Just read it. And he doesn't address what I consider the bigger problem - The group constantly confronting Pierce over his homophobia, but saying nothing about Shirley's? WTF.
Every character on this show is a caricature of some kind, and they represent a different element of everyone's community. Taking ANY of them seriously enough to have concerns about the show is stupid beyond compare.
I think because Shirley's homophobia is based in her religion, something the group has commented on multiple times before, that they really didn't need to go there again.
Bingo. If people insist on crying about this they should make sure to carry around a pocket full of Hawthornes 'cuz I'm not wiping anyone's tears over this ridiculousness.
I think he did address one of two big concerns. The first being the stereotyped portrayel of every gay character in the episode at the big gay party. With regards to the one he didn't address, my argument would be that Shirley is a satirical caricature of the average religious Christian. First of all, no one seems to be getting up in arms over the caricature-like portrayal of the only religious character on the show. Second of all, I don't think the group takes what she says seriously (maybe Annie does, I don't know, she's weird). They call Pierce on his crap because he is both ignorant and mean-spirited. Shirley is no less harmless, but is of the well-intentioned variety.
Now, all of that aside, you're absolutely right and go read this: http://thinkprogress.org/alyssa/2011/11/04/361148/community-homophobia/?fb_comment_id=fbc_10150378792469000_19360162_10150379365439000&ref=notif¬if_t=open_graph_comment
She points out that it's "weird treating things that are powerful as if they're adorably powerless". A very good point to make.
Community has a problem dealing with homosexuality in general. For a show about every possible walk-of-life, they do seem to be glaringly missing that one minority. Sure, Dean Pelton is probably gay, but he's also made out to be a huge creep. If there were more gay characters (even one more), then the Dean would be weird because he's weird. Now, Dean Pelton issues aside, a lot of people complained about two things: The Gay Stereotype (every single person at the big gay party was a big effeminate homosexual) and Shirley's constant homophobic comments that have no one responding to them in the manner they shutdown Pierce.
I find myself always a little caught in between my "Man, offensive stuff is hilarious" response and the "Wait, okay, lots of cultural critics/better informed people are upset, why is that?" responses. I wasn't even remotely offended by the episode, but I can see why a lot of people were. I guess people just need to reconcile the fact that Community is a show about caricatures that occasionally show deep emotional complexity.
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Just read it. And he doesn't address what I consider the bigger problem - The group constantly confronting Pierce over his homophobia, but saying nothing about Shirley's? WTF.
ReplyDeletei hate shirley, she is so annoying. pierce is at least funny and has good intentions
ReplyDeleteThere were concerns? Really?
ReplyDeleteUgh.
ReplyDeleteEvery character on this show is a caricature of some kind, and they represent a different element of everyone's community. Taking ANY of them seriously enough to have concerns about the show is stupid beyond compare.
Fair enough, I can see why people would be offended but I thought Community handled it well.
ReplyDeleteI think because Shirley's homophobia is based in her religion, something the group has commented on multiple times before, that they really didn't need to go there again.
ReplyDeletePierce more often than not is the villain.
ReplyDeleteI'm with Wilson on this one. I'm not familiar with the concept of Pierce regularly having good intentions for anyone but himself.
ReplyDeleteBingo. If people insist on crying about this they should make sure to carry around a pocket full of Hawthornes 'cuz I'm not wiping anyone's tears over this ridiculousness.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, some people are taking some things way too serious...
ReplyDeleteI think that it is nice of him to address the fans' concerns about the episode and he handled it really well.
ReplyDeleteI think he did address one of two big concerns. The first being the stereotyped portrayel of every gay character in the episode at the big gay party. With regards to the one he didn't address, my argument would be that Shirley is a satirical caricature of the average religious Christian. First of all, no one seems to be getting up in arms over the caricature-like portrayal of the only religious character on the show. Second of all, I don't think the group takes what she says seriously (maybe Annie does, I don't know, she's weird). They call Pierce on his crap because he is both ignorant and mean-spirited. Shirley is no less harmless, but is of the well-intentioned variety.
ReplyDeleteNow, all of that aside, you're absolutely right and go read this: http://thinkprogress.org/alyssa/2011/11/04/361148/community-homophobia/?fb_comment_id=fbc_10150378792469000_19360162_10150379365439000&ref=notif¬if_t=open_graph_comment
She points out that it's "weird treating things that are powerful as if they're adorably powerless". A very good point to make.
Thirded. When has Pierce ever had good intentions? It's actually the opposite of what you said.
ReplyDeleteCommunity has a problem dealing with homosexuality in general. For a show about every possible walk-of-life, they do seem to be glaringly missing that one minority. Sure, Dean Pelton is probably gay, but he's also made out to be a huge creep. If there were more gay characters (even one more), then the Dean would be weird because he's weird. Now, Dean Pelton issues aside, a lot of people complained about two things: The Gay Stereotype (every single person at the big gay party was a big effeminate homosexual) and Shirley's constant homophobic comments that have no one responding to them in the manner they shutdown Pierce.
ReplyDeleteI find myself always a little caught in between my "Man, offensive stuff is hilarious" response and the "Wait, okay, lots of cultural critics/better informed people are upset, why is that?" responses. I wasn't even remotely offended by the episode, but I can see why a lot of people were. I guess people just need to reconcile the fact that Community is a show about caricatures that occasionally show deep emotional complexity.
yeah, pierce is always the villain
ReplyDelete