Jar jar binks.

[kronoridley]

There is something that always bugged me:Why is Jar Jar binks Racist?

People either say he is a black stereotype, or a jamaican stereotype. Yet, other than he's dredlock-like things, how is he one of those stereotypes? If anything, he is a Chinese stereotype, but I have not heard any Chinese people complain.

And before any of you ask, yes, I checked other websites already, and got no results, so I decided to post it here.

So how is he a black or jamaican stereotype?

[Satch]

...People say this?

Who?

Why?

[kronoridley]

...People say this?

Who?

Why?

Who: a lot of people who watched EP I.
Why: I don't know, I'm asking you guys!

[Chipou]

tbh, i never found him annoying...or never have i found him remotly racist. i just saw him as something lucas sold out on.

[mental]

The dreadlocks, the big lips, and the exaggerated accent. Unfortunately it does sound a bit like a high-pitched version of racist "mogumbo" faux accents.

This is a bit similar to the way some people took the Trade Federation's robes and accents to be East Asian stereotypes.

Edit: JarJar didn't bother me that much in this regard, honestly. Though I can kinda see why it might some people.

[TheBlackCat]

On the other hand, I've seen it argued that the fact that people immediately associate those features with particular races is itself racist. In other words, the argument is that the ones accusing Jar Jar Binks and the Trade Federation of being racist are only demonstrating their own racial prejudices. I should add that the person I saw making this argument was Asian himself.

That being said, the people in the movie are definitely racist. Both the Gungans and humans (even the Jedis) judge each other based on their race. However, by the end of the movie this perspective is shown to be short-sighted to an extent.

Nevertheless, characters in the movie are shown associating largely based on race. So the trade federation is made up of only one species. Jabba's palace has a wide variety of species, but all the guards are of the same species. Jar Jar remains the only token Gungan in the Queen's employ in later movies. Jedis are mostly human (especially the students). Most of the platforms shown in the senate chambers contained only members of a single species, indicating representation was mostly based on species rather than location (and if it is based on location then planets are poorly-integrated racially). Besides the capital, more cosmopolitan areas tend to be shown as backwards, while more "civilized" areas tend to be mostly inhabited by single species or a few species that keep to themselves. The empire is made up almost exclusively by humans, and the rebels were as well until the last movie, and even then the species kept to their own ships.

[Chipou]

to be honest, theblackcat made a point i havent heard in a long time (the part about stereotyping being racist, and the people who call others are racists). anyways.

i blame mental for purple Jynx (kidding ofc). she wasnt even based on a stereotype black women. but rather some asain culture thing. but people see black skin big lips and immediatly shout racist without giving a though as to what it may be based on, immediatly assuming its a black stereotype. which in a way, as TBC made, is racist in its own right.

[kronoridley]

So, basically,people are just doing a "TRUKK NUT MUNKEE" on Jar Jar, aren't they?

Fanboys! (I actually like Jar Jar).

[Emperor Ing]

A better question is why didn't Anakin take the high ground

[mental]

On the other hand, I've seen it argued that the fact that people immediately associate those features with particular races is itself racist. In other words, the argument is that the ones accusing Jar Jar Binks and the Trade Federation of being racist are only demonstrating their own racial prejudices.

Potentially. Or maybe they've been exposed to the stereotype enough to be sensitized to it.

[Mewtwo]

Just been watchin AoTC actually. I don't find Jar Jar racist. I suppose thats because I dont look for stereotypes of a race when I watch something. I did notice that Nute was quite reminiscent of a bad asian accent and also clothing, though theres also a lot of asian jedi so meh.
Basically its the same as Other M- I think people are projecting.

[kronoridley]

I did notice that Nute was quite reminiscent of a bad asian accent and also clothing, though theres also a lot of asian jedi so meh.
Basically its the same as Other M- I think people are projecting.

I never thought the (IMO) best Samus cosplayer would also have the best answer on a thread about Jar Jar binks's racism!

You're awesome!

I don´t think Jar Jar was a racist characiture. However, the trade federation did make me roll my eyes just a bit; Ming the Merciless came to mind.

[Apothem]

A better question is why didn't Anakin take the high ground

I agree, a better question indeed, but we all know Obiwan was L33T H4X.

[Doc Scratch]

I always thought Jynx didn't have a BLACK face, but a hidden one.

Seriously, I think it looks like the hair puts her face in shadow, and the only things you can see are her lips and eyes. But then it turns out that actually IS Jinx's face, apparently, since it got changed to purple.

Nevertheless, characters in the movie are shown associating largely based on race. So the trade federation is made up of only one species. Jabba's palace has a wide variety of species, but all the guards are of the same species. Jar Jar remains the only token Gungan in the Queen's employ in later movies. Jedis are mostly human (especially the students). Most of the platforms shown in the senate chambers contained only members of a single species, indicating representation was mostly based on species rather than location (and if it is based on location then planets are poorly-integrated racially). Besides the capital, more cosmopolitan areas tend to be shown as backwards, while more "civilized" areas tend to be mostly inhabited by single species or a few species that keep to themselves. The empire is made up almost exclusively by humans, and the rebels were as well until the last movie, and even then the species kept to their own ships.

He's a senator. They represent the same planet, so there's a reason they keep in touch (I guess past friendships might matter too... Assuming it's possible to find something likeable in JarJar).

Also, humans are the most widespread species in the galaxy; that's why there's more of them in the movies. Tantooine is a bad example, since it's on the edge of the central area.