April Could've Been Black

[CyberCubed]

If anything people would accuse the show of being racist if a black April was constantly the damsel in distress and getting beaten up by Karai an Asian woman like in that Season 1 episode.

[Coola Yagami]

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

If anything people would accuse the show of being racist if a black April was constantly the damsel in distress and getting beaten up by Karai an Asian woman like in that Season 1 episode.

Karai's not white though, so who cares if a trained ninja whupped a whitebelt's ass?

[CyberCubed]

Originally Posted by Coola Yagami

Karai's not white though, so who cares if a trained ninja whupped a whitebelt's ass?

You think an Asian girl beating up a black girl is any better? That's just asking for controversy especially in a kids show.

[TurtleTitan97]

So if a highly trained ninja beats up a character who's black, its considered controversial.

But if said character is white instead, then no one is gonna bat an eye??? Are you really that dense to believe in that statement?

[CyberCubed]

I don't think that, but if you've seen the outcry from people on various sites like tumblr, twitter, etc...you'll notice it. People are very sensitive as to how race is portrayed especially in animation for kids. There's always outcry from people on the internet over stuff like this that happens even in Disney animated films and so forth.

[plastroncafe]

People don't have to go off-site to find these sorts of arguments, not when you're making them right here.

[The Happy One]

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

If anything people would accuse the show of being racist if a black April was constantly the damsel in distress and getting beaten up by Karai an Asian woman like in that Season 1 episode.

Sorry, nope, nope. That's just digging way too deep for excuses man. If wriiten right and casted right then it could work. And it isn't even a matter of 'who's ready, who's not'. April was African American in the comics and there's thousands of African American kids (and adults) who I am sure would be thrilled about it- as well as other tmnt fans. If they can go and make April part Kraang and make Hun Asain, then they can make April black. Just sayin'.

[GoldMutant]

Cubed whining about things not supposed to change again? What else is new?

As for April being black, I think it's a good idea to expand beyond the norm. Personally, I feel it just comes down to how the character looks and if it fits that particular incarnation, not forced for the heck of it. Based on Ciro's drawing though, looks like it would have been a nice addition; maybe someone can attempt it down the line or the show does an alternate reality with it.

[Huzzah]

To me, race change is not that big of a deal in many cases. For example in the newer Fantastic Four film (which sucked fr many reasons not dealing with race),I had no issue with Johnny Storm being black, I did however have issue with the fact that they kept Sue Storm white, having to shove the adopted angle in there. Obviously Fox was okay with changing one thing, but having a smart black woman in a supposed relationship with a white man was a no go. The Storms, April, Perry White, these characters weren't defined by their race, unlike say Danny Rand as Iron Fist, his race is key to his character. In many situations changing race of a character really has no impact on the story, April is a key example.

[Ninturtle]

Originally Posted by Huzzah

To me, race change is not that big of a deal in many cases. For example in the newer Fantastic Four film (which sucked fr many reasons not dealing with race),I had no issue with Johnny Storm being black, I did however have issue with the fact that they kept Sue Storm white, having to shove the adopted angle in there. Obviously Fox was okay with changing one thing, but having a smart black woman in a supposed relationship with a white man was a no go. The Storms, April, Perry White, these characters weren't defined by their race, unlike say Danny Rand as Iron Fist, his race is key to his character. In many situations changing race of a character really has no impact on the story, April is a key example.

It doesn't impact the story but it impacts the characters design making them look less recognizable as the character. If April had been a black character in most medias I wouldn't want her to be white, and if she were made white I feel like people would be a lot less accepting of the idea and would complain about her being white washed.

[The Happy One]

Originally Posted by Ninturtle

It doesn't impact the story but it impacts the characters design making them look less recognizable as the character. If April had been a black character in most medias I wouldn't want her to be white, and if she were made white I feel like people would be a lot less accepting of the idea and would complain about her being white washed.

Well, like Gold said, I guess it has to fit the incarnation- at least for me. It needs....to fit right. I can't say if it would or wouldn't in this series for sure. But, in my opinion, with everything else they've altered it would've been a good time as any to change that up too...I don't know.

[plastroncafe]

People feel that way because there is a representation imbalance in our media which is not reflective of the population as a whole.

Most characters in fiction are white and male.
Most people in the US are not white and male.

This is why it's a false equivalence to say that changing a white character into a character of color is the same thing as changing a character of color into a white character.

Tumblr explains it better.

[Commenter 42]

Tumblr is a blight on society.

White folks need to stop telling black folks what they want. I'm not sure what's more offensive, SJW's or NGO's.

Seriously, go home white girls, unless you really think we're just not capable of fighting for ourselves.

[Xav]

Originally Posted by The Happy One

April was African American in the comics and there's thousands of African American kids (and adults) who I am sure would be thrilled about it- as well as other tmnt fans.

April wasn't black in the comics. She just had darker skin for a couple issues.

[The Happy One]

Originally Posted by Xav

April wasn't black in the comics. She just had darker skin for a couple issues.

Really...? Oh, well, gee- I have to go back and do more research. Thanks for letting me know

[Commenter 42]

[CyberCubed]

Originally Posted by The Happy One

Really...? Oh, well, gee- I have to go back and do more research. Thanks for letting me know

She's literally drawn white in all the Mirage issues except for 2-3 of them which gave her a darker skin look for some reason. And this was back in the 80's so some artists took creative liberties.

[srmff]

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

She's literally drawn white in all the Mirage issues except for 2-3 of them which gave her a darker skin look for some reason. And this was back in the 80's so some artists took creative liberties.

Yeah she was definitely white in the first issue that she appeared in. She had the jumpsuit and all that appeared in the 80's cartoon. I think that the creators said that they imagined her as being a blonde, initially anyway. That's probably why Ciro also had a few versions of April with blonde hair.

[The Happy One]

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

She's literally drawn white in all the Mirage issues except for 2-3 of them which gave her a darker skin look for some reason. And this was back in the 80's so some artists took creative liberties.

Ah, I see...hmm...can't trust tumblr sometimes. Of course, that's where I found that info. I seldom read the Mirage comics. But thanks for letting me know dudes; I appreciate it

[snake]

Originally Posted by The Happy One

Ah, I see...hmm...can't trust tumblr sometimes. Of course, that's where I found that info. I seldom read the Mirage comics. But thanks for letting me know dudes; I appreciate it

NTT

Never Trust Tumblr