does not surround exclusively on the fact that she's black and gay, and she's absolutely not passive-aggressive and nasty with others for the sake of "bEiNg MaTuRe".
But do the execs care? No, they don't! The Owl House ALMOST got cancelled because of Luz's sexuality, and we can't have them queers being represented in a kids' show, let alone being POSITIVELY represented!
Meanwhile, shows like Velma not only get the wrong idea of being queer (by portraying lesbians as man-hating), as well as what makes an adult show good, and are still on air despite its disasterous ratings and reactions.
It's like they KNOW exactly what gets our knickers in a twist! They're certainly doing this on purpose!
Look, I am a 25yo woman, and I am feeling extremely uncomfortable about these adult shows being all about sex, drugs and murder. And not only that, I also feel extremely offended by its writing. I'm not stupid.
I mean, really! What makes you think why I gravitate towards children's shows, specially magical girls? It's because they don't treat me like some sex-starved idiot, a cynical activist, or a jaded bastard; and yet, they have given me more representation than your edgy gritty reboot ever will.
