Stereotypes in Comics Part II: "March"

Alright, there was a lot of readings this week, so I tried to get through as much as possible of "March," as well as the article "Comicsgate: How an Anti-Diversity Harassment Campaign in Comics Got Ugly—and Profitable" and the small comic "What Do We Mean When We Say “Toxic Masculinity?” I'll briefly give my thoughts on each and then address my opinions on the use of stereotypes.

"March" was a graphic novel that I found incredibly intriguing, as I've found most historical graphic narratives to be easier for me to digest and process. It's a topic that I don't believe has been discussed enough in school curriculums or in general, as segregation laws and the mistreatment of African Americans will most likely be a stain in which this country can never truly remove, but certainly cover-up. In truth, it becomes harder for me to read stereotypes these days unless they are completely and utterly exaggerated to prove the point.  I felt this way in "March" as I know there were historical stereotypes against African American people, but most of those stereotypes aren't commonly brought up in context today. 

The "#Comicsgate" article was more familiar to me, and while I didn't associate the contents of the article with stereotypes at first, I can see how female comic workers can have stereotypes created about them even if the stereotypes are absolutely not true or accurate. In this instance, stereotypes were created to try and push women back out of the comics industry or to tarnish their reputation by men who feel that they are not allowed in the industry.

Reading the short webcomic about "Toxic Masculinity" was also a topic I was very familiar with, as it has been more and more commonly addressed as well, and the world today is beginning to tear away the common male stereotypes that have created unhealthy standards and behavioral responses for men in society.

In terms of stereotypes being used in the comic, animation, and gaming industry, I do feel that these industries must rely on stereotypes to communicate an idea, even though I don't agree with the practice of it. I don't believe it is entirely necessary to tell a story, no matter how much better a story might read when using a stereotype. I think the use of stereotypes should be reduced in the sense of how characters are portrayed and designed, and that diversity and realism should be created not out of old stereotypes but based on people today and to encourage the normalization of people who don't fit under labels or stereotypes. I haven't been personally affected by stereotypes in the entertainment industries as far as I am aware, but I also must say that I haven't been able to watch many films or play too many games lately.