What did he mean by this?
Member
This is strange cultural thing I've noticed. I got to an HBCU and just about everyone I discuss anime with agrees that Piccolo was a black man.
It's uncanny. In terms of personality, his strong demeanor mixed with his vast kindness greatly contrasted with the moral simplicity of his saiyan/human allies and really set him apart.
Furthermore, as we were introduced to planet Namek and its natives, watching them brutalized by the powers that be was a distinct analogue to abuses impacted upon the black race. It's hard to express, but I sympathized on a level deeper than I should have when I saw those images on screen of Friza's troops murdering Namekians.
Personally, for myself growing up, when positive portrayals of adult black men in media were hard to find, Piccolo was an empowering figure. Of course, the cartoons and whatnot in the 90s had that trademark diversity amongst children and teens, but as far as specifically black MEN are concerned Piccolo was awesome to witness.
It's uncanny. In terms of personality, his strong demeanor mixed with his vast kindness greatly contrasted with the moral simplicity of his saiyan/human allies and really set him apart.
Furthermore, as we were introduced to planet Namek and its natives, watching them brutalized by the powers that be was a distinct analogue to abuses impacted upon the black race. It's hard to express, but I sympathized on a level deeper than I should have when I saw those images on screen of Friza's troops murdering Namekians.
Personally, for myself growing up, when positive portrayals of adult black men in media were hard to find, Piccolo was an empowering figure. Of course, the cartoons and whatnot in the 90s had that trademark diversity amongst children and teens, but as far as specifically black MEN are concerned Piccolo was awesome to witness.