MAKENZIE SMITH
Special to The Leader
Growing up, I watched too much television. In my teens, I have played far too many video games.
During my first year here, I would put the textbook down and pick up a game to allow my brain a break. Pop culture was merely a distraction and had no consequences in my real life.
Shockingly, as my first year at Fredonia drew to a close and tests gave way to summer, I realized a subtle transformation had taken place. College, and all of its freedoms, had led me to a sort of epiphany about the media I was so desensitized to. This newfound liberation from traditional avenues of thought revealed the truth about those previously mundane distractions of mine. Once innocent and ordinary media were now revealed to be full of diversity and, at times, prejudice.
The shows I watched growing up were full of conflict and basic struggles of good versus evil. Modern television, on the other hand, works in nuances. Shows like “Steven Universe” have introduced social issues to a broad audience, fueling the movement for equality more so than ever before. “Steven Universe” is often brushed off as a children’s show because of the playful animation and brightly colored characters. A race of female, gem-based aliens fighting to protect Earth seems like a simple enough premise for a successful all-ages show. Boasting a cast of voice actors comprised mainly of fiercely talented women of color, the show is pioneering even on paper. The immature facadé shatters once the audience is introduced to the wildly progressive problems of young Steven.
Connie Maheswaran is a strong young woman of color who also happens to be Steven’s best friend. Connie never falters in her belief in herself, utterly annihilating the weak female trope normally afflicting her type of character.
Garnet, a combination of two gems referred to as a fusion, is the unabashed introduction of same-sex relationships. She is comprised of Sapphire and Ruby, two female gems who are utterly and unashamedly in love.
Fusions come in many shapes and sizes in the world of “Steven Universe” and not all are healthy. Malachite, the fusion of Jasper and Lapis, was a powerful analogy for abusive relationships. Jasper wanted Lapis for purely selfish intentions, and Lapis took her negative emotions out on her partner, causing the two to nearly destroy each other. Later, Lapis struggled with wanting to return to the relationship because of the uncertainty of being without it. The implications of this being in a show meant, in its purest form, for children are astounding.
Same-sex relationships, strong female characters and abuse have never, at least to this degree, been so easily explorable by people of all ages. The writers of “Steven Universe” have shown the world that education need not always happen in the most obvious of ways.
Diversity is becoming an expected norm in the world of pop culture. The hype preceding the release of the popular first-person shooter game “Overwatch” was attributed in part to the diversity presented in the previews of playable characters. Various different ethnicities and gender stereotypes were explored in the character creation of this game and it shows.
Pharah, a woman of Egyptian descent, wears a bulky and combat appropriate suit of armor in a nice change of pace from the norm in such games. She is accompanied by similarly powerful female characters. Zarya is a strong Russian fighter with the buff physique, perfect for destroying stereotypical gender roles. Symmetra controls reality itself while never forgetting her roots in extreme poverty on the streets of India. These women are not support for overpowered male characters; they stand on their own with individual stories and abilities.
Characterization has taken a very detailed turn in recent years, both in games like “Overwatch” and more story-oriented role-playing games. My favorite type of games allow you to make moral choices while also interacting with a plethora of different characters. One such game, and my personal favorite, is “Dragon Age: Inquisition.” Unlike others of its kind, this game has taken an extra step towards promoting MOGII/LGBT equality in what seems like a simple way.
When I play an RPG, I read any additional information I can find on the game, including Wikipedia articles and game reviews — anything to give me more insight into the world. Through this extra information, I found that “Dragon Age: Inquisition” has taken the normal process of romancing characters in a game and heightened it through expressing many specific sexualities. It is no longer implied that a character is interested in the opposite sex, or in anyone at all. The Iron Bull, a hulking casanova of a Qunari, is openly and officially pansexual, while Cole, a shy spirit, is aromantic. Dorian Pavus is an openly gay man, the first to actually proclaim so in the series. Similarly, Sera is unlike any female in prior games due to her being romanceable only by a female player. Characters such as Cullen and Cassandra are unabashedly and inarguably heterosexual.
It seems like such a small detail, proclaiming sexualities and removing gray area, yet in a genre stereotyped as being controlled by straight men, it is a huge step. The writers left no stone unturned in their mission to create the most inclusive and progressive romancing system of any modern game.
College is supposed to change people, and my advice is to let it. Let it awaken new schools of thought and new perspectives, even in regards to something as simple as pop culture. The world becomes a better place because of it.