http://ryeberg.com/curated-videos/avatar-race-relations-light-years-from-earth/

And really? how is this movie racist. People never cease to surprise me on how much they can overlook such a beautiful movie only to make irrelevant assumptions.

PAYING(attention) [hereby Patt, because it sounds better], what? Are you saying that because they live in a forest and are connected with nature that they must be of African-American descent? Because of all the black people I know, none have turned out to be giant, blue alien-creatures. I believe that your assumption of their descent is probably the most racist thing that I have heard in a long time. That’s quite impressive. Also, if you want to make a comment on the imperialistic tenancies of a nation, maybe you shouldn’t be so American-centric yourself? I mean, did you skip European history between 1600 and…1950? If we’re going to comment on genocide, slavery, environmental/societal destruction, why must we point fingers? I know the force in Avatar is clearly American, but that really just isn’t the point. You make a futile argument which really holds no backing whatsoever.

Bruce, also, I must say, what? You know, maybe I vastly misunderstood the point of the movie, but weren’t the bad (read: imperialistic) guys the antagonists? Wasn’t the whole point that the Na’vi were fighting their power and evil motives? Also you say that it portraits (sic) the American Empire as invincible. Well, let’s ignore the fact that it was said the whole conspiracy was from a private company. Didn’t they…you know…lose at the end? I kind of find that hard to ignore when reading your comment. If I remember correctly, it was implied that the Na’vi were saved by the higher power (what is their religion), the network of the entire planet. The marine came as a messenger to forewarn them and help with their intense battle. The marine was also, as Melissa said, a convert towards their way of life and their society and culture. It’s the equivalent of having a spy in the enemy’s headquarters that could tell you exactly what their next move was. And he wasn’t even admired or noble until the ending. Most of the Na’vi really disliked the fact that he was an intruder. You just make little sense here, sir.

Why must we completely ruin a good thing? Avatar was at the surface a commentary on the smarter, ecologically minded people fighting from a large overpower. Deeper it could have been any number of things. A minority rising up against oppressors (racial things aside, please)? The effects of ecological destruction? A fight back at the man? It was a great movie, the likes of which we might never see again. Calm down and let it be.

But getting to the point, I don’t know any black people that are green and ten feet tall. In fact, black people do not look anything like the characters in the movie.

As for the race, would it make everyone feel more comfortable if the roles had been reversed? What kind of sense would it make to mix voices of all of our different cultures in order to imitate an imaginary race? And furthermore, it takes a lot of gall and audacity to automatically assume that every time a mass group of individuals gather to create something artistic and meaningfull, it is an insult to a particular culture.

I can see right now that if I ever decide to write a script about a segregated culture, I’m going to have to hire little people to play the roles. Oh wait, that’s been done – The Wizard of OZ. Well, maybe some Vietnamese. Nope, they’re still making those, no originality there. Canadians? Would people from Mexico (I don’t dare call them Mexicans, that’s a whole new can of worms) have added some flavor to it?

Oh wait, I know! An all English race on a far away planet. BRAVO! Nothing offends those guys.