Please analyze more Sonic Boom in the near future.Against my better judgement I will try to unpack this...
I think this is a case where writing and humour got in the way of conveying a deeper message. Not implying that women can't have misconceptions about feminism but there seems to be a genuine attempt here, hampered by the fact that it had to be written within the framework of Sonic Boom.
The first half of Knuckles' statement about the "undermining of the concept of gender equality" has some merit. Explicitly calling attention to breaking of gender roles in media is an acknowledgment of said (forced) gender roles and to a certain degree removes women's autonomy by implying that most simply adhere to them. Certainly, one can also make the argument that any pointing out of women "breaking the mold" is a celebration of women's autonomy within a patriarchal system and their ability to break free from it. I think both stances are valid.
The second part of his statement, however, goes too far in the sense that it tries to explain what I did above but has to do so in a succinct way. Dialogue in TV shows has to be snappy, otherwise you end up with stuff like True Detective Season 2. This goes especially for shows directed at kids. The way Knuckles' statement is phrased, it sounds as if he is denying the existence of gender inequality whereas it seems obvious that Knuckles is bemoaning the "status quo". In other words, Knuckles isn't talking about how things are but how they should be. He is for gender equality.
The message is further muddied by what Amy says before:
As I explained earlier, Knuckles is advocating for the autonomy of women. However, Amy, in evoking the metaphor of the "glass ceiling", an image that was coined by and gained traction within feminist circles, is talking about external limiting factors. Essentially, Knuckles and Amy are talking about two very different things here, which is where the problematic nature of Knuckles' statement stems from.
On the matter of mansplaining: It is true that Sticks the Badger could have delivered this speech. She is visible here on the left and clearly part of the conversation:
And this is another instance where the framework of Sonic Boom got into the way of the message the writer tried to convey. In this scene, the humour arising from the fact that it is Knuckles delivering this little speech, is intended to be the vehicle for the writer's message. What the writer is trying to say is that even a self-professed "meathead" like Knuckles can be a feminist but by doing so she inevitably puts him into a non-feminist position i.e. making him "mansplain" gender equality to Amy. Through this constellation of characters and the choice of humour as vehicle, the writer has essentially written herself into a corner. It certainly does not help that his explanation is flawed but I am willing to give the writer the benefit of the doubt here.
One has to also consider the nature of the show here. Sonic Boom does frequently break the fourth wall and feature self-deprecating humour. I am an advocate of the death of the author but Knuckles' comment can be seen as a meta-commentary on the cliched "You Go, Girl!" trope, essentially making him the writer's mouthpiece.
So to conclude, this was not a very effective way to introduce feminism and gender equality to children but I think the writer had the best intentions. I think it's important that TV shows for children try to tackle heavier subject matters like this but they also have to be very careful about it. The mere intention of conveying a positive message does not absolve one from potential missteps.
Now excuse me while I go to bed and think about why I am analyzing Sonic fucking Boom in the year of our lord 2017.
It's a joke.Ugh this show should just not try.
Amy is right but the guy is clearly supposed to be the strawfeminist
If a female character said it, would it be any more or less true?
A woman did write it.Wait, i'm a little behind. Are people really now arguing Knuckles was "mansplaining?"
Its a cartoon character, people! A female could have written his damn lines lmaaaaaaaaao
Wait, i'm a little behind. Are people really now arguing Knuckles was "mansplaining?"
Its a cartoon character, people! A female could have written his damn lines lmaaaaaaaaao
The scene is hilarious, but what Knuckles is saying is actually dumb as hell.
It's some "don't mention sexism and everything will be fine" bullshit people use to pretend like there's no problem.
Sonic Mania out August 15th
If a female character said it, would it be any more or less true?
It's a joke.
What did they do to Shadow's voice?!
What did they do to Shadow's voice?!
The joke is that guy is shitty. Youre not supposed to disagree with Amy, youre supposed to disagree with him because hes obviously wrong despite thinking of himself as an expert on the subject.Not really.
It being a man just makes it more obnoxious though.
So it's a bad one
Fandom has decided that Knuckles is black. What should we do in reaction to this?
So it's a bad one
WRITERS ROOM
Fandom has decided that Knuckles is black. What should we do in reaction to this?
LETS MAKE HIM STUPID AS FUCK.
hahahhahhahahhahahha. woooooooooooooooooooo. hahahahahahahahahhahahahahhahhaahhahaha PERFECT!
What did they do to Shadow's voice?!
ShhhhhhIsn't that a case of mansplaining?
The bandages and long legs make them look stupid1Why did nobody tell me about this?
WRITERS ROOM
Fandom has decided that Knuckles is black. What should we do in reaction to this?
LETS MAKE HIM STUPID AS FUCK.
hahahhahhahahhahahha. woooooooooooooooooooo. hahahahahahahahahhahahahahhahhaahhahaha PERFECT!
Martian Manhunter is black too.
Any other non black black characters?
Not really.
It being a man just makes it more obnoxious though.
So it's a bad one
Martian Manhunter is black too.
Any other non black black characters?
but idk, how do women feel about this?
The joke is that guy is shitty. Youre not supposed to disagree with Amy, youre supposed to disagree with him because hes obviously wrong despite thinking of himself as an expert on the subject.
Its a joke.
Now if you'll excuse me, my nose started bleeding profusely the moment I had to consider the gender politics of Sonic.
Is it wrong that I laughed?
The scene is hilarious, but what Knuckles is saying is actually dumb as hell.
It's some "don't mention sexism and everything will be fine" bullshit people use to pretend like there's no problem.
Sonic Mania out August 15th
Its probably a reference to his hair and his song in SA2The fuck?
Some of the jokes made me giggle but Shadow's voice
WRITERS ROOM
Fandom has decided that Knuckles is black. What should we do in reaction to this?
LETS MAKE HIM STUPID AS FUCK.
hahahhahhahahhahahha. woooooooooooooooooooo. hahahahahahahahahhahahahahhahhaahhahaha PERFECT!
That is one interpretation, the other being that celebrating the gender of an accomplishment actually marginalizes the accomplishment itself and puts emphasis on the inequality, thus perpetuating the issue.(It's not about the goal being scored, but a GIRL scored the goal???!!! No wayyyy!!!!???)
It's about the pretense not the action. Should it matter? What is dumb about dropping the pretense exactly?
I have many times admitted to my hypocrisy. I am not without fault.
I don't trust Sonic Stans
Sorry
You good peoples tho
I have many times admitted to my hypocrisy. I am not without fault.
I don't trust Sonic Stans
Sorry
You good peoples tho
Lmao what oh man.
Apparently even these writers can't make Shadow likable.
It's like English, but it's also not.
It's like English, but it's also not.
Why the fuck does Shadow sound like a bootleg Frieza.