Reasked STAR WARS Stereotypes?

Question

Since most of you did NOT get the jist of my last question..
Yes I am getting help for a class discussion.It's an interesting topic, though i wish our Sir chose another movie.
When i say stereotypes, i dont mean classic characteristics of a paticular role in the movie, i mean- what type of person is the association made with.

eg- Star wars, phantom menace.
Jar jar, no offence, is definately a negatively displayed black man.His reptilian ears look like dreadlocks, his broken language, personality, intelligence. Its an outrage, star wars movies are fun, but their heavily stereo tized.
even the "costumes, accents" mimic real life people and are more a mockery then anything else.
The fat fly salesman! from phantom menace is stereotized, his mannerisms reflect the typical negative stereotype most commonly taken to be as a jew.his "i'll do anything for money" attitude,language, method of bargain.
If you have noticed any other OBVIOUS stereotypes like jar jar[please answer}

Hey every1.I'm awfully confused at the moment, I cant disagree or agree with all of you, some say the stereotyping is evident because I'm looking for it, and some say it exists.I want to rephrase my question because I am against racism of any sort, though i do not agree with the notion that stereotyping does not exist in movies.So for now, can you answer the question from a positive viewpoint which argues against stereotyping of characters like Jar Jar and the fly, or the weird attacking squadron.I'd really appreciate, and i cant help but agree that I myself never noticed Jar Jar's black personality being displayed as negative until my instructor gave us an essay by John Leo.And besides, Jar Jar is stupid yes, but the rest of his tribe is brave and intelligent, i mean, sterotyping aside, wasn't he just comic relief[annoying comic relief?]

Answer 1

What you brought up are not stereo types. They are animagraphics.

The original character Jar Jar binks is in fact a black man but they chose to take him out and put a creature in. Normally when they do something like this they offer the actor/voice of the character the chance to have the character modelled after him. Trust me the actor did not have dread locks.

And the shop keeper is modelled after a horse fly. Where you got Jew I have no idea. I might have said Arad because of the gambling thing, but the story tells you that is what they do in that area , gamble. the who scene was a ripp off from Ben Hur and the scene where the Arad Shiek goes and makes a bet with the Roman consul, only th roles are reversed.

You need to rethink your premise.What you are calling stereo typing is actually a mixture of using characters from other movies like the short order cook in episode two and creating characters so as to utilize the actor's characteristic in the CGI creation.

I will give you this Lucas stole most of his battle scenes straight out of history books on the rise of weaponry in the Roman Empire. Coruscant is basically a cross between Rome and Greece in steel and glass.

Naboo is Venice and Tuscany.

Jedi Knights are modelled after Samurais and Knights.

Luke and leia come straight out of an Erroll Flynn fim.

Hon was stolen in Part from American Graffiti right down to the lucky dice in the Millenium Falcon.

Darth Vader is basically wearing a dialysis machine.

You are missing the vast mixing of technology and cinema throught this saga.

Tell whoever thought this one up that they are howling at the moon. I gave you sterotypes in the movie but what you are looking for now is flat out racism and that is not what you find here.

Answer 2

Here's what I would say in response to the question when posed during a class room setting.
Stereotypes are often perceived only by those who are racists and reverse racists. I have several friends some are white, some are black, some are hispanic, some are asian. When I meet a person, yes the color of the skin is obvious, but that has no bearing on my opinion of the persons behavior or attitude. I base that on the actual behavior or attitude. I don't automatically assume something based on their skin color, hair style, or nationality.
Thus when I watched Episode I and saw Jar Jar Binks, I came to the conclusion that he was an incompetent idiot, but I never once made any type of connection that he was to be associated with blacks. In-fact I had never even thought of that until I read your question. The same goes with every other character in the film.
In-fact I would argue that the only reason this sort of thing persists, is because sociologists and certain politicians and educators see it as one of their meal tickets and therefore will not let the idea of stereotyping die.
I would confront the teacher with this notion. I would challenge him/her and ask them, "If Jar Jar is stereotyped as a black person, then is Luke Skywalker or Aniken Skywalker stereotyped as spoiled white whiners?"
It's things like this in education that remind me why so many are choosing to homeschool.

Answer 3

I think your mistaking "stereotypes" for archetypes. I don't think they were meant to demean anyone, just show that there are different people in the galaxy. And by the way, Jar Jar's character was mostly created by Ahmed Best, an african-american. I have watched the movies a number of times, and I never found anything that says that one culture is better than any other, or any hint of racism, except that the Empire prioritises Humans. And, no offense, but who is racist? The person who acknowledges variety in the world, or those who put values on those varieties?

Answer 4

I personally thought "The Phantom Menace" was like racist stereotypes on parade.

The spice trading inscrutable politicians unwilling to fight sound kind of Asian - go figure!

Jar Jar Binks sounds like a gay Caribbean, who bumbles and can't get anything right.

The flying junk dealer beast in the desert, with stubble and making shady deals, is some sort of Semitic, be he Arab or Jew.


From the original trilogy, one could also make an argument that the Ewoks are the Vietnamese.

Answer 5

I disagree, you could claim almost anything is a steriotype if you try. Think about this, star wars have hundreds of species all of which are supposed to have different carachteristics, so obviously some are going to appear to be steriotypes wether they are or not. And if jar jar is a steriotype why do you say it is negative, you said his ears are dread locks, haveing dread locks is negative how? the same is true with his clothes. I do not know how you can say it is a steriotype. I would never have thought of that, the only reason you did was because you were looking for steriotypes.

Answer 6

I think the costumes were interesting in Star Wars, TESB and Return of the Jedi.

The helmets of the Stormtroopers as well as Darth Vader are shaped like helmets from the World War II German army (Nazi's). The fact that the troops are called "Stormtroopers" is also tied to the Nazi's as well.

The accents of the leaders of the Trade Federation is also interesting. They have what sounds like very exaggerated Asian accents. They have the almond shaped eyes and wear hats that resemble hats from the Chinese Emperor.

Answer 7

sorry, i dun actually GET what you're asking... but i did find that star wars depicted the like fight between good and evil... a classic example of a story in which the good gets turned to the light side...

but it's not that simple in the EU (expanded universe). it get's all complicated and every thing. instead of the evil turning good, it's the good turning evil. like when luke turns to the dark side, and when the emperor is actually still alive (it's his clone), and when there's this crap that the sarlacc found boba fett kinda "indigestable" and so he still lived, and then later got killed again. and in the end, jason solo (han and leia's eldest son) also turns to the dark side. did i mention luke turns back to the light side with the help of his sister???

Answer 8

I must be dumb or something 'cause i haven't got a clue what you are talking about.

Answer 9

I agree. And weren't the "evil" Senators/politicians named "Lott" and "Newt" ???

Answer 10

here's a question in response to your question.,... what is the point of your question?